Share This Episode
Pathway to Victory Dr. Robert Jeffress Logo

How Can I Know I’m Going to Heaven When I Die? – Part 1B

Pathway to Victory / Dr. Robert Jeffress
The Truth Network Radio
January 21, 2025 3:00 am

How Can I Know I’m Going to Heaven When I Die? – Part 1B

Pathway to Victory / Dr. Robert Jeffress

On-Demand Podcasts NEW!

This broadcaster has 399 podcast archives available on-demand.

Broadcaster's Links

Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.


January 21, 2025 3:00 am

If you believe that the Bible is true, then logically, you would believe what the Bible says about life after death. Yet many Christians have rejected some of the Bible’s most basic teaching about eternal life. Dr. Robert Jeffress identifies four non-negotiable truths that Jesus taught about hell.

 

To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate.

COVERED TOPICS / TAGS (Click to Search)
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Hey, podcast listeners! Thanks for streaming today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory is a nonprofit ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Robert Jeffress. Our mission is to pierce the darkness with the light of God's word through the most effective media available, like this podcast. To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org slash donate or follow the link in our show notes. Now, here's today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. God's Word with you every day on this Bible teaching program. On today's edition of Pathway to Victory.

Think about it. If there is an existence that transcends the grave, doesn't it make sense that I ought to discover what that existence is? And doesn't it make sense that I would conform my beliefs and behavior in this life to ensure my well-being in the next life? Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress. If you believe the Bible is true, then logically, you'd believe what the Bible has to say about life after death.

Yet a lot of Christians have rejected some of the Bible's most basic teaching about eternal life. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress identifies four non-negotiable truths that Jesus taught about hell. Now, here's our Bible teacher to introduce today's message.

Dr. Jeffress? Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory. Just before we turn our attention to our study in God's Word today, I'd like to extend a personal invitation to join me on an unforgettable vacation. This is an exclusive 11-day Pathway to Victory Journeys of Paul Mediterranean Cruise.

The dates are May 5th through 16th. Now, I know you can call up your travel agent and book a trip to Greece, but it won't be anything like the vacation we've planned for you. This is truly a Christian vacation to romantic places like Santorini, Greece, and Naples, Italy, just to name a few. Plus, we're bringing our own wholesome entertainers and Christian music artists.

Included are Michael O'Brien bringing some great gospel music and comedian Dennis Swanberg. So please take a look at the remarkable destinations and reserve your spot today by going to ptv.org. Well, throughout the month of January, I've been presenting a teaching series called How Can I Know? Answers to Life's 7 Most Important Questions. And in a moment, I'm going to address the next question in this series, which may be the most important of all.

How can I know I'm going to heaven when I die? Before I do, I need to remind you that I've written a best-selling book by that same title, How Can I Know? It comes with my thanks when you give a generous gift to support these daily visits on Pathway to Victory. I can't think of a more vital subject than securing our eternal home, and I'm able to share today's important message because of the generous gifts from friends like you.

Thanks so much for your generosity. I'll say more about my book later on, but right now it's time to address another one of these seven relevant questions. This time, How Can I Know I'm Going to Heaven When I Die? First of all, let's talk about the question, is there such a thing as life after death? What does the Bible teach us about the nature of life after death? Well, the Bible teaches us several things. Let's talk for a moment about the inevitability of death and the possibility of heaven or hell. You know, one thing that is readily available to all of us without a Bible is the fact that we are going to die.

You understand that, don't you? Nobody gets out of this world alive. One wag said it this way, the statistics on death are very impressive.

One out of every one dies. We know that, we see it around us. And by the way, that troubled Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes in chapter nine, verses two and three, he said, it's the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked, for the good and the clean, for the unclean, for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Solomon said, that's not right. It's not right that a righteous man would have the same fate as the unrighteous.

It's not right. Well, God tells us there is one fate for everybody. There's one fate, but there are two destinies.

There are two possible destinies. And this is most clearly seen in a famous story Jesus told in Luke 16. It's about two men who lived. In fact, they lived two very different kinds of lives. One was a wealthy man. The other man was a poor man.

His food was dependent upon the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Two men with two very different lives, and yet they suffered the same fate. Jesus said they both died. But Jesus' story doesn't stop at the cemetery. Verse 22, now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. That's simply an Old Testament expression for where God is in heaven. He went to Abraham's bosom, but the rich man died and was buried.

Now look at verse 23. And in Hades, the rich man lifted up his eyes, being in torment. What is Hades? It's where unbelievers go immediately when they die.

Two men, one fate, death, two different destinies. What does this teach us about the reality of hell? Write these four facts down about hell. First of all, Jesus said hell is an actual location. Some people like to believe. Well, when we die, we all go to the same realm, the same destination.

It's just our perception. For unbelievers, it seems like hell. For believers, it seems like heaven. No, the Bible says these are two very different destinations. In Matthew 25, verse 46, Jesus said these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. It would be illogical to say now, unbelievers go to a state of mind. They just think it's hell. But believers, the righteous, go to eternal life, an actual location called heaven.

No, you can't have half people going to a state of mind and others going to an actual location. No, hell is an actual location, Jesus taught. Secondly, Jesus said hell is a place of indescribable and eternal torment.

Listen to what the rich man cried out in verse 24. He said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame. Jesus often used fire as an image of the suffering unbelievers experience. In Mark 9, 48, he said hell is a place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. So terrible is the physical suffering of hell that the Bible says in Mark 9 that it will be a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22, verse 13, literally a grinding of teeth. Now some people have tried to turn down the temperature of hell. They are so troubled and understandably so about physical suffering day and night forever and ever that they say, well, let's try to turn down the temperature and not make it that bad. They'll say things like, well, when Jesus used the word fire and burning, he was speaking metaphorically, not literally.

Well, if that's true, maybe it's true. Nobody should find any comfort in that if he was speaking symbolically. Because what Jesus was saying is the actual suffering people experience in hell is so horrible that it can't be explained.

The closest we can get to it is that it's like having your body on fire day and night forever and ever. No, this is real, literal suffering Jesus is talking about. Other people embrace what is called annihilationism. They will say, yes, I believe that when Christians die, they go to heaven and they experience an actual happy place forever and ever and ever and ever. I believe that, but God is too merciful to torture unbelievers forever. I believe that when he judges unbelievers, they're sent to the lake of fire and they're destroyed.

They just cease to be. That would be a comforting thought if it were true somewhat, but the Bible doesn't allow for that, and here's why. In Revelation 19, remember at the second coming of Jesus when he comes, the first act of business is to take the beast, the Antichrist, and the false prophet and to deposit them in the lake of fire. And they are placed in the lake of fire. Then comes the thousand year millennium, the final judgment, and at the end of the final judgment, what does God do? He takes Satan and he deposits him into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20 verse 10 says, he places him in the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet are. Not were, as if they died. No, they are still existing after 1,000 years.

They are still being tortured day and night forever and ever. Satan is placed into the lake of fire, and then the Bible says the books were opened and a book was opened, the book of life, and if any man's name was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire to be tortured day and night forever and ever. No, this is a place of eternal suffering.

Listen to these words in Matthew 25 verse 46. Jesus said, these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. That word eternal is ionos in Greek. The same word that is used to describe the eternity of heaven is used to describe the eternity of hell. Dr. Griswold used to say, if you shorten by one second the time unbelievers have to spend in hell, then you have to subtract one second that we as Christians will experience in heaven, because it's the same word, eternal. You can't shorten the time people have in hell and say, but believers will have forever in heaven. It's the same word.

If you shorten one, you have to shorten the other. Thirdly, Jesus taught hell will contain the majority of humanity. People stumble over that. I mean, we believe and understand why there has to be an awful place called hell for Adolf Hitler, for Charles Manson, for Osama Bin Laden, but are you saying that somebody will be sentenced to hell just for not believing the right things about Jesus? That is just unthinkable. Rob Bell, former pastor, current heretic, says this, and his book Love Wins, a staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better. It's been clearly communicated to many that this belief is the central truth of the Christian faith, and to reject it is in effect to reject Jesus.

This is misguided, toxic, and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus' message of love, peace, and forgiveness, and the joy that our world desperately needs to hear. The only problem with Rob Bell is by rejecting Jesus' teaching about hell, he's the one rejecting Jesus, not us. You can't say you accept Jesus and validate Jesus' words about hell. Jesus is the one who said only a select few will experience heaven. The majority of people will experience hell.

Where did he say that? Matthew 7, verses 13 to 14. Jesus said, enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who find it.

But the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. Furthermore, Jesus said that hell is not just populated by drug dealers and child molesters. It's going to be populated by religious people, good people. Listen to his frightening words from Matthew 7, verses 21 to 23. Now those of you watching right now, remember, I'm quoting Jesus. Before you send me an email, take it up with Jesus if you don't like what he's saying. These are the words of Jesus Christ himself. He said, not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. For many will say to me on that day, the judgment day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles, and then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. Who are these people? These are not Satan worshipers that Jesus is casting aside. They are religious people, people who profess to be Christians, who call Jesus, Lord, Lord, kurios, kurios. And what will Jesus say to them?

Depart from me, I don't know who you are. It is a frightening thing to think that there are people right now who think they are saved, but one day are going to receive the surprise of their life when they are cast into an eternal hell. Why do we have such a hard time accepting the reality of hell, the suffering of hell, the high population of hell compared to heaven? Why do we have trouble with that? First of all, we have a very low view of God. We really don't understand God. God said to the Israelites in Psalm 50, 21, you thought I was like you.

That's a bad mistake. We have this low view of God. We secretly think, why can't God be more like I am?

Tolerant, loving, even of sinners. Can't God just get over the fact that we are sinners? Can't he look the other way?

Why does he have to be so harsh? You know the reason we tolerate sin? It's a sign not of our godliness, but of our ungodliness. It's not our righteousness, it's our unrighteousness. We don't have any problem accepting sin because we're sinners ourselves.

But in Habakkuk 113, the prophet said, God, your eyes are too pure to approve evil and you cannot look on wickedness with favor. We have a low view of God, which is why we have a hard time with hell. Not only do we have a low view of God, but we have a high view of ourselves. There is an interesting poll that revealed the majority of Americans believe in the reality of hell. Most people believe in the reality of hell, but only 4% think they have any chance of going there. Again, we think hell is for somebody else, for really bad people. But when we compare ourselves, we compare ourselves to bad people. Well, at least I don't cheat on my life, at least I don't murder people, at least I don't molest children.

I'm a pretty good person. That's the wrong standard of comparison. Let me explain it this way. Think about our planet, planet Earth. Imagine you were at the North Pole with Santa Claus and you decided you wanted to go to the South Pole with the penguins. And so you take a journey from the North Pole to the South Pole. That's a long way.

That distance is considerable, but that same distance is negligible compared to the geographical distance between the North Pole and the farthest star in the universe. It's the same way with us. Yeah, there's a great difference in humanity. I mean, think about the difference between the Pope and Adolf Hitler.

The difference is considerable, but that distance is negligible compared to the distance between us and the righteousness of God. When we use God as the standard, then we come to the realization all have sinned. Every one of us has sinned. The Pope has sinned. Hitler has sinned.

Pastor Jeffress has sinned. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Perhaps the most frightening thing, the thing I can't get over about hell is Jesus said it is a forever destination. Some people actually teach that yes, unbelievers go to hell, but just for a while. Because when they finally get to hell and they see that everything they disbelieved is true, they will become believers and they will be won to God by the love of God.

And in the end, love wins. That's what they teach. The only problem with that is it completely contradicts what Jesus said. Jesus said there is no crossover. There is no do over once a person is in hell.

In Luke 16 26, the rich man cries out for help for somebody to come and relieve the agony that he is in. And when Abraham says that's impossible, he says, well, at least send somebody to warn my brothers that they don't experience this terrible fate. And finally, Abraham says in verse 26, besides all this, between us and you, there is a great chasm fixed so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able.

And that nobody may cross over from where you are to us. Hell is a forever destination. Well, what about the person in hell who cries out, God, I understand now. I believe, I believe I'm a sinner. I believe I deserve to be here. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins. I believe in the reality of hell and heaven. I believe, I believe, but heaven is silent because you see in hell everyone has become a believer. Everyone in hell will be a believer, but it's too late.

It's too late. That's the awful truth about hell. The Bible teaches us about the reality of hell, but it also teaches us about another possible destination. And next time we're going to talk about the reality of heaven and how to make sure you're on the right road that leads to heaven.

For just a moment, I want to ask you the all important question. When you die, not if, when you die, do you know with absolute certainty God will welcome you into heaven, that your name will be found written in that book of life? Is there any possibility Jesus could say to you, depart from me? I don't know who you are. Have you fooled yourself into thinking that you're a believer?

I have found it's impossible sometimes to unravel what you may or may not have done in the past or as a child. But right now is the time to make sure. Right now, ask yourself, do I know that I'm going to be welcomed into heaven? If today you would like to know for sure that you're a Christian, I want to invite you here and on this broadcast to pray this prayer in your heart. In fact, I'm going to ask you to pray it out loud. I'm going to ask all of us to pray it out loud to make people more comfortable. But I want you, if you really want to know for sure you're going to be in heaven, to pray this, not just repeating words, but repeating what's in your heart with me.

Let's pray this together. Dear God, thank you for loving me. I know I have failed you, and I'm truly sorry for the sin in my life. But I believe you sent Jesus to die for me, to take the punishment I deserve for my sins. And I'm trusting in Jesus and Jesus alone to save me from my sins.

Thank you for forgiving me and help me to live the rest of my life for you. In Jesus' name. Father, we thank you for your undeserved grace in our lives. And Father, I pray that you would help us to make our lives purpose to tell others about the only way of salvation through your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. It's in his name that we pray.

Amen. There's nothing more important than facing the consequences of our choices. Eternity is at stake. Well, in the next few days, as we continue this practical series, we're answering what is undoubtedly the most important question of all. How can I know I'm going to heaven when I die? This topic is just one of seven that I've addressed in my best-selling book, How Can I Know? Answers to Life's 7 Most Important Questions. And a copy is yours when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory.

Plus, when you respond today, I'd like to send you a bonus resource. It's a booklet that answers this question, Is Christianity the Only Right Religion? This is an excellent tool to send along to your grandson or granddaughter or anyone who struggles with the exclusive claims of Jesus. So please take down our contact information and give us a call, go online, or write a letter and request your copy. I probably don't need to explain to you that inflation has imposed added financial pressure on this not-for-profit ministry.

Undoubtedly, your household is feeling that as well. As God prompts you to give to Pathway to Victory, I can promise you that your gift will bring life to someone who's never heard the truth about the gospel. Maybe the most helpful way to advance our mission is to become one of our pathway partners. As a pathway partner, you can automate your monthly gifts in the amount of your choice. And right now we're asking God to help us add 300 new pathway partners to our family of supporters. Would God be calling on you to join us? Here's David with all the details.

David? Thanks, Dr. Jeffress. Our goal is to sign up 300 new pathway partners during the month of January. And you can help us achieve that goal when you follow the easy steps to sign up online at ptv.org. And when you give your first monthly gift or when you give a one-time gift in support of Pathway to Victory, we're going to say thanks by sending you How Can I Know? That's the bestselling book by Dr. Jeffress. Now when your gift is $75 or more, you'll receive not only the book, but also the complete collection of audio and video discs for the newly updated How Can I Know?

teaching series. Call us at 866-999-2965. One more time, that's 866-999-2965. Or give online at ptv.org. You could write to us if you'd like, P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222.

Again, that's P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. I'm David J. Mullins, inviting you to join us next time when Dr. Jeffress continues to answer the question, How Can I Know I'm Going to Heaven When I Die? right here on Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. You made it to the end of today's podcast from Pathway to Victory, and we're so glad you're here. Pathway to Victory relies on the generosity of loyal listeners like you to make this podcast possible. One of the most impactful ways you can give is by becoming a Pathway Partner. Your monthly gift will empower Pathway to Victory to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and help others become rooted more firmly in His Word. To become a Pathway Partner, go to ptv.org slash donate or follow the link in our show notes. We hope you've been blessed by today's podcast from Pathway to Victory.
Whisper: medium.en / 2025-01-21 05:01:50 / 2025-01-21 05:11:32 / 10

Get The Truth Mobile App and Listen to your Favorite Station Anytime