Is there life after death?

Job is thought by many to be the oldest book in the Bible. It tells how a man called Job, in the midst of his terrible suffering declared, "I know that my redeemer lives… and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God." (Job 19:25,26). Somehow he knew that death was not the end. He also knew that when his body was gone he would see God. He had no 'proof', no 'evidence', where did he obtain this knowledge that gave him such a joyful hope? David, writing centuries later spoke to God in these words, "As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied when I awake, with Your likeness." (Psalm 17:15). In Psalm 19:14, David testified to God as his redeemer. He also knew that death would not be the end, but rather the best was yet to come.

Jesus promised everlasting life in heaven with the God who, "shall wipe every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." (Revelation chapter 21 verse 4 and 5). He also often warned of hell as a place of eternal darkness and pain, "where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:43). A fearful state of torment unending! Jesus never once indicated that this was to be understood as metaphorical or symbolic, but as conscious and real. One of these states will be our destination after death – heaven or hell.

The Bible is consistent. Physical death is not the end: Hebrews chapter 9 verse 27 reveals, "It is appointed once to die and after this the judgement." There is no reincarnation and no purgatory. Neither are we given a second chance to make ourselves good enough for heaven. Without a redeemer, our case is hopeless. We deserve hell. How can we be fit for heaven?

Thank God that "Christ Jesus came to the world to save sinners" (I Timothy 1:15). He came to redeem us from "the curse of the law" (Galatians chapter 3 verse 13) by giving himself to take the hell that is due to us, suffering the penalty, so that we, the guilty ones might go free from condemnation.

The key to heaven is our own personal faith in him, not 'proof' or 'evidence' though there is abundance of both. But our willingness to accept His word and trust in Him. John 3:36 puts it like this, "He that believes on the Son has eternal life and he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him”.

Andrew Geuter