Who are they in Heaven or Hell wondering
why souls remaining on Earth are afraid
to make God the ruler over their spirits?
Choose Life or Death continued...

Do souls go to be somewhere in Heaven, join Satan in Hell, flow around in the wind, or simply remain asleep after death somewhere here on Earth until the last trump – when the dead in Christ are awakened to be taken first? 

"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some
to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." 
Daniel 12:2

As we now understand after reading the Bible, "many," but not all who "sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake" whenever God is ready to judge particular souls at a particular time, according to His heavenly calendar.

We can safely assume that there are some transformed souls such as Elijah and Enoch that have not been sleeping in dust like so "many" others. Most of the departed souls remain unconscious "in the dust of the earth" after death, right here where we living souls wait for the Master's call. When death brings an end to human life, only God has the power to awaken sleeping souls, judge them, and then make either Heaven or Hell their eternal abode.

Meanwhile, within certain limitations, each person has the power to impact the soul that sustains their body before death. Just as fruit hanging on a tree will rot and die if not picked when ripe, souls in human flesh will rot, die, and be eternally lost if not gathered at "harvest time" – unless God intervenes, giving them the benefit of His mercy and grace. 

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity
of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die."  Ezekiel 18:20&21

Mature people of average intelligence who receive knowledge of the Gospel can choose to repent of their sin. They can choose to believe in Jesus, obey the Laws of God, and save themselves from death.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." 
Ephesians 2:4-9

We can assume that those who can be described as "innocents" will receive the mercy and grace of God no matter what they do or don't do! If Jesus can ask the Father to forgive those who crucified Him, He will surely seek mercy and grace for those who are innocently young, mentally deficient, or who have never received knowledge needed to make rational choices.

"...Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..."  Luke 23:34

All of those who reject Truth after hearing it, and decide to break rules of God will be guilty of destroying their own souls!

"But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding:
he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul."  Proverbs 6:32

People have no power to keep a soul alive!

"All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul."  Psalms 22:29 

Every person who despises Truth, rejects Love, intentionally corrupts the holiness of Beauty, lacks respect for any form of Life, mocks Spirit-filled Christians, and hates God – loves death!

"For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."  Proverbs 8:35&36

When the Spirit of God came to Planet Earth in the body of His Son Jesus, He explained a few things about bodies and souls to the disciples.

"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."  Matthew 10:27&28

People need to understand that a soul is more valuable than a body!

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own  soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"  Matthew 16:24-26

Is it possible that the thief on the cross next to Jesus was transformed instantly at death by God just as Elijah, Enoch, and countless others? Is it possible that he was not required to sleep as the "many" who will not see paradise until after their awakening? Many Christian leaders might be falsely assuming that the thief going to paradise on the very day of death proves that all souls go to Heaven – immediately after leaving their bodies?

"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."  Luke 23:42

Is it possible that there might have been thousands of instant transitions performed by God through the centuries just as there were works by Lord Jesus Christ that have never been told? 

"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."  John 21:25