By Keith Howard
Is there a life after death? This is one of the most searched phrases on Google. Many want to know whether there lies a life after death. Job speaks about this in Job 14:1-2, 14, saying, “Man born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure… If a man dies, will he live again?” Much like Job, many of us are challenged with this question.
Eternity the meaning from the dictionary, reveals “a state to which time has no application; timelessness” This is true what God says about eternity. The Holy God has predestined eternity for everyone after their death. Bible keeps on saying right from Genesis to Revelation that there is a life after death, but choosing to spend it in heaven or hell is left in our hands. God has shown His ways for both doors. Matthew 7:13- 14 highlights the glimpse of who will choose the gates of eternity and hell “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the road that leads to destruction. Many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” The important thing is that the word “Everlasting life” is a present-tense possession. Eternity is not something that will start ticking when we get to heaven. Loads of Scriptures talk about eternity as something we possess in this life.
Jesus had made it very clear in Matthew 7:21 those who do the Will of the Father go to heaven. “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. He also said there are going to be MANY who says on the judgment day, “LORD, LORD did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?'” However, no one will enter the gates of the Heavenly realms if one is not “Born Again” Are you in the line of Many?
For some people, this seems to be frightening. But Christians anticipate this meeting with the Lord; This is not because of anything they have done to earn God’s favor – they know that would be impossible. Their certainty is based on their existing relationship with God through Jesus Christ. They know that because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, they have been forgiven for all they have done wrong and have become adopted children of God. It is a gift, not a reward for doing good. Good people don’t go to heaven; only Forgiven people inherit the heavenly kingdom. They have experienced God’s perfect and endless love during their life and know they will continue to enjoy it for eternity.
The Scripture speaks a lot about heaven and how it looks. It will be a beautiful place where Jesus abides with his people. It will be a place of endless love and perfect peace. Bible book of Revelation tells us, ‘He [Jesus] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…’.
Many Christians and churches give different versions of explanations to people after death, but there is an agreement that Jesus’ promise is real. John reveals to us what Jesus told the followers before he ascended to the heavens, “I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am”.One thing is sure we need to prepare ourselves to meet the Lord after death to be placed in the place he has prepared for us.
Those who reject Christ will end up in hell. Hell is real. Jesus has spoken so many times regarding hell. Jesus has spoken more about Hell than Heaven. Hell, like heaven, is not merely a state of existence but a real place. It is a place where the unrighteous will experience never-ending, eternal wrath from God. Hell is described as a bottomless pit (Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1) and a lake of fire, burning with sulfur, where the inhabitants will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in hell, indicating intense grief and anger (Matthew 13:42).
Jesus could not think about eternity without us; that is the reason why God gave His only begotten son for our sins and transgressions. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We need to believe him, obey his words, and abide in him. That will take us to the doors of heaven in eternal life. If you are walking in the steps of what Jesus told, you no need to fear death and what it could be after death. There will never be a second chance to accept God’s gift of salvation after our death. Everything needs to be finalized here itself. Our destination is determined by our choices, whether to accept or reject Jesus Christ. “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). If we trust the death of Jesus Christ as the full payment for our sin against God, we are guaranteed a meaningful life on earth and eternal life after death in the glorious presence of Christ.
Jesus is the one who defeated death and offered a way for everyone who places their trust in Him to overcome it as well. Through Jesus’ death, He made way for us to heaven. No one has to fear death if one has kept his faith in Jesus Christ. “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)
Revelation 20:11 says, “And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened; . . . and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. . . . And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
One day, we need to account for all we have done in our earthly life. We need to live our lives according to Micah 6:8, justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. Knowing the destiny of the unsaved or those who live a sinful life, we need to share the Gospel of Jesus to all boldly.
We need to highlight that there is a life after death, and knowing Christ alone can save their life. Are you prepared for eternal life after death? Contact me if you are not there yet.
