THE REALITY OF LIFE AFTER DEATH

As we continue this discussion regarding the reality of heaven and hell, we will continue to look at scriptures that teach the reality of both.

People try to stumble the faith of believers with questions like, “Will Ghandi be in hell?” I unapologetically answer, “Yes, if he did not place his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.” God is absolutely no respecter of persons. It is not one’s reputation as a peacemaker before the world or as a great humanitarian or as an outstanding citizen etc. that qualifies one for eternal life. It cannot be earned. It is only available as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “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.”

The Lord Jesus very clearly taught that that we should not fear anyone just because they could kill us physically. The One we should fear is He that has the authority to condemn “soul and body in hell.”

Matthew 10:28 “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.”

Revelation 20:12–15 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

In other words, our existence doesn’t stop with physical death. The message of this posting has been necessarily pretty bleak to this point. Praise God that those who choose to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior have a glorious eternity awaiting them in the presence of God. That eternal future is well worth any “sacrifice” we may be asked to make in this life.

1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Revelation 21:1–4 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away….And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

... to be continued