When we die, the soul and spirit separate from the body, and the real person continues eternally.
Les Feldick teaches that physical death is the separation of the invisible soul and spirit from the body. The body is only a temporary tent or tabernacle, not the complete person. Scripture promises that when this earthly house is dissolved, believers have a permanent building from God, and the corruptible body will eventually put on incorruption.
2 Corinthians 5:1 — This verse directly describes the body as an earthly tent that can be dissolved, while promising a permanent dwelling from God.
2 Corinthians 5:8 — This verse explains the moment of death for the believer: to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:54 — This verse shows that after the corruptible puts on incorruption, death is swallowed up in victory.
The Bible refers to the body as an earthly tent: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1). Death is not presented as the end of the person; instead, Paul writes, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). Paul also explains what must happen for eternity: "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:53). Then, "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54).
Les Feldick defines physical death as the separation of the invisible soul and spirit from the body. The body itself is only a tabernacle, or tent — a temporary dwelling place — in which the real person lives. That real person is the invisible personality of mind, will, and emotion, along with a spirit capable of fellowship with God. Because God directly created this inner person, it is eternal and will never die. Les makes clear that death is not the end. God has planned for the body to be reunited with the soul and spirit, and in the eternal state everyone will have a new body. "Absolutely! Absolutely!" he says when asked whether we will have a body in eternity. "Never in all of Scripture does the human being operate without a body." At the rapture, believers who have not died will be changed in a moment: the corruptible puts on incorruption, the mortal puts on immortality, and death is swallowed up in victory. Whether through resurrection or rapture, the believer's eternal body is guaranteed.
Les defines physical death as the separation of the invisible part of us — the soul and spirit — from the body. He also distinguishes this from spiritual death, which is separation from God. Physical death is not the end of the person; the real self continues.
The body is called a tabernacle, or tent — something used temporarily. The body's only function in this life is to exercise the five senses. When the soul and spirit separate from it, the body ceases to be the dwelling place of the real person. Scripture says when this earthly tabernacle is dissolved, God has a permanent building for believers — a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Yes, Les says, "Absolutely!" He teaches that the soul and spirit by itself does not operate as an entity — it has to have a body. In the eternal state after the resurrection, believers will have new bodies. God is concerned with the whole man — body, soul, and spirit.
Les explains from 1 Corinthians 15 that the dead will be raised first and receive their new bodies, and then those who are alive and living shall be changed. Why? Because the corruptible body has to put on incorruption, and the mortal must put on immortality. Then death is swallowed up in victory.
What Happens When We Die? — 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
The Body Is a Tent
The body is God's temporary dwelling place or tent, and the real person is the invisible personality of mind, will, and emotion.
Death Is Separation
Physical death is the separation of the invisible soul and spirit from the body.
The Body Will Be Reunited
God's plan is for the body to be reunited with the soul and spirit, and spiritual death is a separate separation from God.
God Cares for the Whole Man
Physical death separates body from soul and spirit, but God promises new bodies for the eternal state.
Bodies in Eternity
Those who enter eternity will have a body; the soul and spirit do not operate as an entity without one.
Changed at the Rapture
At the rapture, believers alive will be changed — the corruptible puts on incorruption and death is swallowed up in victory.
The Real Person Is Eternal
Take away the five senses and the body becomes nothing, but the real you is eternal because it is God's direct creation.
2 Corinthians 5:1: For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
This verse describes the body as an earthly tent that can be dissolved, with a permanent heavenly dwelling to follow.
2 Corinthians 5:8: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
This verse directly answers what happens at death for the believer: being absent from the body means being present with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:53: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
This verse explains why a change is necessary for eternity: the mortal, corruptible body must be replaced or transformed.
1 Corinthians 15:54: So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
This verse shows the final result of the resurrection and rapture: death is completely defeated.
No. Les teaches that death is the separation of the invisible soul and spirit from the body. The real person, created directly by God, is eternal and will never die. The body is only a temporary tent.
Physical death is the separation of the soul and spirit from the body. At the rapture, believers who are still alive will not die but will be changed — the corruptible puts on incorruption, and death is swallowed up in victory.
Yes. Les says absolutely. The soul and spirit by itself does not operate as an entity; it has to have a body. After the resurrection, believers will have new bodies.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens When We Die? — 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 Explained