What lies beyond death has always stimulated man's curiosity; hence there has been continuous research, as well as conjecture, in an effort to pierce the veil dividing the visible from the invisible.
The Emperor Cyrus, well versed in Persian lore, when he was dying confessed that he believed the soul to be immortal.
Socrates, the greatest of Greek philosophers, stated that the nature of the soul indicated its immortality, but what lay beyond was known to God alone.
Cicero, the brilliant Roman orator and author, believed that the soul was imprisoned in the body on earth and lived after the body died; but his conjecture was not to be taken as certain, like a divine oracle!
Shakespeare, the prince of English poets, wrote: "the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns, puzzles the will and makes us bear those ills we have, rather than fly to others we know not of."
Modern physical research has had to confess the inadequacy of the external to satisfy the soul. The spiritualistic séance would seek to induce us to make contact with the spirits of the departed; but how very unsatisfactory has this proved to be!
In contrast to the barren uncertainty of philosophy as to a future state, and the lack of foothold on the shifting sands of speculation, we have the certainty of God's revelation in the Bible. The Christian can exclaim in the presence of that last dread foe of humanity, "Oh death, where is thy sting?" Also "we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Men and demons strove in vain to find deceit in the Lord's words which called the dead to life. Hence His message is reassuring: "I go to prepare a place for you... I will come again and receive you unto Myself." The Apostle Paul, concluding his narrative of the snatching up of the dead and living Christians. at the coming of the Lord, said: "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Hence the Christian does not sorrow as others without hope!
But to those who refuse God's message in the gospel, death must appear as a formidable foe, because "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment!"
The wisest man of ancient times put on record that God shall bring every work into judgment. The conclusion of the matter at the dread assize of the great White Throne shows that death and Hades delivered up the dead... and they were judged every man according to his works. That leads to the second death-the complete reverence of the soul from God. Thus the "reason of being" is missed, that is: to glorify and enjoy God.
But none need miss his or her way, because God has made ample provision: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).