Your Destiny? (Part 1)

Are You Prepared to Answer Questions Regarding Your Own Destiny?

Richard Hollerman

If you are like me, you might wonder how certain people can claim salvation but at the same time contend for a questionable conversion—or even a non-existent salvation. Just how is this so? How can it be?

For example, suppose that “John” says that he is saved. You question him about this: “John, when did this happen? How did it happen? What makes you sure of your conversion and salvation? Was this real? Is this true?” We could go on and on with our questions. But, generally speaking, people don’t inquire about this. We think that it is the other person’s “business” and doesn’t really concern us. But if we really love, should it concern us?

In my interactions with people, so many do think that they are “saved” or “regenerated” (born again), and are walking in truth and righteousness. Thus they think that they are prepared for “heaven” or whatever lies ahead. But are they? Are they really ready to meet God?

Let’s stop and think for a moment. The moment we die, our future is sealed. Unless we are a Catholic and believe in the false doctrine of purgatory (from which one will be released after a certain amount of punishment), we know that our death seals our eternal future. We will either be eternally separated from God or we will be eternally united to God. There will be no in-between place. And death will bring all of our opportunities to change to an end.

We know that there are hundreds of millions of people who do not believe in God, thus they mistakenly think that their death will end it all. They will just cease thinking—even cease existing. When their body decays, there will be nothing for them. I know people like this—and maybe you also know some. Perhaps you are one of them. Friend, if this describes you, sadly, you are sadly mistaken!

But most people do believe that they will continue to exist—either in eternal bliss or eternal ruin. If you happen to live in North America, Central or South America, Africa, the Middle East, or the East, you may believe that when you die, your future is sealed. Many do believe that a person will go to be with God in a “better place”—wherever that may be. Thus, they rightly think that they will continue to be, and this is right, but they may be utterly wrong regarding where they will be!

Professing Christians may look at Mark 16:16 and read: “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; he who has disbelieved will be condemned.” I realize that this verse is not in the older manuscripts, but if it was in the letter that Mark penned, we have something to deal with. The text says that one will go either to eternal salvation or to everlasting condemnation. There is no third destination. Either the presence of God or separated from God (see Matthew 25:46)—and that is for all eternity. This is nothing to deny or question: it will be something to experience.

Surveys point out that the vast majority of people do think that they will go to “heaven” or a place of bliss. And very few think that they will be condemned to a place of torment. According to Matthew 7:13-14, this is very false. It is a lie. And it is a reality that nearly all people have wrong. Instead of most being saved and going to a place of delight, most actually will go to a place of pain, anguish, and hopelessness. Whether we call the first place “heaven” and the second place “hell,” we can know that there is a place to seek and a place to shun. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, most are on the “broad” way that leads to “destruction” and “few” are on the narrow way that leads to eternal “life.” This is utterly sobering, isn’t it!

I don’t know if someone has ever asked you pointedly, “Are you saved? Are you born anew of the Spirit? Are you converted? And are you prepared to die?” If you have never been asked that question directly, still it is one that could be asked of you. And it would be good to consider how you would answer. Further, upon what would you base your answer? If you are going to God, why is that so? If you are going to be rejected by God, why would He do that?

Today, I don’t plan to pursue this question further, but I just want to bring it up to you. Considering the fact that eternity is endless, considering the fact that only those who know Jesus are prepared and those who remain in sin are unprepared, and considering the fact that most people think they are saved but actually are not prepared—how would you respond to this matter of your own salvation and conversion? That is the question—the very weighty but relevant question.

We plan to discuss this further under the title, “Your Destiny” (Part 2) Will you please read?