Page 145 - Apologetics Student Textbook (3 Credits)

order to eventually achieve personal greatness? Does everyone go to the same place, or do we go to
different places? Is there really a heaven and hell?

The only true source of information about eternity comes from one who is eternal: Jesus Christ and His
Word. So here is the Bible answer to these questions.

The Bible tells us that there is not only life after death, but eternal life so glorious that “no eye has seen,
no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1
Corinthians 2:9). Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to the earth to give us this gift of eternal life. “But
he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus took on the punishment that
all of us deserve and sacrificed His life to pay the penalty for our sin. Three days later, He proved Himself
victorious over death by rising from the grave. He remained on the earth for forty days and was
witnessed by hundreds before ascending to heaven. Romans 4:25 says, “He was delivered over to death
for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

The resurrection of the Christ is a well-documented event. The apostle Paul challenged people to
question eyewitnesses for its validity, and no one was able to contest its truth. The resurrection is the
cornerstone of the Christian faith. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we can have faith that we,
too, will be resurrected. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate proof of life after death. Christ
was only the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. Physical death came
through one man, Adam, to whom we are all related. But all who have been adopted into God’s family
through faith in Jesus Christ will be given new life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Just as God raised up Jesus’
body, so will our bodies be resurrected upon Jesus’ return (1 Corinthians 6:14).

Although we will all be eventually resurrected, not everyone will go to heaven. A choice must be made
by each person in this life, and this choice will determine one’s eternal destination. The Bible says that it
is appointed for us to die only once, and after that will come judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Those who have
been made righteous by faith in Christ will go into eternal life in heaven,
but those who reject Christ as Savior will be sent to eternal punishment in
hell (Matthew 25:46). Hell, like heaven, is not simply a state of existence,
but a literal place. It is a place where the unrighteous will experience never-
ending, eternal wrath from God. Hell is described as a bottomless pit (Luke
8:31; Revelation 9:1) and a lake of fire, burning with sulfur, where the
inhabitants will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation
20:10). In hell, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, indicating
intense grief and anger (Matthew 13:42).

The punishment of the wicked in hell is as never ending as the bliss of the
righteous in heaven. Jesus Himself indicates that punishment in hell is just as everlasting as life in
heaven (Matthew 25:46). The wicked are forever subject to the fury and the wrath of God. Those in hell
will acknowledge the perfect justice of God (Psalm 76:10). Those who are in hell will know that their
punishment is just and that they alone are to blame (Deuteronomy 32:3-5).

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires them to turn from their wicked ways so
that they can live (Ezekiel 33:11). But He will not force us into submission; if we choose to reject Him, He
accepts our decision to live eternally apart from Him. Life on earth is a test, a preparation for what is to

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