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The Truth About Death

The Truth About Death

The question of what happens after death has intrigued humanity for centuries, and the Scriptures provide us with a clear and comforting understanding of the journey that awaits us beyond this life. The Bible teaches that death is not the end but rather the beginning of a new chapter. And it provides both hope and solemn warnings, painting a vivid picture of life beyond death. For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, the Bible assures a place in heaven, a realm of eternal joy and peace in the presence of God. Conversely, the scriptures also speak of the reality of hell, a place of separation from God, reserved for those who reject His grace. This duality emphasises the importance of one’s choices and faith in the present life, shaping the eternal destiny that follows. This article reflects on God’s eternal plan for life beyond death. Be blessed as you read. What happens after we die? Discussing death is a topic that many people prefer to avoid, but it’s something that can’t be ignored. It’s something that’s happening and it’s coming at every one of us, so I’m I will be sharing some things that will encourage people and help them make the right decisions now. These things I’m sharing are a blessing to me and I think they’ll be a blessing to you too. I know some of you might not be excited about this, but it’s something you need to address. Let’s look at the story Jesus told in Luke 16 about what happens after we die. Remember that the word of God is true. Jesus said in John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Jesus is the Word, the truth, the way, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). The word of God also says in the book of Romans that ‘let God be true and everyone else a liar.’ Therefore, let’s listen to and believe what the Lord Jesus Christ is saying in His word about death. Luke 16, starting from verse 19:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side (bosom). The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” This story makes us understand that when people die, they don’t cease to exist, they still live. Death is an exit from this life. You don’t cease to exist, you just exit this life and you either step immediately into the presence of God where there is joy, comfort, and no more sorrow, or you step into hell, a place of torment, weeping and gnashing of teeth. So, what determines whether we step immediately into the presence of God or into hell after we die? There isn’t a single person on this earth who deserves anything good from God. And there is absolutely nothing people can do to gain His favour. In comparison to God’s standards, man’s righteousness is no better than filthy rags. The Bible says in Isaiah 64:6 that “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away”. But God loves man so much that He sent Jesus, a Lamb without a spot, to be a sacrifice for sin.  If Jesus died for past, present, and future sins – which He did – then what determines whether we spend eternity with Him or in hell? The Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit convicts us of one sin, and it’s the only sin that will cause people to go to hell. That is the sin of rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin [singular], and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me” (John 16:8-9, brackets mine). In the story, the rich man spoke to Abraham from hell, the place of torment. The story makes it clear that in hell, those who were in torment could see those across the gulf. They could hear, thirst, feel pain and sorrow, and even communicate with those in paradise. But the one thing that the people in hell will never be able to do is die. My friend, people don’t cease to exist when they die and that’s the truth about death. The rich man’s body was in the grave, and yet this scripture speaks of him lifting up his eyes and seeing Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. “So, he called to him, ‘Father Abraham,

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a picture about A very Big Question about Death

The Big Question About Death

We reflect on a topic that touches every one of us – death. It is a reality that each of us must face, yet it often brings with it a sense of fear, uncertainty, and sorrow. But as followers of Christ, we are not left without hope or understanding. The Bible, our ultimate guide, offers profound insights into the nature of death and its implications for our lives. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the triumphant visions in Revelation, Scripture addresses the complexities of death in ways that are both sobering and hope-filled. It speaks of death not merely as an end but as a transition – a doorway leading to a new, eternal life. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are given victory over death, a promise of resurrection, and the assurance of eternal life. This article explores the Biblical perspective on death to understand its origins, spiritual significance, and the hope it brings to us as believers. Be blessed as you read! The message I want to convey to you today might seem a little bit unique or even weird. It’s a message that God put on my heart and I think it will really help many people. I want to talk to you today about the biggest question: and that is what’s death? A lot of people live as if there’s no death, but death always comes, and it’s something that none of us can avoid. There’re many things that we can avoid in life, but we’re all going to someday die. Therefore, it’s an important subject that we need to spend a little bit of time with because we want to know the right answer to one of the biggest questions: what’s death? Many people don’t think about death at all. They live as if they will never die. Or maybe you’ve even come up with some kind of a doctrine where you think you will be reincarnated and come back as something else. That’s comforting, but it’s not biblical. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 “for it is appointed for [all] men once to die.” Not over and over and coming back as something else, but once to die, “and after that there’s judgment.”  That means we’re all going to face God. That also means that death is simply stepping out of this life and that there is life after death. Romans 14:12 says that “every man,” everyone, “will give an account of himself to God.” So, let’s take a moment to consider this: whether or not you are born again, there will come a day when we will all stand before God and give an account of our lives. But don’t be afraid if you have put your trust in God Almighty through His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, because death is not anything that we need to be afraid of. One of the benefits of being a believer in Jesus Christ is the assurance of not having to be afraid of death. In Matthew 25, we read the story of the nation’s coming to the Lord on His throne, where He separates the sheep from the goats. In Matthew 25:34, He said to the righteous, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” But to the unrighteous, He said, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mathew 25:41). Although it was never intended for humans, hell is a dreadful place where those who reject such a great sacrifice will be with the devil and his angels for eternity (Revelation 20:10). Let’s go to the Bible to find the answer to this question through Jesus’s teaching. Luke chapter 16 explains what happens after we die and I start from verse 19. It’s the story of Lazarus and the rich man. 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side (bosom). The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” This story clearly teaches that death is nothing but just stepping out of this life and that there is life after death. It also shows that there are only two destinations possible after death: a place of torment for the wicked or a place of blessing for the righteous. Therefore, this is a valid subject that we need to spend some time with because we want to make sure that when we die, we end up in the right place after that. When we die, it’s not as if, we just stop

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Heaven And Hell Are Real Places

There is heaven and there’s hell, but who goes to heaven and who goes to hell? We live in a world that often dismisses the afterlife as mere myth or metaphor, but we must stand firm in the Biblical truth that these are real places, with eternal consequences for each and every one of us. Throughout the Bible, we find vivid descriptions and profound teachings about these two ultimate destinations. Heaven, the glorious dwelling place of God, offers eternal joy, peace, and communion with our Creator for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. It is a place of hope and promise, where every tear will be wiped away, and we will experience the fullness of God’s love. Conversely, the Bible also speaks clearly about hell, a place of eternal separation from God, reserved for those who have rejected His grace and chosen a path of rebellion. The imagery is stark and sobering – a lake of fire, outer darkness, and unending torment – reminding us of the serious consequences of our choices in this life. Let’s dive into God’s Word and discover the profound truths about our eternal destinations. This article delves into Scripture to understand what God’s Word tells us about these places, why they exist, and most importantly, how this knowledge should impact our lives right now. If heaven and hell are actual places that exist, how do people go there? If you do not know Jesus Christ personally and have not been born again, you must be born again in order to receive a mansion in heaven. Without being born again, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. If you believe in Christ, physical death means being absent from the body and present with the Lord in heaven. “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Sadly, the opposite is true for the unbeliever in Christ. If you are an unbeliever, physical death just means being absent from the body and present in hell. It is an instantaneous journey to hell. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom (Luke 16:22- 23).  “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:28-29).  You may be a good person, and many people believe that being good means you will go to heaven. They have their own beliefs, suggesting that if your good deeds outweigh your bad ones, you will be granted entry to heaven. The Bible, however, teaches that good people don’t go to heaven and bad people don’t go to hell. Only forgiven people go to heaven and only people who refuse forgiveness through Jesus go to hell. Many good people may end up in Hell, believing their goodness alone qualifies them for Heaven, without acknowledging the need for a saviour. Listen to what Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Verily, verily, I, say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Imagine standing before God and hearing Him ask, “What makes you worthy to enter into heaven?” How would you answer? If your first thought is to tell God how good you are, mention your Bible reading, or talk about how your parents took you to church, then you are not born again. The only correct answer is to say, “I put my faith in Jesus Christ.” Many people think, “I’m a good person. I go to church,” but this is not sufficient. You must be born again. It doesn’t matter how good a person you are; you must be born again, and that’s very simple. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and truly believe in your heart, and you will be saved. You must ensure that you are born again. If you haven’t done this, you need to receive salvation now. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is what makes us right with God. To receive His free gift of salvation, you only need to believe. It’s so straightforward that people often believe it can’t be this easy. But it truly is that simple. All that is required is to believe in the completed work of Jesus. Scripture says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). The words are easy to say, but you also have to believe what you say in your heart. Salvation can only come through faith in Jesus Christ. You declare your faith openly to show accountability to Jesus Christ, your Lord. You have to genuinely commit to turning your life over to Jesus. This doesn’t mean you’ll never sin again; none of us are perfect, and there will be times when we fail. You must also believe in your heart that He has overcome death. This means He not only has the ability to save you, but He also possesses the authority to lead you and the wisdom to transform you. You must be willing to turn the direction of your life over to the Lord and accept salvation based solely on what Jesus has done for you. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).  Jesus has already paid for your sins, so salvation is simply a matter of receiving what God desires to give you. It’s not about convincing God to give you something He doesn’t want to give. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, and salvation is available to everyone, no matter their identity or past actions. That is why the promise is whoever puts his/her faith in Christ will be saved and will receive eternal life. It is absolutely guaranteed to

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Think About Your Eternal Home

Think about your destination after you die. Everybody has an eternal home. Where is yours? Remember that death is just a translation from this earth. In our daily lives, consumed by the immediate and the tangible, it’s easy to lose sight of the eternal perspective. Yet, the Bible consistently calls us to lift our eyes beyond the horizon of this temporal world. Scriptures offer profound insights into the nature of life after death, providing a framework for understanding our eternal destiny. A vivid picture of two primary destinations; heaven and hell, is painted in the scriptures. These destinations are not merely abstract concepts, but are depicted as real and significant, carrying eternal implications for every individual. Central to this biblical narrative is the promise of eternal life with God in heaven for those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, contrasted with eternal separation from God in hell for those who reject Him. It is important that we consider how this heavenly perspective should transform our earthly lives as we contemplate our eternal home. So, how should the promise of eternity with God shape our priorities, decisions, and relationships today? This article explores scriptures to gain a deeper understanding of eternal realities and choices that lead to our final home, offering both a sobering and hopeful perspective on our ultimate destiny. In John 14, Jesus said to his disciples: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am”. My father’s “house” refers to his residence or dwelling. Jesus is simply saying that in heaven there are many dwelling places, and he is preparing one for us. Our experience in heaven will be beyond our expectations (remember Ephesians 3:20). The fact that we will be with Jesus makes it even more exciting if you think about it. This is because nothing will compare with being with the one who loved us and died for us. Let me remind you of the story of the rich man and Lazarus that Jesus told in Luke 16.19-21 “There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man’s table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. 22-24 “Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I’m in agony in this fire.’ 25-26 “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It’s not like that here. Here he’s consoled and you’re tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.’ 27-28 “The rich man said, ‘Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won’t end up here in this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham answered, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘I know, Father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but they’re not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.’ 31 “Abraham replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they’re not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.’” ” It’s important to consider how having a heavenly perspective should transform your earthly life as you contemplate your eternal home. “ To be clothed in purple and fine linen is to wear the clothing of kings and live in the luxuries of this world. The rich man lived comfortably and lacked nothing every day of his life. He never thought of losing his riches or suffering in some unforeseen way. His expectations did not include eternity. The day of death comes to all people. Lazarus’ life of suffering had come to an end. The days of pain, hunger, begging, and struggling for existence were over. Jesus tells us that Lazarus, the beggar, “was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s lap.” Lazarus is seen in Abraham’s lap being comforted after a long life of pain and hardship. Lazarus has now gained the ultimate prize or reward for a life of faith. Jesus said that the rich man, on the other hand, “was buried.” There were no angels to carry him away. The text of scripture simply said that he died. The tables had now turned in the realm of eternity. While Lazarus was the suffering beggar in the world and the rich man basked in the comforts of luxury. It is now the rich man who is poor and Lazarus is the one rich in comfort. The rich man is now begging, and Lazarus is in the comfort of Abraham’s bosom. This story also shows that the people God honours are not necessarily the same people the world honours (Luke 16:15). This rich man had a beautiful home, fancy clothes, and the best of everything. He had it all, but he never showed the beggar any mercy. When he died, I guarantee you he had a fancy funeral. Thousands of people may have gathered, all talking about how great his accomplishments were. Yet the Bible says only that he was buried, left to rot in the grave. On the

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Think About Your Eternal Home

Think about your destination after you die. Everybody has an eternal home. Where is yours? Remember that death is just a translation from this earth. In our daily lives, consumed by the immediate and the tangible, it’s easy to lose sight of the eternal perspective. Yet, the Bible consistently calls us to lift our eyes beyond the horizon of this temporal world. Scriptures offer profound insights into the nature of life after death, providing a framework for understanding our eternal destiny. A vivid picture of two primary destinations; heaven and hell, is painted in the scriptures. These destinations are not merely abstract concepts, but are depicted as real and significant, carrying eternal implications for every individual. Central to this biblical narrative is the promise of eternal life with God in heaven for those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, contrasted with eternal separation from God in hell for those who reject Him. It is important that we consider how this heavenly perspective should transform our earthly lives as we contemplate our eternal home. So, how should the promise of eternity with God shape our priorities, decisions, and relationships today? This article explores scriptures to gain a deeper understanding of eternal realities and choices that lead to our final home, offering both a sobering and hopeful perspective on our ultimate destiny. In John 14, Jesus said to his disciples: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am”. My father’s “house” refers to his residence or dwelling. Jesus is simply saying that in heaven there are many dwelling places, and he is preparing one for us. Our experience in heaven will be beyond our expectations (remember Ephesians 3:20). The fact that we will be with Jesus makes it even more exciting if you think about it. This is because nothing will compare with being with the one who loved us and died for us. Let me remind you of the story of the rich man and Lazarus that Jesus told in Luke 16.19-21 “There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man’s table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores. 22-24 “Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I’m in agony in this fire.’ 25-26 “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that in your lifetime you got the good things and Lazarus the bad things. It’s not like that here. Here he’s consoled and you’re tormented. Besides, in all these matters there is a huge chasm set between us so that no one can go from us to you even if he wanted to, nor can anyone cross over from you to us.’ 27-28 “The rich man said, ‘Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers, so he can tell them the score and warn them so they won’t end up here in this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham answered, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘I know, Father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but they’re not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.’ 31 “Abraham replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they’re not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.’” To be clothed in purple and fine linen is to wear the clothing of kings and live in the luxuries of this world. The rich man lived comfortably and lacked nothing every day of his life. He never thought of losing his riches or suffering in some unforeseen way. His expectations did not include eternity. The day of death comes to all people. Lazarus’ life of suffering had come to an end. The days of pain, hunger, begging, and struggling for existence were over. Jesus tells us that Lazarus, the beggar, “was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s lap.” Lazarus is seen in Abraham’s lap being comforted after a long life of pain and hardship. Lazarus has now gained the ultimate prize or reward for a life of faith. Jesus said that the rich man, on the other hand, “was buried.” There were no angels to carry him away. The text of scripture simply said that he died. The tables had now turned in the realm of eternity. While Lazarus was the suffering beggar in the world and the rich man basked in the comforts of luxury. It is now the rich man who is poor and Lazarus is the one rich in comfort. The rich man is now begging, and Lazarus is in the comfort of Abraham’s bosom. This story also shows that the people God honours are not necessarily the same people the world honours (Luke 16:15). This rich man had a beautiful home, fancy clothes, and the best of everything. He had it all, but he never showed the beggar any mercy. When he died, I guarantee you he had a fancy funeral. Thousands of people may have gathered, all talking about how great his accomplishments were. Yet the Bible says only that he was buried, left to rot in the grave. On the other hand, the beggar who was most despised on earth was carried away by angels. Which of the two would

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