Living Beyond Life: A New Adventure Begins

By Curtis McKenzie

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why am I here, and what is my purpose? Was my existence pre-planned, or am I here by coincidence? Is this life all there is to it, or is there something more to look forward to?" With so much uncertainty in the world, you may feel overwhelmed with pressure or insecure about your future. The recent pandemic may have

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Apr 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781648958403

Book preview

Preface

As the author of this book, I would like to personally thank you for your purchase and for your interest in learning more about God’s greater purpose for your life and for the lives of your family and friends. You could not have chosen a better time to read this text, as I believe it will shed new light on your understanding of the times, we live in. I felt compelled to draft this book because I too have taken a keen interest in learning what the Bible says about life, death, and eternity. Like me, I am sure you have heard many views on this topic from casual conversations with others, to sermons preached from the pulpit, and documentaries that have aired on television. Many people’s beliefs are shaped by their religion and culture. Hindus have different beliefs than Buddhists. Islamists have different beliefs than Christians. Even within the Christian faith pastors cannot always agree on what the Bible says about life after death.

I have been a student of the Bible for decades and have learned early in my Christian walk to search the scriptures and find the truth. I have spent countless hours in study of both Old and New Testament books while learning original Hebrew and Greek word translations to determine the original intent of scriptures in context. Too much of what we believe today is tainted with the opinions of others. I personally have sat in church services and heard many good preachers and teachers make statements that were not based in fact on the Bible, although their messages sounded very authentic and convincing. I am sure those preachers had good intentions and never intended to mislead God’s people. They, like all of us, are humans, and humans make mistakes. People often make statements based upon what they believe others want to hear without offending them. The fact is, sometimes the truth hurts.

The process of drafting this book took two years. I felt in my heart that I needed to write a book that gives clear and concise information from the Bible about why we were created and what God’s ultimate plan is for our lives. Much of what I have written in this text is in response to conversations I have had with other people over the years as they expressed their understanding of life, God, and eternity. I was amazed at how little people knew about this subject. In addition, there appeared to be little enthusiasm among Christians about the prospect of spending eternity in heaven. Most people are so preoccupied with the issues of daily living that they seem oblivious to their eternal existence. At times I struggled with how to convey the message of this book without sounding offensive, controversial, or preachy. However, I decided to set those cares aside and focus on what the Lord anointed me to do and that is to write. So as I prayed and began writing, the Lord showed me the areas to focus on in my writing and led me to chapters and verses in the Bible to expound upon. As I stated, the writing process took some time. I reached a point where I stopped writing for several months. I needed a break to unwind and refocus. It was during that time that I began to see more of my purpose and the reality of God’s love. As I describe in this book, I had a dream of heaven that seemed so real that I did not want to awake from it. Afterward, I felt reenergized, as if a fresh fire fell from heaven and burned in my heart to continue writing. For the first time, I saw vivid imagery in my mind of the crucifixion, and it captivated my heart in ways indescribable. I felt as if I were there in person witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus. I could hear the sounds and see the faces of the people gathered around, and it hit me. That is the love of God on full display for each of us. I knew then that I must complete this book to encourage all who read it that the best is yet to come.

Therefore, my intent for writing this book is to give you a better understanding of your higher purpose in God as it relates to life, death, and eternity. This book is not a morbid look at dying but a source of inspiration to encourage you as you learn about the exciting things God has for you in this life and beyond. It will attempt to answer from a biblical perspective many of the questions you may have about death, such as what happens when you die, where are your loved ones who passed on before you, and where will you spend eternity? Although one book will close when you leave this life, another book will open to a new life. Death is not the end. It is a doorway to a new beginning of life filled with eternal bliss for all who believe in Jesus. In John 11:25 Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. True living begins with Jesus. Find out what that means for you.

Introduction

The Death Sentence

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die;

(Eccles. 3:1–2, NKJV)¹

Death is a topic that no one likes to think about let alone talk about. Yet death is as much a part of our lives as everyday living. Each day thousands of people die worldwide, to include unborn babies and the elderly. No one is exempt. Most likely you know someone who has died within the past year, be it a relative, friend, neighbor, coworker, church member, classmate, or a celebrity. For many, death is shrouded in mystery, and unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation and confusion about what happens when a person dies. People have differing opinions about it, and many churches and religious groups have various beliefs concerning this topic. In fact, some households are divided when it comes to understanding what happens beyond the grave. Most eulogies are given with words of comfort to surviving family and friends with the assurance that the deceased is in heaven or in eternal rest or sleep. Grieving family members often experience a wide range of emotions from sadness to anger. In some cases, surviving loved ones express anger toward God when they are erroneously told that God needed another flower in His heavenly garden and decided to pluck their loved one away.

Each of us has been affected in some way by the death of a family member, friend, classmate, neighbor, or coworker. It is never easy to receive news that someone we personally know has passed away. The initial shock is often followed by sadness from the void we all feel from knowing that we will never share experiences with that individual again. In the minds of most people, death seems final; and the closer we are to that deceased one, the more difficult it is to deal with the loss. Given time, most people heal and move on with life while cherishing the memories.

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Sadly, many family members were not able to be with their loved ones to say their final goodbyes due to safety protocols of hospitals and nursing homes. As a result, surviving loved ones were left devastated, angry, and confused. A spirit of death seemed to have swept across the land, catching many by surprise while leaving anguish, fear, and despair in its wake.

Many people avoid the topic and fear death for several reasons. Some fear not knowing what will happen to them when they die. Others fear not being around to accomplish their goals or see their kids or grandkids grow up. Often those are the people who believe life on earth is all there is, and there is nothing to look forward to beyond their earthly existence. Avoiding the topic of death will not exempt anyone from experiencing it or delay its inevitability. The truth is we will all face death one day, and it is not based upon age, sex, race, health, or economic status.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

(Heb. 9:27)

The human body, in its present state, cannot live forever. One day it will die. Then what? Many believe that death is the termination of a person’s existence. They are convinced that once a person dies, he or she ceases to exist forever. Others believe that death is a state of spiritual sleep in the grave where a person’s spirit remains unconscious in a buried corpse. Yet some believe that death is the entrance into the realm of dead spirits or ghosts, who forever roam the earth among the living. Some admit to having seen the spirit of a departed loved one who appeared to them and even spoken to them. These people may have had multiple encounters with disembodied spirits through visual or sensory experiences. There are also those who believe that when a person dies, he or she is reincarnated and comes back to life in another human body or some other life form such as a pet, an insect, or other living creature. What does the Bible teach about this topic? The first mention of death in the Bible occurs when God spoke to Adam in Genesis.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

(Gen. 2:17)

We know from the story in Genesis that Adam lived 930 years after he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. What did God mean when He told Adam that in the day that he eats the fruit of that tree, he will surely die? To answer this question, we must first understand the makeup of man.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

(Gen. 2:7)

First, God formed the body of Adam from the ground. Then he breathed the breath of life into Adam’s nostrils. His body was lifeless (dead) until God breathed life into him. The Hebrew word for breath, typically translated as spirit in English, is רוּחַ (ruach). God, who is Spirit, breathed Adam’s spirit into his body. It was only until then that Adam became a living being. Think of a glove that fits your hand. If that glove lays on a table without your hand in it, it is lifeless. Once you put your hand in that glove, the glove seems to come alive as it moves with the movement of your hand. The glove is not the hand, and the hand is not the glove. They are separate and distinct from each other. They have the same shape, but the