Secrets from Beyond The Grave

Revelation 6:11 refers to numerous martyrs in a special region of heaven who are given white robes and commanded to "rest for a season." This word rest is anapano and alludes to "repose, to take ease and to refresh." Those who have lived in a redemptive covenant and died in the faith will enter into a time of refreshing and rest in the heavenly realm prior to their resurrection. During the future tribulation, there will be a multitude who will die. These souls are alluded to in Revelation 14:13, when John wrote, " ‘ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' ‘ Yes,' says the Spirit, ‘ that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'" The word blessed is similar to saying happy . Just as the poor beggar was "comforted" in the afterlife (Luke 16:25), those who die in Christ will also be comforted and happy when they enter the heavenly dimension. When we speak of resting on Earth, we are usually sitting or lying down. Our rest in heaven is to cease from our earthly work and labor and to enjoy the presence of other saints, the holy angels, and the presence of God. The writer to the Hebrews describes a believer who enters heaven as follows: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. --Hebrews 12:22-23 If soul sleep were true, then the soul and spirit would not be conscious, awake, or able to operate in all five senses. As indicated in Revelation 6:11, after a believer dies on Earth, that person's soul and spirit are taken under the golden altar in heaven, given white robes, and commanded to rest for a season under the altar of God. Can't Tell You Everything When Paul experienced his visitation of paradise, he said he heard "inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Cor. 12:4). Either he was saying that God forbade him to tell the numerous secrets or that God knew those hearing his story would find it hard to believe everything Paul saw. However, we can have confidence in God's promises for our future, as it is written: But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. --1 Corinthians 2:9-10 At times a somewhat skeptical person will ask me how I know that what I believe about the future, especially heaven, is true. The easiest answer is to say, "Because the Bible says so." However, there is another reason why it is easy to believe in these eternal truths--the Holy Spirit! He is a living witness of all heavenly and eternal realities. He is not an it or a force or a mystical, divine energy of light, but He is a person. When a living human being is truly converted to Christ, that person first encounters the Holy Spirit, for it is the Spirit who draws that person to Christ (John 15:26-27; 16:13). The Holy Spirit also introduces the power of God to the believer (Acts 1:8). Christ said, "He [the Spirit] will tell you things to come" (John 16:13). As a believer, there is this inner knowing , this deep feeling that comes after receiving a spiritual revelation from