And Then…?
People look to the future with uncertainty. Many try to avoid the thought that one day they will get older and finally die. A law professor in a university, who was a believer, had a young law student in his office who was full of life and excitement about the “bright” future that he would have in his career as a lawyer.
The professor asked the young student: “What do you plan to do when you finish your studies?” The student replied with excitement. “I will work as a lawyer and make a lot of money.” “And then?” asked the professor. “Then I will get married and have a family”, replied the student. “And then?” continued the professor. “Then I will get old and retire” replied the student. “And then?” the professor asked again. “Then… I will die…!” said the student who was starting to feel very uncomfortable, realizing that he could not avoid reality. The professor lowered his glasses, put his hands on his desk and looked at his student straight in the eyes, insisting on the same question: “And then?!!!”
Maybe you have never had a professor ask you this question, but this leaflet that you have in your hands right now is giving you the same challenge, as if the professor was asking you personally the same question: “And then…?”
The purpose is not to bring fear into your heart; on the contrary, it is designed to bring encouragement and good news into your life and at the same time bring you face to face with reality. We encourage you to accept Jesus Christ in your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, because He is the only way to Heaven and eternal life. (John 14:6)
Generally speaking, people tend to put off thinking about the future and especially about Heaven and Hell. The Bible warns us however: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)
Let’s not live like the children of darkness but as children of the light. Study carefully the following passages from the Bible, the Word of God:
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-9)
Take a look now at the exciting event of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ:
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
A secret thought in everyone’s mind when we talk of future plans concerning vacation, business, studies, marriage etc is: “And then what…?” ”What does the future hold for me?” The reality though is that we don’t have to worry about our future when we know the One who holds the future in His hands. In Isaiah 9:6 we read:
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Since Jesus is the Everlasting Father we need to trust Him and live in Him so that we can be eternally protected.
Stating it in an even simpler way there are two roads: one leads to eternal destruction (it’s the road of the Devil and the system of the world) and the other (which is JESUS: THE WAY, John 14:6) leads to eternal life and joy in the Holy Spirit. Remember that:
“God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thessalonians 5:9)
It’s up to you to decide. Choose life now! Pray this prayer from your heart and according to the Bible you will be saved eternally: “Father God, I repent of my sins and I thank you for cleansing me with the Blood of Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, I invite you right now into my heart and I accept you as my Savior and Redeemer and I make you the Lord of my life. Holy Spirit, teach me and guide me into all truth. Thank you Father for accepting me, making me your child, and writing my name in the Book of Life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray and I thank you. Amen!”
Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, Redeemer and Lord, you can ask yourself: ”And now what…?”
Now, eternal life is a reality to you. Jesus Christ is coming back, to take you to be with Him in the Rapture of the Church so you can live eternally in the joy and fullness of the Lord.
Written by Pastor Sophocles Christodoulou
