I’m using my imagination here. So if you expect me to prove my points with scriptural references or quotes from respected Bible scholars, you will be disappointed. If, however, you will join me in speculating on what might happen after death, you may be surprised how much God will use your own imagination as you focus on his love and your sanctification.
Rather than asking what happens after death, what if we considered what should happen after death. I know, we must be careful not to act like little gods. One ground rule should be that we are ever conscious of the fact that God is always present; therefore, we are imagining how He would orchestrate this journey that we’re on, especially that portion of the journey following our last breath in this mortal existence.
I’ve written several times before about the fact that we were created in love, and God wants us to return to him as loving, perfect children. Jesus came to teach us the life lessons that he learned from his Father firsthand. But we don’t seem to have enough time to get it right. What we don’t see, however, is that this part of our journey is going according to God’s perfect plan. Our lives are filled with several steps forward, many steps back.
So what would help us to continue this perfection process when our earthly heart stops beating? I’m not certain of the order, but I feel that two things are necessary to help us to really know ourselves: judgement – and an unseen wandering in this world. I believe the judgement will be before Christ. He will counsel us on our strengths and weaknesses. We will, of course, be awed by him, but inside we will protest against his judgement.
Since he knows our hearts, he will then condemn us to the proper punishment that fits our nature, that will remake us into God’s true children. For some it may need to be outer darkness. For others it may require us hearing what people really think of us, when they think we are finally gone. For still others we may be forced to witness atrocities unseen, that we had become desensitized to and possibly, deep inside, were capable of committing due to pride.
We also may need to see (unseen) examples of true love that is tested. Be able to witness some of those who are “not far from the kingdom of God.” It would also be beneficial to interview those who have gone ahead of us, who have traveled roads that we are yet to traverse. Constant punishment is not necessary or beneficial. God sprinkles his discipline with love. We will visit with those who are precious to us, and we will see marvelous things that speak of His glory.
How will this happen? Only certain doors will open for us. Paths that will harm us, or those that would defeat God’s purpose, will be blocked. Time doesn’t just stand still; it disappears altogether. We will be completely humbled, not acting humble as we do today. We will be taught to love and serve, not because we must, but because we desire it. It is the very breath that gives us life. We will seem to lose hope, then begin to understand what hope really is. Faith will carry us through. False faith and hope will be burned away, and we will seek the truth.
As Paul writes in I Corinthians 13:13, “…these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Journey on.
Read more about: death, eternity, Hell
