what-happens-after-death

2 What Happens After Death? Introduction33 IntroductionContentsLife is precious to us. We don’t want to die. But what really happens to usafter death? Scientists, philosophers and even theologians don’t agree. Wherecan we go for answers? Shouldn’t we seek them from the Creator of life?4 The Wondrous Gift of LifeTo understand death, we must first consider life. Where did life come from?Why are we here? What is our purpose? Are human beings any different fromother living things? The answers are crucial if we are to grasp the big picture.7 The Mystery of DeathDeath is one of life’s greatest mysteries. Do we really die, or do we have a soulthat lives on apart from the body? Many are confused about this, and this hasled to great misunderstandings about death. Does the Bible provide answers?18 The Promise of Life After DeathGod’s Word provides assurance of life after death—though not in a heavenlyafterlife as thought by so many! God promises that life will return through aresurrection of the dead. This is how mankind can receive His gift of eternal life.28 How Eternal Life Will Ultimately Be Offered to AllWhat happens to those who, simply because of when and where they wereborn, never had an opportunity to hear of Jesus Christ and God’s Word? Arethey doomed to eternal torment? What exactly does the Bible teach about hell?46 Steps in Dealing With GriefWe all have to cope with the loss caused by death. How can we deal with ourgrief and help others who are grieving? Understanding what the Bible revealsabout death and His promise of the resurrection provides great encouragement.52 Everlasting Life Conquers DeathThrough a resurrection of the dead, God promises to reunite us with lovedones and offer eternal life to all. Eventually God’s plan will lead to death itselfbeing destroyed in an awesome future almost beyond our comprehension!IntroductionAdrunken driver loses control of his car and careens headfirst intoa van, killing a family. A mother dies of breast cancer, leavingconfused children and a grieving husband. An infant boy succumbsto a fatal birth defect. A gentle, elderly lady dies quietlyin her sleep. A desperate, depressed teenager commits suicide.Maybe death would be different if it were predictable or consistent. Butdeath can be so capricious. It hardly seems fair.To us life is precious. But death is everywhere! We don’t want to die.We don’t want to see our loved ones die.Self-preservation is a powerful instinct. We design special diets andexercise programs to keep us young and fit. Through medical science weseek to isolate the gene that causes aging, hoping somehow to eliminatedeath. A few have even arranged for their bodies to be preserved cryogenicallyin the hope that they can be brought back to life when the cure forwhat killed them is finally discovered.Yet for all our efforts, hopes and wishes, death is the one thing in lifethat remains certain. Whether through old age, illness, accident or violence,whether we are rich, poor, male or female, no matter if we’re goodor bad, all of us—regardless of race or creed—eventually face death.Scientists cannot tell us what happens after death. Too many aspects oflife itself are intangible—too elusive to measure and record. Philosophersdisagree on death and the afterlife.Religions also disagree. Traditional Christian denominations generallyteach that the souls of the dead live on in a place or condition of heaven orhell. Many non-Christians believe in the transmigration or reincarnation ofsouls at death. Still others believe the dead will never live again—that thislife is all there is.What really happens at death? Why do we even have to die? Can weactually know whether there is life beyond the grave? Where can we gofor meaningful, believable answers?Only the Creator of life can reveal its purpose and the state of the dead.By looking into the Word of God for answers to our questions, we canlearn a great deal about both life and death.Let’s now take a look at what God, our Creator, says about life anddeath in His inspired Word, the Bible. You may be both surprised andchallenged as you discover the truth about what happens after death!