If You Were to Die Tonight…

(from 2004)

Introduction

        This is a question that most people would rather ignore that to answer: If you were to die tonight, where would you go? Some might instantly say, “Heaven” while others might flippantly, or even proudly say, “Hell”. But what if I told you that, according to scripture, you would not go to neither place when you die?

When You Die…

        Contrary to what most religious people will tell you, Heaven or Hell is not the next stop after you pass from this mortal realm. They are the places of eternity as stated by Jesus in Mt. 25:46, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Eternity is your “final reward” but there is a location that every soul will venture into after leaving here. It’s what I’ve referred to as the Giant Waiting Room.

Welcome to Hades

        If you’ve ever seen the TV series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys or Xena: Warrior Princess, you are familiar with these locations known as The Underworld. This is in the tradition of Greek Mythology. The god, Hades rules both Tartarus and the Elysian Fields. According to mythology these places are the final resting places of the souls.

        In scripture Hades is the name of the place and, though it isn’t ruled by anyone, it is a place where the souls go to once they leave the mortal realm. It isn’t our final reward but merely a “stopover” until Judgment Day.

        In Luke 16: 19-31, Jesus relates a story of The Rich Man and Lazarus and their destination after they’ve died. One side is looked upon as paradise where those rest in Abraham’s bosom (vs. 22). The other side is looked upon as torment (vs. 23). Between both of these places, there is a great gulf fixed which is impassable (vs. 26). The American Heritage Dictionary defines ‘gulf’ as:  A large area of a sea or ocean partially enclosed by land, especially a long landlocked portion of sea opening through a strait. 2. A deep, wide chasm; an abyss. 

Some people disregard this as being nothing more than a parable told by Jesus. However, the scriptures do not refer to it as being one. And even if this were simply a parable, the outcome would most likely be similar. In every parable that Jesus spoke, he used every day situations to make his point.

On the Cross

        Jesus knew the place was real because he mentioned it one more time while he hung on the cross.  In Luke 23:42-43, Jesus and one of the thieves had this to say: “And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.  43. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.”  Did Jesus mean Heaven?  No, of course not! He didn’t ascend into Heaven until after he had been resurrected. In the meantime, though, both Jesus and the thief would be going somewhere until it was time for Christ’s resurrection. The only logical conclusion would be Hades as described in Luke 16.

       

Conclusion

Now I pose the question, again, to the reader: If you were to die tonight, where would you go? The opportunity to avoid the torment side of Hades comes while you are still alive. Remember, the gulf is impassable and once you are dead, your fate is sealed forever. Do what God wants you to do. Whether it be obeying the gospel and becoming a Christian or, as a Christian, repenting of your sins and returning to the Lord. The decision is yours.