What Happens When You Die?
Good News – September 2012 – Grace & Truth Magazine
What Happens When You Die?
A presenter on BBC television’s One Show said recently, “Scientists can’t tell us what happens when you die.” Is that true? Medical scientists certainly know that when you die you stop breathing and your heart stops pumping your blood throughout your body to keep you alive. And the doctor who signs the death certificate is legally required to state a medical reason for death.
But in another sense the presenter was correct. What happens to you when you die cannot be fully investigated by those who study only the physical and natural world. They can observe that a dead person’s body is either cremated or buried, but that’s all! A corpse is only a dead body – it’s not the person who has died. So, what has happened to that person? Has he or she ceased to exist? No, the Bible tells us that death separates the spirit and soul from the body – in other words, the person still exists.
So where does your person go when you die? There are only two possible destinies – either heaven or hell. Jesus told a story, recorded in Luke’s gospel (16:19-31), about a man named Lazarus who went to heaven, and a rich man who ended up in hell. Why? Because Lazarus had faith in God and “listened to Moses and the Prophets,” whereas the rich man had not (16:29). Lazarus’ destiny was decided by his trust in God’s provision of salvation. The rich man determined his own destiny by his neglect of God. The very solemn issue was that after death the rich man couldn’t change the situation, as there is no way to get out of hell. He was left in everlasting torment.
Lazarus got eternal life and went to heaven, where Jesus is. Jesus tells us that if we die in our sins we cannot go to where He is: “Unless you believe that I am He (the Savior) you will die in your sins” (Jn. 8:21,24 ESV). It’s your choice. How will you decide? We can tell you more.
By David Anderson
This article used by permission from ALIVE! Magazine #226,Scripture Truth Publications.