What Happens After Death?

My grandmother recently died and I’ve been searching for the truth about life after death. Usually a church says, “She went to heaven with the Lord,” but then why would the dead in Christ rise first if they’re already in heaven with Jesus? Please help.

Q. My grandmother recently died and I’ve been searching for the truth about life after death. Usually a church says,”She went to heaven with the Lord” but then why would the dead in Christ rise first if they’re already in heaven with Jesus. I need some sort of Scriptural evidence of what really happens after death. Please help.

A. My condolences on your Grand mother’s passing. I assume from your question that she was a believer. That being the case, when she died her spirit, the part of her that is really her and lives eternally, departed her dead body and went to be with the Lord. (Phil. 1:21-23 & 2 Cor. 5:7-8)

At the time of the Rapture of the church, those whose spirits have departed will be rejoined with resurrection bodies, perfected versions of their previous ones. This is what Paul meant when he talked about the dead in Christ rising first. At the same time we who are still alive will experience a sudden change as our physical bodies are perfected (1 Cor. 15:51-52) and we’ll all arrive at the Throne of God together to begin our eternal lives with Him.