Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends. The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God who first breathed it.

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

We’ve come full circle from the dust of creation to the “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” of death (Genesis 3:19). One for one we die, that much is certain. Inevitably then, the final big question will hang in the air: where am I headed after I die? 

Most religions believe in an afterlife—some say we will return to live in another form; some say we’ll all be in heaven together. The “nones”—those who claim they have no religion—say life will simply end.   

Ask anyone if they know for certain they will go to heaven when they die; and if their answer is “I hope so”, they haven’t got it right. You cannot be good enough, do enough, go to church enough, give to the poor enough to get through those pearly gates. One thief on the cross next to Jesus did none of those things, yet Jesus promised he’d be with Him in paradise that very day (Luke 23:43).   

In fact, Jesus is very clear. There is only one way to heaven:“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Since all (one for one) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), the answer at the gate of heaven is Jesus:if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). 

Sad to say, those who think there is no afterlife will experience eternal agony rather than the absence of existence. As well, those who do not know Jesus, will join them. Perhaps the most compelling picture of the torment and fire of hell is found in the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). 

As I walked through a Gullah cemetery in South Carolina recently, I was intrigued to see a dinner plate pressed into the face of many of the tombstones. According to tradition it was either the last plate the person ate from, or so he would have something to eat with in the afterlife. I know this was a pagan custom, but they had some of it right. 

The wedding feast awaits ladies: “‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” (Revelation 19:9). Your invitation is engraved with the name Jesus.

Nancy P