Is there life after death?
The well known American astronomer, astrophysicist, author and cosmologist, Carl Edward Sagan was well known during his lifetime for his contribution to the sciences. But he was also well known for being an agnostic (one who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God) and denying the existence of an afterlife. Sagan believed that at the moment of death all life ceases to exist and that there was nothing more to “it.” In his book The Demon Haunted World he wrote:
I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But as much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking.
In Carl Sagan’s world everything after death ceases. Our bodies simply return to the dust and that’s it. It’s a world in which there are no moral absolutes and no eternal consequences. If there are any restraints they are man made and a product of your environment. The ramifications of this are horrific; all murderers, rapists, paedophiles and criminals who were never brought to justice simply vanish along with their bodies. That pretty much gives a licence to do as you please; if you can get away with it that is. You chose and do as you see fit.
The Bible however says quite the opposite and leaves no space for doubt as to whether there is an afterlife. In fact the Bible warns the world about a soon coming judgement whereby God the righteous judge will judge the entire world according to the standard of His righteousness, the moral law (The 10 Commandments).
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment… (Hebrews 9:27).
The same God who gave you a conscience to distinguish between good and evil, will also be your judge. Not only is God the witness to every single deed and thought in your life, but He is also the judge who will demand justice on that great day. This is because the God of the Bible is just and righteous.
God has wired you in a similar way. That is why when you put on the news and hear of gross injustices and mass genocides, a sense of righteous anger consumes you. That is why you feel angry when you hear of teenagers who beat to death an old pensioner and are able to walk free from prison after serving only a year. God has given you a sense of justice, not mother nature.
The Lord Jesus Christ spoke much about the afterlife. He spent much of His time warning about the wrath of God and the dangers of hell. He warned that hell is a place of eternal condemnation and conscious torment. It is a place which is reserved for the guilty and for those who reject the free pardon and mercy offered through the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the greatest promises made by Jesus is eternal life in heaven with Him. This promise is made to all who turn from their sin and put their trust in Him. This is a demonstration of the love, mercy and grace of God.
Click here to find out how you can know Jesus as your personal Saviour and have the full assurance of eternal life in heaven with Him.
That I May Know Him 2010
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About the Author (Author Profile)
Vic Gill is currently serving as a Church planter at Grace Community Church, Richings Park. His greatest aspiration is to love his wife, faithfully expound God’s Word to a dying world and to simply love Jesus and know Him more intimately. He enjoys studying the Puritans, Reformed Theology and Philosophy.
