The life after death

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.”(Luke 16:22)

   There are many myths and beliefs about the life after death. What happens to people after they die and leave this world? A popular notion that the dead ones will be born somewhere else on this earth is called ‘the theory of reincarnation or rebirth’. Ancient Indian mythology teaches that the departed souls will be reincarnated. Even Buddhists and many other ancient cultures believe in reincarnation.

   The Indian philosophy teaches that a god called ‘Yama’, who brings death to people when their prescribed life span is over, punishes them according to their deeds (karma). The doctrine of reincarnation teaches that the deeds of our present life will affect and influence our next birth and life. Those who do pious deeds will be born in the next life as rich and highly placed people. Those who do deeds of immorality and injustice will be born as people of low social standing or as poor and handicapped or even as lower order of creatures such as dogs and pigs.

   These two teachings contradict each other. If god punishes people immediately after death in hell, he need not and should not punish them in their next life. If both the theories are correct we must conclude that god is punishing sinners twice for their sins! He is punishing them in hell and also continuing to punish them in their next birth. Both these theories cannot be correct.

   The Bible out-rightly condemns the belief of reincarnation. According to the Bible there is no such thing as reincarnation or rebirth. The story of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us this second important lesson.

   The beggar called Lazarus died and the rich man died too. This is an actual, real life incident and not an imaginary story. We must believe it as a real story because Jesus gives us the name of the poor man. The names of the persons are never mentioned in ordinary parables. The rich man and Lazarus lived on earth between the time of the Prophet Malachi and the incarnation of Jesus. Jesus came into this world after rich man and Lazarus died and knows what happened to them after their death. Jesus told us the truth.

   Neither did the rich man reincarnate as a cursed man nor did Lazarus as a blessed human being back on earth. Both of them went to their eternal state, the rich man to hell and Lazarus to the resting place of righteous people. This proves that the doctrine of reincarnation is definitely not the truth! My dear brothers and sisters, if and when we die, our eternal habitation is determined depending on whether we are at peace with God or not.

   If we die without making peace with God through His precious blood which was shed for us on the cross surely we shall end up in hellfire. If we die having made peace with God through the precious blood of Jesus Christ we shall enter into heavenly glory to enjoy the bliss throughout the coming eternity. Let us not believe the man made theories and philosophies. Let us believe what Jesus the Son of God told us and make peace with God through the precious blood of Jesus. That is the most important decision we’ll ever make in this life. God bless you!