What happens after death? Is there another life waiting to be experienced? Is there a place we go? How about our bodies? Will we get new ones? Will we see God? Will we better understand the happenings of our Earth's existence? Will we recognize others? If so, how will we know them? And, how will they know us? These questions and others would drive us insane if we allowed them to consume us, yet they are important questions, with answers available in places we may not have looked. I will not attempt to answer each of these questions, but will offer a few thoughts that may help you find peace in each moment.
If I were to lose my arm, would I still be Me?. Of course! The answer is obviously, "Yes". What if I lost my sight? Or legs? What if it were you? What if you lost your job? Or your house? Or your spouse? Or a child? Would you cease being? You might wish you didn't exist but our greatest fears are often the things that bring our most powerful deliverance.
There are two things you can count on... first, God does not change. Second, things do. The confusion enters when we misunderstand the dynamics between God and our natural understanding. God is constantly changing form, speaking to us. When things change in our lives, we know things will be different, but that's my point. Mostly, we associate what is happening in our lives to define ourselves. Right or wrong, it's the way we're built as humans. When the human time expires, we won't have all the 'distractions' any longer. When the distractions are no longer present did we cease existence? Did our existence end when our time expired on Earth? Your time on Earth has nothing to do with who you are, except it's the house which you are temporarily living. And yet, the two are undeniably intertwined. As such, all it's experiences are designed (by God) to reveal Truth and your connection with Eternal God.
Allow me to get a little personal... If you've ever lost a loved one, you understand the pain you've felt, or at least you understand that you did experience pain. Perhaps you're going through the pain of loss now. Perhaps it's not a person you've lost, but maybe life isn't going according to the plan you had envisioned. The pain felt is real (with a small 'r') and is a clear sign, but who can read the signs? Anyone can read the signs because it's a personal conversation you are having with Eternity (God). Your connection with your loved one was/is much more than the memories you share and your connection with things in the natural are momentary, not eternal.
Well, let's get on with it. Is there an after-life or not? As long as you want to control your destiny by means of force or effort, there is only after-life, but for those who can connect to what I'm saying, there is present hope. This hope isn't delayed to a point in the future. If it were delayed, it would make the heart sick. In fact, we're born with a condition that delays hope but God, through His eternal wisdom, did something strange. He brought/brings hope to us, right where we are. To recognize it, takes viewing from the perspective of Spirit.
Important conclusion: Part II of Is there an After-Life?
different sides reach a point where it's impossible to reach agreement. When a jury is 'hung', they've reached an impasse. What if the whole world were to be on a collision course, a hung jury, where everybody 'knows' they are 'right'. Class, patriotism, race, religion, economic warfare... Imagine all these different opinions (and many more), seeking coalition together, and standing their ground at the same time? That's what's happening and God is the instigator.
By the measure you are open to God, the same is true with intimacy in your relationships, neighborhood and community. You can not connect with God and remain dis-connect-ed with your neighbor.
of performing on the stage of life. What's expected can easily become our most important thing. Transparency and willingness to be open are key to breaking free. Our homes and families are much healthier when we are fully ourselves, even though it can seem difficult, or even impossible.
Him, allowing His mind be your mind. Your interpretation of Truth is subject to your current mindset. If you're open to God, you'll receive openly, seeing from His point of view. If you are not open to God, your perception of Truth is cloudy.
of addiction, maybe more destructive. These have a never ending thirst to control the life and choices of others. Ultimately, all addicts have an unquenchable desire to control one thing, self. Even if self seems out of control, the addict demands control of this also.
the anti-Christ; I already know the anti-Christ is the spirit in all our flesh, and is not difficult to find when embracing hope in the world. Our flesh screams, scratches and claws to be seen. It won't submit to God's authority. It is always puffing up, yet never covering sin.
anything resembling the Gospel. All too often, we focus on man's decision to either believe or not, but our focus should be on the Gospel. Is it important to believe? Sure, but it's automatic upon hearing the Goodness of God, which brings faith and leads men to repent. There is no longer a separation between God and man; and there are no loopholes, and no caveats to this statement. Everywhere, patterns reveal God, everything else He calls an abomination. We would do well to look in the mirror and ask, "Am I an abomination to God?"