Does death solve all your problems?

Sometimes death solves all our problems, sometimes it doesn’t.  With the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, God showed us again that we do not die like animals and that’s the end.  There is life after death and that will be exhilarating for some and excruciating for others.

#  The resurrection of Jesus

The resurrection of Jesus is the reason why He could say, ‘I hold the keys of death and Hades.’ ¹  He conquered death, but it led to many disputes over the ages.  Paul asked a valid question in Acts 26:8, ‘Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?’

#  The resurrection of followers of Jesus

For followers of Jesus their resurrection will bring eternal love, joy, peace and happiness with the Father, the Son (the Bridegroom) and the Holy Spirit.  ‘There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ ² 

#  The resurrection of rejecters of Jesus

People who rejected Jesus have nothing to look forward to.  They will spend eternity with the ruler of the world, the devil, who hates them and wants them to share his terrible fate.  Revelation 20:10  tells us ‘…the devil…was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur….[He] will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.’

#  The Trinity’s involvement in the Resurrection

The resurrection was such a ‘big deal’ because it began God’s new order.  All three Persons of the Trinity were involved in it:

• God: ‘…God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.’ ³
• Jesus:  He said, ‘The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I received from my Father.’ ⁴
• The Holy Spirit:  ‘The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.  And just as He raised Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.’ ⁵  The analogy is clear: the Holy Spirit who helped to raise Jesus from the grave, will also give eternal life to us.

Conclusion

If you are a follower of Jesus you don’t have to fear death.  We will be resurrected and be with the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit who love us, eternally.  ⁶

References

1. Revelation 1:18
2. Revelation 21:4
3. Acts 2:24
4. John 10:17-18
5. Romans 8:11, New Living Translation
6. Revelation 22:1,3,4,17

Will God annihilate unbelievers?

Atheists reject life after death, but some still worry about it. ‘What if there really is life after death with two different destinations (one bad and one good)? That is what the Bible teaches. Yet unbelievers might be annihilated. Then one doesn’t have to worry about Jesus, salvation, right living, et cetera, because the guilty ones are snuffed out (even if the Bible teaches the immortality of the soul).’

The information about life after death is in the Bible. The idea of annihilation is mainly because people wrongly believe that evolution is a scientific fact. Evolution is not supported by science, so the idea that humans live and die in the same way as animals, is wrong. Evolution is artificially kept alive and promoted because one of the ‘benefits’ of evolution is its deception about life after death.

It should be general knowledge that God has an enemy, the devil, who opposes God’s plan for man: to share in His eternal Kingdom. So the doctrine of annihilation of the wicked is the brainchild of the devil. He has enough human followers who spread the lie and so lead people into eternal doom.

What does the Bible teach about life after death? Two things:

• There will be a judgement.
• There are two eternal destinations, based on what you did in this life.

‘Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from His presence and there was no place for them [think of the grandeur and the solemnity of this overpowering event which will decide the eternal destination of billions]. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books…. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.’  Revelation 20:11-15

Reasons why unbelievers will not be annihilated:

1. Accountability. One of the main teachings of the Gospel is that actions have consequences. Adam acted, and there were consequences. God holds all people accountable. If unbelievers are merely annihilated, there is no need for the ‘White throne’ final judgment.
2. The Cross. Annihilation of the wicked makes the Cross meaningless. Jesus suffered and died to save us from the consequences of our disobedience and rebellion against God. If unbelievers are annihilated, anyone who rejects the Cross can enjoy life without a care of the future after death. Annihilation of the wicked makes the death of Jesus on the cross irrelevant.
3. Holy living. The Bible’s insistence on holy living, fearing and serving the Lord, is for all people, not only for those who decided to have faith in Jesus. If annihilation is true, those who follow God can be pitied above all people. Why then go to the trouble to obey God?

Conclusion: Despite the enticing idea of annihilation of the wicked, there is not a shred of evidence to support it. To love the Lord, and be ensured of an eternal life with Him still remains a bargain.