Most folks today believe there is a better place, for those who live well or righteously, after their death. Nearly every religion understands and teaches some form of afterlife. Jesus certainly taught this when He stated, "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). It is amazing that so many accept the good place (Heaven) in the Bible, but not the implied opposite (Hell). Jesus taught that there were realms or destinies for those after death. The bad, of course, is that which is called Hell. He described such a place eleven times in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is described as a place of fire that will never be quenched (Mark 9:43, 45). It is described as eternal oreverlasting as is the life offered to those who believe (Matthew 25:46). To those who believe the Bible, there is no question as to whether or not both realms exist!

 There is a natural law that most recognize, but few think about the consequences of it, at least in matters of religion. It is called the Law of Opposites. For example, light implies darkness. Edison understood the principle of positive and negative charges, when dealing with electricity, while working to invent the electric light bulb. When two sports teams play each other, there is a winner and a loser. Newton's third law of motion basically states that when there is any motion or movement, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Anyone who has ever fired a shotgun understands the "kick" against their shoulder when the shotgun is fired. This is the law of motion. Jesus, being the Builder of all (John 1:3), recognized this when He said, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:46). It is both logical and fair that when God offers something as great as "eternal life" that He would condemn those who do not accept His Word, believe and obey Jesus, the Opposite, or "everlasting punishment." It is significant that the original word in Matthew 25:46, although translated differently in the King James Version, (everlasting and eternal), are exactly the same Greek word aionios,meaning forever, everlasting, eternal! Thus, Jesus teaches clearly that "life" is to last as long as "punishment," recognizing the law that He placed in operation as He created and maintains all we know (John 1:3; Hebrews 1:3).

 Friend, the rewards are too great, and the consequences too severe to ignore what the Bible teaches concerning the "mansions" awaiting the Christian (John 14:2) or the punishment awaiting unbelievers (Mark 9:44-48). The Bible has withstood all the attacks against it for almost two millennia, and still remains the best seller! It still teaches that one who believes in Jesus must obey the gospel as Peter directed those believers on Pentecost "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). The great apostle Paul also exhorted obedience since when Jesus returns, unbelievers will be condemned to "...flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). It is reasonable and certain that we will spend eternity in one of the two places, Heaven or Hell. Where will YOU be?

 Ed Rodgers, Forney, TX