What's Next to Life?

 

Have you ever wondered if there is life after death? Where will we go when we die? Some says, it’s the end but majority says it’s either heaven or hell. Let me share to you my experience of both places. Before you say it’s impossible or how could it be when I’m alive, I’d say, God has incomparable ways that knows no boundaries.

When I was about 4 years old I had a near death experience that almost snuffed out my life. I had dengue disease and during the 90’s, hospital facilities in our small city was inadequate. To cut the story short, I had to be brought to a bigger city just to be treated and I was running out of time of which I had no memory of those incident and that I just recalled that my family were in panic and my mom was crying before I closed my eyes.

However, I had vivid recollection of walking alone in a dark tunnel. First, it was terrifying. Then, I noticed a light gleaming in a distance. I followed the light and there was a beautiful garden at the end of the tunnel. There were lots of people young and old happily hanging out in the garden. I played with them; I was excited of that stunning place. But I was shortly called by a voice that I lean back to the tunnel where I came from. Instantly, I woke up in the hospital and the glimpse of heaven ended there. I was given an extension of this borrowed life. I truly believe heaven exists. That’s the place where I wanted to be someday.

As the time passed, people change and so do I. Although my parents are believers of Christ and have brought me to church and Christ’s teachings, I had my own principle of doing my own ways hidden in their sight. I became rebellious and such a naughty girl. I do whatever pleases me. I was a bully in our school. I swear at people to the point of cursing whom I argued with. I love to insult or utter hurtful words whenever I’m offended or just to win an argument; sometimes, I used violence just to show my strength.

However, God had his special ways on how to tend his lost sheep, young or old. I was 9 years old when I saw hell or rather went to hell. I got a fight with my father’s mom, I gave her a look of despise then just walked away without remorse. I felt exhausted that time so, I decided to take a nap. Then, I was lead to two doors, one was big, beautiful and elegant, the other was just like a small, narrow tunnel with crystal thorns that is almost impossible to go through. Of course, I chose the easier way, the big door was so convenient.

I entered and I saw a party-like place, disco lights everywhere with lots of round platforms or small stages with spotlights every corner, people were wildly dancing so I went farther to feed my curiosity. Suddenly, it became no party at all. I saw demons torturing men and women, each stage was a cell assigned for every person with 1, 2 or 3 demons tormenting them. In front of me, a demon pulled the lady’s tongue. Her tongue stretched like a rubber and was hammered by the demon inside that cell. The lady was madly shouting in pain while the demons were laughing and enjoying the sight. I ran as fast as I could and reached a dark place. It was so dark that I cannot see anything. In a bit, I heard a bubbly pop sound and my vision became clearer. I entered a cave-like tunnel. I was standing on the cliff and, underneath was a river. It was no water but was like a melted-plastic-dark-boiling river and that’s where the popping sound came from. As I was looking below, the sight became clearer, the river was full of people sinking and drowning, trying to wave their arms crying out for help, shouting in pain, trying to get out of that river but they cannot get out because the river was sticking on their bodies, penetrating their flesh. The horrifying sound and terrible sight shocked me at the moment that I didn’t notice a demon was approaching me and suddenly, he pushed me down the river. So, I fell. As I was sinking, I didn’t feel anything at all. I guess it’s because I’m still alive. I woke up and was taken aback of what just happened.

There are just two destinations after earthly life ends and it will be all yours to choose, heaven or hell. Where do you want to go? Revelation 21:7-8 says, “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Romans 2:6-8 says, “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”