Bible Reading:
Luke Chapter 16 Verses 19-31

Is There Life Before Death?

Lots of people like to debate about life after death. You may have seen the programmes on television or articles in the newspapers or magazines. People are interviewed about experiences they have had so that investigators can get to the truth about what happens after death.

Sometimes people have been seriously hurt or very ill. Their heart has stopped beating but in their minds they have been aware of things. They have become unaware of what is going on around them but they have seen tunnels and bright lights and felt like they are floating out of themselves. Then the doctors and nurses around them have succeeded in getting their heart going again. They regain consciousness and are able to look back on their experience and wonder what was happening.

There are many people who like to delve into these things. They like to debate what might be happening to people in this state. They speculate on what it all means. They conduct scientific experiments and compile files and reports. They spend vast sums of money investigating these things and making films and documentaries. "Is there life after death?" They ask. "What is it like?"

I could save them all that money. I have an eyewitness account from someone who has been beyond the grave and has returned. This person knows exactly what comes after death - what is more He had it all written down so other people could know! Even more than that He had it written down thousands of years ago!

If people looked into this record there'd be no need for all this research and people could settle down to the question that is even more important than whether there is life after death.

The Bible is clear as day on this subject. Death is not the end for anyone. It is taught these days that death is the absolute end for everyone. If not for everyone then at least for bad people. All sorts of arguments are given about this but The Bible is plain. There is life after death. The Lord Jesus taught it as a fact and He knows all things.

The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. The Lord Jesus promised those who loved Him and followed Him that they would one day be with Him.

Even though The Lord Jesus died on the cross and was buried He rose again from the dead and is now sitting on His throne at Gods' right hand in the glory of heaven. Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Those who reject Him will be divided from those who love Him. To all who love Him He will say, as we read in Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: and to those who reject Him He will say, Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

So what is this question to which it is more important to us to find the answer than whether there is life after death? The question we all need to answer for ourselves, personally is " Is there life before death?"

You might be sat there saying, "of course there is". You can see I am alive. I am sat here. I can think and see and move and do all sorts of things.

I do not dispute that you are all physically alive. If you were not physically alive you would not be here, reading this web page.

But I am not talking about physical life. I am talking about the kind of life a person needs to be ready for life after death. I am talking about spiritual, not physical life.
The Lord Jesus speaks about people finding life. They enter it like we find a road through a gate. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The Lord Jesus teaches that there are some people who do not see life. They are physically alive people but they do not see the life that The Lord Jesus teaches about. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

This life is something people can find. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Such people do not make themselves alive with this new life. It is something that comes to them when God gives them power to believe what He says.
Everyone who does believe The Lord Jesus has everlasting life. They are brought to have spiritual life before they die and then, when they die The Lord Jesus raises them from physical death to live forever in heaven with Him.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

But what is this eternal life - this life before death? As with all the important questions we need to have answers for The Lord Jesus tells us the answer in John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Eternal life is to know God personally. It means a person is changed by Gods' power to someone who loves God and does not like to offend Him. Such a person has life from the point where God works in them forever after.
The Important Question arises for each of us - Do we have Life before Death?