...you died tonight -
Not a very nice question you might say, but nevertheless it is a question which you need to know the answer to before death inevitably comes even to you. After all, the certainty of death for every human being is still 100% despite scientific efforts to defy it. Though you might hope it is far from you, you cannot guarantee it, as fatal accidents happen so easily and frequently, and without any warning. It makes sense therefore to consider this question.
A lot of people assume that we cannot know what happens after death, or guess that we simply cease to exist. But there is a source of information on such subjects which has proved itself to be reliable over and over again. This is what it says:
“…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9v27)
Where does this come from and what is this judgment?
This is a quotation from the Holy Bible – a book which is very unique. Many who have
set out to disprove it have ended up believing its claim of being God given. In it
we read that God is the Designer and Creator of all things, and it teaches very clearly
that we live on after our body dies -
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened:
and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation
20v12-
These books record all that we do while here on earth -
Many people do not think themselves to be sinners, but whether you have always tried
to live a good life or not, not one of us have kept every one of God’s 10 Commandments
(written in Exodus 20). For example, if you have ever told a lie, you have broken
the 9th Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness” -
The plain truth is, that if you died tonight, without having your sins forgiven, you would not go to Heaven but would end up in Hell. Listen to how that account of the Judgment Day finishes...
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20v15)
So what is this ‘Book of Life’ and how can we make sure we don’t end up in that lake of fire?
The ‘Book of Life’ records the names of those who will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. To have your name written in there, you must first have the record of your sins removed. “How?”, you might ask. Well the Bible tells us...
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3v19)
Our sins can be blotted out of those books if we repent and are converted! But what
does this mean? Well, to ‘repent’ means to turn away from doing wrong and to turn
to God and what is right. To be ‘converted’ means to be changed -
So is turning from sin enough to save us?
Although that is important, we must also turn to God. The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”. The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s Son, also God the Son, part of the Godhead. He came to earth to save us from our sins. The Bible tells us how... “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Acts 16v31; Romans 5v8)
We are also told “the wages (penalty) of sin is death;...”. We deserve death (Hell)
and yet the Lord Jesus Christ was willing to suffer and die for us, on the cross.
What amazing love we are shown here! He died (and went to Hell) for everyone -
Jesus then went back to Heaven and has now given us a promise...”If we confess our
sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.” Notice that that verse starts with ‘if’ -
So what will your response be?
What anguish awaits those who die without their sins forgiven and find themselves in Hell forever! But what joy there will be for those who put their trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, when they enter eternal bliss in the Kingdom of Heaven!
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”
If you would like to turn to the Lord and accept His wonderful gift, here is a prayer you can say...
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge my need of you. I admit that I am a sinner needing your forgiveness. I come to you now just as I am, and ask you to forgive me for my sins. Thank you for dying for me upon the cross, bearing the penalty of my sins for me. I invite you to come into my life to be Lord of my life. Please help me to now turn away from things which are wrong. Thank you Lord Jesus.
Amen.
The Lord knows if you are sincerely crying out to Him in your heart, and will save you if you mean this prayer.