PROOF: After This, Then What?

Very few of us would set out on any kind of journey without considering what might possibly lie ahead of us. We think through such questions as: What will the weather be like? How long will I be gone? How will I be traveling? What will I need for my journey?

Then we take actions to make sure that we have what we need for the trip.

Isn’t it therefore odd that many folks journey through this earthly life without considering what comes next?

After This: Keep the End in Mind

In order to live a truly effective life, we should all keep the end in mind. None of us want to reach our final days only to realize the ladder we’ve been climbing is leaning against the wrong wall.

It would behoove everyone to give serious thought and study to the question: After this, then what?

After This: Other Proof Posts and Common Beliefs

Hopefully by now in the PROOF blog post series (in preparation for writing the next Miller’s Creek novel, CROSSROADS) you can understand why the post on the validity of the Bible was one of the first I wrote. Each person must determine to believe it in order the accurately discern other important questions, including the one I just asked and the one of utmost importance: Who is Jesus?

We can prove there is indeed a Divine Being/God who is above and beyond us, who created a moral code embedded deep within human beings in spite of differences in culture, upbringing, and socioeconomic status, and who spoke into being this complex and diverse universe in which we live. And we need no further proof to identify the reality of the evil around us and in us. There’s no place we can visibly see, including the mirror, that doesn’t point to man’s depravity. Humans are capable of the most heinous of crimes, and only the goodness of God keeps us from it.

So back to the question of what comes after this earthly life. Some believe this life is all there is; that once we reach the time of death we cease to be. Some believe that once we die we are reincarnated into another type of being until we reach perfection.

After This: What God’s Word Says

But God’s Word gives an entirely different picture. It paints vivid word paintings of the reality of an evil influence, also known as Satan, the serpent, the devil. Because God in His divine justice cannot abide evil, He will one day put an end to it all. His only reason for not already stopping it is to give more men the chance to place their trust and faith in Him. His compassion, love, and patience–His desire that none should perish–is all that stays His hand (2 Peter 3:9).

The Bible vividly portrays two very distinct pictures of life after this current world is destroyed. One is a place of inexpressible beauty and all that is good–a place where those who trusted God to transform them and accepted His gift of salvation and forgiveness will spend eternity. The opposite end of the spectrum is a place of continual decay and torment reserved for the devil, the demons, and those who reject Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (Romans 2:6-9)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5)

 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’….Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels…'” (Matthew 25:34, 41)

I never want to be guilty of playing upon people’s fears. I hope to always be a messenger of God’s light, love, goodness, and grace. But I also want everyone to consider the two possible outcomes awaiting us at the end of this life. I want everyone to make the right choice now while it is still today.

For my fellow believers, I hope we will all have the courage to accept and proclaim a literal source and influence of evil in the person of the devil, as well as a literal hell and a literal heaven. In our current culture, it’s not popular or politically correct to espouse such ideas. But may we never be guilty of leaving out this part of God’s story simply for our comfort and convenience.

Heavenly Father and Maker, Thank You for Your Word, which gives so many answers to hard questions. Help us to share it with a world seeking answers. Give us courage and boldness to proclaim its Truth. In the holy and precious name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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