What happens after we die? Is there really a heaven? Is there really a hell? These are questions people wrestle with every day. John Lennon once asked us to “imagine there’s no heaven”—a world where life is lived only for today, where no afterlife exists. But what would such a worldview mean for justice, morality, and purpose?
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Unlike animals who live only for the present moment, humans carry an awareness of the past and the future. We can reflect, anticipate, and consider eternal truths. God has placed within us a longing for eternity and a sense that life is about more than the here and now. If eternity is in our hearts, what happens if we deny it? What if we lived as though there were no heaven, no hell, and no final accountability?
One of the strongest reasons to reflect on the afterlife is our God-given hunger for justice. All around us, we see evil in this world—atrocities, violence, abuse, and oppression. Our hearts cry out, “Where is justice for the victims?” But if there is no heaven or hell, then evil is never truly judged, and the scales of justice remain unbalanced forever. Scripture offers us hope: “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work” (Ecclesiastes 3:17). Even when justice is delayed in this world, we can trust that God is sovereign, and His judgment will be perfect. The wicked will not escape, and the righteous will not be forgotten. This assurance allows us to let go of bitterness and trust God to right every wrong in His time.
Another reason to reflect on the afterlife is that it motivates us to live sacrificially for others. If life ends in nothingness, why bother serving, giving, or sacrificing? Why not just live selfishly? But when we recognize that every act of love, kindness, and service carries eternal value, our perspective changes. Feeding the hungry, comforting the hurting, giving to those in need—all of it matters forever. I recently met a man at the local rescue mission who told me he was saved years ago at Open Door Church. God brought him full circle, reminding him of His love in a difficult season. Stories like these remind us that small acts of faithfulness ripple into eternity.
Most importantly, thinking about the afterlife forces us to confront where we will spend eternity. The Bible makes it clear: each of us will either spend eternity with Christ in heaven or separated from Him in hell. But here’s the good news: “The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God’s desire is for you to spend eternity with Him. That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise again, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe.
Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for everything—a time to be born and a time to die. But beyond time lies eternity. To ignore the afterlife is to ignore the very justice, meaning, and hope that God has built into our souls. Thinking about eternity assures us that ultimate justice will come, it gives purpose to sacrifice, and it determines our eternal destiny. My prayer is that you would reflect on these truths, seek Christ, and live today in light of forever.
If you’d like to talk more about eternity or what it means to follow Jesus, visit us at hopeworthhaving.com.
