Simple: We’re dead. Maybe this isn’t the answer you were hoping for.
Maybe you’ve seen the bumper sticker that reads, “Eternity: Smoking or Non?” Most of us have been taught that we stay alive even after we die, and we’re simply relocated to our permanent home forever: either “heaven” or “hell.”
But the truth is that when we die, we’re dead.
Passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 make it clear that when Jesus returns, he raises dead people—those who have “fallen asleep”—to life. Why would this be necessary if they were already alive?
What is the point of being resurrected if you’re not dead?
Death isn’t the end of the story, but it’s certainly lights out for a time. We would remain dead forever if it weren’t for the power of Christ, who defeated death. The Bible describes several ages we’ll participate in after we are brought back to life. Like waking up from a night’s rest, it probably won’t even seem like much time has passed. Some of us may undergo a period of rehabilitation—but all will ultimately be reconciled to God and live in peace with Him forever.
This outcome is a radical departure from most world religions, which teach that man must live a righteous life to attain salvation. In reality, it is a free gift. God is love, and He came in the form of Jesus to live that love out. Since love is the only power that cannot be forced, He will never give up until every heart belongs to Himself.
God alone is the source of life. He breathed His spirit into Adam’s nostrils, and life was given to all mankind. Life ends when we draw our last breath. If it weren’t for God’s love, that would be the end of the story. But God would not create us, grow us, teach us, reach out to us, come to live with us… then leave us dead forever. God is love, and all His purposes are good. His goal is to have all people saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4–6).
