That’s what the Bible says about our lives.
So what happens when the vapor is gone? What’s next? Is there even anything next?
If you ask 10 random people what happens after we die, you would get nine different answers (one would refuse to answer).
So what do people believe?
Sadly some believe you just cease to exist. The end. Nothing else.
However, 70-80 percent of Americans believe in some form of an afterlife existence.
Here are some other beliefs:
Islam: Muslims believe in an afterlife, where the soul waits for Judgement Day to go to Jannah (paradise) or Jahannam(hell).
Hinduism & Buddhism: Believe in reincarnation, where the soul/consciousness is reborn into a new body (Samsara), eventually seeking moksha (liberation) or Nirvana(enlightenment).
Judaism: Focuses heavily on life, but beliefs include the soul's immortality and a "World to Come".
Sikhism: Believes the soul passes through many births until it achieves mukti (liberation) and unites with God.
Secular/Scientific View: Death marks the end of consciousness, heartbeat, and brain activity, with no existence of a soul or afterlife.
Other Beliefs: Some, such as in Shintoism, see death as impure and focus on ancestors becoming kami(spirits). Others, like in some Native American traditions, view it as a return to the spirit world.
So which one is right? Are any of them right?
For me, I have always believed - and will always believe - that Jesus is the key to the afterlife. He defeated death and promised that we would also do the same if we believe in Him. Do I have proof? Does it matter if you don’t believe? My words won’t convince you. I can say that I have visited the empty tomb. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very thing this all hinges on.
Here are some things to consider about the resurrection of Jesus:
The Empty Tomb: According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus was buried in a tomb sealed with a large stone and guarded by soldiers, yet the body was missing on the third day. The empty tomb is considered a strong starting point as even early detractors did not claim the tomb was occupied, but rather that the body was stolen.
Post-Mortem Appearances: The Gospels and the Apostle Paul report that the risen Jesus appeared to various people, including Mary Magdalene, the apostles, and over 500 people at once. These were not mere hallucinations but, according to the accounts, physical interactions where they ate with him and touched his wounds.
The Transformation of the Disciples: The disciples were initially fearful and in hiding. Following the reported resurrection, they became courageous, unwavering witnesses, many of whom were martyred for their faith in the risen Christ, which is considered an unlikely outcome for a fabricated story.
The Conversion of Skeptics: James, a brother of Jesus who did not believe in him during his ministry, and Paul, a persecutor of the early church, both became leaders after reporting experiences with the risen Jesus.
Early Church Growth: The explosive, rapid rise of Christianity in Jerusalem—the very city where Jesus was executed—was based entirely on the message that he had risen.
Reliable Historical Documents: The New Testament accounts are supported by thousands of early, consistent, and well-documented manuscripts.
So does this prove that there is an afterlife? If you are looking for reasons NOT to believe then no. You either have faith or not. My obscure blog won’t be enough to do it. I can’t explain it scientifically. Some things we can’t just have every detail figured out for us to believe. For me, there is an assurance settled within me that my life will not end at death but when I am absent in my physical body, I will be present with the Lord.
