Revolutionary Leaders

Post Mortem

I'm sure that you've noticed all the school shootings this year already. August 30th in Hillsborough, NC, Alvaro Castillo killed his father and then went to his former high school with pipe bombs and guns intending to kill more. September 27th in Bailey, CO a man held six students hostage at Canyon High School killing 16 year old Emily Keyes before taking his own life. September 29th, Cazenovia, WI, a 15 year old student shot his prinicple 3 times before the gun was wrestled from him. His principle died a few hours later in teh hospital. October 2nd, Nickel Mines, PA, Charles Roberts attempted to execute 10 young girls that he held hostage in an Amish school house.

There have been 14 other non-death school shootings this year already - some gang related, others over football games, and another because of an argument over a girl. How safe do you feel at your school? Probably not as safe as I felt in high school 17 years ago.

That brings me to my point. What happens when we die? Is there life post mortem? Let's face it, we're all going to die someday. Don't you think we should try and figure out what happens when we die? After all, eternity is a long time.

Jesus tells a story that helps us better understand the truth of this matter. You know what's next, click it, read it. Luke 16:19-31. Just make sure you come back and finish reading this blog. Come on, it's only 13 verses.

First we need to see that death is not respector of persons. Like we’ve already said, our physical bodies will one day cease to exist. It doesn’t matter how rich we may be, we can not pay off death. It doesn’t matter what kind of prestigious background we’re from, we can not talk our way of it.

Secondly, eternity has only two options. Our bodies might die and be buried in the ground, but our souls will live forever either in heaen or in hell. Mark 9:43 tells us that hell (Hades) is a place of torment where the fire never goes out. However, John 14:1-4 tells us that heaven is the place where God lives, a place prepared for true Christians.

My final point is the fact that your life determines your eternity. Revelation 20:15 tells us that our name needs to be found written in the book of life or we will spend eternity in hell. Later in chapter 21:6-8 we see additional details about our options.

So, what will happen to you post mortem? Will you spend eternity in the paradise of heaven with God your creator, or in hell where the fire will never go out and the suffering will never end? I'm not sure about you, but there is even a remote chance of avoiding door number two, I'm giving it a try. Fire, torment, eternal pian...that kind of freaks me out.

So what's the answer? How can we guarntee that God will welcome us into heaven? Simply put, Jesus is the answer. You've heard the verse fro John 3:16 "...whoever believes in Him (Jesus) will not die (in hell) but have eternal life (in heaven)." Romans 10:9-13 tells us this same encouraging truth. "That is you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

You've got a decision to make.