No. 1659: Berit my wife is dead – is now in Paradise – what does this include, says the word of God?

No. 1659:

Berit my wife is dead – is now in Paradise – what does this include, says the word of God?

Picture of my Beloved Berit Nyland Christensen

Picture of heaven.
Where Berit is now, high up there behind the sun, moon, stars and what we can see.

 

I have already posted a bit about this, see here:
http://the-heavenly-blog.janchristensen.net/2025/09/no-1650-had-last-meeting-with-my-wife.html

Berit got the best possible entrance to paradise.
Where she had 0 fear of death and everything that awaited her.
She died with me and the children around her.
Read here, for comfort and encouragement.
By Øivind Andersen
“Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116, 15
What is precious in the eyes of the Lord must truly be valuable. It is not just anything that the Lord values ​​highly. But here we hear that He values ​​the death of His saints highly! There is a vast difference between when someone who belongs to the Lord dies and when a worldly person dies.
Where are the dead in the time between death and resurrection?
There is a resurrection for all people. The saved will rise to the resurrection of life, but the lost to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:29.
But where are the dead before this happens?
Here the Word of God speaks very clearly. Those who do not live with God go to the realm of the dead. There there is silence. No one praises the Lord in the realm of the dead. (Psalm 115:17) There the dead are kept in custody until the resurrection of judgment. 2 Peter 3:7.
It is quite different with those who live with God. They do not go to the realm of the dead when they die. They are “away from the body, at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8. They can testify and say with regard to death: “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:9. In contrast to those who descend into the silence of the grave, they testify: “We will bless the Lord from now on and forevermore.” Psalm 115:18.
The apostle Paul knows that when he leaves this life, he will be with Christ.
We often talk about living for the Lord. We think less that when we die, we also die for the Lord! Romans 14:8.
A Christian does not avoid physical death if he does not live until Jesus comes again. But he does not die when he is separated from the body. He goes to Jesus!
Jesus is the resurrection and the life! Therefore he says of all those who believe in him: “Though he die, yet shall he live!” John 11:25.
Death is the great liberation for all who believe in Jesus. Therefore, it is highly valued by God. It is God's will that we who believe in Jesus should also value it highly!
(From the devotional book “Ved kilden”, Lunde Forlag Oslo 1977, March 24)

Jesus himself says that whoever believes in him will not die, but live!

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?

Based on Jesus' words here, we do not die as believers.
Life continues, but then in Paradise.
The thief on the cross was to be in Paradise.
Not right away, it is a misleading translation as some believe that Jesus told the thief that he would be in Paradise that same day.
Paradise and going to the Lord only happened after the resurrection.
The OT who died in faith in God were in a separate section of the kingdom of death.
After Jesus' death and resurrection, those who were in the kingdom of death.
Which was salvation and in a separate section, were taken into paradise.
That was where the Apostle Paul would rather be than be on earth.
The Apostle Paul had been there, and had heard and experienced things that he writes about.
There I heard unspeakable words.

2 Cor. 12. 2 I know a man in Christ - whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know; God knows - such a one fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows -
4 he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak.

Here it is clear that the Apostle was in Paradise, and he would rather be there than be here on earth. But he wanted to be on earth, here in this life.
To be a help, blessing and strength to other believers.

Phil. 1. 21 For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain;

22 but if to live in the flesh is fruitful for me, I do not know which to choose,
23 but I am torn between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;
24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes.

For the Apostle Paul who had been in both places.
Or rather, he had been in Paradise, where he and all believers who die go.
Was when he wrote this, on earth.
So he would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Cor. 5. 8 We are safe, but we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

In other words, we are not in our body.
Then we are with Jesus – in paradise.
Berit my wife is now alive – just not in the body.

This is of course difficult for me, and all people, to deal with.
Since we are on earth, with everything that is connected with being honor a person.
Who is still on earth.
For me now, the missing, the void and the meaningless and unjust with Berit dying so far too early are so central.

So what is it like to be in Paradise?

Øyvind Andersen writes here from the section reproduced at the top of the article:
"It is quite different with those who live with God. They do not go to Hades when they die. They are "away from the body, at home with the Lord." 2 Cor 5, 8. They can testify and say with regard to death: "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 116, 9. As a contrast to those who descend into the silence of Hades, they testify: "We will bless the Lord from now on and forevermore." Psalm 115, 18.
The apostle Paul knows that when he leaves this life, he will be with Christ.
We often talk about living for the Lord. We think less that when we die, we also die for the Lord! Romans 14:8.
A Christian does not avoid physical death if he does not live until Jesus comes again. But he does not die when he is separated from the body. He goes to Jesus!
Jesus is the resurrection and the life! Therefore he says of all who believe in him: “Though he die, yet shall he live!” John 11:25.

Berit lives with Jesus and all others who are dead in faith.
In other words, she lives away from the body.
But in a state where she is in God’s presence, and experiences joy, love and peace that are difficult for me and everyone else to understand.

Does Berit have an overview of what is happening on earth?
I have not found an answer here yet in God’s word.
This is a subject that I clearly need to study and read up on more.
Therefore, I am happy if others have an opinion, view and thought about it all.
Get in touch, write or want to have a conversation.

What and how is Paradise?

We read about this in God's word in some places, including here:

Rev. 2. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the church. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God!”

We read about the Tree of Life being placed in the middle of the Garden of Eden.
The same is the Tree of Life now placed here in the middle of Paradise.
Then is it natural to think that the Tree of Life is no longer here on earth, but is in Paradise?
In other words, is Paradise like a large garden?
Here is much new and different than what we usually think of Heaven?
It is something that is, in other words, connected to being human.
Berit and those who are now dead are not up in the clouds.
Playing the harp and praising God there on a weightless cloud?
Doesn't that look like it is?

The Christian hope is for a reunion, not an eternal farewell!

Right now, Berit's death, who died so much too young, is experienced.
As brutal, meaningless, hard, missed and the void as something that stands in the center.
But seen from the word of God, that is our Christian hope. That we will meet again, and sit at the table to have fellowship, to recognize each other and then everything will be an eternal reunion. Where death and separation do not exist, but we will be with Jesus forever.
Then we will all have a new body - a glorious body that Jesus has today.
Here I will not go into this, as it would take up too much space.

The very message of reunion, resurrection and getting a new body!

It is both the Christian hope, and the very comfort in sorrow, pain and loss.

1 Thess. 4. 13 I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep. Do not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep with Christ will God bring with him.
15 For this we say by the Lord's own word: The living who are left to the presence of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. *JHVH
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel as with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then the living who are alive and remain will be caught up together with us in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Col. 1. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints.
5 A hope has been made ready for you in heaven through the word of truth, which you heard before in the gospel and which has now come to you.

“For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints, which springs from hope. Your hope is reserved for you in heaven.” (Col 1:4–5, BS1978)

For us believers, this is actually about reunion, resurrection and the glorious body we will receive. The very hope and meaning of our salvation.
An eternity together with Jesus and all other believers.
This is our Christian hope. Which lies there waiting for us.
Then, of course, everything on earth fades.
I must be honest, this is not something I have fully been able to see.
Rejoice, since it has been so short since Berit died.
But it is just as fully, what the scripture teaches.
Then I see it as necessary, important and good that I bring this up here when I write about Paradise.
Where the future for us believers. Is such that everything that we all go through.
Even losing what one loves most. That was my wife for me.
Is nothing against what will one day be revealed to me, Berit and all believers one day.
The apostle Paul writes:

Rom. 8. 18 As it is now, I do not consider sufferings compared to the glory that will be revealed to us.
19 For the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
20 For the creation was subjected to corruption, not willingly, but by him who subjected the creation. Nevertheless, there is hope.
21 For the creation itself also will be redeemed from its corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers pain together until now.
23 And not only so, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we are saved. But what we see is not hope, for who sees what he hopes for?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with perseverance.
26 In the same way, he also helps us in our spirit when we do not know what we should pray for in our weakness. He himself intercedes for us in the spirit with groanings that cannot be uttered.
27 But he who searches our hearts knows what is his will, because he intercedes for the saints in the presence of God through the Spirit. *God **Christ
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.
29 Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, the firstborn among many brothers.
30 Those who are predestined are also called. And those who are called are justified, and those who are justified are also glorified.

This is really the whole gospel after one has been saved!

We must go on with God, walk with God.
There we will encounter opposition, difficulties and everything that is not desirable.
Then we will know that everything we go through. Then there is nothing to cling to, compared to the glory we will one day receive. And take part in.
In other words, what we go through is like "blueberries" to count against the great and eternal Salvation that awaits us.

1 Pet. 1. 3 Blessed be our God and Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy shall beget us a new birth into a hope through the resurrection from the dead by Jesus Christ, to an inheritance that will not fade away.
4 It is pure, free from sin, and reserved in heaven for you.
5 It is kept by the power of God through faith for salvation, which was prepared for you, but will be revealed to you in the last time.
6 Therefore you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you may have to suffer various trials.
7 The testing of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire—may result in praise, honor, and glory when it is revealed by Jesus Christ.

The end of faith is the salvation of the soul. The full and complete salvation that includes a new body.
Where Christ will reign, for 1000 years.
Then God creates a new Heaven and cleanses the earth.
Then Jesus will come first and take us believers, and then we will all get a new body.
In the resurrection chapter Paul speaks about this.

1 Cor. 15. 51 And behold! — I tell you a mystery: Not all will fall asleep, but all will be changed!
52 It will happen in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible — and they will be changed!
53 The corruptible must put on incorruption, and the mortal must put on immortality.
54 And when the perishable has put on incorruption and the mortal has put on immortality, then what is said and written has come to pass: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ IS 25:8
55 And: ‘Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory?’ HOS 13:14
56 The sting that leads to death is sin. And sin comes into effect through the law.

Berit is in paradise – what that includes is something I will come back to more in a later article I suppose?

What this includes I do not fully know, but it is something that the scripture warns against.
Then there is seeking out those who are now dead. Even if they are alive and have information that we do not have.
We have several examples of this in the scriptures.
One of them is when King Saul had the Prophet Samuel brought up from the realm of the dead.
As he was before Jesus, he went to paradise, where he is now with Berith and all those who have died in faith.

1 Sam. 28. 1 At that time the Philistines gathered their armies to fight against Israel; and Achish said to David, “You know that you must go out with me into battle, you and your men.”
2 David answered, “Woe to you, Then you will know what your servant will do. Then Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my guardian forever.”
3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had put away the mediums and the spiritists from the land.
4 Now the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem. Then Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
5 When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled.
6 And Saul inquired of the Lord; but the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said, “There is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.”
8 So Saul disguised himself, and put on other clothes, and went with two men. They came to the woman by night, and Saul said, “Conjure up a spirit for me, and bring me up the one I name to you.”
9 The woman said to him, “You know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life to bring me death?”
10 Then Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, you shall not be held guilty in this matter.”
11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and she said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.”
13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. But what did you see?” And the woman said unto Saul, I saw a god ascending out of the earth.
14 And he said unto her, What looketh he? And she said, An old man coming up, and he was wrapped in a garment. Then Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
15 And Samuel said unto Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul said, I am in great distress; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore have I called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
16 And Samuel said, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 17 And the LORD hath done as he spake by me; the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce anger against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this to you today. 19 And the Lord will also give Israel into the hand of the Philistines with you, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; the Lord will also give the camp of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
20 And Saul immediately fell all the way to the ground, so he was terrified because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him, for he had not tasted food all day or all night.
21 The woman now came to Saul, and when she saw how terrified he was, she said to him, “Your servant has obeyed your voice and put my life in my hands and done as you told me.”

We as humans must accept that when someone dies, we will not see them again until the resurrection morning. When Jesus comes and takes us.
Mentioned in 1 Thess. 4.13-18 and 1 Cor. 15.

King Saul went to a spirit medium, and then before Jesus established Paradise.
Then one could also call up the dead believers.
This is what the scripture strongly warns against seeking such contact.
King David said it clearly here:

2 Sam. 12. 18 On the seventh day the child died; but David's servants dared not tell him that the child was dead; for they said, While the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us; how then can we tell him that the child is dead? He might do himself harm.
19 When David saw that his servants whispered among themselves, he perceived that the child was dead; and he said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothes, and went into the house of the Lord, and worshipped. Then he went home, and asked for food, and they set food before him, and he ate.
21 Then his servants said to him, “Why are you doing this? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept for him; but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat.”
22 He answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’
23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back? I go to him, but he does not return to me.

King David had a “lost child” with Bathsheba.
Where the judgment was harsh on both David and the child.
Bathsheba’s child—a son—by David became sick.
Then King David sought the Lord in earnest prayer for mercy and healing, as I and Berith did for her.
Neither David nor we were answered here.
https://blog.janchristensen.net/2025/11/nr-3509-jeg-og-min-kone-berit-nyland.html

When the son died, they were surprised by David's behavior.
That he then wanted to eat and accepted that his son was dead.
Then he said something that we all have to relate to:
"Now that he is dead, Why should I fast now? Can I bring him back again? I go to him, but he does not return to me.”

So it is with Berit. She is now in Paradise, and is separated from her body which lies buried here in Oslo at Østre Aker Church Cemetery.
That she herself is now in Paradise, and lives and is there.
That is how I believe it is, and as I understand it from God’s word.
She is now in God’s presence, together with Jesus and millions of others who are waiting for Jesus to bring us believers home.
Then she and the millions who are in Paradise will.
And the believers who are on earth will receive a new and glorified body.
What the scriptures call glorification which is the very final salvation.

What does being in Paradise include?

Paradise is not the final goal.
It is only after the 1000-year kingdom when God makes all things new.
But before this, all of us believers shall meet.
Become like Jesus, and receive a new and glorified body.
Then I will meet Berit, if I live until that day and am in faith when Jesus comes.
Berit has reached the goal, and will never be able to perish.
For me and all believers who are on this earth, we actually have the opportunity every day to come out of grace.
It is only he who endures until the end, who is saved and preserved for time and eternity.
I really look forward to meeting Berit again.
And all other believers.

I wrote this 10 years ago on this subject.
Then without thinking about Berit.
http://the-heavenly-blog.janchristensen.net/2015/09/no-1028-if-i-jan-christensen-had-died.html

For me, life is Christ, says the Apostle Paul. But he is also the word of God, therefore my hope and my everything are connected to the word of God. It's all about having a hope and a despair from the scriptures, which gives a weight and ballast in life, something to live and something to die for. Moses experienced something of the same thing, we read in Hebrews 11. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing the one who is invisible.

Seeing the "invisible" and living from it, that is our Christian hope. Now one can also say that our Christian hope is linked to the return of Jesus, but it is what awaits us after earthly life that gives meaning to our Christian life. Without it we would have been the most foolish of all men, says the same Apostle Paul.

1 Cor. 15. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that slept.

Therefore, what I live for today – is what I shall die one day!

Our understanding of what awaits us – not least the reward for being faithful today to the Lord and the word of God. It is crucial for everything. This is what I will try to say a little about in this article. As well as what I have in my opinion what awaits me and all born-again souls.

The reward!

Without there being both a day of reward and a “day of salvation” for us believers, I would never have had the strength to stand so firmly regarding the word of God. Of course, being saved is the greatest and most important thing, but there will also be possibilities that our life’s work as believers will not measure up.

1 Cor. 3. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another buildeth thereon: but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire: and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide, he shall receive a reward: 15 If any man's work be burned up, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

Notice that it says that no man can lay any other foundation than Christ. But it also says the following: "If anyone's work is burned up, he will lose his reward, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

http://blog.janchristensen.net/2011/08/nr-176-guds-domstol.html

In other words, than can get full reward, or lose the reward teaches the scripture.

2 John 8 Take care that you do not lose what you have gained by your work, but that you may receive a full reward!

I want and strive to get a full reward, don't you? Everything is by grace, but since grace is so great, why not try and strive to get the most out of salvation and life with Christ Jesus?

If I had died then, today, what would have happened as a saved and redeemed soul?

Then I would have gone directly to Paradise, awaiting the return of Jesus. This is how I believe God's word speaks about this. Paradise is an intermediate state between life and death. Between earthly life here and the "heavenly life" that is to come!
http://blog.janchristensen.net/2011/07/nr-111-hva-mter-en-bak-dd-og-grav.html
Here are some thoughts about Paradise!
Luke 23. 43 And he said to him: True Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

The original text reads as follows: And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

Paradise was first established after the resurrection, after Jesus had shed his blood before the Father. In Paradise are all saved souls today, where they await the return of Jesus who will take them to the new Jerusalem. We find the word Paradise used twice in the New Testament, and it speaks exclusively not of an earthly life, but of a life in a lower department than God's Heaven where God is.

1 Cor. 12. 4 he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak.
John Rev. 2. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God!

God's paradise is no longer on earth, but it is then a place that Paul was beyond earthly life, where he did not show whether he was in the body or not.

Jesus' return, judgment at the judgment seat of Christ and celebrating the Wedding in Heaven we as believers experience while the great tribulation is passing over the earth.

I do not take the time to go into detail here, as I have written about this so thoroughly in my Bible commentaries for John's Revelation and in many other articles. But what will take us further and out of Paradise, as well as all believers who live on earth. That is when Jesus comes and takes us all home to Heaven. Or rather, the new Jerusalem. We find this mentioned in several places in God's word, but perhaps most clearly here:

1 Thess. 4. 13 But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall in no wise precede them which sleep: 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words:

For we shall have new bodies, even bodies of glory, which we shall keep forever.

1 Cor. 15. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality. 54 And 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. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O death, where is thy victory?