Wednesday 28 December 2011

What Happens After You Die?


What do you know for Sure?
Oprah Winfrey said that one question she enjoys asking her show guests is, “What do you know for sure?” I don’t know what you’re thinking, but there is a very simple answer to that question. What I do know for sure is that each one of us will die someday.

We are all part of the statistics that say, “Ten out of every ten people die.” The young dies, and so is the old. The rich dies and the poor is not left out. Death is inevitable.  No matter how we try to ignore the idea of dying, it doesn’t change the fact that we will all face it one day.

So the question isn’t any more about ‘what we know for sure,’ but what happens after we die? Have you ever thought about that? Since you will one day end up in the grave, don’t you think it’s important to consider what happens beyond the grave?

A doctor once said to his team of medical students who were examining a dead body, “If life were only of the flesh then even goats are better, because when a goat dies, its flesh can be eaten, but the body of a dead human being is not edible.” To my utmost surprise, I read in Mark Cahill’s One Heartbeat Away that about two-thirds of atheists and agnostics believe in the existence of an afterlife. Mark Cahill also wrote that, “Eight in ten Americans believe in some sort of afterlife. And 79 percent agree that ‘every person has a soul that will live forever, either in God’s presence or absence.’”

Here’s something to think about, “What happens after you die? What are we here for? Is it just to have an education, party a little, get a job, make money, save some, retire, and then die? Is that all there is to life? Or is there something more?

The Bible offers some important facts about what happens after we die. Hebrews 9:27 for example, tells us that, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” And there is Luke 16:19-31, which talks about the afterlife events of the rich man and Lazarus (a beggar who fed from the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table). For your reading, below is the full story:

Luke Chapter 16
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 

23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 

26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 

29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
The above scripture proves beyond doubt the existence of an afterlife. It must be noted that, both the rich man and Lazarus were living before they died (see Luke 16:19-21). Then after death, there was still interaction between them (Luke 16:22-31).

Why was the rich man in hell?
It is because he was not a child of God. Many people think that everybody is a child of God. The fact is that, everybody is a creation of God, but not everybody is a child of God. Why do our parents call us sons and daughters? Isn’t it because they gave birth to us? Similarly, to be sons and daughters of God, we must be birthed by Him. That is what being born-again is about. Jesus said it best, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” – John 3:6-7.

Dear reader, God cannot accept us into His glorious Kingdom if we are not His. This is why we have to surrender our lives and heart unto Him. There are only two destinations after we die; there is Heaven and hell. Heaven is a place of peace, joy, love, and a place where our tears shall be wiped forever. Hell on the other hand, is a place of torment and eternal fire. Decide today where you want to go after you die. Is it Heaven or hell?

God’s Word (the Bible) says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1.  Take action now. Ask Jesus into your life, and live a fulfilling life here on earth and eternal life with God in Heaven.

Let’s pray together, say:
Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you today.
I thank you for loving me and dying on the Cross to save me.
Please forgive me of all my sins, and cleanse me with your blood
That you shared for me.
Today, write my name in your Book of Life.       
Help me to live my life to please you.
All the days of my life, may I worship you and honour you.
Thank you for saving me, In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!!!

Kindly email us at theyouth4christ@hotmail.com if you prayed the above prayer. Or leave us a message on our Facebook page.
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