Another year is coming to an end. And, with the pandemic, this has been a particularly tumultuous year. It represents a year which we must not end without hearing that we can choose our destination. Because, with each passing year, particularly a momentous one like this, we come closer to our ends, ready or not.
Consequently, our best bet is to be ready so that we end up in the right place. But in order to be ready, you need to know the requirements for the trip We also need to know that there are different destinations. Some faiths believe in purgatory, which is not at all in the Bible.
Others believe in dying and returning as other creatures, a position the bible does not support at all. Some faithless people claim that once they die, that is it. Perhaps they think their souls simply disappear into thin air. As we learn we can choose our destination, it is critical to realize all those beliefs are completely wrong.
Mercifully, we who are Christians and know that the Bible as the inerrant word of God know the right position. Based on the word of God, there are two possible destinations for each of us. A person can either end up in Heaven with God or in hell with satan.
In this post, the assumption is that each of us wants to end up in Heaven with God. Consequently, we shall spend some time on how to get there and how to avoid going to hell. We shall be spending time learning how we can choose our destination.
Jesus, The Way, The Truth, And The Life
Every believer knows the passage in which Jesus described Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But in case you don’t know it, find it in John 14:6. Some of us who knew the reference may not know the meaning of that self-introduction. We take a moment to unpack it so that we can choose our destination.
If you have ever traveled out of your native country, you know your destination country will not simply allow you in. There is usually an immigration post where they check you have the requirements to enter. At its minimum, you require a passport, a ticket, and an entry permit (visa).
When Jesus made that self-introduction, he was saying that all your travel documents are contained in Him. Since He is the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus represents your passport, your ticket, and your visa. It is as simple as that. Without Jesus, you could be as good as daylight, you will not be allowed into Heaven.
Perhaps you know some people who try to enter another country without the necessary travel documents. When they get to the immigration checkpoint, they try to enter by some other means. Sometimes, they point o their financial accomplishments. At other times, they point to their spiritual accomplishments.
In each case, they fail woefully. They might even get bad names, such as workers of iniquity. Or, consider the case of the rich man who landed in hell. He had financial accomplishments but did not check out have Jesus, His travel requirements. It bears repeating that we can choose our destination. With Jesus, you go to Heaven; without Jesus, you go to hell, regardless of what else you have.
We Can Choose Our Destination Regarding Possessions
The rich man asked Abraham to send someone to his brothers who were still alive so they would accept Jesus. Of course, it did not happen, and for one reason only. Anyone who will not hear from a post like this will not hear if someone rose from the dead. So, allow me to say it clearly, we can choose our destination. Invite Jesus into your heart today and you instantly receive your travel documents.
Jesus also had something to say about the possibility of wealth blocking one’s way into Heaven. The rich young ruler wanted to enter Heaven. He came to Jesus and applied but when Jesus told him his application was incomplete, he was sad. Rather than take steps to complete his application, he went away sorrowful.
And how was he to complete his application to travel to Heaven? Jesus wanted him to stop trusting in his wealth. Unfortunately, he could not and he likely ended up in hell. Any possession which you cannot give away is what you are trusting in. Some bible passages refer to such things as idols; they block your entrance into Heaven.
In learning that we can choose our destination we need to check everything that constitutes an idol in our lives. Give it up before it lands you in hell because it is sure to take you there. Do the checking today because, in the end, there is no chance for a do-over. We could travel by the Rapture, that event in which Jesus comes to take us home. The bible says it happens in the twinkling of an eye.
We Can Choose Our Destination Or Get The Antichrist.
Or we could go via the death of our physical bodies. There too, it happens without notice. We must therefore constantly keep in mind that we can choose our destination to ensure we don’t go to hell. Because there are only two possible destinations. Anyone who misses heaven ends up in hell even if they are still on earth.
You may wonder how that could happen. It is because the Rapture also serves to unleash satan on the earth. Right now, he is being restrained from going all out to practice his wickedness. But after the believers are gone to heaven, satan’s restraint is removed. He embodies the Antichrist and for those who are left behind, the situation is hell on earth. Accepting Jesus is the only way to avoid being left behind. Do so today.
Maranatha!
