Do Men Exist Forever?

From: Echoes of Grace: 1942

• 2 min. read • grade level: 5

God says—Yes. Where? Either in the "eternal glory" with Christ and His redeemed people, or in the "lake of fire" with the devil and his legions.

Of course men of learning and of science say—No. But the question is: Are we to believe God or men? Who is best informed on the subject—God, the infinite, eternal God; or man, the finite creature of a day? There can be but one answer, and that is-God. And God has told us what He knows about the matter. He has caused it to be written in His inspired and eternal Word, that men will exist forever.

There are two destinies prepared for men —only two. A heaven of holiness and happiness; a hell of sin and woe. To either of these two places men go after death (Luke 16:19-23¹⁹There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: ²⁰And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, ²¹And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. ²²And 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 16:19‑23)). Some to be with Christ, which is "far better" (Phil. 1:23²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)) than the highest bliss that can be known on earth. Immediately the ransomed spirit leaves the body it is "at home with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8), R. V.).

Others, after death, are found in hell (Luke 16:23²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:23)). Their own place (Acts 1:25²⁵That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. (Acts 1:25)), for which sin and Christ-rejection had fully prepared them.

Banished from God and heaven, yet destined to exist forever in conscious misery (Rev. 14:10-11¹⁰The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: ¹¹And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:10‑11)). Doomed to the second death (Rev. 20:14¹⁴And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)), yet existing in it. Reader, let me ask, to which of these eternal destines are you passing onward? To one or the other you are being carried, whether you own it, think of it, or deny it; you cannot hinder it. You must exist forever: you cannot annihilate yourself if you would. Death will then refuse to end your sorrows; when men seek it, it will flee from them (Rev. 9:6⁶And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. (Revelation 9:6)).

And must all this last forever? Will no coming age bring with it another chance to those who in their folly despised God's grace in gospel days? The Son of God, who came to live and love, says—No. Listen to His Word, "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life." John 3:36³⁶He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).

"These shall go away into everlasting punishment." Matt. 25:46⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46).

Where will you spend eternity?

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