Your Bible question was:
> Where in the bible does it tell you where you'll go when you die, to wait
> for the resurrection?
> My understanding is that you sleep, like Steven did when they stoned him.
I
> don't have a clear understanding.  Can you guide me to some scripture that
> would help clear this up.

The first thing to remember is that "sleep" is used at times in the Bible to
speak of death without any reference to the condition of the spirit or where
one goes after death.  For instance, John 11:11-14, where Jesus used
"sleeps" synonymously with "dead."  When the body is dead it appears to be
asleep, hence, the figurative use of "sleep."  Likewise, when Stephen "fell
asleep", this is an expressive way of saying, "he died" (Acts 7:60, note
8:1).

Death means separation.  Man dies when the spirit leaves the body (Jas.
2:26).

Luke 16:19-31 is one of the best places to go in the Bible to teach us about
what happens to us when we die.  Please notice there is nothing stated in
the text that says this is a parable.  Jesus describes this incident as a
matter of fact, an event which actually took place.

The realm of the dead or the place of departed spirits (sometimes called
Hades or the Hadean realm) is here described as consisting of two parts, one
a place of comfort and rest (Abraham's bosom) and the other a place of agony
and torment.  There is no passing between these two states (v. 26).  There
is consciousness as noted throughout this narrative.  One's conduct in life
determines where he goes upon death (v. 25, 27-31).  The living cannot
effect or change the condition of those who have died.  Neither can the dead
change the condition of the living.  Our choices in this life determine
where we go after we die.

Recall that Jesus said He would be in Paradise after He died (Lk. 23:43).
Acts 2:27 says Jesus went to Hades when He died.  So, Jesus was in that part
of Hades which is referred to in Lk. 16:22 as "Abraham's bosom" -- Paradise.
This is where every faithful Christian can expect to go awaiting the
resurrection of the dead.

At Christ's return He will speak and all the dead shall arise, some to a
judgment of everlasting life and others to a judgment of everlasting death
(Jno. 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:10).

Please feel free to write again if I can help to further clarify something
from the Bible on this or another topic.

Sincerely,
Joe Price

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Joe R Price
joe@bibleanswer.com

Bible Answers
http://www.bibleanswer.com

Mt. Baker church of Christ
http://www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker
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