Pondering Heaven

December 16

One advantage that the terrorists of the world believe they have over the West is that they cherish death while they perceive us as clinging to life. Indeed, to the degree that perception varies within each citizen of the West, it is true. But, if what we in the ‘civilized’ world believe is true, then it is also true that many terrorists have gone to their demise under a false hope of what their reward in death entails.

The Western concept of the afterlife, rooted in Christianity, is that those who have embraced Christ and who have adhered to His teachings will abide with Him forever in Heaven where they shall know our God and King face-to-face. There is no place there for murderers or liars or thieves or haters--all of which all of us have at one time been..

That list includes all mankind—until he receives Jesus as Lord and accepts the cleansing He provides for all our sin. The terrorist who turns from his murderous mission and asks the Lord Jesus to forgive him will receive the reward of heaven. It won’t be a paradise populated with lustful virgins. The terrorist who does not turn from his vile deed and perishes in performing it will not find that anticipated reward! Rather, he will be gathered mercilessly into the arms of the demons of hell who will carry him to eternal punishment.

If what the Western world believes about the afterlife is true, there is only one justifiable reason for a man to give up his life. It is stated by the beloved Apostle in I John 3:16 where he says, “…Jesus gave His life for us; so also we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters in the faith.” Would we die for the love of the brethren? Many believers have endured torture and death in order to spare their comrades in faith from torture and death. But more than literally dying for our brethren, we must be willing to die to self in order that they and the lost who walk among us, may see Jesus in us.