Yes, Virginia, there is an Afterlife

 


Bound for Eternity, Part 1

 

Series Introduction

In Hebrews 9:27, the writer states, And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. This clearly shows that there is more to our existence beyond the mortal realm. All through scripture, both Old and New Testaments, there is discussion of an afterlife.

In the coming weeks we’ll look at the various aspects of the afterlife; the next location after life, the second coming, the judgement, and our eternal reward.

 

Article Introduction

Growing up as a child of the 1970s, one of the more memorable slogans was heard in a beer commercial; "You only go around once in life. So grab for all the gusto you can…", Schlitz, 1970. Although just a commercial, a lot of people have the concept that there is nothing beyond this mortal realm. There are those who believe that when you die, that’s it; Game Over.

But is that really the end? There’s another saying, “He who dies with the most toys wins!” What exactly do you win if you’re dead? Everything you own goes to someone else. This is true as stated in Ecclesiastes 2:18-19, Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

There has to be more to our existence than the ‘here and now’; for all the suffering we endure in the mortal world, there should be something better for us in a life to come after. And I’m not talking about reincarnation.

 

Proof for the Afterlife

Given that the afterlife is a spiritual location, anything that science proves has to be taken with a grain of salt. All the stories of near-death experiences, visions of Heaven and/or Hell, or even out-of-body experiences has to be understood that it is from the individual and not actual proof of its existence. With that in mind, we turn to the scriptures for proof…

In the Old Testament, the word “Sheol” is used to refer to the place of the dead. According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE), It means really the unseen world, the state or abode of the dead, and is the equivalent of the Greek Haides (Hades), by which word it is translated in Septuagint. The English Revisers have acted somewhat inconsistently in leaving "grave" or "pit" in the historical books and putting "Sheol" in the margin, while substituting "Sheol" in the poetical writings, and putting "grave" in the margin.

Some would argue that God’s presence is not in Sheol (or Hades). However, King David in Psalm 139:7-10 paints a different picture, Remember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom The day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, Even to the foundation thereof. O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock.  (ASV)

In the New Testament, Jesus discusses the place of the Dead in Luke 16:19-31. He references two locations; Abraham’s Bosom (also called Paradise) and Torment. We’ll look closer at this in a future article. He even referenced this location on the cross, when he spoke with one of the thieves in Luke 23:42-43, Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” The Paradise, referenced here, is not Heaven as some would say but, rather, the Hadean realm.

In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven and, specifically in verses 31-46, he talks about the Judgement Day and the final resting place of either Heaven or Hell. Overall, no one preached on the subject of Hell more than Jesus. Simply because he didn’t want anyone to go there.

 

Conclusion

The Afterlife is very much real and it’s up to the reader to decide where they want to spend their eternity. The apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

If you want to avoid Hell, you need to become a Christian; according to scriptures. All too often people claim they are a Christian because they “go to church” or simply believe in God. There is more to it than that.

On the day of Pentecost, the people assembled there asked in Acts 2:37-38, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Here’s what you must do…

Hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17)

Believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24)

Confess Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10)

Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38)

Become baptized to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16)

Live Faithfully even unto Death (Rev. 2:10)

 

Change your life now (2 Cor. 6:2) while you are still alive. When you die, there is no second chance and your fate is sealed forever.

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