Where do we come from, and where are we going?
Is there life after death?
The Bible tells us that from creation God has put eternity in our hearts.
For those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they will move home to God in heaven when their earthly body dies. In heaven they will receive a new and different body. There is neither tears nor pain in heaven.
We have a picture of perfect life with God in the beginning when God created everything. Adam and Eve lived in perfect fellowship with God in the garden of Eden, where the tree of life stood, which is a symbol of Jesus and salvation. (Revelation 22:1-5, John 15:1-8). Because Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they were separated from God.
When we choose to believe in Jesus the relationship with God is restored. In heaven everything will be perfect, and we will see God face to face, and live close to Him like Adam and Eve did, and yet heaven will be so much more.
Nicodemus asked Jesus if He could explain to him what heaven was like, but Jesus answered: “How can you understand the things you can’t see, you who don’t even fully understand about this world which you can see…” (John 3:12).
Still, the Bible gives us some glimpses of heaven:
One of them is God sitting on a throne and Jesus sitting on His right hand side.
We are also told of 24 elders who is in the counsel of God and is sitting around His throne (Revelation 13).
Streets of gold and Jesus preparing rooms for us (Revelation 21). Heaven is described as a paradise where there is no crying and no pain, but peace and harmony.
From creation God has put eternity in our hearts
Eternity isn’t just an endless expansion of time. The nature of eternity is different from time. Eternity is the kingdom of God’s being, the kingdom where God himself is living.
One day Jesus will come for those who belong to Him, to bring them eternal peace and rest in heaven. There will be a resurrection from the dead. Then there will be a day of judgement, where God is the Judge. His judgement is and always will be righteous and just.
Those of us who belong to and follow Jesus have nothing to fear, because Jesus already took the punishment for our guilt (Isaiah 53:4-5). We have been saved for eternity, but we still have to choose everyday to follow the example of Jesus and His teachings, so that we don’t backslide and lose faith and become guilty of judgement.
The Bible also describes eternal condemnation for those who refuse to believe in Jesus and receive God’s gift of salvation. The Bible explains that they will perish in hell, a prison prepared for the devil and those who have been deceived by his lies. This is a place where there is crying and pain.
Therefore, make sure that you choose to believe in Jesus Christ, and receive the gift God has prepared for you both in this life and for eternity. There is a lot more we could say about this, so check out more teachings in part 2 of WonByOne.
God loves you and is waiting for you. But it is your choice!