What Happens When I Die?
The Great Journey: Understanding Our Eternal Destination
We spend considerable time preparing for life's journeys. Before traveling to a foreign country, we study the culture, learn key phrases in the language, check weather forecasts, and pack appropriate clothing. We invest hours researching destinations we'll visit for just a week or two. Yet remarkably, many people give little thought to preparing for their ultimate destination—a journey every single person will take.
The Certainty We Cannot Escape
Death remains one of life's few absolute certainties. Hebrews 9:27 states plainly: "It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment." This isn't meant to be morbid, but rather a sobering reality check. If you're breathing, there will come a day when that changes.
Scripture describes death as the separation of body from soul. When Jesus died on the cross, He "gave up His spirit"—a perfect illustration of this separation. Our physical bodies cease functioning, but something profound continues.
Three crucial truths about death demand our attention:
Death is inevitable. Psalm 89:48 asks, "What man can live and not see death?" The answer is obvious—none. Regardless of wealth, status, health habits, or medical advances, every person faces this appointment.
Death's timing is unknown. Job 14:5 reminds us that our days are determined, and "the number of his months is with You." The psalmist declares, "My times are in Your hands" (Psalm 31:15). We don't control when death arrives. It could be decades away, or it might not wait until the end of today.
Our existence is eternal. Ecclesiastes tells us God has set eternity in the hearts of humanity. The moment our soul separates from our body, we don't cease to exist—we step directly into eternity.
Contemplating Forever
Consider this image of eternity: Imagine a sparrow that waits one million years, then flies to a beach and picks up a single grain of sand in its beak. It flies to Pluto, deposits that grain, and returns to the beach. After another million years, it repeats the journey. When every grain of sand from that beach has been transported to Pluto, the sparrow moves to the next beach and begins again.
When all the beaches on earth are empty—grain by grain, million-year journey by million-year journey—eternity has only just begun.
This perspective should radically reshape how we view our brief earthly existence. The longest human life is a vapor compared to the endless ages of eternity. Yet this short life determines where we spend forever.
The Great Divide
Here lies the most critical distinction in all of human existence. John 3:36 draws a line that divides all humanity: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Two destinations. Two eternities. One determining factor: Jesus Christ.
For those who believe in Christ, death becomes a doorway to unimaginable blessing. The Apostle Paul expressed it beautifully in Philippians 1:21-23: "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain... having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better."
Notice what Paul says—to depart is to "be with Christ." Not after a waiting period. Not eventually. Immediately upon death, the believer enters the presence of Jesus. All suffering ends. All pain ceases. All the burdens, anxieties, and struggles of earthly life fall away. Psalm 16:11 promises, "In Your presence is fullness of joy."
But the other side of this divide presents a heartbreaking reality. Those who do not believe in Christ face eternal separation from God. Jesus spoke of "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). The imagery throughout Scripture—darkness, fire, torment, separation—paints a picture of existence without God's presence, without hope, without end.
This isn't meant to be cruel or vindictive. It's the tragic consequence of rejecting the only source of life, light, and love. Hell exists not because God delights in punishment, but because justice demands it and free will allows it.
Matthew 25:46 summarizes the eternal division: "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Beautiful Descriptions of Death for Believers
Scripture offers remarkably comforting descriptions of death for those who trust in Christ.
Falling asleep in Jesus. First Thessalonians 4:14-15 describes believers as those who have "fallen asleep in Jesus." What a peaceful image! Not violent cessation, but gentle rest. Not terrifying darkness, but peaceful slumber in the arms of the Savior.
Departure. Paul speaks of his coming death as his "departure"—the same word used to describe Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. Death becomes liberation, a journey from bondage to freedom, from exile to home.
Going home. Second Corinthians 5:8 speaks of being "at home with the Lord." Our earthly bodies are described as collapsing tents—temporary, wearing down over time. But believers have "a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
One powerful story captures this beautifully: An old sea captain, nearing death, surrounded his bed with flags. When asked why, he explained that ships in port would raise flags when ready to depart. His flags signaled he was ready to sail home.
Are your flags raised? Are you ready to depart for your eternal home?
The Difference Maker
Jesus changes everything. You cannot earn heaven through good works, religious performance, or moral effort. You cannot make yourself acceptable to God through trying harder or being better.
But you can believe. You can trust in the One who lived the perfect life you couldn't live, who died the death you deserved, who rose victorious over sin and death. You can receive His righteousness as a gift.
The old hymn asks, "What can wash away my sin?" The answer remains unchanged: "Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
There's much we cannot do. But what we can do—believe, trust, receive—God's grace enables us to accomplish.
Preparing for the Journey
Every person reading these words is on a journey to eternity. The destination is certain. The timing is unknown. The choice of where you'll spend forever remains before you.
This isn't about fear tactics or manipulation. It's about reality, love, and urgent concern. If you knew someone was heading toward danger, wouldn't you warn them? If you possessed directions to paradise, wouldn't you share them?
Heaven or hell. Life or death. Christ or separation from Him.
The choice, by God's grace, is yours. But the time to choose is now, while breath remains, while opportunity exists, while the door stands open.
What will you choose?
In Christ's love,
We spend considerable time preparing for life's journeys. Before traveling to a foreign country, we study the culture, learn key phrases in the language, check weather forecasts, and pack appropriate clothing. We invest hours researching destinations we'll visit for just a week or two. Yet remarkably, many people give little thought to preparing for their ultimate destination—a journey every single person will take.
The Certainty We Cannot Escape
Death remains one of life's few absolute certainties. Hebrews 9:27 states plainly: "It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment." This isn't meant to be morbid, but rather a sobering reality check. If you're breathing, there will come a day when that changes.
Scripture describes death as the separation of body from soul. When Jesus died on the cross, He "gave up His spirit"—a perfect illustration of this separation. Our physical bodies cease functioning, but something profound continues.
Three crucial truths about death demand our attention:
Death is inevitable. Psalm 89:48 asks, "What man can live and not see death?" The answer is obvious—none. Regardless of wealth, status, health habits, or medical advances, every person faces this appointment.
Death's timing is unknown. Job 14:5 reminds us that our days are determined, and "the number of his months is with You." The psalmist declares, "My times are in Your hands" (Psalm 31:15). We don't control when death arrives. It could be decades away, or it might not wait until the end of today.
Our existence is eternal. Ecclesiastes tells us God has set eternity in the hearts of humanity. The moment our soul separates from our body, we don't cease to exist—we step directly into eternity.
Contemplating Forever
Consider this image of eternity: Imagine a sparrow that waits one million years, then flies to a beach and picks up a single grain of sand in its beak. It flies to Pluto, deposits that grain, and returns to the beach. After another million years, it repeats the journey. When every grain of sand from that beach has been transported to Pluto, the sparrow moves to the next beach and begins again.
When all the beaches on earth are empty—grain by grain, million-year journey by million-year journey—eternity has only just begun.
This perspective should radically reshape how we view our brief earthly existence. The longest human life is a vapor compared to the endless ages of eternity. Yet this short life determines where we spend forever.
The Great Divide
Here lies the most critical distinction in all of human existence. John 3:36 draws a line that divides all humanity: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Two destinations. Two eternities. One determining factor: Jesus Christ.
For those who believe in Christ, death becomes a doorway to unimaginable blessing. The Apostle Paul expressed it beautifully in Philippians 1:21-23: "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain... having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better."
Notice what Paul says—to depart is to "be with Christ." Not after a waiting period. Not eventually. Immediately upon death, the believer enters the presence of Jesus. All suffering ends. All pain ceases. All the burdens, anxieties, and struggles of earthly life fall away. Psalm 16:11 promises, "In Your presence is fullness of joy."
But the other side of this divide presents a heartbreaking reality. Those who do not believe in Christ face eternal separation from God. Jesus spoke of "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). The imagery throughout Scripture—darkness, fire, torment, separation—paints a picture of existence without God's presence, without hope, without end.
This isn't meant to be cruel or vindictive. It's the tragic consequence of rejecting the only source of life, light, and love. Hell exists not because God delights in punishment, but because justice demands it and free will allows it.
Matthew 25:46 summarizes the eternal division: "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Beautiful Descriptions of Death for Believers
Scripture offers remarkably comforting descriptions of death for those who trust in Christ.
Falling asleep in Jesus. First Thessalonians 4:14-15 describes believers as those who have "fallen asleep in Jesus." What a peaceful image! Not violent cessation, but gentle rest. Not terrifying darkness, but peaceful slumber in the arms of the Savior.
Departure. Paul speaks of his coming death as his "departure"—the same word used to describe Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery to the Promised Land. Death becomes liberation, a journey from bondage to freedom, from exile to home.
Going home. Second Corinthians 5:8 speaks of being "at home with the Lord." Our earthly bodies are described as collapsing tents—temporary, wearing down over time. But believers have "a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
One powerful story captures this beautifully: An old sea captain, nearing death, surrounded his bed with flags. When asked why, he explained that ships in port would raise flags when ready to depart. His flags signaled he was ready to sail home.
Are your flags raised? Are you ready to depart for your eternal home?
The Difference Maker
Jesus changes everything. You cannot earn heaven through good works, religious performance, or moral effort. You cannot make yourself acceptable to God through trying harder or being better.
But you can believe. You can trust in the One who lived the perfect life you couldn't live, who died the death you deserved, who rose victorious over sin and death. You can receive His righteousness as a gift.
The old hymn asks, "What can wash away my sin?" The answer remains unchanged: "Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
There's much we cannot do. But what we can do—believe, trust, receive—God's grace enables us to accomplish.
Preparing for the Journey
Every person reading these words is on a journey to eternity. The destination is certain. The timing is unknown. The choice of where you'll spend forever remains before you.
This isn't about fear tactics or manipulation. It's about reality, love, and urgent concern. If you knew someone was heading toward danger, wouldn't you warn them? If you possessed directions to paradise, wouldn't you share them?
Heaven or hell. Life or death. Christ or separation from Him.
The choice, by God's grace, is yours. But the time to choose is now, while breath remains, while opportunity exists, while the door stands open.
What will you choose?
In Christ's love,
Pastor Kirk Flaa
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