If there is no heaven, then we are all condemned to be the most miserable and ridiculous species in the universe, with no reason that we can give to life, except to 'exist' for a brief moment, and all to no avail except to breed another generation who are just as lost as we are.
We fight and struggle to stay alive, to breathe the air, enjoy the sunshine, make music, and enjoy the 'thrill' of human feelings and emotions. In spite of all the challenges and troubles of life, we long to gain our dreams and hopes, and achieve all our expectations.
We look into the storm as it rages across the skies, and are amazed at its power; we see the birth of a child and look on in wonder and joy; we weep at injustice and the pain of those who suffer at the hands of others; and we stand in awe at the beauty of creation hurling its majesty, the mountains and valleys, the fields flourishing with flowers and sending awesome aromas along the gentle breeze. We take for granted a world that feeds us daily with fruit and the goodness of the land and sea. We walk in the rain, knowing that the sun will most certainly shine down upon us again. 'What is this life if full of care? We have no time to stand and stare?' wrote the poet.
The fleeting days of our life run far too fast, and before we can ever come to reason, it seems that we are readying our bags for leaving this world. The advertising in the media tell us to 'leave something behind for others before you go', but where are you going? They don't tell you that, do they? They just want your money to buy some 'life' insurance, but it is actually 'death' insurance that does not insure your destiny nor guarantee you anything personally. Wherever it is you are going, you may be certain that you will take nothing material with you.
And when your loved ones weep at your funeral or stand by your grave and speak to you, believing that your ears are still working, what assurance do they have that you might even be there, or as they might suggest, be in heaven somewhere?
Apart from those who actually believe that they simple exist like the animals, and that there is nothing after their last breath is gone, most people have some sense that there is most certainly a hell for evil people who have done terrible things; and they also hold a happy thought that their friends and loved ones somehow ended up in a heaven of some sort.
I went out on the streets with a camera team some time back to ask people two questions. The first question was, 'If you were to die tonight, where would you go, to heaven or to hell'? Every single young person I asked responded the same. They said they would definitely go to hell. I found this very interesting and noted that the sense of right and wrong, of good and evil, was common amongst them. Maybe as you get older you just become cynical, bitter, and twisted.
The second question posed was, 'If you did die tonight, why would God let you into his heaven?' The answer again was the same with each teenager, 'He would not let me in.'
The sense and thought that prevailed was that God was, heaven was, and hell also was a reality they would rather not think about. None of them mocked the questioning, neither debated any of the three points mentioned.
When we see injustice, violence, and evil perpetrated in front of our eyes, we want there to be a real and dreadful hell for those who committed such wicked actions, especially when they seem to get away with the consequences of their deeds. When someone kills others and then commits suicide, we feel a real sense of anger that they just escaped any judgment and retribution. That is when we understand that there is also a judgment to come after life is finished. We feel the need for justice and some greater power to deal with the offender. I have often heard people say of some evil-doer, "Oh, they will get what's coming to them in hell!"
Now, if indeed we believe there is a hell (and the Bible describes it in no uncertain fashion as being a fiery place of torment that never ceases, where there is no rest or sleep day or night forever), then surely one must be fair and agree that there must also be a place like heaven. Again, I have heard so many say of their relatives, "Oh, they are in heaven and looking down on me all the time."
So, are these just words simply expressing our feelings, or is it some inward knowledge that we cannot explain fully, but actually accept as real, even though we do not comprehend to what we refer?
I do believe that for the great majority of people, there is something deep down in our hearts and consciences that knows instinctively that something mysterious lies ahead of every one of us, but we are not sure and do not want to be counted 'religious', or confronted with it.
I think that the most important thing we can ever do in life is to make sure of our eternal destiny. It will be too late to do anything about it 'after we have gone'. According to the Bible, hell was created for the devil and all his demonic army. Heaven is fashioned for all those who become part of God's family through faith. Everyone else, by refusing to believe God's plan for salvation, reject his offer of eternal life, and choose, knowingly or ignorantly, to side with the devil. Thus they also take side with the devil's judgment and eternal ruin.
The Bible judges all people everywhere as sinners. It says, 'All have sinned, and come short of God's standards and requirements.' Because of sin, we all became separated from God and his goodness, and consequently were condemned to spiritual death and a hell to come.
But God so loved the world (you, me) that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ to die for us on a cross. He was beaten and died to carry away our sin and the judgment set against us, so that we would not perish and be damned to hell, but that we might have everlasting life and be with him in heaven forever.
God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn us, but sent him to save us and give us life. Jesus, the only one who came back from the dead, rose again to bring us into peace with God and give us eternal life. Salvation does not come with a price tag, because he paid the price by dying for our sin.
He does not ask you to become all 'religious', and start doing rituals and stuff. It is a gift freely given by God to everyone who will receive it. He just wants you to know him and become his child. He wants you to be reconciled with him and walk with him.
All you need is faith. Its as simple as that. Jesus said, 'If anyone comes to me, I will not cast them away; Believe on me, and you shall be saved.' He said, 'I have come so that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.'
Now, all he asks us to do is to turn around from our unbelief, turn around from the direction we have been living and the way we have lived, and receive him as the only hope of heaven and the only way to be forgiven. 'You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free!'
He said, 'I am the way, and I am the truth, and I am the life. Nobody can come to Father God except through me.' There is no other way to get right with God and find the road to eternal life.
It is about a relationship, not a religion. Religion is a slavery and drudgery, but knowing Christ Jesus the Son of God is liberty, joy, and peace. 'Taste and see that God is good! Happy is the person who trusts in him!'
You can turn to him right now and ask him to forgive your unbelief and all the wrong-doing of your life. Ask him for faith, and to give you of his Holy Spirit, so that you become his child and live with him forever.
To whoever receives him, he gives the amazing privilege of becoming a son or daughter of God. It is not by good works or going to church, but simply receiving God's gift to you.
You don't need a priest or a pastor to find Jesus. He is where you are right now, waiting for your response.
Talk to him as though he were your greatest friend in the world. He is.
Get to read the Bible and learn the amazing truths that will help you to live an wonderful new life of joy and confidence.
God bless you.
JGM 2o22
