How Eternity Works
Welcome back to the podcast! Join us today as we talk about eternity. Eternity is not just a vague spiritual concept—it’s a concrete reality taught throughout Scripture. Everyone will spend eternity somewhere, and the Bible gives us a clear roadmap to understand what happens after we die.
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How Eternity Works: A Biblical Breakdown of the Afterlife
Eternity is not a vague hope—it’s a concrete reality. Every human being will live forever in one of two places, and the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what happens after we die. Let’s walk through what Scripture reveals about the nature of the afterlife, judgment, and how to prepare for the day we take our final breath.
Understanding the Biblical Concept of the Afterlife
1. Sheol and Hades: The Temporary Realm of the Dead
In the Old Testament, Sheol is described as the “realm of the dead”—a shadowy place where both the righteous and unrighteous awaited judgment. In Greek, the word used is Hades. Jesus gives us a vivid picture of this realm in Luke 16:19-31, telling the story of a rich man in torment and a poor man named Lazarus resting in “Abraham’s bosom.”
“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead.” (Luke 16:22-23 NLT)
This story reveals three key features of Sheol:
- A place of torment for the unrighteous
- A place of comfort for the righteous
- A great chasm separating the two, uncrossable after death (Luke 16:26)
Peter refers to another compartment—Tartarus—a gloomy prison for fallen angels awaiting judgment (2 Peter 2:4). This concept shows the complexity of the pre-resurrection afterlife.
2. Jesus Changes Everything: The Cross and the Empty Tomb
After His death, Jesus didn’t just remain in the grave—He descended to the realm of the dead. He told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Peter writes that Jesus “preached to the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19), and Paul echoes that Jesus “led a crowd of captives” to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8). Paradise was emptied and relocated—those who had died in faith now dwell directly in God’s presence.
“We are... willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
Today, believers go straight to be with Jesus. Hades remains only as a place of waiting for the unrighteous dead.
3. Gehenna: The Final Destination of Judgment
The term Gehenna—used frequently by Jesus—refers to the Valley of Hinnom, a site associated with child sacrifice and later used as a garbage-burning pit. Jesus used it to describe final judgment.
“Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT)
Jesus also spoke of “outer darkness” where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12). This isn’t a metaphorical inconvenience—it’s eternal separation from the presence of God.
In the end, Hades itself is thrown into the lake of fire—what Revelation calls the “second death” (Revelation 20:14-15). This is the final judgment for all who rejected Christ.
What the Bible Says About Judgment and Salvation
“Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
There are no second chances after death. No reincarnation. No purgatory. No spirit-world missionaries offering a postmortem gospel.
We all fall short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). Unrepentant sinners, those who reject Christ, and even the self-righteous will face the same end—eternal separation from God.
“They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
The Good News: Jesus Came to Rescue Us
But judgment isn’t the end of the story. Galatians 1:4 says that Jesus “gave his life for our sins… to rescue us from this evil world.” He lived a sinless life, died in our place, and rose again to defeat death.
“God... freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (Romans 3:24 NLT)
How to Be Ready for Eternity
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Salvation is a gift offered to all, but it must be received by faith. The one question that determines your eternal destiny is this: Did you trust in Jesus?
Those who believe will enter eternal life with God. Those who reject Him will face judgment. The choice is yours.
What Will Heaven Be Like?
Heaven isn’t floating in the clouds—it’s a renewed creation, rich in beauty, community, and the full presence of God.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes… All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4 NLT)
In this new heaven and earth, we’ll enjoy perfect fellowship, unbroken relationships, and life as it was meant to be. Most importantly, God will dwell with us.
“Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people.” (Revelation 21:3 NLT)
Eternity is real. Are you ready for it?
