Bybelskool

Is There Life After Death?

Jan Oosthuizen

01 Sep 2025 • 25 min read

Rewatch the Youtube Livestream

MY HEART aches as I write this blog post, knowing that many who read it carry the unbearable weight of grief. The slow devastation and brutality of sickness, the helplessness of waiting, and the aching silence after a loved one is gone.

Yet it is often in the face of death that we awaken most clearly to reality. Standing at a deathbed or watching the decline of someone whom we love strips away illusions about what truly matters. The things we once deemed urgent, the possessions we worked so hard to acquire, the agendas we rushed to meet—all fade into insignificance in a single moment.

Death reminds us how fragile life is and how fleeting our time on earth is. Suddenly, what once felt important no longer carries weight. Instead, eternity becomes the one thing of value.

The Gospel of Eternal Life

This is why the question of eternal life arises again and again in the Gospels. The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16; Mark 10:17; Luke 18:18). A lawyer, testing Jesus, posed the same question: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). Nicodemus, though he did not use those exact words, came to Jesus at night seeking the secret of the kingdom of God (John 3:1–15), leading to the famous declaration: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The crowds, after the feeding of the five thousand, also asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (John 6:28), to which He answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent” (John 6:29).

Eternal life was thus central in Jesus’ own teaching. He declared plainly:

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).

He promised His sheep:

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).

When Peter asked on behalf of the disciples what reward awaited those who had left everything to follow Him, Jesus promised thrones and eternal life in the age to come (Matt. 19:27–29; Mark 10:28–30; Luke 18:28–30).

These questions and promises converge on the same reality: eternity is not just an abstract idea—it is the true measure of life. The urgency is not what we achieve, collect, or preserve here, but whether we are reconciled with Christ, who alone is the giver of eternal life.

In the valley of shadows, everything else fades, and the cry of the heart becomes the same as those who came to Jesus long ago: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

It is natural to wonder: Is this the end? Is death simply final? The truth of the gospel assures us otherwise. From the earliest pages of Scripture through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible whispers and then shouts: death is not the end. Job could say with confidence, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God” (Job 19:25–26). The apostle Paul echoed this hope when he wrote that to be “absent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

The Hope Within the "Shadow of Death"

Even the counterfeits of the world — occult practices, ancestor worship, and every attempt to pierce the veil of the grave — testify that humanity instinctively knows there is something more. But unlike these dangerous shadows, Christ offers not deception but certainty:

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25).

Illness and death feel like relentless enemies. If we could press a button to end suffering or secure immortality, we would do it without hesitation. Yet the Bible reminds us that real healing is deeper than fixing the body. Jesus healed many in His earthly ministry, but His greatest gift was always more than physical health: He gave forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life.

True healing is not something that can be bought or commercialized; it is the free gift of a Savior who loves us more than life itself.

So be gentle with yourself in this season of loss:

Lean on others; let them carry the practical burdens so you can endure the heart-burden of love.
When we love much, we grieve much!
Hold fast to this assurance: the story of those who die in Christ does not end with sickness, cancer, or tragedy. It ends — and truly begins — in the presence of the One who conquered death.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Ps. 116:15).

How To Carry the Burden of Grief

The other reality of grief is this: no one can carry your burden for you. Friends may stand near, family may surround you, prayers may rise on your behalf—but in the end, grief is a path you must walk yourself. Others can walk beside you, but they cannot walk in you. The sorrow is uniquely yours, carved into your heart, carried in your body, borne in your spirit.

Most who pass through grief feel this disconnection. There is a profound sense of being disconnected from others, even those who love you. You look into people’s eyes and you can see it—the distance, the helplessness. They want to comfort, but they do not understand. You think, “No one really knows what this feels like.” And in a sense, you are right.

Your grief is as personal as your fingerprint, as unrepeatable as your story with the one you lost.

Jesus Relates to the Loneliness of Divine Suffering

Even Jesus endured the loneliness of suffering. One of the striking patterns in the Gospels is how often the disciples failed to understand Jesus’ suffering and death. The first clear moment came after Peter’s great confession that Jesus was the Christ. Immediately afterwards, Jesus began to explain that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer, and be killed. Peter ignorantly rebuked Him, insisting this would never happen, but Jesus turned and said, “Get behind me, Satan” (Matt. 16:21–23; Mark 8:31–33; Luke 9:22). From the start, the disciples could not accept a "suffering Messiah".

Later, as they travelled through Galilee, Jesus told them plainly that He would be betrayed and killed, and after three days, rise again. Yet the disciples did not understand His words and were even afraid to ask Him about it (Mark 9:30–32; Luke 9:43–45). Matthew adds that the news filled them with grief, but still they did not grasp its meaning (Matt. 17:22–23). Their blindness became even clearer when, right after one of His most detailed predictions of His death, James and John (with their mother in Matthew’s account) asked for places of honour in His kingdom! Instead of preparing to share His suffering, they were angling for status and reward (Mark 10:32–45; Matt. 20:17–28).

Even as the cross drew near, they still resisted the idea of weakness and suffering. Peter insisted that he would never deny Jesus, although Jesus had warned him otherwise (Matt. 26:31–35; Luke 22:31–34; John 13:36–38). In Gethsemane, when Jesus agonised in prayer, the disciples could not stay awake, failing to grasp the weight of what He was facing (Matt. 26:36 46; Mark 14:32 42; Luke 22:39 46).

The disciples’ repeated misunderstanding reminds us how radical the cross really was:

Their expectations of glory, power, and earthly triumph blinded them to the way of suffering that Jesus had chosen.
Only after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit opened their eyes, did they truly understand the necessity of the cross and resurrection.
In retrospect of the Jesus' crucifixion, they thus realized they had been living in denial of Jesus' predicted and necessary suffering for mankind's redemption.

What once seemed incomprehensible became the very heart of the disciples' message: “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23).

Key Biblical Principles

1) The Human Instinct: ETERNITY in the HEART

Across cultures and centuries, humanity has behaved as if death is not the end.

Egyptians built pyramids to house their dead.
Chinese emperors were buried with terracotta armies to “protect” them beyond.
Vikings set warriors adrift on burning ships.
Crusaders and kamikaze pilots believed death in battle could secure a better afterlife.
American Indians buried tools for use in the “Happy Hunting Ground.”

Anthropologists call this a religious instinct. Scripture names the source:

“God has set eternity in their hearts.” (Eccl. 3:11)

Meanwhile, the numbers are sobering as roughly 60 million people die each year, while 140 million babies are born. We do not control our entrance or exit. Some long to die and linger; others long to live and are suddenly taken. The beginning and end of life remain stubbornly mysterious—and science, for all its glory, neither creates new souls nor grants immortality.

2) The Certainty and Shortness of Life

We know this: life is fleeting; hold it loosely.

“Our days on earth are as a shadow.” (1 Chron. 29:15; cf. Job 14:2; Ps. 90:9)

From Eden’s warning to Adam—“you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:16–17)—to the curse—“dust you are and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19)—Scripture speaks plainly.

No inherent EVIL in DYING

Death is inevitable, but Scripture does not leave us in hopeless despair. It teaches us how to name death and how to face it. A dear friend once taught me something that reshaped how I see death: there is nothing inherently evil about death itself. Look around at nature — there are no rubbish dumps in creation. Nothing is wasted. Death is always part of a larger cycle of life. A seed falls into the ground and “dies,” and from that hidden burial comes new life, a stalk of wheat, a tree, or a field of grain (John 12:24). In this sense, death is a servant of renewal. It humbles us, strips us of pride, and reminds us of our frailty.

As the psalmist says:

“As for man, his days are like grass… the wind passes over it, and it is gone” (Ps. 103:15–16).

The true "evil of death" is not its natural process, but its spiritual consequence: to die without being reconciled to Jesus Christ, our Creator and the life-giving Spirit of God.

The true deep horror of death is to step into eternity estranged from the One who formed us, redeemed us, and loves us.

Jesus Himself warned: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28).

Death for the believer, however, is not defeat but doorway. Paul could say, “to depart and be with Christ… is far better” (Phil. 1:23). The book of Revelation assures us that God will "wipe away every tear", and that there will be "no more death, mourning, crying, or pain" (Rev. 21:4).

For the Christian, death is transformed into gain because it unites us with Christ, the resurrection and the life.

So let us face death with clear eyes. Do not fear its natural rhythm in the cycle of creation. The real urgency is spiritual: to ensure reconciliation with Jesus now, while breath remains. For those who belong to Him, death is not evil — it is precious in His sight (Ps. 116:15), the moment when faith becomes sight, and life eternal begins.

3) How Scripture Describes a Believer’s Death

The Bible offers gentle images for the Christian’s dying:

Returning to dust (Ps. 104:29).
“Giving up your spirit” (KJV; Gen. 25:8; 35:29; Lam. 1:19; Acts 5:10).
“Gathered to his people”—reunion language (Gen. 25:8).
“Sleep” (Deut. 31:16; John 11:11; 1 Cor. 15:6, 18, 51; 1 Thess. 4:14–15).
“Departure”—like setting out on a journey (2 Tim. 4:6).
“Taking down a tent”—this body is temporary (2 Pet. 1:13–14).

As a pastor, I continue to experience this: God works “all things together for good to those who love Him” (Rom. 8:28). In the valley of the shadow (Ps. 23), grace appears—provision, reconciliation, repentance, and the palpable presence of God. The true tragedy is not that people die; the true tragedy is to die unreconciled to God.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4; cf. Isa. 61:2–3; Luke 6:21; John 16:20; Acts 16:34; 2 Cor. 1:7; Rev. 21:4)

4) When the Righteous Die: The Stephen-Revelation

When a noble Christian dies, something in us cries, “This is wrong!” Stephen—full of faith, grace, and power (Acts 6:5, 8)—was stoned for his witness (Acts 7:54–60). Yet as stones flew, he saw heaven opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55–56). He prayed for his killers and then "fell asleep" (Acts 7:59–60). Amid brutality, heaven shone brighter.

The martyr’s death became a window into the world to come. Jesus’ word stands: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Matt. 10:28)

Evidence for Life After Death

A. Biblical Proof

Resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:3–8): the central claim. If Christ rose, death is defeated.
Old Testament hints:
- Job 19:25–27—bodily hope to see God.
- Ps. 16:10–11—fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2).
- Dan. 12:2–3—resurrection and eternal destinies.
- Eccl. 12:7—spirit returns to God.
Jesus’ teaching: John 11:25–26; Luke 23:43; Matt. 25:46; Luke 16:19–31.
Apostolic witness: 1 Cor. 15:20–22; 2 Cor. 5:1–8; Phil. 1:23; 1 Thess. 4:16–17.
Revelation’s vista: Rev. 20:12–15; 21:1–4; 22:5.

B. Historical Proof

Empty tomb: the earliest critics could not produce a body.
Transformed disciples: from fear to fearless witness—even unto death. People don’t die for what they know is a lie.
Birth of the church: a persecuted Jewish sect becomes a global movement fueled by resurrection hope.

We must tether the faith of this generation to the event that sparked the movement that brought us the bible. Andy Stanley.

C. Philosophical & Logical Proof

Moral / Justice Argument (Kant) In this life justice is incomplete. If death ends all, evil can win forever. Reason points to a future state where justice is finished (cf. Heb. 9:27).
Universal Desire (C.S. Lewis) Every deep natural desire has a real satisfaction (hunger→food, thirst→water). Our universal longing for eternity strongly suggests eternity is real (Eccl. 3:11).
Nature of the Soul (Plato) If the soul is immaterial/simple (not made of parts), it does not decompose like matter. Modern neuroscience still cannot explain conscious experience (the “hard problem”). If mind ≠ mere brain, bodily death need not mean extinction (cf. Matt. 10:28).
Human Identity & Meaning (Frankl) If death annihilates personhood, then love, sacrifice, and moral striving collapse into absurdity. Resurrection is God’s “Yes” to human worth.
Religious Consensus Every culture anticipates some form of afterlife. Either humanity is universally deluded, or this instinct reflects reality. The gospel affirms the instinct, then purifies it: not shadow-existence, but union with God in Christ.

D. Experiential Proof

Near-Death Experiences (NDEs): Dr. Jeffrey Long, a radiation oncologist, co-authored Evidence of the Afterlife with Paul Perry, presenting over 1,600 documented cases of near-death experiences (NDEs). He argues that these testimonies provide some of the strongest empirical evidence that life continues beyond physical death. A remarkable 95% of those who experienced an NDE described it as real and profoundly meaningful, and many recalled details of resuscitation events later verified as accurate. Long concludes that the consistency of these reports, across cultures and ages, cannot be dismissed as mere hallucinations or imagination. He contends that there is actually more scientific evidence supporting the reality of NDEs than for some accepted cancer treatments.

The AWARE study (AWAreness during REsuscitation), led by Dr. Sam Parnia from 2008 to 2012, involved over 2,000 cardiac arrest patients across hospitals in the US, UK, and Austria. Of the 101 survivors interviewed, about 9% reported an NDE, and a small percentage accurately described events that occurred while their brain activity was clinically absent. These verifiable accounts of awareness during cardiac arrest suggest that consciousness may persist even when the body is functionally dead. This has been one of the strongest scientific challenges to the belief that the mind is solely dependent on the brain.

Other scientific research adds further complexity. In one study, brainwave activity recorded in a patient during the moments of death revealed memory-like or dreamlike patterns even after the heart stopped, aligning with reports of “life review” during NDEs. However, skeptics caution that such experiences might be explained by neurochemical surges, oxygen deprivation, or brain activity under stress. Interestingly, some psychedelic drugs, such as DMT, can induce states strikingly similar to NDEs, which raises questions about whether these are spiritual journeys or brain-based phenomena.

Taken together, the evidence is provocative. Long’s database of thousands of NDEs, the controlled AWARE study, neurological recordings at death, and cultural consistency of these testimonies all point toward the plausibility of consciousness surviving beyond the body. Skeptics continue to propose materialist explanations, yet the weight of testimony and empirical anomalies keeps the question open. For many, these findings serve as a modern scientific echo of what Scripture has long proclaimed: that death is not the end, and that the human soul was made for eternity.

In Dr. Jeffrey Long’s extensive study of over 1,300 near-death experiences, strikingly consistent features emerged across cultures, ages, and backgrounds. Many participants described out-of-body experiences (OBEs) in which their consciousness separated from their physical body. From this perspective—often near the ceiling—they could observe medical procedures or events in detail, later confirmed by witnesses.
Another common report was of heightened senses. Vision, hearing, and even perception of colors or sounds were described as far more vivid and intense than in ordinary life. Alongside this came overwhelming emotions: feelings of joy, peace, unconditional love, and freedom from fear or pain.
A frequent element was the sensation of moving through a tunnel, often toward a radiant light. Survivors consistently described this light as warm, loving, and enveloping—a presence that radiated peace and unconditional acceptance. Many also reported glimpses of beautiful landscapes—idyllic gardens, meadows, or paradisal settings filled with vibrant colors unlike anything on earth.
It was not unusual for individuals to encounter deceased relatives or friends, including some they had not known were dead at the time. People often spoke of a profound sense of timelessness or freedom from spatial limits, as if they had stepped outside linear time altogether.
Some described experiencing a life review—a panoramic replay of their lives seen from a perspective beyond themselves, reflecting on both their good and harmful actions. Others reported encounters with beings—variously described as angels, spiritual guides, or simply radiant presences—who offered comfort and welcome.
In several cases, experiencers received unearthly knowledge, insights into the nature of the universe, the meaning of life, or their personal mission. Finally, many reported coming to a boundary or barrier, which they sensed they could not cross if they were to return to earthly life. Crossing it, they felt, would mean permanent entry into the next existence.

Martyrdom courage: steady multigenerational witness of hope in the face of death.

Changed lives: those who believe “have everlasting life” already (John 3:36).

E. The Christological Center

All arguments converge in a Person. If Jesus truly rose, His words bind reality: “Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19)

Central to His teaching was always the divine motivation: the believer does not live to seek reward, honor, and riches in this present life. In fact, Jesus repeatedly warned against storing up treasures on earth, chasing human applause, or building status in the eyes of men. Instead, He taught that true discipleship looks beyond the visible, choosing what is right now in order to secure incorruptible rewards in the age to come. Why would Jesus do this if no heaven exists?

In the Sermon on the Mount, He gave the Beatitudes, showing that those who are poor in spirit inherit the kingdom, those who mourn will be comforted, the meek will inherit the earth, the merciful will receive mercy, the pure in heart will see God, peacemakers will be called sons of God, and those persecuted for righteousness will receive a great reward in heaven (Matt. 5:3–12).

He went on to stress obedience, saying that those who do and teach His commands will be called great in the kingdom (Matt. 5:19), and warned that only those who do the will of the Father will enter (Matt. 7:21). He called for radical purity, urging His followers to deal decisively with sin in order to enter life rather than be lost (Matt. 5:29–30).

Central to His teaching was love and mercy. Jesus commanded reconciliation with others before offering worship (Matt. 5:23–24), and He called His followers to love their enemies, do good, and lend without expecting return, promising that such mercy makes us true children of the Most High (Luke 6:27–36). Forgiveness was essential, for those who forgive will themselves be forgiven (Matt. 6:14–15). He also urged hidden acts of piety—giving to the needy, praying, and fasting in secret—assuring that the Father who sees in secret will reward openly (Matt. 6:1–18).

Jesus taught that we should "lay up treasures in heaven" rather than earth, for where our treasure is, "there our heart will be also" (Matt. 6:19–21). Faithful stewardship was repeatedly praised:

The wise servant who manages his Master’s household well will be set over much (Matt. 24:45–47), and those who invest their talents are welcomed with the words, “Well done… enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matt. 25:14–23).
To sell possessions and give to the poor is to have treasure in heaven (Matt. 19:21), and inviting the needy to our tables ensures repayment at the resurrection (Luke 14:12–14).
In Matthew 25, Jesus makes clear that serving “the least of these” is serving Him directly, and those who do so inherit the kingdom (Matt. 25:31–40).

Discipleship also demands loyalty and sacrifice:

Those who confess Christ before men will be confessed before the Father (Matt. 10:32–33), and those who take up their cross, loving Christ above family and self, will find true life (Matt. 10:37–39).
Whoever loses his life for Jesus’ sake will save it (Matt. 16:24–27). Enduring to the end means salvation (Matt. 24:13).
Humility is the measure of greatness: becoming like a child is the way to enter the kingdom (Matt. 18:3–4), and the one who serves is greatest of all (Matt. 20:26–28).
Even small acts of kindness, such as giving a cup of cold water to a disciple, do not go unnoticed by God and “will by no means lose their reward” (Matt. 10:42).
Faith, prayer, and perseverance are also emphasized. Jesus urged His followers to ask, seek, and knock, assuring that the Father delights to give good gifts (Matt. 7:7–11).
He called for constant readiness, living awake and watchful for His return, promising blessing to those servants found faithful when He comes (Matt. 24:42–47).
Above all, He commanded that we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all earthly needs will be added (Matt. 6:33).

In summary, Jesus consistently pointed to a life of humility, obedience, mercy, generosity, loyalty, and faith as the pathway to heavenly reward. Those who forgive, serve, and love sacrificially, who persevere in faith and steward what they are given, will hear His commendation and inherit eternal life.

To live as Jesus taught is not to earn salvation but to demonstrate faith in action, storing up treasures where moth and rust cannot destroy and where the Father delights to honor His children.

The "Shadow Witness": Occult Practices

Scripture forbids necromancy, divination, and consulting the dead (Deut. 18:10–12; Isa. 8:19; Acts 16:16–18). Why forbid a nullity? Because these are real attempts—dangerous and deceptive—at trafficking with the unseen. Saul’s consultation with the medium at Endor (1 Sam. 28) soberly acknowledges post-mortem existence while condemning the practice.

Across cultures—Egyptian Book of the Dead, Greek necromancy, African ancestor veneration, modern séances, tarot—humanity assumes death is not the end. These are counterfeits, yes—but you only counterfeit real currency. Their very existence is a backhanded confirmation of a spiritual realm. Christ, however, offers the truthful path: not fear-driven manipulation, but a blood-bought assurance of eternal life.

Astral Projection and Out-of-Body Claims: A Christian Appraisal

What it claims: the consciousness or “astral body” can separate from the physical body and travel elsewhere. Related but not identical to NDEs.
Philosophical weight: if such phenomena occur, they suggest the self can exist apart from the body—supporting the soul’s survival.
Biblical reflection: Paul speaks of an experience—“in the body or out of the body, I do not know” (2 Cor. 12:2–4). Scripture affirms the reality of spirit but forbids occult techniques (Deut. 18). Jesus’ ministry shows authority over hostile powers; tampering in that realm is spiritually hazardous.
Christological contrast: astral travel seeks control; the gospel offers resurrection by grace. Our hope is not technique, but union with Christ (1 Cor. 15:51–54).

Thought Experiment: If We Could "Buy" the Afterlife—or Healing

Imagine a commercial doorway to the afterlife, scientifically verified and sold at a price; or a button that instantly heals any disease—for a fee.

Allure: people would rush in; hospitals would empty; fortunes would change hands.
Dark side: exploitation of the poor, monopoly by the powerful, black markets, despair for those priced out. We’d repeat the spiritual disaster of indulgences—only now with biology and eternity.
Biblical counter: “By His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Jesus healed freely (Matt. 10:8) and never sold salvation. Instant fixes without inner transformation offer immortality without meaning and escape without salvation. The church’s message is not “hurry up and die” nor “buy your cure,” but be reconciled to God and receive the Kingdom as gift.

Why Death Is “Better” for the Christian

It is our finish line and reward. We rightly grieve—we love deeply—but Scripture teaches a paradox:

“To depart and be with Christ… is far better.” (Phil. 1:23)
“They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” (Heb. 11:16)

Grief, yes. Devastation, no. As the angel asked at the empty tomb: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5) In Christ, our goodbyes are not forever.

In the space of just a few short months, my wife, Chantál, lost both her beloved parents. Her mother, Delene, passed on 11 November 2022, after suffering a devastating stroke that further exacerbated Dad's into severe dementia. Her father, Ben, followed on 4 February 2023, his health rapidly declining in the wake of her loss. Both deaths came after a season of agonising struggle, watching them deteriorate in body and mind.

The first year of mourning was marked by overwhelming sadness, emptiness, and a sense of loss too deep for words. Grief can feel like a long shadow that clouds every waking moment. It can twist memory into pain, and love into longing. In those moments, it is easy to dwell on what was—on the vibrant days that are now unreachable, on the laughter that is now only echo.

But one day, in the midst of that sorrow, the Holy Spirit spoke a simple, liberating word to her heart:

“Do not look for life-giving things in the dead of the past.”

What Happens to Christians When They Die? A Preview of Home

New Heaven & New Earth (Rev. 21:1–4; Isa. 65:17; 2 Pet. 3:13): the world we love—made new, without sin, decay, or tears.
Incorruptibility (2 Cor. 4:17–18): no entropy, no rust, no cancer.
Oneness with God (Eph. 1:10): all things gathered up in Christ.
Likeness to Christ (1 John 3:2): “we shall be like Him.”
Transcending current limits: Jesus passed through doors (John 20:26), walked on water (Matt. 14:29); Philip was transported by the Spirit (Acts 8:39).
Feasting & fellowship (Isa. 25:6; Matt. 8:11; John 21:12; Rev. 19:9).
Heavenly rewards: crowns of righteousness, life, glory, rejoicing (2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:2–4; 1 Thess. 2:19).
Reigning with Christ (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26–27; 3:21; 20:6).
Reunion with the righteous (Gen. 25:8; 2 Sam. 12:23; 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
Meaningful work—Eden restored (Gen. 2:15; John 5:17).
Home at last—many rooms, prepared for you (John 14:1–3).

Tasting Heaven on Earth

And here is the surprise: heaven is already breaking in. Jesus announced, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” then healed the sick, freed the oppressed, fed the hungry, raised the dead (Matt. 4:17; 6:10; Luke 10:9). Every act of mercy is a foretaste.

As believers, eternal life is not something we simply wait for after the grave. Scripture makes it clear: we are already partakers of heaven in this earthly realm. Jesus declared, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17), and Paul wrote, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6). Notice the tense—this is not only a promise for tomorrow but a present reality today.

Whenever we hear God’s voice in prayer, whenever a prophetic word pierces the heart, whenever the Spirit brings vision, revelation, or guidance, we are in that moment drawn into heaven’s atmosphere. It is as if the veil between worlds grows thin, and the eternal breaks into the temporal.

The prophetic is never merely imagination—it is participation in the “age to come,” intruding upon the here and now.

John’s vision in Revelation begins with these words: “Immediately I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne set in heaven…” (Rev. 4:2). Though John was still on Patmos, exiled and suffering, he was simultaneously caught up into heaven’s reality. This shows us that heaven is not locked away until death. By the Spirit, God allows His people to taste the powers of the coming age (Heb. 6:5), even while we walk this dusty earth.

This is why worship can feel like more than singing—it is joining the angels’ song. This is why prayer is more than words—it is communion with the living Christ. This is why visions, dreams, and prophecy carry such weight—they are echoes of heaven breaking into our moment.

Each encounter is a foretaste, a pledge, a down payment of what will one day be fully ours when faith becomes sight.

So, while we rightly long for the day when every tear is wiped away and all things are made new, we must not miss the miracle of now. We are already seated with Christ. We are already citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20).

We are already walking with eternity in our hearts. Every time the Spirit whispers, every time we glimpse God’s glory, we are reminded: heaven has already begun.

The Only Real Tragedy—and the Only Real Hope

The tragedy is not that we die; the tragedy is to die without Christ—to meet eternity unreconciled. Jesus warns soberly about judgment (Matt. 10:28). But He also offers the free gift of Eternal LIFE: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)

Therefore:

Death is certain—but not final.
Death is sobering—but not sinister for the saint.
Death is an enemy—but a defeated one (1 Cor. 15).
For those in Christ, death is better—the doorway home.

Preparing for the Life to Come

How do we prepare?

Be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:20–21).
Order your life around the Kingdom—worship, obedience, love of neighbor.
Suffer with meaning—let hope interpret your hardships (Rom. 5:3–5).
Grieve with hope—comfort one another with these words (1 Thess. 4:18).
Hold loosely to this world; hold tightly to Christ.

If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, hear the invitation: Do not waste your life. Come, receive the free gift of eternal life. Be ready for the day when your name is called.

The following is an extract of Kathryn Mannix book, where a spiritual leader helped a French lady in hospital become calm, as she enters death:

He continues, ‘It’s a funny thing that, in many different illnesses that cause people to become weaker, their experience towards the end of life is very similar. I have seen this many times. Shall I tell you what we see? If you want me to stop at any point, you just tell me and I will stop.’ She nods, holding his gaze.

Well, the first thing we notice is that people are more tired. Their illness saps their energy. I think you are already noticing that?’
Another nod. She takes his hand again. ‘As time goes by, people become more tired, more weary. They need to sleep more, to boost their energy levels. Have you noticed that if you have a sleep during the day, you feel less weary for a while when you wake up?’ Her posture is changing. She is sitting up straighter. Her eyes are locked on his face. She nods. ‘Well, that tells us that you are following the usual pattern. What we expect to happen from now on is that you will just be progressively more tired, and you will need longer sleeps, and spend less time awake.’ Job done, I think. She can expect to be sleepy.

Let’s go … But our leader continues talking. ‘As time goes by,’ he says, ‘we find that people begin to spend more time sleeping, and some of that time they are even more deeply asleep, they slip into a coma. I mean that they are unconscious. Do you understand? Shall I say it in French?’ ‘Non, I understand. Unconscious, coma, oui.’ She shakes his hand in hers to affirm her understanding. ‘So if people are too deeply unconscious to take their medications for part of the day, we will find a different way to give those drugs, to make sure they remain in comfort. Consoler toujours. Yes?’

He must be about to stop now, I think. I am surprised that he has told her so much. But he continues, his gaze locked onto hers. ‘We see people spending more time asleep, and less time awake. Sometimes when they appear to be only asleep, they are actually unconscious, yet when they wake up they tell us they had a good sleep. It seems we don’t notice that we become unconscious.

And so, at the very end of life, a person is simply unconscious all of the time. And then their breathing starts to change. Sometimes deep and slow, sometimes shallow and faster, and then, very gently, the breathing slows down, and very gently stops. No sudden rush of pain at the end. No feeling of fading away. No panic. Just very, very peaceful …’

Read this book on Everand: https://www.scribd.com/book/485214493 Excerpt from: "With the End in Mind: Dying, Death and Wisdom in an Age of Denial" by Kathryn Mannix.