Are You 100% Sure You Will Go to Heaven When You Die?
It’s the most important question you will ever answer. Many people hope they will go to heaven when they die, but there is always a gnawing uncertainty about what happens after we die. We try hard to remove those thoughts, but they always return in quiet and reflective moments.
Those fears and doubts you experience aren’t all bad. Why? Because they force you to deal with the question: what happens after I die?
Opinion polls have shown that 3 out of 4 people believe in heaven, but less than half of people believe in hell. We all want to believe in heaven, but hell is frightening, and we would rather not consider it as a real place. But opinion polls don’t dictate reality. Heaven and hell are real places, and you will end up in one or the other.
Did you know the Bible says more about hell than it does about heaven?
The Bible describes hell as:
A fiery furnace.
A place of burning sulfur.
Outer darkness.
Weeping.
Gnashing of teeth.
Isolation from God.
Isolation from people.
Complete emotional void.
No hope.
No reprieve.
No help coming ever.
The Bible says, “...and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone...And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night...” — Revelation 14:10-11
Verses like that are difficult to read; they are even more difficult to imagine.
You don’t need to doubt, and you don’t need to fear where you will spend eternity. The Bible gives us the knowledge we need to know with 100% certainty that when we die, we can spend eternity in Heaven.
Know first that good people don’t go to Heaven because they are good.
Being “good enough” is what most people think will get them into Heaven. It makes logical sense to us; it’s just not what the Bible teaches. Self-improvement and good works aren’t enough to get into Heaven.
“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.”
The Bible says, “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.” — Ephesians 2:8-9
In order to get into heaven, you would have to not just be good, but perfect and without sin. The Bible says this: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” — Romans 3:10
Another verse says: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
What happens to people, like us, who sin?
Sin has a penalty that must be paid. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death.” — Romans 6:23
There isn’t just a physical death but an eternal death too. Eternal death means separation from God and an eternity spent in hell.
Here’s the great news!
God made you and God loves you! He isn’t content to let you die in your sin without a way to escape hell. He loves you too much for that. He provides a way to Heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Bible says, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
God proved His love for you when He sent Jesus to live a perfect life on earth, die on a cross for your sins, and rise again from the dead.
His life became a sacrifice to God for your sin, and it is the greatest gift you have ever been given!
But like all gifts, the gift of God’s love, has to be received.
How do you receive God’s love through Jesus Christ?
There are two simple steps done through prayer or talking to God.
Ask for forgiveness for your sin
Ask Jesus to save you from your sin
That’s it! It’s not complicated. However, these aren’t magical words or concepts. They have to be sincere and meaningful as you yield your heart and your will to God.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Consider praying your prayer out loud. The sound of your voice will help you to articulate your thoughts and feelings. Your prayer could sound something like this:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died to pay the penalty for my sin. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I trust you as my Lord and as my Savior. Amen”
What will you decide?
There isn’t a more important decision you will ever make. But you have to make it. Indecision is a decision when it comes to belief in Jesus Christ.
100% sure!
If you pray that prayer, and you believe those words in your heart, then you can know with 100% certainty that Heaven will be your destination when you die.
1 John 5:11-13 says, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
What’s next?
Tell someone what you have done! At the very least email or call our church and let us celebrate with you.
Next, get into a good church and grow in your new faith and understanding of God.
We would love for you to come and visit Eastland. We love seeing people saved and growing in the Lord, and there isn’t a better place for you to get to know the Lord better.
Let us know how we can be a help to you!
