A: The scripture that you are probably referring to is Isaiah 25:8:

He will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove the disgrace of his people
from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken.

The message of Isaiah 25:8 is also found in Revelation 21:4:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Some Bible teachers have inferred from these scriptures that believers will no longer remember the sadness, sickness, pain, or death that they experienced in this life. Some believe that the reference to the ‘disgrace’ or reproach of God’s people being ‘removed’ means that all the mistakes and sins made in this life will be blotted out and remembered no more in Heaven.

There is no scripture which teaches that we will no longer remember our life on earth. I believe that the scriptures are teaching that we will be changed and that our understanding and feelings about our earthly life will also be changed. Memories which cause us to experience pain, sorrow, and remorse will no longer affect us. The sting and stigma of all our pain, sorrow, sickness, mistakes, and sin will no longer touch us in a negative way in the life to come. *Top

Q: This seems a bit spiteful of God. I would think he would be proud of human accomplishment.

A: The whole point here, is that these folk were trying to “save themselves”.

They figured if they could build a tower high enough, than God could not wipe them out again with another flood. Also, there is an indication that they were hoping by their efforts to “reach into the heavens”–that is code for seeking to enter the ‘spirit realm’ and become ‘gods’ unto themselves. Kind of like what the Serpent offered Eve–their goal was to “make a name for themselves” and become ‘as God’ and live in heavenly realm. So you see, they really were defying and rejecting their Creator.

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A: Jesus tells the repentant thief- “…today you will be with me in paradise.” (NIV) Years ago (20+ yrs) when I was taking a coarse in Jewish theology and Rabbinical studies, I did a major theological paper on ancient Jewish teachings on the afterlife. According to the prevailing understanding in the first century Judah (based upon the Older Testament), when one died, the body was to be buried in a grave but the soul went ‘down’ to ‘Sheol’ and waited for the end of time and final judgment.

‘Sheol’ (or ‘Hades’ in Greek), was not the abode of God or Heaven, but a holding place for the dead. It was divided into two major areas–a place for the unbelieving wicked, & ‘Abrahams Bosom’ or ‘Paradise’ (paradeisos-Greek) -for the righteous believers. The dead were to stay in this holding place until the end of time and the Final Judgment.

Another tradition based upon the OT prophecy, was that the righteous of Israel would be Resurrected when the Messiah came, and would live in peace and prosperity for a long period of time–at the end of which would come the Final Judgment. Of coarse, we are off of point at this juncture, but it is helpful I believe, to see the full soteriological progression. Some of what I speak of, is recorded in the story of ‘the rich man and the beggar named Lazarus’ (See: Lk 16:19-31). Note in the story that Abraham is in charge of the ‘Paradise’ side of Sheol. This is not the abode of God or Heaven.

Now back to your question–when Jesus died on the cross, he went ‘down’ into Abraham Bosom or Paradise for three days. After he was resurrected, he spoke to Mary in the garden (John 20:17), and then ascended to his Father in Heaven. Therefore, the two accounts are not contradictory. One of the earliest Christian creeds–”The Apostles Creed”, which is said to preserve some ‘Apostolic’ traditions, records this progression of events:

…He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the lower world. (‘inferna’)

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into Heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I add the following at no extra charge!–To complete the eschatological picture. According to early ‘Apostolic’ tradition–Jesus also returned to Abrahams Bosom/Paradise and led the righteous believers into Heaven where they now reside with him. Now when ‘believers’ die today, they immediately ascend into the presence of the Lord Jesus in Heaven (See: II Cor. 5:8). At the Second Coming, believers will come back to earth with Jesus, and live & reign with him. Later comes the Final Judgment and our final assignments–the wicked to ‘Gehenna’ or ‘outer darkness’, and the believers to ‘a new creation’–an eternal abode with God (See: Rev. 20:5).

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