The Afterlife?

Question

I don't understand why the 'prize' for your devotion to God is called the afterlife or what it exactly means. Does it mean you get to worship God for eternity but in His presence? Why? What about YOU and being rewarded for YOUR fabulous life as a devoted follower? Do you get nothing only more of the same but for much, much longer? If it's inner peace and tranquility you seek for all eternity why can't that be granted by YOU on your deathbed if you know you've lived a blameless and religious life? What if God refuses you entry into His Kingdom and you feel it's the wrong decision?

What exactly is it you seek? It seems like this life is a training ground of how to be a devotee to the laws and traditions of your particular faith and when you die, if you've done things right, you get to go onto the Kingdom of God. But when will you get to use your wiseness that you've picked up over your life time? Everybody in heaven is the same as you so they don't need your help.

Batman: Nobody's faith offends me. I just have lots of questions. Religion actually fascinates me.

Answer 1

If you believe in Jesus Christ and have Him in your heart you will go to heaven. That's it. You nor I can fathom the wonderful majesty of Heaven, all I know is I am going to go there, Are you?

Answer 2

There is no afterlife until resurrection. You either live on or get annihilated after that. The afterlife isn't about praising God for no reason, it's about praising him for a reason. The reason is that he has perfect life supporting laws that keep us happy and protected from harm. In the New Earth you can
1. Build your own home and plant your own garden (Isaiah 65:21, 22)
2. Have a city mansion built by Christ (John 14:1-3.)
3. Sing and play heavenly music (Isaiah 35:10; 51:11; Psalm 87:7; Revelation 14:2, 3).
4. Worship before God's throne every Sabbath (Isaiah 66:22, 23).
5. Enjoy never-fading flowers and trees (Ezekiel 47:12; Isaiah 35:1, 2).
6. Meeting loved ones, patriarchs, prophets, angels etc. (Matthew 8:11; Revelation 7:9-17).
7. Study the animals of heaven (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25).
8. Fly and explore wonders of the universe without getting tired (Isaiah 40:31).
9. Listen to God sing (Zephaniah 3:17).
10. Realize fondest ambitions (Psalm 37:3, 4; Isaiah 65:24).
11. Being with Jesus (Revelation 14:4; 22:4; 21:3; 1 John 3:2).

Of course studying the wonders of the universe close up would be boring if you're used to doing life hurting mischief as a hobby.

Answer 3

The point is that the opinions of men don't matter because our nature is dependence, whereas God's nature is existence. If you really understand that you will know that your life exists only at his pleasure whether you use it for this purpose or that.
About 'you and your fabulous life': In the above context, do you see how no matter how fabulous your life is, you are nowhere near as fabulous as God. We are different by nature, and fabulousness cannot bridge that gap.
You seem to ask, 'what is the point?' Consider the alternative: to live a pleasure-seeking self-centered life only to die at the end with nothing to show. What is the point of that? Since God created us, we belong with him, but the genius of it is this: we get to choose, so think hard before giving your 'final answer.'

Answer 4

I had a video lesson about eternity and I learned that it's not just worship God forever and ever but also being rewarded for the things I've done for Him, ruling with Him in the New Heaven and Earth.

Answer 5

It doesnt matter what religion you are or faith, we all go to the continuation of life, called the afterlife. It isn`t a reward it is a fact. No matter how good or bad any of us are we all go to the same place in the end if life here on Earth. The difference is in the level of spiritual understanding we have and if we have put it into practise in our lives.
This is a "school" on earth here, a place where we learn through life experiences, whether good or bad. In fact most times it is in the bad times we learn more and become stronger.The spirit also evolves and grows that bit more.
What religion we belong to ,doesn`t matter, we all go to same place, albeit a different level of spirituality, whatever we have attained while here on earth..

Answer 6

You can think of life as a short stop at a service station on the motorway which is temporary and the final destination is either heaven or hell. Live is a test, i.e to follow gods rules such to refrain from adultary etc. If you are successfull and god decides you are worthy to entre heaven then you can fullfil your desires here, which you couldnt do on earth, that as far as I know

Answer 7

The reward will speak for itself the kingdom of Heaven if that is the name you wish to call it is all the reward you need, but i don't look at life as you do, its not a reward, and God does not refuse anybody entry to his kingdom, and its not a question of help

Answer 8

Because there is no god, otherwise, our deeds would count. Either for us or against us in the afterlife. However, what if we did nothing but good our whole lives and end up dead at the end, with no where to go? Religion is a farce, because in the end NO ONE knows what happens.

Answer 9

I love this question ! I have alot to say about it ! I will try to be concise.

The "afterlife" needs to be explained. First of all, we're all going to live forever, its just a question of where. We all have EVERLASTING life ( i.e. life with a beginning but no end). But there's another life form called ETERNAL life. Eternal life is life with NO beginning and NO end. Eternal life is the life form of the eternal God, who is without beginning or end. Now that's quite a "prize". I must say, if you know about the God of the Bible you know that the real prize is to be in His eternal presence forever in a glorified, eternal human body.

To worship Him? Well "worship" is a little word that means alot more than most of us understand. But let me just say, That's what we were created for; and when we do what we're created for we have fun. =-)

Being a "devoted follower"? Once again, this is a loaded question. I've written a booklet on this subject that I will e-mail to you (free) if you ask ([e-mail]). I will say this: If we know Jesus Christ as our Savior, we know Him as our King, and we delight in serving our King, even if there is no reward at all. Actually there is, but its too much for us till we get to Heaven.

About "inner peace". This is yet another awesome "prize". Peace is a precious thing; especially in this world. And actually the only lasting peace in this world is "inner" peace. We can have that peace in Christ. The Bible tells us that peace is a person (Isaiah 9:6, Ephesians 2:14). If Christ be in us (if we know Him as our Savior) we can have that peace in this world... in Heaven it goes without saying.

Regarding the "death bed" thing: Why not have it all right now ! Besides, this is a very risky lifestyle to say the least ! I've know people who thought like that and never got that chance to make a "deathbed confession". Besides I think there is a time and place where its simply... too late! i.e. If you were falling out of the sky in a 747 from 20K feet, it just might be too late to start asking God to forgive you and save you. The Bible says, Make no mistake about it... God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7).

What is it I seek? Answer ( if you want one word)-------> FREEDOM !
From what? Answer (in a word)-----> every limitation a body of death imposes upon me !

Is this life a training ground? Yes! It definitely is. If we know Jesus Christ as Savior, we know Him as King, and we're being trained to reign with Him (Revelation 20:6, 2Timothy 2:12).

Everybody in Heaven will NOT be the same. We will all still be individuals, and we will all be sinless (finally!). Therefore we will all be happy and content. But we will not all be EQUAL. Our soul bodies will vary in size and in brilliance; our ability to experience who God is will be a function of knowledge of Him gaiined on earth, by faith through grace. Truly said ---> "... in heaven... they won't need your help."

One last thing regarding "blameless religious life":
There is not one thing I can do - or not do for that matter - that will qualify me for Heaven. Why? Because Jesus Christ has ALREADY done it all. How so? He died for all my sins - past, present, and future - all but one, that is. Which one? The sin of having reject Him as my personal Savior. Whether I believe it or not, He has already died for every sin I have ever committed or ever will commit... all but that one (rejection of Himself) This is the only sin that will send anyone to hell. Every single soul in hell will be there for that reason alone.
The greatest pain of hell will finally be the realization of the horror of that decision, with no hope whatsoever of ever changing it.

Hey!! Great question! I hope my answers help you. Feel free to e-mail me if I can be of any further help.

Hey! How about this little prayer?

Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus.
Lord Jesus, come into my life; please get involved in my life.
Forgive my sins. Make me the person you created me to be.
Give me eternal life.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit.
Take me to Heaven to be with you when I die.
Thank you, Jesus, for dying for my sin.
Amen!

And if you said that prayer, and really meant it,
CONGRATULATIONS !
YOU ARE A WINNER !!
YOU HAVE WON THE PRIZE !!

Hey! God Bless!

Love in the Lord,
Pastor Ron Swingle.

Answer 10

In my "afterlife"... I will be cremated and my ashes tossed into a good strong wind. I am content knowing the different molecules that make up my body will become parts of nature... perhaps in grass, trees, a rabbit, some cougar dung.... it's all good.