What happens when you die? The answer to this question is related to the topic of “Eternal Judgment”, one of the 6 elementary principles of Christ listed in Hebrews 5. When these 6 foundational principles of Christ are established in your 
Eternal Judgment
The last Elementary Principle of Christ is Eternal Judgment. Most people have heard about “Judgment Day“. They think when that day comes those who have done “good” will receive their reward and those who have been “bad” will be punished. This is not exactly what eternal judgment is about.
Where Will You Spend Eternity
Eternal judgment is about eternity. God created every person for eternity. It is hard for us to even comprehend what eternity is. Eternity is a long time – it’s forever. Every person will live forever. The only issue or question is, where and what we will be doing for eternity. This is what eternal judgment helps carry out.
When People Die What Happens
There are several judgments in the Bible. Some of the judgment have already happened, other judgments are happening and there are those that will happen in the future. There is the judgment of sin which fell on Christ at Calvary, there is self judgment where we need to examine and judge ourselves (1Cor. 11:31), judgment at death (Hebrews 9:27), the judgment Seat of Christ where believers receive their rewards (2Corinthians 5:10), judgment of the sheep and goats, (Mt.25:31) and the Great White Throne Judgment. (Rev. 20:11) Every judgment is tied to and has implications to “eternal judgment”.
“Eternal Judgment” means final decision. It is an important part of the foundation of our faith. It requires us to understand the concept of eternity and how Christ has provided eternal life for us with Him, so as we talk about eternal judgment, it’s not a fearful thing, but a joyful thing.
Where Believers Go When They Die
For the believer, eternal judgment happens the moment that person dies. For the one who has put their trust in Christ, when that person dies physically, they go to be with Jesus in Paradise and will be there with Jesus until they return together to the earth to rule and reign during the millennium and then to be with Jesus forever in the new heaven and new earth. (Revelation 21)
In Second Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 8, Paul put it this way: “To be absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord.” So any person who has put their trust in the finished work of Jesus, when they experience physical death, they don’t stop existing their body is no longer in place, but their spirit and soul go to be with the Lord immediately. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Believers will receive new resurrected bodies before they return to the earth with Jesus.
Where Non-believers Go When They Die
Now, if you die apart from Christ, if you have not put your trust in the Lord, if you have not accepted Christ, that person goes to be in a place called “Hades.” It’s not a place you want to be.
Neither of these places (paradise or Hades) are final destinations. However, Hades is much like hell, but it’s not the hell where people will spend eternity. There is no one in that hell right now. Even the devil is not in hell,… yet. At this time he is roaming the earths atmosphere looking for those he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Non-believers will remain in Hades until the end of the millennium at which time they will receive new resurrected bodies and will face the Great White Throne judgment where they will receive their eternal judgment of being thrown into the lake of fire (hell).
Believers are with the Lord Forever
Eternal judgment for born-again believers means being with the Lord forever, being glorified and receiving that resurrected body and looking forward to the days of the millennium and the new heaven and the new earth and the assignment that we are going to have based upon the works that we have done as believers.
Eternity Not Only About Destination – What Will You Be Doing
Eternity for us as believers is not only about destination; it’s about what we do for eternity. It’s one thing to receive eternal life with the Lord and be in the Kingdom of God, but we need to understand that throughout eternity, we are not just going to sit back and play harps, and swing on a hammock. There will be assignments given in the new heaven and the new earth.
Much of this will be decided through the judgment seat of Christ where we receive rewards for what we’ve done. What we do in life does mean something. We are not saved by our works, but we are saved to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10) To whom much is given much is required. Based on our stewardship of what God has given us we will will receive rewards and assignments for eternity.
Bringing Others Into the Kingdom of Light
As we better understand eternal judgment at the final decision for those who do not know Christ, it should motivate us to fulfill the purpose and destiny that God has for us to bring people into the Kingdom of God. God has called us to be light and salt. We are to share the good news of Christ.
Understanding this elementary principle of Christ along with the other elementary principles will help you grow into full maturity, receive the abundance God has for you, and be a greater blessing.
God is a good God, and He wants us to fulfill purpose and destiny in our lives. He requires foundations in our life, and as you give attention to the elementary teachings of Christ, you will stay solid on that foundation.