Heaven, Hell, and the Space in Between

There are many things in life we can afford to get wrong: dinner plans, passwords, coffee orders. If there’s one thing we can’t afford, it’s our beliefs regarding eternity. Like a spacecraft that is shot just off course, what can seem like a minimal error, when spread over time, can lead to an entirely different destination. The conversation on Heaven, Hell, and what happens after death may be one that feels awkward or sensitive, but it’s a conversation that is desperately needed.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He frequently talked about hell. This wasn’t a tactic to strike terror in his audience, but a reflection of how important it is to our understanding. For the most part, people are pretty comfortable talking about heaven, but not very comfortable talking about hell - unless it’s in reference to people we deem as especially evil. And the number of misconceptions held by the average person is significant.

The Bible makes a number of things very clear: Death is not the end. Every human being will one day be resurrected and face judgement. Only Jesus’ sacrificial death pays the penalty of sin and grants us the gift of eternal life. Our earthly response to God’s invitation will determine our eternal destination. He will ultimately triumph over death, decay, and evil, wiping away every tear and making all things new.

These teachings are weighty. What we do with our lives holds eternal value; that eternity starts now.

Reflection Question:
How does the eternal weight of my decisions affect how I live today?