PROOF HEAVEN & HELL EXIST
Is there really a heaven and hell? How can we prove they are real? There are stories, songs, myths and legends about both. Are they real, or just something someone imagined? It makes a world of difference if there is no heaven or hell awaiting us after this life. If this life is all there is, we’d live it much differently than if we knew there was another life afterwards. So this is a very important question.
PROOF FROM THE BIBLE First, we must prove that there is life after death. We can prove that from the Bible (for proof the Bible is God’s Word go to https://christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/india/articles/). We know God created man to be with Him forever, but death entered with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:19). Yet, death shows God’s mercy on man, for it frees him from endless living on this earth separated from God. Death allows man to be reunited with God. Death is the result of sin (James 1:15; Romans 6:23). Jesus came to remove the power of death, which keeps us in a state separated from God forever (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). David knew he would live even after death (Psalm 23:6; 49:15; 16:10). Solomon (Ecclesiastes 12:7), Job (Job 19:25-27), Paul (2 Corinthians 5:8) and Jesus believed in life after death (Mark 12:26-27; John 11:25-26).
Since there is life after death, now we will look at where that life will take place – in heaven or in hell. We can easily prove heaven exists from the Bible because there are over 600 verses that talk about heaven. The Bible says God created heaven (Isaiah 48:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9). Moses believed in heaven (Deuteronomy 26:15), and so did Solomon (1 Kings 8:30). Jesus taught about heaven (John 14:2-3). Peter (1 Peter 1:3-4) and Paul (2 Corinthians 5:1) spoke of heaven.
Many people believe in heaven because it fits with what they would like. But most people reject hell because they don’t believe there can be such a destiny for anyone. Yet, if we believe in heaven, we must also believe in hell. Jesus talked about hell over thirty times (Matthew 13:42, 50; 25:41; 16:19; 10:28; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:22-31). The Old Testament talks about hell as well (Psalm 9:17; 16:10; 55:15; 139:8; Job 11:8; Proverbs 15:24; Isaiah 5:14).
The Bible makes it clear that hell is for those who have never accepted God’s gift of salvation by putting their faith in Jesus (Revelation 20:10, 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Matthew 25:41-42; Luke 16:23-24). The only way to avoid hell and be in heaven is through Jesus (John 14:4-6; Acts 4:12).
PROOF FROM EXPERIENCE There are many verified testimonies from those who died and experienced heaven before being brought back to life so they could tell what they experienced. There are stories of those who experienced hell the same way. I personally have talked to several people who have gone to heaven before being revived, and one man who went to hell. He immediately turned his life over to Jesus upon waking up!
PROOF FROM REASON There is a common longing in all people for justice, for a time of peace, for something far better than this world. There is a need in us that this life does not satisfy. All people and cultures, all religions and beliefs, look forward to something better after this life. Where does this come from if not from God who built it into mankind because there really is a heaven and hell?
I’ll continue this in the next blog: “How Hell Glorifies God.”
Matthew 13:40-43 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”
How would your life be different if there were no heaven to go to when you die?
What would the world be like if there truly were no hell?
Take a few moments to thank God that you know your eternal destiny.