The Bible does not directly tell us whether Adam and Eve went to heaven or hell after they died. In other words, the scriptures have not provided us with a clear yes or no answer to this question.
Nevertheless, in order to get an idea of the answer to this question, it is important to begin by asking ourselves two important questions. The first question is, What is heaven? and How does one qualify to get there? The second question is: what is hell, and how does one end up there? It is only after answering these questions that we can tell whether or not Adam and Eve went to heaven.
The majority of Christians believe that a person who leads a life aligned with God’s commandments goes to heaven after they die. On the other hand, a person who lives in total disregard and violation of God’s word is believed to end up in hell after they die.
An overview of this article:
- What is heaven, according to the Bible?
- How does one qualify to go to heaven?
- What is hell, according to the Bible?
- How does one end up in hell?
- Did Adam and Eve go to heaven or hell?
What is heaven, according to the Bible?
To better understand heaven, we shall explain the meaning of the term in relation to its scriptural positioning. Let us delve into it.
In Genesis 1:1, we find these words: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” In this case, heaven is used to refer to the universe in its entirety, that is, the realm in which the sun, the moon, and the earth are located.
In Luke 20:4, we thus read: “The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?” In this case, the term heaven is used as a synonym for God.
In Isaiah 66:1, we thus read: “Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool….” In this case, heaven is used to mean “the dwelling place of God.”
In Matthew 6:9, we find these words: “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven…Again here, heaven is used to imply God’s dwelling place.
In Matthew 6:10, we find these words: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Again, heaven still refers to the dwelling place of God.
In this article, the term heaven is used in the context of God’s dwelling place. Thus, when we are talking about someone going to heaven after they die, we are actually implying that they have transited to the dwelling place of God.
Specifically, when we talk of this ‘heaven, we are implying an intermediate state into which a believer slips after death as they await the resurrection of their body.
This intermediate state is described differently in different scriptures, as demonstrated in the following Bible passages:
Ecclesiastes 12:7: “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
Luke 16:22: “The parable of Lazarus and the rich man. “So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.”
Luke 23:43: “And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
2nd Corinthians 5:8: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 12:2-4:
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—how he was caught up in Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
Revelation 6:9:
“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.”
From the examined Bible passages, it can be inferred that heaven is a temporary or intermediate state that occurs immediately after a born-again Christian dies, awaiting bodily resurrection.
Heaven may also be referred to as Paradise, God’s dwelling place, Abraham’s bosom, under the altar, absence from the body, among other expressions.
How does one qualify to go to heaven?
In order to get the correct answer to this question, we must again interrogate the scriptures to find out what they say exactly concerning this issue.
According to Revelation 6:9, individuals found in heaven are those slain for the word of God and for the testimony they held while here on earth.
In Revelation 20:15, we thus read, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” From this scripture, we can conclude that for you to make it to heaven, your name must be found written in the Book of Life.
In Matthew 1:21, we find these words:
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.”
From this passage, we infer that it is by believing in Jesus Christ that one gets to be saved from their sins and acquire a heavenly residence in the coming age.
In John 3:3, we read:
‘Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I tell you, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”’ The kingdom of God in this case refers to the heavenly abode.
In John 17:24, the scriptures record the following words:
“Father, I desire that they also who You gave Me may be with Him where I am.”
After the death and resurrection of Christ, the Bible tells us that he is currently seated at the right hand of God in heaven.
In Colossians 3:1, the Bible records these words for us:
‘If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.’
Thus, it is by focusing all our attention on the things above that we can be truly sure of ending up there when our earthly lives come to an end.
In Luke 23:42-43, the Bible records the encounter between the crucified Christ and the thief: we thus read:
‘Then he said to Jesus, Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”’
In this instance, it seems that the thief believed Christ was the messiah able to save him, and Jesus granted him, his desire. So by confessing our sins and believing in Christ, our admission to Paradise is sure when our earthly life comes to an end.
The scriptures also talk of overcomers as candidates of heaven. In Revelation 3:5 we thus read: ‘He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life…..’
What is hell, according to the Bible?
Hell is referred to as Sheol in Hebrew and Hades in Greek. In this context, hell refers to the place of the dead.
In the New Testament, hell is described using the term Gehena. According to the scriptures, Gehena referred to the ‘Valley of Hinnom, located near Jerusalem, where the people of Judah offered their sons and daughters as burnt offerings to the idol Molech (2nd Kings 16:3; 21:6).
Hell is also associated with a place of final judgement where there is a fire that is never quenched. Scriptures to back this notion included the following: Revelation 14:10 – which talks of ‘fire and brimstone’; Matthew 3:12 – talks of the ‘unquenchable fire’; Matthew 8:12 – talks of the ‘everlasting fire’; Luke 16:23 – talks of the ‘place of torments’; Revelation 2:11 – talks of ‘second death’; Matthew 7:13 – calls hell the place of destruction; Revelation 19:20 calls it the lake of fire burning with brimstone; while Revelation 20:15 talks of the lake of fire.
From these passages, we can conclude that hell is a place of torment and untold suffering.
How does one end up in hell?
The story of Lazarus in Luke 16:22–31 may give us a hint to this question. We thus read in verse 31:
‘But he said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rises from the dead.”’
In this passage, Moses and the prophets represent God’s commandments. So it seems that the rich man was never keen to observe these commandments, hence his failure to make it to Abraham’s bosom. In addition, it is important to note that the rich man pleads with Father Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers to change their way of life so that they don’t end up in hell.
Revelation 20:15 also tells us the kind of people that end up in hell. We thus read: ‘And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.’
Luke 10:20 says thus: ‘Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.’
So basically, you end up in hell if your life’s deeds are not aligned with God’s commandments as handed down to us by Moses, the Prophets, and all the way to the Apostles.
In addition, you must confess your sins, believe in Jesus Christ, and confess him as Lord and Saviour in order to be born again. In John 14:6, we thus read:
‘Jesus said to him (Nicodemus), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”’
Did Adam and Eve go to heaven or hell?
So going back to our main question, did Adam and Eve go to heaven or hell?
We now know that there are two conditions that need to be met in order for Adam and Eve to be in heaven:
Firstly, their names must be in the Book of Life. The Scriptures do not tell us whether this is the case.
Secondly, they need to have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Again, the scriptures do not tell us whether or not this happened.
So what is the conclusion of this matter? Since the Bible leaves a deafening silence concerning the destination of Adam and Eve after their deaths, we leave you with the words of Moses found in Deuteronomy 29:29:
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.’”
I hope the information was helpful. God bless you.
Related Post: Why did Adam and Eve disobey god
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Are you a Born Again Christian? If not, kindly say the following prayer from the bottom of your heart, and you will get saved.
Prayer to become a born-again Christian
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness;
I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God;
I believe that you were sent of your Father to the earth to save sinners like me;
I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.
Come into my heart and baptize me with The Holy Spirit;
Thank you for saving me.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen!”
Congratulations friend! You are now a born again Christian! Welcome to the Family of God!
Benediction
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Shalom.
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/
My name is Nicodemus. I'm a Kenyan by birth. I got saved about 30 years ago while in high school. I love studying scriptures in order to enhance my comprehension of God and His plan for mankind. I have a BSc in botany, zoology, and chemistry from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in strategic management from Egerton University. I’m married to one wonderful woman and God has blessed us with three sons.
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