By Ken Fletcher
“The Bible says this life is like a vapor. It appears for a moment and then it’s gone. But, we are an eternal spirit. So, that means we continue to live on somewhere after this life. Where else? Isn’t that the big question? Do you know for sure? Why?
It’s a real good thing to think about. Because, in reality, with all the crazy things happening in this fallen realm, our natural life could suddenly be over.–No matter our age. And then, we all find ourselves somewhere not on earth. You think I’m joking? No! I’m talking real stuff here. The important stuff!
People have all kinds of different concepts of what happens after the death of the body. I have been privileged to listen to some people’s encounters who’s bodies had died, who left their bodies for a period, and then came back into their earthly body again. It’s very real, friends. And, they ALL say that they were more conscious than ever after they died. This is truth.
Some were drawn to a great light and they naturally followed. Some immediately saw loved ones. Some saw Angels. Some saw and talked with the Lord Jesus. And, they saw many other very beautiful and amazing things. And, they expressed the great peace and love they felt that enveloped them. But, there were others that died who found themselves in confined and dark places. Places of torment and desperation. A place where no peace is found anywhere. In this place, some of them expressed about the evil creatures they encountered.
It is hard for me to comprehend what those people experienced. Or, to realize that there are actually people in the place God prepared for satan and his demons. It was not a place made for people. The horror of it all. It’s beyond description. Jesus spoke of this place while He was on the earth. And, there are different accounts in the Bible describing this horrible place as well.
In simple terms from scripture, according to Jesus, up until He died and rose from the dead, this place of departed souls was divided into 2 separate sections. The comfort side, where the children of Abraham who died in faith were abiding. And, the torment side, where the damned and unbelieving were abiding.
The Bible account Jesus described about the rich man and Lazarus is not a parable. But, a real description of real people who had died and left their earthly bodies sometime before. Jesus said, that they were certain men who had lived on earth. The rich un-named man who was dressed in purple and fared sumptuously every day, and faithful Lazarus who had lived destitute and needy.–Who was a beggar sitting at the rich man’s gate.
Jesus described both sections of this great place for departed souls was divided by a great chasm located in between the sections. Making it impossible for anyone on either side to be able to pass from one side to the other. But, they could see each other. And, the rich man from the torment side was able to communicate with Abraham abiding in the comfort side.
The rich man, who was in the torment side, cried to father Abraham in his torment. He was trying to get Abraham to order Lazarus to bring him water and send him back to earth to his brothers to warn them of this horrible place. But, Abraham replied, no, they have the law and the prophets, let them hear them.
There’s no way Lazarus wanted to go back to earth now! You can bet on that! He was enjoying peace and comfort in the place that was called Abraham’s bosom.–waiting in faith for the Messiah to come.
Some say this is not a real place. Others think it is passed away and that it does not really exist anymore. Well, people can believe what they want. They can deny it’s existence if they want. But, I believe Jesus. I believe He told us the truth about it! He is the One who knows.
As far as you are concerned, do you believe it exists? Maybe you don’t. Or maybe you are not sure. But, I say to you, do you really want to risk it being true? Man, that’s eternity! You know? With all of your theories? Maybe so, maybe no? Well, I believe Jesus has the truth of the matter and told us about it.
But, friend, why would you look eternity in the face knowing you are not right with a perfect God and risk everything to prove your theories are true? The fact is, as fallen humans, we could never get right with God! There is absolutely no way WE can perform it good enough for God. Ever! Truth!
The very fact that our earthly body dies is proof that our spirit was separated from God. The imperfection and death is deep in our spirit! How can the imperfect have a completely pure relationship with the perfect God? Impossible! EXCEPT for Jesus! He IS the bridge that connects us to the eternal life of God!
He became a man. Jesus had a perfect Spirit within Himself. His blood was perfect with no death in it. (Fact: Jesus could not be killed or die. He would still be here now on earth remaining as young as He was then, IF He had not given Himself to die for us. Jesus allowed them to torture and murder Him for our benefit.)
God laid on Jesus all of our wrong. He became sin for us! So, Jesus was our substitute representing condemned mankind to God. And, Jesus was God’s representative to mankind. All in One! According to God, all who put their faith in Jesus will be made righteous! All who have their faith in Jesus have right standing with God! Because, in Jesus, God’s Son, is where the life of God resides for mankind!
Jesus was the second Adam. Jesus was the last Adam. The last Adam can never die again. All who have placed their faith in Jesus can never die also because of His life in them. All who do not have Jesus do not have His life! Though people may have convinced themselves of other ways to God, according to Jesus, if they do not have faith in Jesus, God’s Son, they do not have the everlasting life of God.
What is the most important thing, my friend? Well, I would say that knowing Jesus is the MOST important thing! Knowing you have His life. Knowing that you and God are together not separated anymore. That, my friend, IS THE most important thing for you to know!
It is priority number one! So much so, that you should immediately know right now about where you really stand. If you are not certain that Jesus is your Lord, you can be now. Call upon Jesus with a sincere heart. Give Him your life. Receive His love and His life today!
What in the world are you waiting for? I’m telling you, there is nothing here in this life worth you missing out on what Jesus has for you! Those people I spoke about before, who went to the torment place, when they came back into their bodies, they were praying loudly to God. Some of them became preachers trying to help others not to go there. That’s also what I’m trying to do.
Is it real? Do you really want to find out? Are you bluffing like they do in a poker game? Really? Playing with your eternal destiny? Well, some really believe the place does not exist. They can believe what they wish. That is their business before God. Some people are willing to stay with what they think is true even though it could cost them everything in the end.
Personally, I believe Jesus. I believe it is exactly what He said it was and is. I believe that Jesus led all of those old covenant saints out of that holding place of comfort. They were waiting in faith for Him to arrive and complete redemption. After that, He took them on into heaven. And, they are all in heaven now!
After He died on the cross, Jesus went to hell in our place–To the torment side as a condemned man–with our sin. So, after He completed His mission and rose from the dead, now in that place, there are no longer 2 divided sections anymore. But, only one section; the torment part. And, from what He told me, the torment side has been enlarged quite a bit since then.
Now, the believers soul’s who’s bodies die in the Lord do not go to Abraham’s bosom. The old covenant believers that were there before were waiting, looking ahead in faith of His coming. Now, believers are all the Lord’s and go directly to heaven. Jesus has come and so there is no waiting anymore in that place of comfort for us believers.
Hell. That is a place I do not ever want to see. And, because of God’s grace through Jesus, I won’t see it. Jesus has gone there for us so that we do not have to go. Praise His Name forever! I’m staying with Jesus. He is my life! My prayer is that you will quit messing around risking your eternity for some comparatively insignificant reason and come to Jesus today! Receive His love!” KF KenFletcher.org
