This book explains the component parts of a human being which are spirit, soul, and body; and describes what happens to each part when one dies. It clearly defines and gives the functions of the Spirit, Soul, and Body, and how they interrelate with each other. It also explains the nature of heaven and hell, describes the seven resurrections found in the Bible, and includes a description of the five stages of grief, which will be of great benefit for those who have lost a love one.
This book begins by providing evidence for the existence of God, without Whom spirit, soul, and body, would not be possible. Rather than just explaining what happens to a person when he or she dies, it breaks down the three parts of a human being and explains what happens to each part separately. Furthermore, it explains, not just two, but seven resurrections found in the Bible, which affirms hope for all Christians. It also provides a chapter on the five stages of grief to help benefit all who have lost a loved one. It concludes with answers to a variety of common questions about heaven and hell in the Appendix.
Now, how do these three – spirit, soul, and body relate to each other as we go through life? For ease of understanding, we can view these in the following manner: The spirit has a casing around it called the soul and the soul has a casing around it called the body. So we have the spirit encased in a soul and a soul encased in a body, meaning spirit and soul are inside of a body. The spirit expresses itself through the soul and the soul expresses itself through the body. Now, if we refer to 1 Thessalonians 5:23 we see that Paul said spirit, soul and body. The order in which Paul stated this is very important – spirit, soul, and body. We are spirit, soul, and body – not body, soul, and spirit. Many Christians try to reverse the order of these and say body, soul, and spirit but when we view it this way, we are prone to make mistakes in our thinking and action. How? Because if we look at ourselves as our bodies first, we will tend to work toward our sanctification from the wrong direction. We work toward our sanctification from the outside in, rather than the inside out. We try to build spiritual character from the outside in rather than from the inside out.
The third resurrection will occur in connection with the rapture of the church. This is when Jesus comes from heaven, stops in the clouds and calls His followers to be with Him. “
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words (I Thess. 4:16-18).
So this is the third resurrection in the New Testament. This is the next prophetic event to happen to the church. There are no prophecies that must be filled before the rapture of the church occurs.