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...you died tonight - Heaven or Hell?

Not a very nice question you might say, but nevertheless it is a question which you need to know the answer to, before death inevitably comes even to you. After all, the certainty of death for every human being is still 100% despite scientific efforts to defy it. Though you might hope it is far from you, you cannot guarantee it, as fatal accidents happen so easily and frequently, and without any warning. It makes sense therefore to consider this question.

A lot of people assume that we cannot know what happens after death, or guess that we simply cease to exist. But there is a source of information on such subjects which has proved itself to be reliable over and over again. This is what it says:
“…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9v27)
 

Where does this come from and what is this judgment?

This is a quotation from the Holy Bible – a book which is very unique. Many who have set out to disprove it have failed and now believe its claim of being God given. In it we read that God is the Designer / Creator of all things. His existence is clear from life and nature around us, just as we know that buildings had to have had a builder, and paintings an artist, even if we can’t see them. It also tells us that we are more than just a body, and that after we die, our soul goes on to be judged. This is what we are told will happen on that Judgment Day...

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20v12-13)

These books record all that we do while here on earth - whether good or bad. Many people assume that if their good deeds outweigh their bad, that God will allow them into Heaven. However the Bible teaches otherwise. It says: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” So if there is any record of sin (wrong doing) in your book, you deserve death - Hell, and no amount of good works will ever change that. (Ezekiel 18v4)

Many people do not think themselves to be sinners, but whether you have always tried to live a good life or not, not one of us have kept every one of God’s 10 Commandments (recorded in Exodus 20). For example, if you have ever told a lie, you have broken the 9th Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness” - that makes you a liar and the Bible specifically says that no liars will go to Heaven*. If you have ever used God’s name as a swear word, you have broken the 3rd Commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” - that makes you a blasphemer and no such person has a place in Heaven. If you have ever lusted after someone, Jesus (God’s Son, who came to Earth) said, that is as good as committing adultery with them. If you have ever hated someone, Jesus said that is as good as murdering them! We could go on and on - but hopefully this is enough for you to realize that the Bible is true when it says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”(1John1v8; *Rev21v8)
The plain truth is, that if you died tonight, without having your sins forgiven, you would not go to Heaven but would end up in Hell. Listen to how that account of the Judgment Day finishes...
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20v15)

So, what is this ‘Book of Life’ and how can we make sure we don’t end up in that lake of fire?
The ‘Book of Life’ records the names of those who will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. To have your name written in there, you must first have the record of your sins removed. “How?”, you might ask. Well the Bible tells us...

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3v19)

Our sins, big and small, can be blotted out of those books, if we repent and are converted! But what does this mean? Well, to ‘repent’ means to make a choice to turn away from doing wrong. We need to realize that although sin often seems enjoyable, God knows it can never truly satisfy us or give us lasting peace, and often brings trouble or bondage. God desires to give us freedom, perfect peace, love, joy, contentment - blessings beyond measure for all eternity. To be ‘converted’ means choosing to obey God and believe what He has done to make this possible…
 

So, what has God done to enable us to be saved?

Ponder on what the Bible is saying here: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Such is His love, that though we deserve death (Hell), He was willing to suffer and die in our place, even on a cruel Roman cross. It was there a legal transaction took place: Jesus took the death penalty for us, and later rose again so that we can live for ever. Just as a court judge can legally excuse someone whose fine has been paid for them, so we can be forgiven if we believe and accept for ourselves what Jesus has done. He is now offering us the priceless gift of eternal life in Heaven. (Romans 6v23; 5v8)

When a gift is freely given, no payment is expected. Now, imagine someone were rich enough to buy you a new car. How do you think they would feel if you offered to pay 10p towards it? They would be offended! Likewise, although good works can gain us rewards, they are offensive as attempted payment for entrance to Heaven. They should rather be done out of a love for God and as gratitude for what He has done. This is what makes Christianity unique: we are told, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ‘Grace’ is God’s undeserved favour towards us, while ‘faith’ is a simple trust and belief that what God says is true. (Ephesians 2v8,9)

God is giving us a choice. Just as we would want someone to love us because they wanted to, rather than be forced to, so He created us with a free-will. Although He knew mankind would consequently turn against Him, He also knew many billions would choose to turn to Him in love, as He fulfilled His plan.

We know one day we will leave this earth, so we need to be ready for what’s next. Imagine being in a small plane and being told it’s breaking apart! Would you put on a parachute which was offered to you? Other passengers who didn’t believe the report may mock you, and it may be uncomfortable to wear, but you know that no way will trying to flap your arms as you fall would save you! You put it on, trusting it to save you. Likewise our good works can’t save us, but trusting Jesus will.

So, what will your response be?

• Will you believe and transfer your trust to the Lord Jesus Christ, asking His forgiveness for your sins?

• Or will you ignore this leaflet and hope Hell is not real?

• Or, will you wait until you are older, or until some more convenient time - but like so many who die unprepared, wait too long, and die before you turn to the Lord?

 

What anguish awaits those who die without their sins forgiven and find themselves in Hell forever! But what joy there will be for those who put their trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, when they enter eternal bliss in the Kingdom of Heaven!
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16v31

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