In answer to your question, people who believe in Jesus Christ, in His provision for our salvation go to heaven to be with God and unbelievers are condemned to eternal punishment.  John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him,”

When you die your soul and spirit leave your body.  Genesis 35:18 shows us this when it tells of Rachel dying, saying, “as her soul was departing (for she died).”  When the body dies, the soul and spirit depart but they don’t cease to exist. It is very clear in Matthew 25:46 what occurs after death, when, in speaking of the unrighteous, it says, “these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous unto eternal life.”

Paul, when teaching believers, said that the moment we are “absent from the body we are present with the Lord” (I Corinthians 5:8).  When Jesus was risen from the dead, He went to be with God the Father (John 20:17). When He promises the same life for us, we know that it will be and that we will be with Him.

In Luke 16:22-31 we see the account of the rich man and Lazarus.  The righteous poor man was at “Abraham’s side” but the rich man went to Hades and was in agony.  In verse 26 we see that there was a great gulf fixed between them so that once there the unrighteous man could not pass over to heaven.  In verse 28 it refers to Hades as a place of torment.

In Romans 3:23 it says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 say, “the soul (and note the use of the word soul for person) who sins shall die…the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”  (Death in this sense in Scripture, as in Revelation 20:10,14&15, is not physical death but separation from God forever and eternal punishment as seen in Luke 16.  Romans 6:23 says, “the wages of sin is death,” and Matthew 10:28 says, “fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

So then, who can possibly enter heaven and be with God forever since we all are unrighteous sinners.  How can we be rescued or ransomed from the penalty of death.  Romans 6:23 also gives the answer. God comes to our rescue, for it says, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Read I Peter 1:1-9.  Here we have Peter discussing how the believers have received an inheritance “that can never perish, spoil or fade away – kept forever in heaven” (Verse 4 NIV).  Peter speaks of how believing in Jesus results in “obtaining the outcome of the faith, the saving of your soul” (verse 9).  (See also Matthew 26:28.)  Philippians 2:8&9 tells us that everyone must confess that Jesus, who claimed equality with God, is “Lord” and must believe that He died for them (John 3:16; Matthew 27:50).

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the Truth and the Life; no man can come to the Father, except through Me.”  Psalms 2:12 says, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in the way.”

Many passages in the New Testament phrase our faith in Jesus as “obeying the truth” or “obeying the gospel,” which means to “believe in the Lord Jesus.”  I Peter 1:22 says, “you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit.”  Ephesians 1:13 says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in Whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”  (Read also Romans 10:15 and Hebrews 4:2.)

The Gospel (meaning good news) is declared in I Corinthians 15:1-3.  It says, “Brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and that He rose again the third day…”  Jesus said in Matthew 26:28, “For this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  I Peter 2:24 (NASB) says, “He Himself bore our sins in His  own body on the cross .”  I Timothy 2:6 says, “He gave His life a ransom for all.”  Job 33:24 says, “spare him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom for him.”  (Read Isaiah 53:5, 6, 8, 10.)

John 1:12 tells us what we must do, “but as many as received Him to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”  Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  John 3:16 says whoever believes on Him has “everlasting life.”  John 10:28 says, “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish.”  In Acts 16:36 the question is asked, “What must I do to be saved?” and answered, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”  John 20:31 says, “these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Scripture shows evidence that the souls of those who believe will be in Heaven with Jesus.  In Revelation 6:9 and 20:4 the souls of righteous martyrs were seen by John in heaven.  We also see in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 where Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain where Jesus was transfigured before them and Moses and Elijah appeared to them and they were talking with Jesus.  They were more than just spirits, for the disciples recognized them and they were alive.  In Philippians 1:20-25 Paul writes, “to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”  Hebrews 12:22 speaks of heaven when it says, “you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and the church (the name given to all believers) of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.”

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”

The Word of God has inexhaustible lists of instructions and exhortations for how those who follow the Savior, Jesus, should live: Scriptures which tell us what to do, such as, how we should behave, how we should love our neighbor and our enemies, helping other people or how we should speak and even how we should think.

When our life on earth is done, we (those of us who believe in Him) will stand before the One Who died for us and all the things which we have done will be judged.  God’s standard alone will decide the value of each thought, word and deed which we do.  Jesus says in Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Were our works done for ourselves: for glory, pleasure or recognition or gain; or were they done for God and for others?  Was what we did selfish or selfless?  This judgment will occur at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:8-10 was written to believers in the church at Corinth.  This judgment is only for those who believe and will be with the Lord forever.  In 2 Corinthians 5:9&10 it says, “So we make it our goal to please Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”  This is a judgment of works and their motives.

The Judgment Seat of Christ in NOT about whether we go to heaven.  It is not about whether we are saved or if our sins are forgiven.  We are forgiven and have eternal life when we believe in Jesus.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  We are accepted in Christ (Ephesians 1:6).

In the Old Testament we find the descriptions of the sacrifices, each of which is a type, a foreshadowing, a picture of what Christ would do for us on the cross to accomplish our reconciliation.  One of these is about a “scapegoat.”  The transgressor brings a sacrificial goat and he places his hands on the goat’s head confessing his sins, thus transferring his sins to the goat for the goat to bear.  Then the goat is led into the wilderness never to return.  This is to picture that Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He died for us.  He sends our sins away from us forever.  Hebrews 9:28 says, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.”  Jeremiah 31:34 says, “I will forgive their wickedness and their sins will I remember no more.”

Romans 5:9 has this to say, “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him.”  Read Romans chapters 4&5.  John 5:24 says that because of our faith God has given us “eternal life and we will NOT be judged but have crossed (passed) over from death to life.”  See also Romans 2:5; Romans 4:6&7; Psalms 32:1&2; Luke 24:42 and Acts 13:38.

Romans 4:6&7 quotes from the Old Testament Psalm 12:1&2 which says, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will not count against them.”  Revelation 1:5 says that He “freed us from our sins by His death.”  See also I Corinthians 6:11; Colossians 1:14 and Ephesians 1:7.

So this judgment is not about sin, but about our works – the work we do for Christ. God will reward the works we do for Him.  This judgment is about whether our deeds (works) will stand the test to earn God’s rewards.

Everything God teaches us “to do,” we are accountable for.  Do we obey what we learned was God’s will or do we neglect and ignore what we know.  Do we live for Christ and His kingdom or for ourselves?  Are we faithful or lazy servants?

The deeds God will judge are found throughout Scripture wherever we are commanded or encouraged to do anything.  Space and time will not allow us to discuss all that Scripture teaches us to do.  Almost every epistle has a list somewhere of things God is encouraging us to do for Him.

Each believer has been given at least one spiritual gift when they are saved, such as teaching, giving, exhorting, helping, evangelism etc., which he or she is told to use to help the church and other believers and for His kingdom.

We also have natural abilities, things we are good at, that we are born with.  The Bible says these too are given us by God, for it says in I Corinthians 4:7 that we have nothing that is not given to us by God.  We are accountable to use any and all these things to serve God and His kingdom and to bring others to Him.  James 1:22 tells us to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only.”  The fine linen (white robes) with which the saints of Revelation are clothed represent the “righteous acts of God’s holy people” (Revelation 19:8).  This exemplifies how important this is to God.

Scripture makes it clear that God wants to reward us for what we have done.  Acts 10:4 says, “The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.’ ” This brings us to the point that there are things which can hinder us from earning rewards, even disqualify a good deed we have done and make us lose the reward we would have earned.

I Corinthians 3:10-15 tells us about the judgment of our works.  It is described as  building.  Verse 10 says, “each one should build with care.”  Verses 11-15 say, “if anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what he has built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though as one escaping through the flames.”

Romans 14:10-12 says, “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”  God does not want our “good” deeds burned like “wood, hay and stubble.”  2 John 8 says, “Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.”  Scripture gives us examples of how we earn or lose our rewards.  Matthew 6:1-18 shows us several areas where we may earn rewards, but speaks directly about what NOT to do so that we don’t lose them.  I would read it a couple of times.  It covers three specific “good deeds” –acts of righteousness – giving to the poor, prayer and fasting.  Read verse one.  Pride is a key word here: wanting to be seen by others, to get honor and glory.  If we do works to be “seen of men,” it says we “will have no reward” from our “Father”, and we have received our “reward in full.”  We need to do our works in “secret,” then He will “reward us openly” (verse 4).  If we do our “good works” to be seen we already have our reward.  This Scripture is very clear, if we do anything for our own gain, for selfish motives or worse, to hurt others or put ourselves above others then our reward will be lost.

Another issue is that if we allow sin into our lives it will hinder us.  If we fail to do God’s will, like being kind, or we neglect to use the gifts and abilities God gives us we are failing Him.  The Book of James teaches us these principles, like James 1:22 saying, “we are to be doers of the Word.”  James also says God’s Word is like a mirror.  When we read it we see how much we fail and don’t measure up to God’s perfect standard.  We see our sins and failures.  We are guilty and we need to ask God to forgive and change us.  James talks about specific areas of failure such as failure to help the needy, our speech, partiality and loving our brothers.

Read Matthew 25:14-27 to see about neglecting what God has entrusted to us to use in His Kingdom, whether it is gifts, abilities, money or opportunities.  We are responsible to use them for God.  In Matthew 25 another hindrance is fear.  Fear of failure can make us “bury” our gift and not use it.  Also if we compare ourselves to others who have greater gifts, resentment or not feeling worthy may hinder us; or maybe we are just plain lazy.  I Corinthians 4:3 says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust be found faithful.”  Matthew 25:25 says those who don’t use their gifts are “unfaithful and wicked servants.”

Satan, who accuses us continually before God, can also hinder us.  He is constantly trying to stop us from serving God.  I Peter 5:8(KJV) says, “Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary, the Devil, prowls around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  Verse 9 says, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”  Luke 22:31 says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat.”  He tempts us and discourages us to get us to quit.

Ephesians 6:12 says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”  This Scripture also gives us tools to fight against our enemy Satan.  Read Matthew 4:1-6 to see how Jesus used Scripture to defeat Satan when He was tempted by Satan’s lies. We can also use Scripture when Satan accuses us so we can stand strong and not quit.  This is because Scripture is the truth and the truth will set us free.  See also Luke 22:31&32 which says that Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail.

Any of these hindrances can keep us from faithful service to God, and cause us to lose rewards.  I think a large part of Ephesians 6 has to do with knowing what God’s Word says, especially about how to apply God’s promises for us and how to use the truth to counter Satan’s lies.  James 4:7 says, “resist the devil and he will flee from you,” but we must resist him with truth.  John17:17 says, God’s “Word is truth.”  We need to know the truth in order to use it.  The Word of God is crucial in our warfare against the enemy.

So what do we do if we sin and fail Him as believers.  We all know we do sin and fall short.  Go to I John 1:6, 8 & 10 and 2:1 & 2.  It tells us if we say we do not sin we deceive ourselves, and we are not in fellowship with God.  I John 1:9 says, “If we confess (acknowledge) our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  But, what if we don’t confess our sin,  if we do not deal with our sin, by confessing it to God, He will discipline us.  I Corinthians 11:32 says, “When we are judged in this way, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.”  Read Hebrews 12:1-11 (KJV) which says He scourges “every son He receives.”  Remember we have seen in Scripture that we will not be judged, condemned and fall under God’s final wrath (John 5:24; 3:14, 16 & 36), but our perfect Father will discipline us.

So what should we do and be doing so we avoid being disqualified from our rewards. Hebrews 12:1&2 has the answer.  It says, “Therefore…let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”  We should determinedly set out to do good, to live God’s plan for us.

We mentioned that when we are born again God gives each of us a spiritual gift or gifts with which we can serve Him and build up the church, things God loves to reward.  Ephesians 4:7-16 talks about how our gifts are to be used.  Verse 11 says Christ “gave gifts to His people: some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.  Verses 12-16 (NIV) says, “to equip His people (KJV the saints) for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…and become mature…as each part does its work.  Read the whole passage.  Also read these other passages on gifts: I Corinthians 12:4-11 and Romans 12:1-31.  Simply put, use the gift God has given you.  Read Romans 12:6-8 again.

Let’s look at some specific areas of our lives, some examples of things He wants us to do.  We have seen from Matthew 6:1-12 that praying, giving and fasting are among those things which earn rewards, when done “faithfully as unto the Lord.”  I Corinthians 15:58 says, “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  2 Timothy 3:14-16 is a Scripture which ties much of this together since it talks about Timothy using his spiritual gifts.  It says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful (profitable KJV) for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for ever good work.”  Wow!!  Timothy was to use his gift to teach others to do good works.  Then they were to teach others to do the same. (2 Timothy 2:2).

I Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God.  If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”

A related topic we are exhorted to continue to do, which is closely related to teaching, is that of continuing to grow in our knowledge of the Word of God.  Timothy could not teach and preach what he didn’t know.  When we are first “born” into God’s family we are exhorted to “desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow” (I Peter 2:2).  In John 8:31 Jesus said to “continue in my word.”  We never outgrow our need to learn from the Word of God.”

I Timothy 4:16 says, “watch your life and doctrine, persevere in them…”  See also: 2 Peter chapter 1; 2 Timothy 2:15 and I John 2:21.  John 8:31 says, “if you continue in My word, then you are my disciples indeed.”  See Philippians 2:15&16.  As Timothy did, we must continue in what we have learned (2 Timothy 3:14).  We also keep coming back to Ephesians chapter 6 which keeps referring to what we know from the Word about faith and using the Bible as a shield and helmet etc., which are God’s promises from the Word and are used to defend against Satan’s attacks.

In 2 Timothy 4:5, Timothy is exhorted to use another gift and “do the work of an evangelist,” which means preaching and sharing the gospel, and to “discharge all the duties of his ministry.”  Both Matthew and Mark end by commanding us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.  Acts 1:8 says we are His witnesses.  This is our primary duty.  2 Corinthians 5:18-19 tells us He “gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”  Acts 20:29 says, “my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying  to the Good News of God’s grace.”  See also Romans 3:2.

Again we keep coming back to Ephesians 6.  Here the word stand is used: the idea is “never quit,” “never retreat” or “never give up.”  The word is used three times.  Scripture also uses the words continue, persevere and run the race.  We are to keep believing and following our Savior, till our race is done (Hebrews 12:1&2).  When we fail, we need to confess our unbelief and failure, get up and ask God to sustain us.  I Corinthians 15:58 says to be steadfast.  Acts 14:22 tells us that the apostles went to the churches “strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith” (NKJV).  In the NIV it says to be “true to the faith.”

We saw how Timothy was to keep learning but also to continue in what he had learned (2 Timothy 3:14).  We know we are saved by faith, but we also walk by faith.  Galatians 2:20 says we “live daily by the faith of the Son of God.”  I think there are two aspects of living by faith. 1) We are given life (eternal life) by faith in Jesus (John 3:16).  In John 5:24 we saw that when we believe we pass from death to life.  See Romans 1:17 and Ephesians 2:8-10.  Now we see that while we are still alive physically, we are to live our life continually by faith in Him and all He teaches us, trusting and believing and obeying Him every day: trusting in His grace, love, power and faithfulness.  We are to remain faithful; to continue.

This in itself has two parts: 1) to remain true to the doctrine as Timothy was exhorted, that is, not to be drawn away into any false teaching.  Acts 14:22 says they encouraged “the disciples to be true to THE faith.”  2) Acts 13:42 tells us that the apostles “persuaded them to CONTINUE in the grace of God.”  See also Ephesians 4:1 and I Timothy 1:5 and 4:13.  Scripture describes this as “walking,” as “walking in the Spirit” or “walking in the light,” often in the face of trials and tribulations.  As stated, it means not quitting.

In the Gospel of John 6:65-70 many disciples went away and quit following Him and Jesus said to the Twelve, “Will you also go away?”  Peter said to Jesus, “To whom would we go, You have the words of eternal life.”  This is the attitude we should have with regard to following Jesus.  This is illustrated in Scripture in the account of the spies sent out to check out God’s Promised Land.  Instead of believing God’s promises they brought back a discouraging report and only Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to go forward and trust in God.  Because the people did not trust God, those who did not believe died in the wilderness.  Hebrews says this is a lesson to us to trust God, and not to quit.  See Hebrews 3:12 which says, “see to it brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”

When we are tested and tried God is trying to make us strong and patient and faithful.  We learn to overcome our trials and Satan’s arrows.  Don’t be like the Hebrews who failed to trust and follow God.  I Corinthians 4:1&2 says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust remain faithful.”

One other area to consider is prayer.  According to Matthew 6 it is obvious God rewards us for our prayers.  Revelation 5:8 says our prayers are a sweet savor, they are an offering to God like the incense offerings in the Old Testament.  The verse says, “they were holding golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of God’s people.”  Matthew 6:6 says, “pray to your Father…then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Jesus tells a story of an unjust judge to teach us to importance of prayer – persistent prayer – never give up prayer (Luke 18:1-8).  Read it.  A widow pestered a judge for justice until finally he granted her request because she bothered him persistently.  God loves us.  How much more will He answer our prayers. Verse one says, “Jesus told this parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”  Not only does God want to answer our prayers but He rewards us for praying.  Remarkable!

Ephesians 6:18&19, which we have come back to many times in this discussion, also refers to prayer.  Paul concludes the letter and encourages the believers to pray for “all the Lord’s people.”  He was also very specific as to how to pray for his evangelistic efforts.

I Timothy 2:1 says, “I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people.”  Verse three says, “this is good and pleasing to our Savior, Who wants all men to be saved.”  We should never stop praying for lost loved ones and friends.  In Colossians 4:2&3 Paul also talks about how to specifically pray for evangelism.  It says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

We saw how the Israelites discouraged one another.  We are told to encourage, not discourage one another.  Actually encouragement is a spiritual gift.  Not only are we to do these things and continue to do them, we are to teach and encourage others to do them too.  I Thessalonians 5:11 commands us to do so, to “build one another up.”  Timothy was also told to preach, correct and encourage others because of God’s judgment.  2 Timothy 4:1&2 says, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge:  Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.”  See also I Peter 5:8&9.

Lastly, but really it should be first, we are commanded throughout all Scripture to love one another, even our enemies.  I Thessalonians 4:10 says, “You do love God’s family…yet we urge you do so more and more.”  Philippians 1:8 says, “that your love may abound more and more.”  See also Hebrews 13:1 and John 15:9  It is interesting that He says “more.”  There can never be too much love.

Verses encouraging us to persevere are everywhere in the Scriptures.  In short, we should always be doing something and continue to do something.  Colossians 3:23(KJV) says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it heartily (or with all your heart in the NIV) as unto the Lord.”   Colossians 3:24 continues, “Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord you are serving.”  2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”  Will you be able to say this?  I Corinthians 9:24 says “So run that you will win the prize.”  Galatians 5:7 says, “You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”

The Holy Spirit is both everywhere present and especially present in believers. Psalm 139:7&8 says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there: if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” The Holy Spirit being everywhere present will not change, even when all believers are in Heaven.

The Holy Spirit also lives in believers from the moment they are “born again,” or “born of the Spirit” (John 3:3-8). It is my opinion that when the Holy Spirit comes to live in a believer he joins Himself to that person’s spirit in a relationship that is much like a marriage. I Corinthians 6:16b&17 “For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh.’ But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” I think the Holy Spirit will remain united with my spirit even after I die.

The best passage to answer your question comes from Luke 16:18-31. Judgement is immediate, but it is neither final or complete immediately after we die. If we are believer in Jesus our spirit and soul will be in heaven with Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:8-10 says, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.) Unbelievers will be in Hades until the final judgment, and then go to the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:11-15) Believers will be judged for their works which they have done for God, but not for sin. (I Corinthians 3:10-15)  We won’t be judged for sins because we are forgiven in Christ. Unbelievers will be judged for their sins. (Revelation 20:15; 22:14; 21:27)

In John 3:5,15.16.17.18 and 36 Jesus says that those who believe that He died for them have everlasting life and those who do not believe are condemned already. I Corinthians 15:1-4 says, “Jesus died for our sins… that He was buried and that He was raised on the third day.” Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” 2 Timothy 1:12 says, “I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

In answer to the question of remembering “past” life, it depends on what you mean by the question.

1).        If you are referring to re-incarnation the Bible does not teach it.  There is no mention of coming back in another form or as another person in Scripture.  Hebrews 9:27 says that, “It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment.”

2).        If you are asking whether we will remember our lives after we die, we will be reminded of all our deeds when we are judged for what we did during our lives.

God knows all – past, present and future and God will judge unbelievers for their sinful deeds and they will receive everlasting punishment and believers will be rewarded for their works done for the kingdom of God.  (Read John chapter 3 and Matthew 12:36&37.)  God remembers everything.

Considering that every sound wave is out there somewhere and considering that we now have “clouds” to store our memories, science is barely starting to catch up to what God can do.  No word or deed is undetectable to God.