“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
The topical series I have chosen to consider for the next few weeks will affect us all. I have recently had questions as to what happens when we die.
When on vacation a number of years ago, I happened to pick up one of Moody Bible Institute’s radio programs. Dr. Irwin Lutzer, pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago, was preaching on life after death. He made that sermon series into a book entitled, “One Minute After You Die.” The Lord seemed to be speaking to me about doing a series like that. Some of the ideas and illustrations come from that book.
Increasingly, in the United States there are various religious groups who have explanations regarding what happens after you die. Reincarnation is a Hindu explanation of life after death.
Nirvana is the place of wine, women, and song after death to those of the Moslem faith if you’ve lived a good enough life or for the Buddhist the place of nothingness of completed contentment and peace.
The prominent teaching of the atheist and agnostic is, when you’re dead, there is no life or consciousness, no afterlife, no heaven, no hell.
Wendy Anderson wrote an article about her conversion in the Washington Post. “My Conversion began in February 1995 when I met a Christian who had the courage to share his faith with me. He and I had a long discussion over dinner one night about death… I expressed my concern that I had no idea what lies beyond the grave and talked about my paralyzing fear of death. This rational, intelligent, thoughtful person told me that his personal relationship with God made him as sure of what awaited him after physical death as he was of anything. …After that conversation, it dawned on me that I may have been wrong my entire life. There might indeed be a God. The consequences of being wrong were dire, and I knew I needed to learn more. “
Wendy started reading the Bible, praying, and meeting with other Christians and started to attend a church. After reading about proofs of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, she surrendered her heart to Christ and hasn’t been the same since.
The subject of death can cause many to do real soul searching for answers. What does the Bible have to say about death? “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” It is important to discuss this subject and discover the truths on the topic in the days ahead.
Are you prepared to die? Do you have absolute confidence you will be with the Lord?
Prayer: Lord, as I seek Your Word, Your Truth, give me a peaceful view of death like Paul had. “..willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cor 5:8
