An idea perpetuated by popular culture says that when people die the good people go to heaven and the bad ones go to hell. But this isn’t Biblical. The afterlife is both more complex and more simple than that, according to the Bible which has lots of vague references to our post-death future, including a judgment day when Jesus returns, the current heaven and earth being destroyed to make way for a new heaven and earth, dead being raised and the living being gathered, paradise with God or weeping and gnashing of teeth…

While there does seem to be a happy ending and a not-so-happy ending, it’s OK not to know the exact logistics of what happens when we die. The important thing to know is how to end up on the happy side, the eternal life side. Fortunately, that is the simple part.

“Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.” (John‬ ‭5‬:‭24,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

Being good or bad does not factor in to my afterlife. The only thing that can save me from the unhappy ending is believing in Jesus and accepting His salvation. And if that is the case, my fate is sealed.

Dear God,

I am so glad that I don’t have to rely on my ability to be good and do good in order to spend eternity with you, enjoying your new creation. I am a failure at being good for more than a few minutes. Thank you for your forgiveness, your salvation, and your promise to provide me a beautiful eternity.