Although it says that believers receive eternal life, nowhere in Scripture does it say you go directly to heaven at death.

What it does say, however, is that all are waiting in their graves to be called forth in the resurrection.

"Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in the which all that are IN THE GRAVES shall hear His voice and come forth: they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation."

"Thou shalt be recompensed AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST."

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and THEN he shall reward every man according to his deeds."

"Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his works shall be."

"To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God our Father AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."

"And you who are troubled, rest with us, WHEN THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS ANGELS."

"And when the Chief Shepherd SHALL APPEAR, ye shall receive a crown of glory which fadeth not away."

"Judge nothing before the time, UNTIL THE LORD COME, Who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the heart, AND THEN shall every man have praise of God."

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED."

I noticed that, though several people here have posted verses about eternal life, or attempted to explain away other verses by presuming "it MUST mean we go to heaven", none have quoted a verse that says we go to heaven at death.

If anyone is going to give me a thumbs down for saying that, please be so kind as to prove me wrong, too.

You are welcome to read my book BODY, SOUL & SPIRIT: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, which is my indepth biblical study on "life after death". It's available in paperback, and is currently free to read in its entirety from the publisher at this website:

http://hmghosthost.tripod.com

-Rev. Jim Cunningham

God bless you!!

King James Bible Ministries