Perspectives

Psalm 145:18-19… 18) The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19) He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Hebrews 9:27… Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (NIV)

What is on the other side? How can we be sure what is being preached is true? What makes you so sure that there is this wonderful place called heaven? How do you know that this person, who was laid to rest, is really in the heaven as you talked about in your message?

Well! My answer sounds rather simple. I believe what the Bible says about the miracle called Calvary. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and the sins of every person in the world. I believe that He rose again on the third day. All we have to do, is by faith, accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. Furthermore, the Bible promises that if we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He did in fact die for our sins, and He rose from the dead, and if we confess with our mouth, that we have accepted this Biblical truth, we are saved and on our way to heaven.

The person who was just laid to rest made a public confession that they had accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and based on that confession, I believe what the Bible teaches and that person is indeed in a place called, “Paradise – Heaven man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Reading these verses, and believing what the Bible says is true, we should live in such a way that when it comes our time to die, we are ready to face a Holy God.

What about the other side? Well, I believe that death really is not death if in a moment of time we leave this earth and enter Paradise. Nobody reading this column doubts the fact that we must all die. And we know that some are given many years to live. There are those who have had the privilege of watching their children grow up. They have had the opportunity to share their life’s experience. They have been able to touch the lives of many people in many different ways. They have had the opportunity to leave a legacy both in material things and spiritual things. However, one thing we have never been successful at, and that is death… We must all die.

But let’s for a moment look at death as a transition. Our body ceases to function.  However, our spirit, the real you and me, does not die, but lives on. Now if that be true… and I believe it is… That means death according to the Bible is merely a change from the physical to the spiritual. So the part of us that died is this body of ours, but our spirit never dies, it is eternal, and death brings us into the very presence of The Living Holy God.

There is another way to look at this issue. When we die these weak human bodies of ours are changed into a perfect body fit for heaven. No more pain or suffering of any kind. No more artificial knees or joints. But wait a minute, it gets better. No more sorrow or sadness. Oh what a day that will be never to grieve again, never to weep again because we will be in the very presence of Jesus Christ Himself in whom we have believed. No more doubts to bother us, to tempt us, you know the kind of thing that tugs at our most inner being.

Also, remember the friends and family members that have passed away? Well the Bible teaches that we will be reunited with them in glory because Christ has conquered death for Himself and for those of us who have put our trust in Him.

A thought to consider. There will be no night in the city of God to frighten us because God has moved into our neighborhood to make His home among us. We are His people and He is our God. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. He will make everything new. He promises to give to the thirsty soul from the springs of the Water of Life freely… To God Be the Glory.

Please pray with me? … Heavenly Father you know my heart. I acknowledge that I’m a sinner. I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart to forgive all my sins. I want my life to change. Many times my thoughts and attitude aren’t that great, please help me to have a positive attitude and good thoughts. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will help me to be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name. I pray this in Christ Jesus’ name. Amen