Everyone is going to perish one day.
Have you ever thought about it? How does the idea of death or dying make you feel?
Although it could probably be the hardest, biggest, and most uncomfortable question one could ever ask, it must be asked: What happens when we die? What does the Bible say about death, heaven, and hell?
What happens at death?
Some people fear death and experience death anxiety. But, what if death is not as hopeless as people think?
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 unravels what happens when a person dies:
“Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
Loosed silver cord, broken golden bowl, pitcher shattered at the fountain, broken wheel at the well. These are all metaphors about death. After death, the dust – echoing back to when God formed man from dust and breathed into it (Genesis 2:7) – will return to being dust. Ultimately, the spirit will return to the living God.
Where do we go when we die?
While you are in the body, you are physically away from God. That’s why believing in Him is walking by faith and not by sight.
When you die, you leave the body that then goes to the ground. The spirit, on the other hand, goes into an eternal state and meets God’s judgment.
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
It’s heaven or hell, as Romans 2:6-8 says, “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
What does hell look like?
It is the place where nobody wants to go nor think about, but hell is real and Revelation 14:9-11 describes what hell looks and feels like:
“They, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever.”
Hell doesn’t sound like a pleasant place, does it? It is a place of agony and that suffering goes on forever.
Revelation 21:8 also reveals who are cast into it, “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
How about heaven? What will it be like when we get there?
While hell is real, heaven is real, too!
The Bible describes heaven as a place of eternal comfort. It is where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Jesus calls it Paradise (Luke 23:43).
In heaven, there is no hunger, thirst, nor scorching heat (Revelation 7:16). It is where God is as described in Revelations 22:5, “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
Heaven is wonderful and even more beautiful than what the human mind can fathom.
Heaven is wonderful and even more beautiful than what the human mind can fathom.
How do we get to heaven?
Going back to Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, you are to remember the Creator before death, that even though your body returns to dust, your spirit may return to God who gave it.
While dying means going home to the Creator, it is also about what you do before you go home. It is about who you believe in at this very moment.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,“ (John 14:6). To ransom you from sins and eternal death, Jesus died and was resurrected, and now offers you the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). He is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13) and the only entrance to God’s Kingdom.
The question is: are you willing to accept Him as your Lord and Savior?
Ask God to help you trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation. Put your hope in Him and in Him alone! Receive His promise that when the time comes, you will meet Him in heaven, and that you will finally see the fullness of His glory for all eternity.
Do you want to know more about God? The CBN Asia Prayer Center is here to guide you and pray for you! Don’t hesitate to call us at 8737-0700 or send a message to The 700 Club Asia Facebook page.
