People often joke that the only certainties in life are death and taxes, and many are terrified of both. Death, in particular, feels frightening if we believe it’s the end of our existence. But Jesus assures us that it’s not.
In Matthew 25:46, He says, “And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” The key word here is eternal. No matter where we go, we will exist forever. That idea can be hard for our human minds to grasp. So what will eternal life actually look like?
The Apostle John describes a vision in Revelation where the one seated on the throne shelters the faithful, and they will hunger and thirst no more. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” And in Philippians, we’re told that our lowly bodies will be transformed to be like Jesus’ glorious body.
From what Scripture reveals about the afterlife, I imagine Heaven like this: our bodies will be completely transformed, impervious to pain, injury, or death. It’s like Superman without any weaknesses. We’ll no longer face physical limitations. We will move through the universe by thought alone, just as Jesus did after His resurrection and as the angels do. We won’t need food or rest. God Himself will sustain us through His power and love.
So what is there to fear? If God gives us a glorified body and watches over us for all eternity, then death isn’t something to dread. It’s something to embrace when it comes. The joys of Heaven and the promise of eternal life should inspire us to follow Jesus even more closely. Stay near to Him, and He will protect you forever.
