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NOTHING IS MORE CERTAIN THAN DEATH

"... it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement"  Hebrews 9:27

AFTER DEATH - WHAT ?

When his friend died a colleague on a building site quoted the words, "death is a fearful leap into the unknown." Construction workers rarely discus religious topics. Yet his statement probably reflects the innermost fear of many people. A fear which is not so much about the process of dying but about what, if anything, happens after death

JESUS BECAME HUMAN TO DELIVER US FROM THE GRIP OF DEATH.

"Inasmuch then as the children share flesh and blood, Jesus also himself likewise took part in the same; that through death he might destroy he who had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to slavery." Hebrews 2:14-15

The Devil has the power of death and the sting in the tail is sin.

"The sting of death is sin ..." 1 Corinthians 15:56

However many people probably feel as this enquirer does:-

"... the whole concept of 'reward and punishment' or more like 'heaven and hell' ridiculous and non-existent. I don't know what happens in the afterlife, so I wont claim anything, but its definitely ILLOGICAL for heaven and hell to exist."

"... how can we expect to be held accountable for our good deeds and bad deeds, how can there be heaven and hell ... " "There is no universal right and a universal wrong. That's a fact ..."

"I am seeking knowledge about the WHOLE spirituality deal. Life after death does intrigue me, ..."

SOME ARE BLASE ABOUT DEATH

Their policy seems to be "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die"

HOSPITALS OFFER THE BEREAVED A POEM TO READ TO EASE THEIR ANGUISH

In it a dead person is pictured as consoling loved ones, telling them "death is only like going next door, in the next room, still talk to me and speak to me normally"

IN REALITY DEATH IS AN ENEMY

"because sin's wages is death ..." Romans 6:23

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" 1 Corinthians 15:26

Which brings us to:-

THE GOOD NEWS

"... but God's gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

DEATH IS NOT A FEARFUL LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN FOR FAITHFUL BELIEVERS

"We are confident and pleased, preferring to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord." 2.Corinthians 5:8

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

"... I declare to you the gospel ... by which ... you are saved:-

.... Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and ... he was buried and ... he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

[FOR EVIDENCE ON THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST see the article: "No Corpse!"]

THIS WELL DOCUMENTED HISTORICAL FACT IS EVERY FAITHFUL BELIEVER'S ASSURANCE OF RESURRECTION TO ETERNAL LIFE AT THE LAST DAY

"... Christ is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of those who slept. .... All in Christ will be made alive ... at his coming." 1.Corinthians 15:20-23

They will be with the Lord Jesus eternally.

"Then we ... will be caught up ... in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so we will be with the Lord for ever." 1.Thessalonians 4:17

AT THAT TIME THERE WILL BE TWO RESURRECTIONS

"... the hour is coming, when, all that are in the graves will hear the Lord Jesus' voice, And will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28-29

Not only is there a resurrection to eternal life there is also a resurrection to eternal damnation.

The Lord Jesus said that some will - "... go away to eternal confinement ..." and some will go "to eternal life." Matthew 25:46

Those who reject the "Good News" will be shut out of the presence of the righteous and just God - eternally.

"... those who don't know God and who disobey our Lord Jesus Christ's gospel (Greek: "good news") ... will be punished with everlasting devastation, away from the Lord's presence ..." 2.Thessalonians 1:8-9

BUT GOD DOES NOT GET ANY SADISTIC SATISFACTION OUT OF REJECTING PEOPLE

" ... As I live," says the Lord GOD, "I get no pleasure in the death of the wicked, I would rather that the wicked one turns from his ways and lives ..." Ezekiel 33:11

OUT OF LOVE FOR MANKIND HE SENT THE MESSIAH TO AVERT THAT

"For even whilst we were helpless ... Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely will one die for a righteous man, yet, perhaps some would even dare to die for a good man, but God commends his love for us, in that, whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 6:6 -8.

GOD WAS IN CHRIST WHEN CHRIST DIED FOR US

"... God was in Christ, reconciling* the world to himself, ..." 2 Corinthians 5:19 [*cp. verses 14-15 ]

IT IS UP TO US TO RESPOND TO HIS LOVE

"Look, I am stood at the heart's door, knocking. If anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in with him and dine with him." Revelation 3:20

HE WILL NEVER TURN ANYONE AWAY

"... he who comes to me I will not throw out. " John 6:37

IF WE REMAIN FAITHFUL TO HIM

"therefore look at God's kindness and severity: on those who fell, severity; but towards you, kindness, if you continue in his kindness, otherwise you also will be cut off." Romans 11:22

The Lord Jesus' gave these parting instructions to his apostles before returning to heaven:-

"... Declare the good news to all creation - He who trusts and is immersed^* will be reprieved but he who distrusts will be condemned"  Mark 16:15-16

NOTES

   Bible quotations are direct translations mostly based on the Authorised Version of the Bible.

* Baptism (immersion in water) displays death and resurrection, of Jesus and of us rejecting the old way
   of life and starting a new life for Jesus.  Romans 6 and Colossians 2:12