Question 1

Is death really the end?

Accepted Answer

John 11:25-26Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.”1 Corinthians 15:54-55Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”Romans 8:10Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.For those who believe Jesus is their Savior, death is not the end, but only the beginning of an eternity of unspeakable joy with the Lord and with other believers.Matthew 6:19-20Store your treasures in heaven.2 Corinthians 5:10We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.Psalm 49:10Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.You can’t take anything with you when you die, but there is a way to receive much when you arrive in heaven. God rewards those who have been faithful to him and who leave behind a legacy of goodness.John 14:2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?When you travel, it’s comforting to know there’s a place to stay at the end of the day. This same comfort is yours as you wonder about the end of your life. Though death is a great unknown, Jesus Christ has gone before you. He has prepared a glorious place for you to stay. If you know and love Jesus, you can be confident your room is ready and waiting.

Question 2

What will happen to me when I die?

Accepted Answer

1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16-17Now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. . . . For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, . . . First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.Isaiah 25:7-8There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken!1 Corinthians 15:53Our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.Revelation 14:11The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.Revelation 20:15Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.What an adventure awaits those who love Jesus Christ! A Christian who dies will meet God and live with him forever. Our bodies will be totally transformed into bodies that will never again be subjected to sin, pain, and the limitations of this world.

Question 3

In what way does accepting Christ keep me from dying?

Accepted Answer

Romans 6:4-5We died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.Romans 8:10Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.1 Corinthians 15:52When the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.When you give Jesus Christ control of your life, you are given the gift of eternal life. This does not prevent the death of your earthly body, but it does guarantee that God will give you a new body in which your spirit will continue to live forever in heaven, where there is no aging and no more death or sickness.

Question 4

Is there any hope for people who die without putting their faith in Jesus?

Accepted Answer

John 3:16“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”The only guarantee of eternal life in heaven after death is by believing in Jesus. It is wise for each of us to examine our hearts and make sure that we truly believe in him and his saving power.Luke 23:42-43Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”Just like the thief on the cross, anyone can receive Jesus’ assurance of eternal life, even in their last moments. Since we cannot really know what is going on in a person’s heart, there is always hope that a person you knew as an unbeliever turned to the Lord in the last minutes of their life.

Question 5

How can I be certain that there is eternal life?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 15:20In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the resurrection of everyone who believes he rose from the dead to pardon their sin.1 Corinthians 15:4-6He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.The resurrection of Jesus is not just a religious legend. The biblical record mentions eyewitnesses to the risen Jesus and others who interviewed them. Historical investigation serves only to confirm the fact of the resurrection. We can have confidence in the resurrection of Jesus and, therefore, the eternal life God offers through him.

Question 6

Is fear of death or thinking about death a bad thing?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 90:12Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.Colossians 3:1-3Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven. . . . Think about the things of heaven.2 Corinthians 5:4While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.Fear of the unknown is natural, but obsession with it is not healthy. Fear of death can be useful when it draws us closer to God and causes us to make every day count for him. It is helpful to think of death as a beginning, not an end. It is our entrance into eternal life with God.Philippians 1:21For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.For those of us who are afraid of dying, it could be that we don’t fully understanding what happens at death. It may be an indication of a weak relationship with God, a misunderstanding of heaven, a lack of perspective about how this life affects the next, or a lack of trust in God’s promises. The good news is that the Bible offers hope and answers for all these things. When we are at peace with God, we will not fear death. Take time to learn about heaven from the Bible. Trust God’s assurances of eternity and apply yourself to knowing and serving God more and more. The more real God is to you, the less fearsome death will be.

Question 7

In the next life, do I keep my body or get a new one, or do I have no body at all?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 15:42It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever.The Bible clearly teaches that our earthly bodies will be raised to new life after we die. However, they will not be like our bodies now. Our present bodies get sick. They age and deteriorate with the passage of time. You really wouldn’t want to live in your present body forever. Think how many problems you would accumulate in a few thousand years! But the new bodies God gives us after we die will not get old or sick or tired. We will be eternally fit to praise God forever.