We All Go to Eternity (which one ?)
Heaven or Hell (You Choose)
In the big world of Christian belief, the idea of forever is one of the most deep and puzzling truths. It is a truth that goes beyond what humans can think, giving small views into places we do not understand—yet it’s something that Christians should believe, hope for, and live for. Both heaven and hell are places in this eternal travel, spots of ultimate importance that have forever value in the Bible story. But what do the scriptures really say about these eternal places?
The Promise of Heaven: A Peek into Glory
Heaven, in its most easy form, is said to be the home of God. It’s a place of clean, calm, and complete connection with the Creator. In the Bible, heaven is shown not just as a place to go, but as a relationship—one of forever worship, happiness, and rest in the presence of the Almighty.
The Bible’s view of heaven is rich and has many sides. In the Old Testament, heaven is often talked about as the throne of God (Psalm 11:4). It’s a space where His greatness is fully shown, beyond human minds can accept. In the New Testament, this view is expanded with the promise of a future, restored heaven that will be a home for all believers.
Jesus' Promise: A Place Prepared for You
“In my Father’s house are many rooms... I go to prepare a place for you.”
— John 14:2-3
Here, Jesus not only promises His followers a spot with God but also tells them that their spot has already been made. This is no simple place; it is a personal, close promise from the Son of God. Heaven is the ultimate reunion, the never-ending homecoming.
This is important to recognize and focus on if you believe that Bible is the written word of God then you want to take this seriously. Jesus is preparing a place for you right now where you will live eternally if you so choose (how you live on earth).
In Revelation 21:1-4, the Apostle John gives a clear description of the new heaven and new earth:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Heaven, then, is not just a far-off hope but a real truth—a fix of all that was broken by sin, a place where suffering is gone and peace rules.
When we discuss the 2nd coming we will go over this new Heaven and Earth more but for now the most important thing to remember is this: When we die on Earth we will go to Heaven where we are essentially waiting to return to Earth again with Christ when he returns. (Not as complicated as it sounds)
Heaven: A Relationship, Not Just a Place
The idea of eternal life in heaven is not just about existing but is deeply about relationships. The believer will be with God, seeing Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12), and will have never-ending connection with Him, feeling a joyand fulfillment in His presence.
The Warning of Hell: A Serious Truth
In sharp contrast, hell is shown in the Bible as the ultimate distance from God. It’s a space where the presence of God’s grace, love, and mercy are not there, leaving only emptiness, pain, and sadness. For those who choose to reject God’s offer of salvation, hell serves as a serious warning.
The Bible talks about hell using different images—fire, darkness, and eternal punishment. In Matthew 25:41-46, Jesus talks about the final judgment:
“Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'”
This saying shows us that hell is not just a metaphor about suffering but a real, eternal result of saying no to God. Hell is shown as a place of fire that never goes out (Mark 9:43), where the bad will feel pain, "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:42).
I like to tell anyone who is curious or on the fence this…
It is not my or anyones job to convince you to accept Christ
You are going to die regardless of what you do or believe
What is the worst thing that can happen if you decide to live for Christ? (People often fear this which is Biblical but why?). the Bible is a set of principles that everyone should live by whether you choose to accept Christ or not ? Don’t kill, steal, love your parents, love neighbors, etc. etc.
Don’t be fooled by anyone telling you differently: You and I are going to die: at that moment you will go to 1 of 2 places (Heaven or Hell).
What if you chance it and say “when I die nothing happens” I just cease to exist : This is incredibly risky: If the Bible is wrong then you lost nothing but you lived by a great set of principles .
What is the Bible is right? You choose to think you cease to exist but you come to find out Hell is real: Wouldn’t that be disappointing ? And guess what? Its forever there are no second chances
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Jesus often warned us about the seriousness of hell. In Luke 16:19-31, He tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man, after dying, finds himself in pain in Hades, while Lazarus is comforted in Abraham’s bosom. The rich man, unable to get relief, begs for even a drop of water to cool his tongue. This story starkly shows the non-changing, eternal nature of hell—a place with no relief, no hope, and no way back.
Moreover, Revelation 20:15 talks about the ending fate of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life:
“Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
This lake of fire is not just a metaphor for pain but the final stop of all who have said no to God, eternally cut off from His presence.
This will be another topic but to sum it up quickly for you: Satan is not immortal as many believe . Satan also does not live in “Hell” he lives in the 2nd Heaven. Huge deception, smartest person ever created, was God’s right hand man.
Satans entire goal is to simply make you miss the mark: Be a good person just don’t believe in Jesus. That is it and he will do whatever he can to sway you.
But… Satan will eventually cease to exist also: Hell will be thrown into the lake of fire at the Great White Throne Judgement (Refer to Revelation for now but we will discus this later). Just remember this point.
The Eternal Nature of Our Choices
Both heaven and hell are places linked directly to our decisions in this life. The Bible often shows that while God wishes all to come to change (2 Peter 3:9), the final choice to accept or deny His offer of grace is ours. The choice is not forced but is a mirror of our will—our answer to the love of God that invites us to salvation through Jesus Christ.
In John 3:16-18, the main decision is clearly shown:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
The heart of the gospel is that eternal life is openly offered to all who will believe. It’s through faith in Christ’s sacrifice and rising that one enters the gates of heaven. To refuse that gift, however, is to pick distance from God, leading to hell.
The Call to Live with Eternity in Mind
The knowledge of eternity is not meant to be a weight but a call to live with a feeling of aim, hope, and need. The Apostle Paul asks believers in Colossians 3:1-2:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Our lives here on earth are short compared to the long stretch of eternity, and the decisions we make now ripple into forever. How we live, love, and give has eternal meaning.
Store Up Treasures in Heaven
Jesus Himself told His followers to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). This is not just a simple request for good actions but a serious call to make sure our hearts are with the eternal kingdom, putting in what will last forever rather than in passing, momentary things.
Conclusion: The Ever-Present Invitation
The Bible’s message about heaven and hell is both hopeful and serious. Heaven is the eternal gift for those who accept Christ and live in line with God’s ways, while hell is the sad end of saying no to His grace. But the story does not finish with a warning; it ends with a call. God’s wish is that none should be lost (2 Peter 3:9). The offer of salvation is always open, always close.
In the end, we all go to eternity, either to the presence of God in heaven or to the distance from Him in hell. Our choices, based in the gospel of Jesus Christ, decide our path. The beauty of this eternal story is that the decision is in our hands today—today we choose who we will serve, today we choose where we will be forever.
May we choose good, setting our hearts on things above where Christ is.Thanks for reading The Best Bible Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
It is too easy to get caught up in what this world offers, the delights, the excitement, and the lies. A man once asked Jesus, when He walked among us, to help him believe. And He did! And He offers that to us also. He can and He will open our hearts and minds to what the Word of God ( bible) has to show us and to grow us.