The question of what happens after death is one that has puzzled humanity for centuries. Whether it’s through personal loss or the passing of someone famous, we often seek comfort in the idea that our loved ones are “in a better place.”
The recent death of Pastor John MacArthur, a well-known and influential preacher, has led many to wonder:
- Is he now in heaven?
- As believers, should we automatically assume he’s already there, enjoying eternal peace?
- Or is there more to death than most of us realize?
In this article, we’ll explore what Scripture truly says about the state of the dead, and why it might challenge what we’ve been taught by tradition. We’ll discuss the truth about life after death and how it ties directly to the resurrection of the dead — including John MacArthur’s fate.
Misconceptions about death and heaven
You may be surprised to find out that the Bible doesn’t support the popular belief that the dead are immediately in heaven or hell. Instead, it paints a different picture of death.
We’ll explore how the Bible describes death as “sleep” and how both the righteous and the wicked meet the same fate after death — the grave.
And, we’ll talk about the resurrection and how, whether MacArthur is in the first or second resurrection, we can be sure he, along with everyone else, will eventually come to understand the truth of God’s word.
What Most Christians Believe About Heaven
When Pastor John MacArthur died at the age of 86, many of his followers and supporters were devastated. His church, Grace Community Church, made an announcement shortly before his passing, informing the congregation that MacArthur “may be in the presence of the Lord soon.” This message echoed what many believers often say in the wake of someone’s death: they’re “in heaven now.”
But is that what the Bible actually teaches?
The Biblical Truth About Heaven
The truth may be surprising: the dead are not in heaven, hell, or any other place. According to the Bible, when someone dies, they rest in the grave — they “sleep.”
Consider this verse from Ecclesiastes 9:5, NKJV: “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing.”
That’s right.
The Bible clearly tells us that when a person dies, they have no conscious awareness of what’s happening around them.
In fact, the Bible repeatedly refers to death as sleep. When Jesus spoke about the death of Lazarus, He said in John 11:11-14 (NKJV), “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up… Lazarus is dead.”
Jesus Himself described death as a temporary rest, from which the dead will one day be awakened. Lazarus wasn’t in heaven or hell. He was in the grave, waiting for the moment when Jesus would call him forth.
The Righteous are in the Grave
But what about the righteous? What about those who have faithfully followed Christ?
The Bible offers us hope. The righteous do not immediately enter heaven upon death. They, too, sleep in the grave, awaiting the resurrection. Daniel 12:2 (NKJV) speaks of this: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
The righteous are awakened at the resurrection, where they will receive eternal life, being transformed into spirit beings.
John MacArthur, like all of us, is waiting for that moment. Whether he is among the first to be resurrected — as Paul talks about in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 — or he waits for the second resurrection, God will be the judge.
But one thing is certain: when MacArthur rises, he will know the truth of the Scriptures, just as billions before him will.
In the end, the dead are not immediately with God or suffering in hell. They rest in peace, awaiting the resurrection at Christ’s return. The promise of the resurrection is central to the Christian faith because without it, our hope would be in vain.
Is John MacArthur in heaven?
So, is John MacArthur really in heaven? The answer, according to the Bible, is no. Like all who have died, he is in the grave, awaiting the glorious resurrection.
And when he rises, he will learn what many others have yet to know: the full truth of God’s word, and the ultimate promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
We may grieve over the loss of those who have passed, but we do so with hope. We know that, in the end, death will not have the final say.
As 1 Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV) says, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
And so, John MacArthur’s legacy, as great as it is, is not one that ends with his passing. It is a legacy that continues through the resurrection and eternal life, the ultimate promise of God.
Take Action:
If you want to know more about what the Bible teaches about life, death, and resurrection, I invite you to download my FREE Bible study guide, “Beyond the Grave: Discover the Shocking Truth About Death, Heaven, and Hell.” In this guide, you’ll learn to distinguish between the truth and what is false. It’s time to know what the Bible really teaches.
This is a false doctrine and it’s not biblically sound. There was a rich man who Jesus talked about in the Bible who was in eternal torment crying out for another chance to see his brothers again and wanting them not to come where he was being tormented. And Abraham was living in paradise with the poor man whom the rich man ignored all his life. And the rich man cried out to just have a drop of water from the poor man’s finger. (Luke 16:19-31.) So, people do not just go into a void of “nothingness” because we are all spirits living in a fleshly body and our spirits NEVER die. So, either you will be in Sheoul where there is MUCH weeping and gnashing of teeth awaiting your final judgment or you will be in paradise which is called “Abraham’s bosom.” So, although your blog was an interesting read. It is still not true. Jesus even told the man on the cross that TODAY you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). He didn’t say you’re going to go to the grave and wait on me. He said TODAY. And the only thing that goes to the grave is our bodies. Which will be replaced at the second coming of Christ. According to (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts — I genuinely appreciate your passion for Scripture and concern for biblical truth. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) is indeed one of the most frequently cited passages in this discussion, and it’s important we handle it carefully.
However, when we study the context and language of the passage, it becomes clear that Jesus was using a common teaching method of His time: parabolic storytelling — not a literal account of the afterlife. If taken literally, it would contradict clear and repeated teachings in Scripture that “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5), that they “sleep” in the grave (Daniel 12:2), and that immortality is something we must put on (1 Corinthians 15:53)—not something we inherently possess.
Also, regarding Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), there is much evidence showing the original Greek had no punctuation, and that verse may rightly be understood as: “Truly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in paradise.” In fact, Jesus Himself wasn’t even in paradise that day — He was in the grave for three days (John 20:17).
I kindly invite you to explore this deeper by reading my free eBook, “Beyond the Grave: Discover the Shocking Truth About Death, Heaven, and Hell.” It digs into the Scriptures with clarity and respect — not to debate, but to understand what God really says.