A 27-year-old mystery was solved by a 13-year-old boy who used his natural curiosity and his GoPro camera. It would bring peace and closure to a family who had wondered for nearly three decades as to whatever had happened to their loved one who had vanished without a trace.
Max Werenka was swimming in Griffin Lake in Revelstoke, British Colombia, when he spotted what looked like the blurry outline of an overturned car about 15 feet below the surface. He was certain that it should be checked out, so his mother called the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They responded by sending a dive team out on August 21, 2019.
Max jumped into the water with his camera and confirmed that it was indeed an overturned Honda. Three days later, the RCMP returned and discovered a body in the overturned car. They were able to use the license plate number to trace the car to Janet Farris, of Vancouver Island, who was 69 when she was driving by herself to Alberta to a wedding and disappeared. The car was found just 10 feet off the Trans-Canada Highway. Janet had gone missing in 1992, 14 years before Max was even born!
It was quite a find, and we can only imagine the relief of family members who had been tormented by the sudden disappearance of their loved one. “I think the worst thing was not knowing,” said her son, George Farris, 62. Now, there could be a proper funeral and burial for their mother and grandmother. Investigators determined that there was no foul play. Did she go off the road and lose control or fall asleep or try to avoid an animal or accident? They may never know the answer to these questions. Even so, her family was relieved at the discovery. Janet’s granddaughter made the comment, “This is a happy story in the end, knowing her final resting place and [knowing] that it was an accident.”
What Happens After Death
However, the Bible tells us that when we die, the grave is not our final resting place! It tells us “there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:1515And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Acts 24:15)). God also tells us, “It is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:11-1211For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:11‑12)).
The “just” know the Lord as their Savior and have put their trust in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus on Calvary’s cross for their sins. They are “redeemed ... with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). They believe that “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ... God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6,86For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). Because they have repented of their sins and put their faith and trust in the finished work on the cross for their sins, they have “eternal life.” Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:27-2827My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27‑28)). Eternal life is where “in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:1111Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)).
The “unjust” are those who have not trusted the Lord as their Savior, but have lived their lives apart from God and have never had their sins forgiven. Their end is dreadful! They shall be raised from the dead to “be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
The Bible tells us what happens to us right after we die, before our bodies are raised from the dead. Those that trust the Lord as their Savior go to “paradise.” Jesus said to the thief on the cross, who repented of his sins and trusted in Him, “Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)). But there was a rich man who died, who did not have his sins forgiven, and we are told what happened to him immediately after death. “The rich man also died, and was buried.” His body was in the grave, but ... “in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments” (Luke 16:22-2322And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:22‑23)). It was so bad that he cried out for someone to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue, because he was being tormented in “this flame” (Luke 16:2424And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:24)).
While the body lies in the grave, our soul and spirit go to either “paradise” or “hell.” It is God’s holding place for our souls and spirits while our bodies are waiting to be resurrected. When our bodies are resurrected, we will go to either heaven or the lake of fire. For the believer who is safe in Christ, it is paradise and heaven; for the unbeliever it is hell and then the lake of fire. The unbeliever will actually be raised to die again! This is called the “second death”! “Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:1414And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)).
Our final destination depends on whether we accept or reject God’s offer of salvation right now, while we are still living. Once we die, our destiny is set! Consider your end, and make your choice for Christ today! “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:1919I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19)).