Is there really life after death?

Just how many of us really believe in life after death or eternal life? Well, to be a child of God that concept is a must for anyone to go to Heaven, the ultimate eternal goal of almost everyone. Not everyone believes in eternal life but some entertain the idea of reincarnation. To be Born- Again means the individual believes in the saving, keeping, and cleansing power of the blood of Christ which also guarantees eternal life. Little do people really know it is God that calls us to Him and not the other way around? For the unsaved, skeptics, and atheists, this is just a pipe dream and a fantasy of sorts with a religious backdrop. You know, the kind of stuff Hollywood looks for to demonize Christians. Searching for truth? We have to go back to the Bible for the truth. The Bible is the only source of truth to be had on this sin ridden planet.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1Peter 2:9-10

The Scripture gives the Born-Again, the Elect of God, a promise of an afterlife with Christ in their eternal presence. Because Jesus lives, we shall have life and life more abundantly. The Holy Trinity is eternal and so are we His people. The Word of God even gives us a clue to what we will be doing after Christ comes back and establishes His Kingdom on earth. We have all heard of the Kingdom of Heaven and this is where it culminates into tangible reality. The mystery is that the Kingdom of Heaven resides in our hearts as a child of God and is already here in spirit. The Bible is full of clues as to what the Kingdom of Heaven is and how it operates. I have always been intrigued as to how the Kingdom of God operates and its economy.

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6

The Kingdom of God, as I have discovered thru research and study of the Bible, is somewhat the opposite of life here on earth. To get an understanding of this concept we have to look no further than the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, even though most all the Old Testament Prophets wrote about Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. Here we get the ground work of rules and the Law of Christ, or laws of the land, so to speak. In this teaching of the Beatitudes, Christ is trying to convey the different aspects of the Kingdom. Christ is trying to get us to see there will be a need for change and is giving all of us the sneak preview of what is coming at us in the future. In fact, the Holy Spirit of God is constantly making changes in my life as to acclimate to His new Kingdom. All of us who claim Christ Jesus as LORD and Saviour are a work in progress that culminates at His Second Coming. It is going to take some getting used to after we leave this old world for a little while at the ‘Rapture of the Church’. In short, Christ along with us, comes back to defeat the enemies of Israel at Armageddon, and reclaim the ancient City of Jerusalem and His nation of Israel for a thousand years with Christ, as the Prince on David’s throne in Jerusalem. By the way, the name Jeru-salem actually means ‘pursuit of peace’. This vision might be a little fuzzy for some to see and understand, but don’t worry any, Christ will make sure His Elect get there and we all get a copy of the program.

I have always been intrigued as to just what my role will be in the Kingdom of God. Another Scripture clue is given in Revelation chapters 1 verse 5&6 and Revelation chapter 5 and verses 9&10.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 1:5-6

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

So we get another clue here that there are some of us who will discharge the duties of a king and others, priests of Christ’s appointment. Let’s don’t get our hopes up just yet. Little do we know just what qualifies a child of God for these duties? This where it gets tricky for a lot of us, because the Scripture plainly states:

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19

In this Scripture we get another clue as to what qualifies the individual, obedience to Christ here in this life. Not very many pass that test.

And then there is the clincher of all times, our works here on earth.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13

Yes, we read it right; our works performed here on earth determines our new found status in the Kingdom of God. We know from the previous Scripture of 1 Peter 2:9 that “we are a chosen priesthood”, so for the most part, we will assume we will perform the roll of priests in the presence of Christ on earth. But who then is qualified to rule for Christ in the Kingdom? We will be surprised to know it probably will not be any preacher, or TV Evangelists, or anybody that is famous or notable in this life. We can get a clue to how God chooses His man or woman for special duty from the Bible.

We can glean the answers to a lot of questions of how God operates from a simple prayer from an obscure woman named Hanna. Hanna and her husband was almost desperate to bear a child and begged God to allow her to have a baby. Well in time and according to the will of God, her prayer was answered and as a token of appreciation and adoration of God, Hanna gave the child back to God in His service of priest of the Temple. Hanna, in her humble wisdom of God discloses the wonders and operations of God and His Kingdom. This sincere woman held more truths about God than many men of God I know of today.

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. 1Samuel 2:1-10

So we can see through Hanna’s prayer what it is that motivates God to choose from amongst His people to anoint to positions of grace and responsibility and answer to God alone. In this next verse we can recognize those newly appointed kings and those martyrs who overcame the beast reigning with the LORD forever in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4

We have to keep in mind for our sakes and our futures sake, that what we do and say here on earth really counts for something and our actions here will have weight on the appointment for duty in the Kingdom. We have at our disposal all the necessary tools and equipment to prepare us for the future with Christ. His name is the Holy Spirit. But, the secret to success with Christ is to be obedient here and now and we accomplish that by His power and His Spirit. If we seek fame or fortune, wealth and riches, here and now, don’t expect to make it big in the Kingdom of God. God is looking for men and women who count themselves as dung and humble themselves in His presence, continually. They have no name in this life and are obscure to the world. The Apostle John discovered for himself and told the secret of success with Christ and His Kingdom.

“He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

My prayer for you is that LORD Jesus will bless you as you grow in grace for the Kingdom of God and all His glory.