Where Will You Spend Eternity?
Face it. The day we step into eternity may come sooner than we think. In preparation for that moment, we need to know this truth—not everyone is going to Heaven. How can we know for sure that we are going to Heaven? Some 2,000 years ago, the apostles Peter and John were preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to a large crowd in Jerusalem. Peter made a profound statement that resonates even in our postmodern world: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
Now as then, Acts 4:12 is not politically correct. Today, it’s popular to say that “everyone is going to Heaven”, or that “all paths lead to Heaven”. There are many who think they can have Heaven without having Jesus. They want the glory, but they don’t want to be bothered by the cross…much less the One who died there. Many don’t want to accept Jesus as the only way of going to Heaven and are determined to find another path. But Jesus warns us that NO OTHER PATH EXISTS and that THE CONSEQUENCE FOR REJECTING THIS TRUTH IS ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD AND AN ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE. The message is clear: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36). Faith in Christ is the key to going to Heaven.
Some will argue that it’s extremely narrow-minded of God to provide only one way to Heaven. But, frankly, in light of mankind’s rebellion against God, it is extremely broad-minded for Him to provide any way to Heaven. We deserve judgment, but God gives us the way of escape by sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins. Whether someone sees this as narrow or broad, it’s the truth. The good news is that Jesus died and rose again; those who are going to Heaven have received this gospel by faith.
Many people today hold to a watered-down gospel that does away with the need for repentance. They want to believe in a “loving” (nonjudgmental) God who shrugs at sin. They may say things like, “My God would never send a person to hell.” But Jesus spoke often about hell, and He presented Himself as the Savior who offers the only means of going to Heaven: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Who will actually enter God’s kingdom? How can you guarantee that you are going to Heaven? The Bible distinguishes those who have eternal life from those who do not: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12). It all goes back to faith. Those who believe on Christ are made the children of God. (John 1:12). Those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice as the payment for their sins and who believe in His resurrection are going to Heaven. Those who reject Christ are not. “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18).
As awesome as Heaven will be for those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, hell will be that much more awful for those who reject Him. But hell isn’t the final destination…
One cannot read the Bible seriously without seeing it over and over again—the line is drawn. The Bible says there is one and only one way to Heaven—Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus’ command: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14).
Faith in Jesus is the ONE AND ONLY WAY to get to Heaven. We are saved by grace, through faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us: “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.”
Do you believe on Jesus? Have you made a decision for Christ? If you are ready to accept Jesus into your heart and trust Him to save you, here is a prayer you can say. Remember…the prayer does not save you, only Jesus Christ can save you.
“Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner, and I deserve to go to Hell. But I believe with all my heart that You died on the cross for my sins, were buried, and rose from the dead three days later. I now place my full trust in You alone for my salvation and not in myself. Please save me, Lord Jesus, and give me the gift of eternal life in Heaven. Come into my heart, and show me how to live for You. Thank You for saving me. In Your Holy Name, I pray. Amen.”
If you just said the prayer and meant it with all your heart, rejoice! You are now a child of God! We would love to know about your decision and share the wonderful news with our church family so that we can praise God, pray for you on your spiritual journey, and rejoice with you! PLEASE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW. Make sure to tell others how they, too, can have eternal life in Heaven by sharing the gospel with them!