What Next?

Frequently we will hear such an expression in conversation. A person ready to finish high school or college, we may ask “What is next for you”. For some they may have no sense of direction, for they do not know what is next for them, For others it may be marriage, others it may be a career in a specialized field.

Those who after high school or college their next step was alcohol, drugs, and a life of careless living, you ask what next? They find just another day of the same as they sink deeper and deeper in depression, hopelessness and despire. They finally, far too often, reach a point that the next step is prison or death. Drug induced deaths yearly are 55,403, and Alcohol induced deaths are 33,171 for a total of 88,574.

Those who advance to greater things, occupy great positions such as doctors, lawyers, political figures, business men, etc. They are very successful. Others enter the workforce making their contribution to society. They are defense workers, steel mill workers, miners, law enforcement, firemen, home makers, etc., whose contribution is just as important as those who receive recognition. When these are asked what next often say “retirement and doing what I want”. But have they given thought to what next? Death! “It is appointed unto men once to die.,..” (Hebrews 9:27). Job viewed life as a few days and full of troubles (Job 14:1).

What about after death? What next? The answer to this question should be every persons concern. The atheist, skeptics and doubters may proclaim, “don’t worry, because there is no God”, but at death all doubt will be removed, and reality is encountered (Luke 16:19-51). There will be no disclaimers or doubters on the other side of life.

What is next after death? The second coming of Jesus Christ. “He will come the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28, also read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15:4). There will be the resurrection of the just and the unjust (John 5:28-29 also read 1 Corinthians chapter 15). There will be the judgment of God by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:27; Acts 17:31). All nations will be present (Matthew 25:31-34) and will give an account for their life (2 Corinthians 5:10). The standard of judgment will be the Bible, the Word of God (John 12:48, James 2:12). After judgment will be the final dwelling place of all man. Some will abide in everlasting punishment others into life eternal (Matthew 25:46). Where a person spends eternity is up to him regarding his relationship to the Lord. After death what will be next for you? What does your eternity look like?

Bill Cantrell