Most humans are focused on the here and now as it concerns their day-to-day life. We each have a routine that we adhere to, and some of us do so religiously. However, in the midst of the daily grind as it has been called, there is the inevitable presence of the “afterlife.” In many different religions, the afterlife is a place or a metaphysical condition that follows life here on Earth. Concerning Christianity, the Bible makes it clear that there are two destinations when a person leaves their Earthly body. Heaven is the eternal resting place that all who have given their lives to Jesus will spend eternity in the presence of God. Hell on the other hand is the place where those who rejected Christ and a relationship with God find eternal damnation and torment.

Regardless of what different religions ascribe to as the afterlife, the Bible which is the only authoritative truth speaks clearly as to what two directions are possible concerning humanity. In the Matthew 25:46 it says,

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Notice the two words mentioned in each of those scriptures. “Eternal life” and “Heaven” are meant to denote the reward and provision that God makes for those who choose to follow Him through Christ. Heaven is by God’s design and it is meant only for those who accept Jesus Christ. It is important to also understand that it is God’s desire that we experience a relationship with Him through Christ, and this also means that when our Earthly lives are finished, we have the opportunity to be present with the Lord.

However, Hell is also a destination only meant for those who refuse to acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ. Revelation 20:15 says “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Matthew 10:28 says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Hell which is directly mentioned in the Bible is a place of eternal torment and separation from God. It was not ever designed for God’s creation, but it is a place that many go to due to their choice of rejecting Christ. The reason that Hell was established in the first place was to be a holding place for anyone who followed Satan. According to 2 Peter 2:4, there were fallen angels (who made the decision to defect and follow after Satan during his rebellion against God) who were banished into captivity in Hell. Anyone who stands in opposition against God and dies in that condition will find their same fate in Hell.

The Bible makes it clear that there are two roads that we as humans will find our eternity in. Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose again so that we could have eternal life with God in Heaven. It is through the bloodshed of Christ that we can have our sins forgiven. However, anyone who does not accept Christ’s sacrifice will be eternally separated from God and fiery torment will be felt. God does not wish that any man or woman perish. Rather, God desires to have a relationship with us through His son Jesus.

Do you know Jesus Christ in the pardon of your sins? If not, today is a great day to give your heart and life to the Lord. Tomorrow is not promised, which means that none of us knows when our time on Earth is finished. You can have eternal assurance in your destination and that can be known through accepting Jesus Christ and living your life in service unto the Lord. Where will you spend eternity?