Even though there are many who
have seen firsthand what it looks like 'beyond death's door", none of them
could be considered “the expert".If you were to assemble all the greatest philosophers, writers, commanders, scientist, and leaders of history- only one would stand out as the foremost authority on matters of life and death…Jesus Christ.
He did something no other in history has done.
Jesus Christ is the only person to have been resurrected to new life. Historical evidence confirms that he clinically died, lay in a cave-like tomb for three days, and came back to life; not just in a resuscitated form, but in a new resurrected form. Admittedly, others have been raised from the dead; Jesus raised Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, and the woman from Nain’s only son. Elijah raised the son of the widow, and Elisha raised the son of the Sunammite woman. In each of these miraculous cases, the person raised eventually died. Jesus was raised to new life.
No one has traveled beyond the grave in the way Jesus Christ did.
After his resurrection he remained around Jerusalem for forty days, seen by over 500:
1 Corinthians 15:3-6 "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living." (NIV)
What did Jesus say about the afterlife?
Jesus had more to say about heaven and hell than any other topic. Not surprising when you consider the importance of this topic to each of us.
Jesus clearly tells us how to get to heaven:
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (NIV)
It’s simple faith in Christ, trusting Him, which gains us a place in heaven. When Jesus talks about belief, it’s not only mental agreement; it means deep abiding trust- “leaning or depending on”.
Jesus’ death on the cross accomplishes the forgiveness of sin and earns us the privilege of heaven:
- Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)
- Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
Does God get any satisfaction from seeing people in hell?
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (NIV)
The Bible strongly states how much God prefers for each of us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. If you have any doubts about where you will go when you die, why not settle it right now. Jesus said, it's simply a matter of placing your trust and faith in Him.
You can express your faith in a simple prayer:
Lord Jesus,
I need you. I know that I have sinned and that I need your forgiveness. Thank-you for dying on the cross for me. I now receive you as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank-you for giving me the free gift of eternal life. Amen.
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