Eternity, Where Will You Be After Death?

We must all reckon at some point about our Eternity in the afterlife. 

I believe that the souls of those who die in Christ, “go immediately into the presence of God when we die” (Graham, 2006).  2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (NKJV)”.

 

Sproul (2009) referring to the Apostle Paul puts it like this, “to live in this world is good; the greatest thing that can ever happen is to be participating in the final resurrection. But the intermediate state is even better” Philippians 1:21-24 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”

There is an indication of immediacy of situations.  To absent from the body is to be present with the LORD! A departure from this life, is to be with Christ! It is a far better situation indeed, Paul is saying!  

Graham (2006) further says that although the Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about life after death, it clearly tells us that we can look forward to heaven’s joys when we die, if we know Christ.  This means that you and I have a hope – a hope of being with Christ in heaven someday.  Jesus tells us not to be troubled because He went to prepare for us a place.  John 14:2,3 “I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (NKJV)

The most important truth I can tell you about heaven, however, is that we will be with God, and nothing evil or harmful will ever touch us again. In heaven, God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Why would anyone not want to go there?

Sproul (2009) says that Apostle Paul’s judgment that the passing beyond the veil of death to that intermediate state is far better than this one gives us a clue, along with a host of other passages. 

All this is possible because Jesus Christ took upon Himself the death and judgment we deserve when He died on the cross for us. (Graham, 1996). So through Christ’s resurrection, God showed victory over our condemnation in a place of torment called Hell.  Jesus overcame death when He resurrected from the dead! A sure sight that we shall also live with Him in heaven someday!

The lyrics in that great hymn of our faith says,

Only Trust Him, Only Trust Him
He will save you now!

Save you from what? 

The Bible also says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The danger lurking is death - for all who do not receive the gift of God through Jesus Christ.  God's gift is eternal life, available when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son!

The last stanza says

Yes, Jesus is the truth, the way
That leads you into rest
Believe in Him without delay

Yes! The solution for your Eternity is in faith in Jesus Christ!

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

References

Sproul, R. C. (2009, July 14). Ligonier Ministries. Retrieved June 29, 2018, from https://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/when-person-dies-where-does-his-or-her-spirit-and/
Graham, B. (2006, June 19). Where does our soul go when we die if we are believers? [text/html]. Retrieved June 29, 2018, from https://billygraham.org/answer/where-does-our-soul-go-when-we-die-if-we-are-believers/

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