Stop! Before you leave this page, I implore you to read through to the end. You’re not here by accident; there are no coincidences. This is God’s invitation to receive (and share with others).

Have you ever had these thoughts?

– Is there life after death?
– What happens when I die?
– Is this all there is?
– What’s the purpose of life?

Planted deep within the walls of every human heart is a desire to know  – eternity placed by your Creator who formed your heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

So I ask you, when you close your eyes to this life, where will you open them in eternity?

One question with the weight of the world. A fact that no one dares to deny: we all have a day in which we will breathe our last breath, think our last thought, speak our last word, and make our last decision. Hebrews 9:27 says, “…it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” From this one verse, we see three things:

  1. “it is appointed for man to die” – There is an appointed day for you and me to die. 
  2. “once, and after that”- There is no in-between. No returning for a second chance. No plan B. 
  3. “comes judgment” There is a day we will face our Maker and give an account for the life we chose to live.

So how do we make sense of the fact that you and I will die and come face to face with God?

A common mistake we make is comparing ourselves (and our sins) to others. 

I’m not as bad as…

I’m better than…

Well, at least I don’t do…

But that’s not the standard by which God judges. Should He compare us to others, it would be ambiguous – murky, unclear standard – at best. Rather, God judges us by His standards, His rules, His character. Under such, no one can stand. Not one is righteous – not one. The heart, which this world tells us to follow, is wicked beyond all things (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19). The fact is…

All Have Sinned

What is sin? But it’s the heart’s desire to do what we want – in complete opposition to the commands of God. According to 1 John 5:17, though not all sins have the same level of earthly consequences, all wrongdoing is sin. Counter to our current relativity culture, there is an absolute standard of truth: one in which we all fall short. Made in the image and likeness of God, yet desiring to be our own “god,” we set ourselves against God in defiance. So whether we’ve fallen in one area or every area, we are guilty.

  • All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 1 John 5:17
  • For whoever keeps the whole law but fails at one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10
  • Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20
  • …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23
  • the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Sin has many manifestations, but its essence is one. A moral being, created to worship before the throne of God, sits on the throne of his own selfhood and from that elevated position declares, “I AM.” That is sin in its concentrated essence. – A.W. Tozer

What is sin?

Lust, greed, gluttony, wrath, envy, laziness, holding anything of greater value than God, a lying tongue, proud looks, a false witness, someone who sows dissension, sexual immorality, covetousness, drunkenness, using God’s name in vain, and the list goes on. It’s impossible to read this list and not be guilty. As I read this list, I’m quickly reminded of how wretched I was before Christ and how I continue to fall short. Ultimately, at the root of these sins is the desire for more.

  • There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6:16-19
  • The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

The penalty of Sin is Death

Unlike our current judicial system, which is based on human judges with sentences that vary (same offense can receive life in prison, the death penalty, or a variation in between), God’s verdict is guided by truth, in accordance with what is good, and free from bias. Because we’ve broken one of God’s laws, we stand accountable. And the wages of sin – all sin – is death. So what happens when I die? Eternal death.

  • For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10
  • For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
  • For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 2 Peter 2:4
  • Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:11-12

But God Made A Way

From beginning to end, the storyline of the Bible is redemption. First Timothy 2:4 makes it very clear that His desire is for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth is His plan of redemption began in the Garden with Adam and Eve and has played out in every chapter afterward. John 3:16, perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible, sums it up in this way, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18) From these three verses, we see:

  1. “God so loved the world” – God’s love is for the entire world. “The” is an article adjective describing one – one world as a whole. Not a group of specific people. Not just one race. Not a sect of the elite. If you live in this world, that includes you. He loves you!
  2. “that He gave His only Son” – This is His love in action. Because of His love for the world, He made a way for you through His Son!
  3. “that whoever believes in Him” – This is your response to the gift. Will you receive or reject the gift? “Whoever” is a pronoun referring to “anyone, whatever person, no matter who.” This is again reiterating “the whole world.” To “believe in Him” refers to the confidence in the truth and existence WITHOUT absolute proof. In short, it’s faith.
  4. “should not perish but have eternal life” – This isn’t referring to our brief physical life, but eternal life. When you and I stand before a Holy God and give an account for every deed (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-12), we have Jesus Christ as our Defender who has fully paid the penalty, rendering us not guilty. 
  5. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – God’s purpose in sending Jesus wasn’t condemnation, but rather to provide a way out from under the weight and condemnation of sin.
  6. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned” – There is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus and accept the free gift of Salvation.
  7. “but whoever does not believe is condemned already” – The reality is the verdict has been made; we are guilty. BUT our sentence is determined by our answer to one question: Do you believe in the Son of God, and will you accept His free gift? By His wounds, you can be healed!
  • He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
  • But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (Romans 5:8-9)

What Happens When I die? The Choice Is Yours…

Neutrality is not an optional excuse. We either stand on our own merit and accept our penalty, or we accept His payment and stand on His merit. No one can make this decision for you. Faith in Jesus is not inherited from parents or grandparents; they cannot “believe in Him” for you. Because of free will (the ability to make your own decisions), you can do two things:

1 | Go about your own way, risking the chance. These are a few reasons I’ve heard (and used):

    1. “I guess I’ll find out on that day.” Friend, that day will be too late.
      1. Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6
    2. “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Your next breath isn’t guaranteed. Death is like a thief, coming at unexpected times.
      1. “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
    3. “I don’t believe it.” Truth doesn’t change because someone doesn’t believe it. Truth is truth regardless of the recipient. For example, the truth is I lost my brother five years ago. My beliefs about him still being alive will not change the harsh reality and truth of his death. Please hear my heart on this. I know the overarching theme in our world today is to take what mere humans say as fact while ignoring the God who created it all. I understand the desire to “see” the proof. I, too, have been there. He will show you just how real He is if you seek.
      1. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36
    4. “I’ve seen what Christians do.” For this, I’m greatly sorry. Jesus publicly condemned hypocrisy on many occasions. As one who was deeply hurt by a church and walked away, I know how painful those wounds are. But please hear me with love; this isn’t a valid excuse. You see, the people within the church walls are not the Savior. And while they will absolutely stand before the Throne and give an account for every empty word (Matthew 12:36), they will not be there for you to point the finger at on that day. In fact, many will come to Him on judgment day saying, “we did so much in your name,” and He will say, “depart from me for I did not know you.” Unfortunately, there are many “Christians” in name only. Don’t let someone’s lack of Christianity stop you from entering.
      1. You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5
    5. “I have too much to lose.” All that our eyes behold is temporary; the soul is eternal and priceless. The cost of denying Christ is far greater than anything you will lose. The value of accepting Christ is far greater than anything you will ever own.
      1. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36‐37

2 | Surrender your life and invite Him into your heart.

    1. If you hear His voice prompting, open the door. This is a one-way door handle, and it’s on your side. Please, please open it. You will not regret it!
      1. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
    2. Call upon the name of the Lord. The word call here means to cry out to, appeal to, or invoke a person. It’s an action verb indicating you are crying out to God in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way to the Father, the truth of eternal salvation, and the life everlasting.
      1. for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
    3. Confess your sins. Confess your sins to the One who already knows and has made a way. His free gift of forgiveness is waiting.
      1. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
    4. Believe in your heart. This is a declaration of your faith in the one and only God who sent His Son for your sins and raised Him from the dead.
      1. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
    5. Repent and be baptized. In John 8, a woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus by the Pharisees (those He often rebuked for hypocrisy). Ready to stone her, they asked Jesus what He thought her sentence should be. His response was for those without sin to throw the first stone. One by one, they dropped their rocks and walked away. Upon finding no one there to condemn her, His response to her was, “Neither do I condemn you. Now go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) The truth was He alone had the right to throw the first stone but chose to extend forgiveness. Knowing how much you’ve been freely forgiven fuels a desire to repent (turn the opposite way). Baptism is an outward sign of an internal change, signifying being buried in your old life and resurrected to eternal life.
      1. And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

If you are ready for eternal life, it’s this simple…

If you’re ready to KNOW what happens when you die, here is a prayer covering the points above. This is a prayer of surrender and submission, turning from old ways (repentance) and being born of His Spirit (regeneration).

God, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I know I have sinned against you, and I am truly sorry. I confess my sins (be as specific as you can) before you and know the wages of my sin is death. I thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die on the Cross, paying the penalty I could never afford. I believe you raised Him from the dead in my heart, and I confess with my mouth that I am making Him my Lord and Savior. Today, I am choosing to stand on the finished work of Jesus for my eternal future. Thank you for redemption and for giving me new life. I seal this prayer of confession, surrender, and acceptance in the name of Jesus. Amen!!

What’s next?

Once you know what happens when you die, what’s next? A few things I want to share with you.

I pray these truths and resources help you determine once and for all what happens when you die! Eternal life! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest!

What happens when I die? Is this life all there is? What is the purpose of life? When I close my eyes here, where will I open them? If you've ever wondered or struggled to answer these questions, you don't want to miss this!

 

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