Is there life after death?

There is no doubt that this question has been one that has troubled people the most and today confusion abounds concerning the answer. Someone once said "When it comes to eternal life, you are either dead right or you are dead wrong". Man's opinions are the final resting-place for many in the world today; some teach annihilation, some reincarnation, some Purgatory. However, none of these has any foundation in the Word of God. For Christians our final authority is God's Word, the Bible. It is there that we find the answer to this the most disturbing of questions.  

In Hebrews 9:27 it says "…And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement." God will decide where we will then spend eternity. There are only two possible destinations, one is Heaven and the other is Hell. God's judgement will be based on whether we received or rejected the salvation He has made available in His Son Jesus Christ. Like it or not, each one of us is accountable to the One who make us.

Jesus Himself spoke of those who reject Him and the consequences to follow. In Matthew 25:41 He said "Depart from me, you cursed into the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels". In Matthew 13:49-50 Jesus speaks of hell, "So shall it be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth".

Jesus also spoke about Heaven. In one sense it begins the moment a person receives the forgiveness Jesus offers. In another sense it won't be fully known until death. For the Christian death is not therefore something to fear. When Jesus rose again from the dead, He defeated death and so offers new and eternal life to all who believe in Him. Paul in Philippians 1:21 could say "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain".

The famous Scottish reformer John Knox could say as he neared death 'Live in Christ, die in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death'. While that known infidel Voltair, could only say 'I am abandoned by God and man! I shall go to Hell'. What about you?