Several years ago, I was talking with a friend at work about some concepts I was learning from a course I was taking at school. In this course, we were studying “The Afterlife.” I mentioned to my friend that one belief held by many people is that there is no afterlife at all … that when the body dies, the person’s existence ceases completely. This belief is called “nihilation” which means literally “I reduce to nothing.” Upon hearing that, my friend replied, “That’s what I believe. When we die that’s all there is. Our life just ceases to exist.”
I then shared with him my personal belief that there is an eternal existence for each person on the other side of physical death that will be experienced in either Heaven or Hell. I told him that I had surrendered my life to Jesus and have a promise from God’s Word, guaranteed by Jesus Himself, that I have everlasting life (John 3:16). My friend grinned unconvincingly, and replied, “Well, one day we’ll find out if I’m right or if you’re right.” To which I quickly replied, “No, we won’t. We’ll only find out if I’m right … if you’re right, there will be nothing to find out!”
On my morning walk yesterday, the Lord spoke words from HIS WORD to my heart, “He [God] has put ETERNITY in their hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Even though man will say he believes in the concept of “nihilation,” deep down in his heart he knows there is an eternity … God has put that within each person.
When praying for the salvation of friends and loved ones, ask the Lord to stir the spirits of those you are praying for with the thought of eternity. Human beings are the only creatures on the planet who can say the word “eternity” and contemplate its meaning. The animal world lives for the present moment. Existence is encased in this moment in time. Nothing else matters. But man has a heart and a spirit that can contemplate eternity. He knows that there is more to life than this present moment. He knows his existence is higher than that of animal life. God has put that knowledge within him. He can’t escape it. Eternity is in his heart.
“Father, stir the hearts of my friends and loved ones who don’t know You. Remind them of the certainty of eternity. Remind them that they are eternal beings … that they are not just animals whose only concern is the present moment. Stir their hearts with the reality of Heaven … and Hell. May your Spirit bring conviction in their lives as they contemplate their eternal dwelling place. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
1 John 5:11
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
