Heaven

Heaven is not a ghostlike, foggy atmosphere where disembodied spirits float around. Heaven is as real as this earth. Jesus told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Paul taught that Christians would have new imperishable bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).

Again, contrary to many popular ideas, Heaven is not dull. The things that are killjoys on earth—selfishness, hatred, death—all will be gone.

Heaven will not be a place where we sit around with nothing to do. The Bible suggests that Heaven will be a place for dynamic, creative and untiring activity, but without toil and fatigue (Revelation 21:1-7).

Heaven will also be a place of intellectual stimulation. Here we “see through a glass darkly,” but there, “face to face,” we shall see God (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Are you going?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.... He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 14:6; 5:24).

Hell

Jesus and the New Testament writers use every image in their power to tell us that Hell is real, terrible, something to be feared and avoided at all costs. Never forget that the talk about outer darkness and the lake of fire came from Jesus, who died to save us.

In His parable of the last judgment Jesus taught that some would go to eternal punishment, some to eternal life (Matthew 25:46). In other words, Hell will be as real and lasting as Heaven.

The most frightening thing about Hell is that it is spiritual separation from God, moral remorse, the consciousness that one deserves what he is getting. Hell is total separation from the love, joy, and peace that come from God.

Are you going?

“He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42).

Which will you choose?

You must decide where you will spend eternity. Jesus Christ has paid the full penalty for your sins on the cross. “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Now you must come to Him just as you are—a guilty sinner unable to save yourself. Commit your life to Christ today! You can pray something like this:

God, thank You for sending Jesus to take the punishment for my sins that I might spend eternity in Heaven with You. I turn from my sin and invite You into my life to be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Portions of this text were written by Leighton Ford. ©1974 Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.