Published by On Wednesday, 4 February 2009, at 5:45pm a friend of mine lost her mother because of a sudden disease and less than 2 hours later another friend of mine died because of an accident. Death is inevitable. Sometimes it is fearful and traumatic. Often it is shocking and unexpected. Whatever it is, death brings separation. We will never see the people we know after their deaths. A question is raised: Is there another life after death? What happens after death?
Years a go, I cried uncontrollably when I heard about hell for the first time. At that time I was a four years old girl and just heard from my Islam maid that after death bad people will be tortured day and night in the hell. My family had never really went into a religion before I received Jesus as my personal savior several years later and it caused my household to be Christians. Now after becoming a newborn Christian for years I still don’t know exactly what happens after dead. One thing I know from Bible, death is not so scary anymore after I have Jesus as my personal savior.
However death remains one of life’s greatest mysteries. Scientist cannot tell us exactly what happens after death. Philosophers don’t know for sure about afterlife. Religions disagree about it. Islam teaches good people according to its criteria will live in heaven and the bad people will be tortured day and night in the hell. Buddhist believes in the reincarnation of souls after death. The death person will come back to earth as another person or an animal. Atheist believes the dead will never live again. Even Christian denominations also disagree.
Some Christians say that the souls of the death live on in a place or condition of heaven or hell. Recently there is a 12-year old boy who is hearing from God in his coma after he was involved in a horrific car accident. He visited Heaven and met God face to face. Aldo McPherson, the name of the boy, also saw angels, Moses and Abraham. However other Christians say that nobody is ascended to Heaven at this moment. They say the death people are sleeping, know nothing and waiting to be raised in the right time. A death person is unconscious until God call him from the grave and restore him to life.
Other Christians said they saw vision about hell and recognized a famous singer was suffering in the darkness and fear. There are some understandings about hell. Sheol, Hades, Tartaroo and Gehenna are Hebrew and Greek words that are translated as “hell” in the bible. It leads people to many studies.
I don’t know which theory about what happens after death is true. I only know that God will be fair toward man, and He can be trusted. He say that whoever who received His Son will inherit the eternal life. I believe Him and I think it is enough.
I used to be afraid to die, but since I lost my Mother almost 5 years ago I no longer do. I do think everyone’s beliefs are different as far as what happens when we die. Good write!
basically,this is what they taught us – if you were good you’ll go to heaven and if not-to hell
Basically, those who do good deeds will be repaid with good rewards, in contrary, those with wicked heart will be punished in the hell.
Lots of good information and ideas here Eunice, well done!
heaven only knows amen
What an interesting article!It’s not meant to know the mysteries of God’s ways. Like you,I believe in His Word. The “spirit: or some might say “energy” can not be destroyed;therfore,it has to go somewhere. Meanwhile,at best we can only trust and obey.
Nice article! …there are “rewards and punishment” for gd n bd deeds. Be prepared for”life after death” . Thanks for sharing
Thoughtful and interesting piece – thank you for sharing it.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
I nearly died a few years ago and I can tell you that because I am a born again Christian, I was not scared. I suffered so much physically, that at one point I asked God to take my life. I will publish my story soon. Look out for “The time I nearly died”. It will only be in a few days though.
Dear friends,
thank you so much. Death is something we will experience someday.
Willem, I’m looking forward to reading your work. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I am not a religious person but I am a spiritual person. I don’t care for orginized religion or dogma. I used to belong to a Baptist church but I was never comfortable with it and decided to be true to myself and not what people told me I should be. One of those reasons was a near death experience I had. I will write about soon but I want to be sure I capture it exactly the way it happened.I can tell you death is nothing to be afraid of.
This is something to think about, Eunice! In my religion, good souls will be rewarded, and bad souls will be punished! Though, I think God is mercy, and he’ll forgive..
That is food for thought.
Very interesting, make me think that if God is really full of mercy, He will surely forgive the sinner right? If all the sinner are forgiven, then does hell really exist?
interesting peice Eunice
Nice article Eunice. Me too. When I became saved death was no longer fearful.
The topic of death is on my list of things to write for Triond. Right now I am facing a fate worse than death – doing taxes – lol!
There are a lot of interesting comments here. Yovita, yes, there is mercy but in order to get that mercy one has to commit, in faith, to Christ.
On the other thoughts mentioned, one is not consigned to heaven or hell for what they do, but for what they are. If they are a true child of God, then heaven. See John 3:16-17 on the matter.
So hell still remains, but for those who reject Christ. If one truly does commit to Christ, then good works will be produced.
The last two sentences in this piece is the ultimate truth! I’m very happy for you.
Somewhere in the bible, Paul states that to die is to be immediately with the Lord. It is our bodies that will be ressurected on the last day.
So many theories, all unprovable; your stance is correct. Love the Lord, he will take care of the rest.
God bless!
I lost my mother and my brother when they were both young so I have to believe there is something after. A thought provoking article, thanks for sharing.
i believe there is a heaven and hell. i hope that everyone gets to know Jesus as their saviour before the end times come. it isn’t going to be pretty. great write!
I also had an after life experience. I have never been afraid of death since. I believe that we came from somewhere because God knew us before we were born, and we will reside somewhere after this life. I believe that this life is sort of a basic training ground, for us to prepare for what is to come. And I also believe that God is a God of forgiveness, One would have to be really evil to go to hell.