RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-04-28	Is There Life After Death?
		The existence of life after death is a universal question. Job states, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Jb.14:1). Then he asked, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Jb.14:14). Like Job, all of us have been challenged by this question. Exactly what happens to us after we die? Do we simply cease to exist? Is there really a heaven and hell? The Bible tells us that there is not only life after death, but eternal life so glorious that “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Co.2:9). Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to the earth to give us this gift of eternal life. Jesus took on the punishment that all of us deserve and sacrificed His life to pay the penalty for our sin. Three days later, He proved Himself victorious over death by rising from the grave. He remained on the earth for forty days and was witnessed by hundreds before ascending to heaven (Ac.1:9; 1Co.15:3-8). The resurrection of the Christ is a well-documented event. The apostle Paul challenged people to question eyewitnesses for its validity, and no one was able to contest its truth. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate proof of life after death. Christ was only the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again (1Co.15:20-22). 1Co 15:20  But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1Co 15:21  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. Just as God raised up Jesus’ body, so will our bodies be resurrected upon Jesus’ return (1Co.6:14). Although we will all be eventually resurrected, not everyone will go to heaven. A choice must be made by each person in this life, and this choice will determine one’s eternal destination. Those who have been made righteous by faith in Christ will go into eternal life in heaven, but those who reject Christ as Savior will be sent to eternal punishment in hell (Mt.25:46). Hell, like heaven, is not simply a state of existence, but a literal place. It is a place where the unrighteous will experience never-ending, eternal wrath from God. Hell is described as burning with sulfur, where the inhabitants will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rv.20:10). God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires them to turn from their wicked ways so that they can live (Ek.33:11). He will not force us into submission. If we choose to reject Him, He accepts our decision to live apart from Him. Life on earth is a test, a preparation for what is to come. How does one avoid an eternity in Hell's fire? There is only one way. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (Jn.11:25). Jesus continued, “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn.11:26). Paul reminds us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2Co.6:2). We will not be given the opportunity to accept God’s gift of salvation after death. If we trust the death of Jesus Christ as the full payment for our sin against God we are guaranteed eternal life after death in the presence of Jesus. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Independent and Evangelical Church

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