We have studied how we got to this world and what we should be doing while we are here, but what about when this life is over? We are guaranteed that our lives will end one day, whether by death (James 4:13-17) or the second coming of Christ (2 Pet. 3:10). Since this is the case, it is imperative for us to be prepared for when that day does come. We will all give account for what we have done in this life (Ecc. 12:14, 2 Cor. 5:10). There are only two options for what we may hear.
If we live our lives faithfully to God, we are promised that we will be rewarded (Mat. 7:21). As we discussed in our last blog post, we should dedicate our entire lives to the service of God. When we do that, we have the promise of salvation (1 John 1:7). Heaven is a place of no suffering or pain: “And God shall wipe away all tears 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 (Rev. 21:4).” It is a place with no sin or temptation: “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27).” It is a place where we will dwell in the presence of God eternally: “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever (Rev. 22:5).” This is a place to which we should all long to go.
Sadly, not everyone will be saved. Some, in fact, many, will decide not to obey God. What will their eternal abode be? Hell is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mat. 8:12, Mat. 22:13, Mat. 24:51, Mat. 25:30, Luke 13:28). Hell is a place of outer darkness (Mat. 8:12, Mat. 22:13, Mat. 25:30). Hell is a place where the fire is never quenched (Mark 9:44, Mark 9:46, Mark 9:48). Simply put, Hell is worse than anything that any of us could ever imagine.
Those are our only two options (Mat. 7:13-14). The best part is that the decision is completely up to you. God wants everyone to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4, 2 Pet. 3:9). Since He wants everyone to be saved, He has given us His Word by which we can know what to do to be saved (John 12:48, Eph. 2:8-9, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Let us live in a way that we can live with Him eternally, just as He desires.
