According to a survey taken about what happens to us after death, almost half of the people that were surveyed, 45% to be exact, said they did not know if there is anything after death. The next highest group, 30% answered that there is definitely something after death. The smallest group, 25% of those interviewed, replied that nothing happens after death and that everything ends when you die.

Over the years, I’ve had many opportunities to talk with people about the subject of what happens after you die. Most of them have told me that when their life here on earth has ended, or when “that day” comes, they would definitely want to spend eternity in Heaven (Paradise).

The Bible teaches us where and how we will spend eternity after death. Not only that, it teaches us that we can know what will happen to us even before “that day” comes.

Proof From the Bible

  In the Bible, Jesus spoke about Paradise when He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house (Paradise) are many mansions:... I go to prepare a place for you.”

  Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sins of each one of us. Then, three days later, He arose from the dead and ascended to Heaven (Eternal Paradise) to be with His Father. Today, Jesus is preparing Heaven for all those who believe in Him.

  Jesus also said. “Enter ye in at the strait gate (Paradise): for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction (Hell), and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life (Paradise), and few there be that find it.”

  Jesus was telling us that we CAN find the way to Paradise. But He also said that those who found out it would be few. However, the reason is NOT because it is a difficult road to find; quite the opposite, it is an easy road to enter!  Jesus said, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

In the Bible, the Book of Revelation tells us many things about
Eternal Paradise.

1. There is no suffering or pain!
   Revelation says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

  These are the promises of the Almighty Father in Heaven. In Eternal Paradise, there is no more death; all pain, sorrows from sin, worries and sadness are completely taken away. The Bible continues to say, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

2. There are no sinners in Heaven!
   The Bible says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it (Paradise) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” Those who are sinners, even those who tell a lie, cannot enter Heaven. There is an expression, “even a lie can be expedient” or “the end justifies the means,” but to God, even a lie is a sin. You may ask, “If that’s the case, who can go to Heaven?!” The answer is those who have had their sins forgiven and cleansed by the Lamb, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance (Eternal Paradise) among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

1. There will be people of all races.
   Revelation says, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,...; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

   The “Lamb” here is Jesus. God loves all of us, and through Jesus Christ, it is God’s desire to save us from Hell. If we recognize our sins and confess them to Christ, we will be cleansed of all our sins and will be able to go to Paradise. God gave us this very simple way of salvation so that as many people as possible could go to Heaven. By faith in Christ, our heart of sin will be made white through forgiveness.

2. Paradise will be full of beauty beyond imagination.
   Revelation says, “and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” ; “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl:” ; “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”; “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

   The Bible also says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  There is a wonderful Paradise beyond all our imaginations prepared for the Christian.

  “That day” will come sooner or later, and when it does, where will you want to spend your eternity? You may be thinking, “God really doesn’t have any interest in me. My existence doesn’t mean anything to God.” But that’s not true! God decided long ago to become close to us. He did it by sending His only begotten Son Jesus who would break down the barrier of sin that separated us from God. God allowed His precious Son to die on the cross, and taste the pain of death to save us from Hell.
  
God did that because He loves you! God raised Jesus from the dead and obtained victory over death. Now, God gives this victorious power to all who believe in Jesus. Jesus also promised this when He said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” God will take away our fears and anxiety about “that day”. Not only that, but He will also give us an abundant life even before “that day” comes.

  In the before mentioned survey, many people thought that Heaven is for those who “live a good life”. But unless there is some kind of a standard, nobody can really know if they have done enough good things to enter Heaven or not.  But the Bible says that we can know whether or not we are going to Heaven even before “that day” comes, because the standard for salvation is not according to the good or bad things in our life!

  The Bible says, “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.” You can’t get to Heaven by the good things that you do. The ticket to Heaven is faith and faith alone in God and His only Son Jesus Christ. God gives His immeasurable love and mercy to those who believe.

  There will always be anxiety and uncertainty about a vague future. Not knowing what happens after death is even more cause for concern.

  But, don’t worry! The Bible, God’s Word, gives you the choice of where you will spend eternity. If you can sincerely pray the following prayer, you can be born anew and can enter into God’s kingdom of Paradise.

  “Heavenly Father, from birth I have said what I wanted, and have done what I wanted. I have trusted only in myself and have lived only for myself. I realize that before you I am a sinner. I believe you sent your own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to die for my sins in my stead. Jesus, I now receive you into my heart as my Savior. Thank you for forgiving me just as I am. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  Jesus never sinned a single time. But He took our sin upon Himself and died in our stead on the cross. While Jesus was on the cross, there were also two other prisoners put on the cross next to Him. Jesus saw one of the prisoners’ faith in Himself, and He turned to the prisoner and said, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” 
  Jesus and that prisoner died that day. But they met again in Heaven. When “that day” comes, won’t you want to meet Jesus in that Eternal Paradise?