WHat’s NexT – After Death?
1. When you die, do you want to go to heaven?
Do you believe that there is life after death?
Do you believe that there is a heaven and that good people go there when they die?
Do you believe that you are a good person, and you deserve to go to heaven when you die?
Now ask yourself this question … Why do you want to go to heaven?
Is it because you think of heaven as some paradise where there is no pain or suffering. Everything is beautiful. There is no war or bloodshed. No bills to pay or things that cause you to be anxious or burdened down. No stress or worry. Everybody loves one another in peace and harmony.
BUT…. who sets the rules in heaven? Who watches over the peace and harmony we all long for? On the earth right now there is so much pain, strife, war, violence, bitterness, disease etc – why should we expect things to be different in heaven?
2. Do you think it is alright for God to let people into heaven who don’t want to be there?
Isn’t it obvious that God who is in heaven sets the rules so heaven is a place of peace, joy and tranquillity?
And isn’t it obvious that he would only let people into heaven who will abide by those rules?
Therefore, if someone doesn’t want to obey God’s rules, why should they be made to go there?
If they don’t want to live by God’s rules why should they be forced to?
Clearly, not everyone will go to heaven, only those who want to. So….
3. How do you show God that you want to go to heaven?
You probably think that you are showing this by being a good person. You are not a murderer, or criminal or a cheat. But what standard are you using? Let’s examine God’s standard by looking at some of the Ten Commandments:
“Have you ever lied?”
“Yes. Many times.”
“What does that make you?”
“A liar I guess.”
“Have you ever stolen something in your life?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t like robbing a bank.”
“Still you admit you stole something that wasn’t yours. What does that make you?”
“A thief.”
“Do you use God’s name or Jesus’ name like a word of disgust, fear or surprise?”
“Of course. Doesn’t everybody?”
“That’s called blasphemy. And it is a serious offence in God’s eyes.”
“Have you ever got angry at someone and called them derogatory names because they offended you in some way?”
Yes, of course. I get angry a lot with people who annoy me.”
“Jesus said if you are angry with another person, you are harbouring murder in your heart.”
“Here is the last question: have you ever looked upon another person with lust?”
“Naturally. I’m only human.”
“Jesus said if you look upon another person with lust you are committing adultery in your heart.”
“So, by your own admission, you are a liar, a thief and a blasphemer, and you are a murderer and an adulterer of the heart.”
“Now, if you were to stand before God to give an account of your life, do you think you would be declared innocent or guilty of sin?”
“Guilty.”
So … have you shown God you deserve to be in heaven or kept out of heaven?
The fact is that we are all sinners and deserve to be punished, forbidden from entering heaven and sent to hell. We all want to go our own way and do our own thing, rather than obey God. Sin is only a matter of degree.
The Bible says “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless …There is no fear of God before their eyes … all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God … (and) the wages of sin is (eternal) death …” Romans 3:10-12, 18, 23, 6:23
4. So what’s the answer?
Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for your sin, so you could be declared not guilty and allowed to enter heaven when you die. And he made it possible for you to be ‘born-again’ with a new nature now, in this life, so that you are set free from the power of sin, and can live the life that God wants you to live.
Jesus declared: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is … born again” John 3: 5-7
You must believe in Jesus and trust him that he has made the way possible for you to enter heaven. That he paid the penalty for your sin when he died on the cross so that you could be forgiven. You repent of your independence and rebellion and turn to God to walk with him in this life. God imparts his life to you and his Spirit comes to live inside you, making you born-again and thereby giving you the ability to obey his rules. You now follow after him with all your heart choosing to obey him and so showing yourself to God that you want to be with him in heaven.
The Bible says: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:22-23
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who came down from heaven to suffer and die in your place. His death was the price for your sin. And his resurrection proved the power to free you from sin.
The Bible says:“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25
Do you think murderers, rapists, child molesters etc should be punished for their crimes? Of course, we all cry out for justice. You deserve to be punished for the sins you have committed. That punishment means being excluded from heaven for all of eternity and being sent to hell which Jesus described as a terrible place of torment. This is why you must put your trust in Jesus that he paid the punishment for your sin.
Jesus Christ is the only person to have come from the after-life and tell us what it is like. Many others claim to speak about things after death, however, Jesus is unique. He died and came back to life. Buddha, Mohammed, etc … they died and stayed dead. Who will you trust to know what really happens after you die? Jesus came from the after-life, proved he was the Son of God by the miracles he performed, died and went back into the after-life, then rose physically from the dead and is alive today in heaven. He is the only one you should listen to.
The Bible shows us that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ: “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
To enter into a right relationship with God, receive eternal life and escape the punishment of hell, pray…
God who is in heaven, please forgive me for my sin. I am sorry for my sin and want to repent from it and turn to you. I choose now to enter into a right relationship with you. Jesus, I believe you died for my sin and that you were raised from the dead. Please, come into my life and make me born again. I promise to follow you with all of my heart. Thank you for the gift of eternal life which I now receive.