This question, asked by Job long ago, deserves a biblical answer. Not surprisingly, many prefer not to contemplate the subject of death, much less talk about life after death. Is this life all there is? Is man little more than an animal? Do we have a hope of life being sustained after this life?
Bertrand Russell says “no,” and describes life as he sees it”
The life of man is a long march in the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, toward a goal few can hope to reach, and where none may tarry long.
Contrast his pessimistic viewpoint with that of the Apostle Paul:
“I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you,” Philippians 1:23-24.
Standing by the grave of a loved one leads us to ponder the destiny of that person, and often our own destiny. Like it or not, something stands between us and that future life. That “something” is Judgment. Nothing is surer than the promise of man standing before God,
“…that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad,” 2 Corinthians 5:19.
This fact should press each of us to the thoughts of what God has said are “good or bad.” If the Bible is right—and it is—our deeds and thoughts will come up for judgment at that day, and our eternal destiny will be determined at that judgment.
One of two places awaits, heaven or hell. One is a place of separation from God, 2 Thessalonians 1:9; the other eternal life with God, a place where pain and death are no more, Revelation 21:4. The choice is ours today, while earthly life continues. You cannot purchase eternal life, you cannot earn it, but you can inherit it from the Lord Himself, Hebrews 6:12, Revelation 21:7. The way you live today, the choices you make are the determining factors of your eternal abode.
What is heaven like? Can we know beforehand what that eternal place holds for us? Yes, but the bliss and joy of that place is so far beyond our imagination that our vocabularies are not capable of comprehending its true qualities.
Men speak of “pearly gates” from time to time. We hear of “streets of gold,” and we wonder if that is literal gold and pearl, or a metaphor used to describe that which is in reality indescribable in human terms. Some of the qualities are easily understood, though perhaps describing an existence different from what we experience on earth:
“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... And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass….And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof… And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever,” Revelation 21:4, 21-23, 22:5.
From what frame of reference can humans contemplate such a place of bliss? Death is something that threatens all, and everyone experiences sorrow and pain. How, then, can we conceive of a place in which these things do not exist? The use of “pearl” and “gold” cannot adequately portray the beauty of heaven, but are figures of speech that direct us to that which is beautiful, holy, eternal and lovely.
A preacher from a former generation put it all this way:
That’s right—all the things that make life unpleasant, from the trials of youth, to the aches and pains of aging, they all reach out for the glory of that heavenly home.
From the Bible we learn the following things about heaven:
- It is a place of safety, strength and protection from all enemies, especially from Satan.
- It is a place of beauty, peace and joy so bountiful we can hardly imagine its qualities.
- It is a place where we shall live forever with God, with the faithful loved ones who have gone before.
- It is a place of honor, where those who served, respected and obeyed God will abide.
- It is a place where there is no longing for another, where there are no regrets, and where all the trials of this life will seem as nothing in comparison.
Don’t you want to go there, to enjoy the presence of Jesus Christ and the angels of heaven? Is your name written in the Book of Life? Are you ready to meet the Lord in judgment?
