What Do You Think Will Happen To You After You Die? — A Journey Beyond

Choose the answer closest to what you believe:

  • Heaven or Hell
  • Reincarnation
  • Purgatory
  • Nothing – life ends here
  • I haven’t thought about it

People around the world hold many views about life after death. Let’s explore the most common:

1. Humanism

Humanists believe there is no God. Life begins and ends on earth. After death—nothing happens.

2. Heaven’s Gate Theory

Some believe they will meet St. Peter at heaven’s gate, who will decide whether they go to heaven or hell based on their good or bad deeds.

3. Reincarnation

Common in many Eastern religions, reincarnation teaches that after death, we return in another life. Life is seen as a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

4. Purgatory

Some believe that those not ready for heaven are placed in a “waiting place” until enough prayers are offered for their release.

5. Indifference

Many say life is too busy to think about death, or they just take life one day at a time without concern for the afterlife.

6. Resurrect

Those who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ believe that God will raise them up and will eternally with Him.

The Reality We All Face

Dear friend, death will come—often without warning. Did anyone expect COVID-19 to suddenly take millions of lives? Being busy or comfortable doesn’t change the reality that one day we will die and face what comes next.

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” – Hebrews 9:27

  • The complexity of the universe points to the existence of a Creator.
  • St. Peter has no biblical authority to decide who enters heaven or hell.
  • Revelation 20:11–15 describes the final judgment before God’s throne.
  • Life does not simply end here, and neither good deeds nor reincarnation can secure heaven.
  • Praying for the dead does not change their eternal destiny.

What Should You Do?

God loves you and purposefully created every man, woman, and child in His image—not as a part of Himself, but as distinct beings (Genesis 1:27). He created mankind perfect and without fault, yet humanity chose disobedience, sinning against God and becoming separated from Him. The Bible teaches that all are guilty of sin before a holy God and that man is too weak by nature to accomplish self-salvation or self-sanctification. Life moves in a straight line: it is appointed for every person to die once, and after that to face judgment before God (Hebrews 9:27). The penalty for sin is eternal death in hell—but God made a way for us to be forgiven.

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came to earth, lived a sinless life, and paid the penalty for our sin by dying on the cross, fully satisfying the justice of God. By nailing our debt of sin to the cross, Jesus cancelled it completely—nothing remains for us to pay; it is finished. His resurrection proved His victory over sin and death. Therefore, there is only ONE way for a sinful person to come to a holy God: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. As Jesus said, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40)

To receive this gift of eternal life, we must:

  1. Acknowledge our sin before God. Accept we are sinners.
  2. Believe that Jesus died in our place and paid the punishment for our sin and rose again.
  3. Repent—turn away from sin and follow Him.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

A Prayer for Salvation

Our Father In Heaven, I know that I have sinned against you. I know that you sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross for my sins. I do believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for me, that He was buried and that He rose again on the third day, to show that He was all-powerful over sin and death. I repent of my sins and invite Jesus Christ to come into my life as my Savior. I ask for the cleansing of His precious blood that He shed on the cross, to wash away my sin before God’s Holy Presence. I confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Lord. By Your Grace, I choose to receive your gift of eternal life and Your Holy Spirit who will help me to live as a Child of God. Thank You Heavenly Father for Your Mercy and Salvation, which gives me this supernatural opportunity to be born again into Your Heavenly Family. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

Next Steps

  • Read the Gospel of John in the Bible.
  • Find a local Bible-believing church that teaches God’s Word.
  • Start a daily habit of prayer and systematic Bible reading.