Most people believe in some kind of life after death, that there is something more. Why would people across the globe have an inner sense that life on earth is not all there is? What makes them feel that way?

The Bible answers this very clearly:

Ecclesiastes 3:11
“…[God] has also set eternity in their heart…”

Eternity is a state outside of time, without beginning and without end. God is an eternal Being who lives in eternity. He is, He always was, and He always will be (Revelation 1:8).

The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God created everything in the earth, including Adam and Eve, the first people. Of Adam, God said:

Genesis 1:26
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;…’”

Every human being bears the likeness of the eternal God. That is why we sense that we are eternal beings. We should remember, however, that we are not God. Only God is without beginning. We humans have a beginning. We were created, yet we can live forever if we follow Jesus.

God created the human race to live forever in an intimate relationship with Him. Genesis 1-2 describes the idyllic life Adam and Eve once enjoyed. They lived in a beautiful garden called Eden and had a perfect relationship with their Creator. They spoke with God face-to-face and were not afraid.

Tragically, Adam and Eve willfully chose to rebel against God. Their sin brought terrible consequences upon not only them, but the entire human race. Because of this, separation from God, spiritual and physical death, and fear came upon man.

Sin caused our understanding of God to become darkened. The clarity that comes from walking with Him was blurred. This explains the wide array of religions and beliefs about the afterlife.

Sin causes more than darkened thinking. Sin is why we experience physical death. At death, the material part of us (the body) decays, while the immaterial part (spirit, soul) lives on, either in an eternity with God (Heaven, New Earth) or in an eternity separated from God (Hell).

God designed the entire person (spirit, soul, and body) to live forever. His plan includes a physical resurrection of all people, a rejoining of our bodies with our spirits and souls (Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29). Those who choose not to follow Jesus will have Hell as their destination and will find it to be a place of physical as well as spiritual anguish.

God loves us. He eagerly desires for us to spend eternity with Him. He has done everything possible to make Himself known to us, through both His inspired Word and through His Creation.

Romans 1:18-20
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

God has made the truth evident to all people. He has sent His own Son to die for us, so that we might receive forgiveness for our sins and a personal relationship with Him. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should trust in His Son, turn from sin, and receive eternal life.

Do you have assurance that you will live forever with God? Read “How Can I Know God?”

What Do You Think?

So what do you think?

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