LIFE AFTER DEATH
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:27&28)
Death is a certainty for men since the day Adam fell in the Garden of Eden. The Scriptures confirm this certainty with no uncertain term, And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Death has been itched into the collective consciousness of men since the first man walked upon the earth and no one needs to question the certainty of death. No one can wish away this morbid fact of death though most people would only like to believe in the mortality of others and not for himself.
Job asked, “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:14) Since time immemorial, men have been asking the same question. The answer to this question is also found in the book of Job in which Job believed that he will live again, For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me (Job 19:25-27). Not only did Job believe that he would live again, he revealed that he had a redeemer whom he would see with his very own eyes in a new body of flesh. The prophet Daniel also revealed that there is life after death, And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever (Daniel 12:2 & 3). The Lord Jesus Christ also confirmed that there is a resurrection of the dead, Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28 & 29). Resurrection is an undisputable fact according to the Scriptures. So the question here is how to attain unto the resurrection of life.
Since the day Cain’s offering of the works of his own hands being rejected by God, men have not ceased from trying to work for his own salvation. So God told Job how he could save himself according to his own ability, Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee (Job 40:10-14). This is complete impossibility for fallen man to achieve salvation on his own wisdom and power. There is no way a man can subdue pride in all men on earth and destroy the wicked in their place. Only God who is omnipotent, omniscience and omnipresent can fulfill this role.
According to the Scriptures, lost sinners are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). This is also explained in 1 Corinthians 15:21 & 22, For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Like the jailer in Philippi you may ask, “What must I do to be saved?” The answer is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. “What must I believe about the Lord Jesus,” you may ask. The answer is found in Romans 10:9-11, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. The Lord has promised that For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Any sincere seeker will come to this truth like what others have already found to be true because as it is written, In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (Titus 1:2). God cannot and will not lie!
What God has promised, he is able to keep for, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). The Scriptures also say, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
Dear friend, if you are not saved, do not delay any longer. For it is also written in 2 Corinthians 6:2, (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Yes, today is the day of salvation. For it is presumptuous for anyone to think he can prolong his life for another minute because if the Lord chooses to remove his breath from him, he shall perish. The warning against procrastination for salvation is given in Hebrews 2:3, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. It will be tragedy beyond description to spurn God’s love given to you in this life and to be judged as a lost sinner in the life to come. You will not be given a second chance! Do not hesitate any longer! Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus to save you now! Pray sincerely with your heart the prayer below and the Lord will grant you salvation as promised.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner deserving hell fire. I believe that thou hath died for me on the cross and shed thy precious blood to wash away all my sins. I believe that thou hath risen again on the third day. I accept thee now as my personal Lord and Savior. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!
This article is taken from a chapter in the book “When Heaven Is Brass” which may be downloaded via: