The question of what happens after death is one of humanity’s oldest and most profound inquiries. The Bible provides a clear and direct answer: there are fundamentally two destinations when you die, heaven or hell. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that your eternal destination is not predetermined but is a choice offered to you in this life.
The core issue, according to biblical teaching, is sin. The Bible states plainly that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). This is not to say everyone commits the most egregious crimes, but that everyone falls short of God’s perfect standard (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Sin creates a separation between humanity and God, and if this separation is not addressed, it leads to eternal separation from God (Matthew 25:46; Romans 6:23a). This eternal separation is what the Bible describes as hell, often depicted as an everlasting lake of fire (Revelation 20:14–15).
However, the Bible also presents a solution to this problem of sin and separation. God, in His love, became human in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 10:30). Jesus lived a life without sin (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5) and willingly offered himself as a sacrifice on behalf of humanity (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:18–19). Through his death, Jesus paid the penalty for sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). God now offers salvation and forgiveness as a free gift (Romans 6:23b), which can be received through faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9). The Bible urges, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Placing your trust in Jesus as your Savior, relying solely on His sacrifice as payment for your sins, is the promise of eternal life in heaven.
So, where do you go when you die? The answer, according to the Bible, is a matter of personal choice. God extends an invitation to everyone to come to Him. It is an individual decision to make.
If you feel a sense of being drawn to faith in Christ (John 6:44), respond to that call. If you sense a spiritual awakening, a lifting of spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4), turn your gaze towards the Savior. If you are experiencing a newfound spiritual life where there was once emptiness (Ephesians 2:1), embrace this new life through Jesus Christ.
Again, where do you go when you die? The choice is between heaven and hell. Through Jesus Christ, hell is avoidable. By accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, heaven becomes your eternal home. Choosing any other path leads to eternal separation from God in hell (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
If you understand these two possibilities of where you go when you die and desire to trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, now is the moment to call upon God for salvation. As an expression of your faith, you can pray a prayer like this: “God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and I understand that my sin deserves eternal separation from you. Despite my unworthiness, I thank you for your love and for providing the sacrifice for my sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and I place my trust in Him alone to save me. From now on, help me to live my life for you, not for sin. Thank you, Jesus, for my salvation.”
Have you made a decision to follow Christ as a result of this message? If so, please click the “I have received Christ today” button provided on the original website.
If you have further questions, please use the question form on the Bible Questions Answered page of the source website for more guidance.
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