Eternity

One week ago, we lost a passionate and powerful voice for the gospel of Jesus Christ with the passing of the Rev. Billy Graham. There are few in history who have done more to share Christ with the world. Anyone who had an opportunity to hear him preach live will never forget it. Even as I listen to portions of his sermons these days, I find my eyes tearing up at the sound of his voice. There was just something remarkably special about the way the Lord used him to share His Word. What an amazing, faithful, passionate, humble servant Billy Graham was.

On Sunday, as we concluded our Essentials series, it seemed fitting to show a special Billy Graham Evangelistic Association production on Heaven (Click here to view it). The video was produced just a few years ago and was filled with clips of past sermons as well as a conversation with Rev. Graham. In it, he also shared his personal testimony. There were few dry eyes in the room by the time we finished the video, invitation and started singing Just As I Am... It was a very moving worship service.

So what do we believe about eternity? People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally connected with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.

In Billy Graham's own words: “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God”

What about you? Are you ready for eternity?