This is a subject that not many people talk about anymore, but is the most important subject in the light of eternity and that is where are your going to spend it?
Jesus spoke clearly about eternity, about judgment, and about a place the Bible calls hell. He did not speak about it to frighten people into religion. He spoke about it because He loved people too much to let them walk blindly toward destruction.
Jesus spoke about Hell is real more than anyone else in the Bible. We warn our children not to do certain things, why? Not because we want to scare them but because we want to protect them. Jesus said the decision about where we spend eternity is made in this life. Before you read any more, think about that. Once we are dead, there is no changing our mind.
Jesus warned us because time is short
Jesus never treated eternity casually. He warned people often and urgently because He knew how brief life is.
He spoke of eternal life and eternal punishment side by side in Matthew 25:46. There was no suggestion that one could be changed into the other after death.
This life is not a rehearsal.
It is not a warm-up.
It is the moment when the decision is made.
Regret after death does not change eternity
One of Jesus’ most sobering teachings is found in Luke 16:19–31. A rich man dies and realizes too late that he was wrong.
He believes now.
He understands now.
He regrets now.
But there is a finality that cannot be undone. A great chasm is fixed.
This is hard to read, but it is meant to wake us up:
Realization after death is not repentance.
God is patient but time runs out
The Bible says God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Every breath we take is evidence of His mercy.
But Scripture is also clear:
“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
— Hebrews 9:27
There is no verse in the Bible that promises a second chance after death.
That is why God keeps saying today.
This is not about being religious it’s about surrender
Many people believe in Jesus the way they believe in history. They agree He existed. They agree He was good. They may even agree He is God.
But belief alone is not surrender.
Jesus did not call people to simply add Him to their lives.
He called them to lay their lives down.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”
— Matthew 16:24
To follow Jesus means:
-
Turning away from living for ourselves
-
Trusting Him fully, not partially
-
Allowing Him to change how we think, live, and love
This is not perfection.
It is direction.
A changed heart that leads to a changed life.
How we avoid hell: by trusting Jesus with everything
Jesus made the way clear:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
— John 14:6
We are saved not by being good enough, but by:
-
Repenting—turning away from sin
-
Trusting that Jesus paid our debt on the cross
-
Surrendering our lives to Him as Lord
When we truly come to Christ, something changes:
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
A personal plea
If you are reading this and you have been putting this decision off, please don’t.
Tomorrow is not promised.
Later is not guaranteed.
Eternity is too long to be wrong.
Jesus is not standing with arms crossed in judgment.
He is standing with arms open, offering forgiveness, life, and hope.
But the offer must be accepted now.
Because once this life ends, the decision is final.
And what you do with Jesus today will echo forever.
