[412 words]
Job asked, “If a man die, shall he live again” (Job 14:14)? Jesus answered that question when he said, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matt. 22:29-32). Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were alive when these words were spoken to Moses (Exodus 3:6) and when Jesus repeated them. God did not say “I was” (past tense). He said “I am” (presence tense). The present tense “I am” is used as an argument by the Lord to confirm there is life after death. If the Bible said nothing more on the subject of life after death, the Lord’s endorsement is enough.
Those who have died will be raised from the dead at the last day, confirming there is life beyond the grave. Jesus said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29). How could anyone deny there is life after death? We will live again!
The account of the rich man and Lazarus shows there is life after death. “…The beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:22-23). These two men were alive and conscious after they died. The rich man was told to remember what he did during his “lifetime” (v.25). They were not on earth. They were in the place of the dead awaiting the final judgment (v.23). The rich man could feel pain. He was in torment (v.24). He desired for one to rise from the dead and warn his brothers of their wickedness because they were heading for the same place of torment as the rich man (vs.27-31). Such is not possible.
If there is no life after death, then why does the Bible tell every one to prepare for it? Why prepare for something if it does not exist? Are you prepared?
Garland Robinson