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What does the Bible say about after death?

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The Bible teaches that after death people face God’s judgment, with eternal life given to all who belong to Christ and everlasting punishment for those who remain in sin. Hebrews 9:27 says that people die once and then face judgment. God graciously saves those who confess Jesus as Lord and trust in His resurrection, as Romans 10:9-13 teaches, because Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Believers need not fear condemnation, for John 3:16 promises eternal life to everyone who believes. Yet Scripture soberly warns of hell and the second death for the unrepentant (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 21:8).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Hebrews 9:27

    Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,

  • Matthew 10:28

    Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

  • Revelation 21:8

    But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

  • Romans 10:9-13

    [9] that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. [13] For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."

  • John 3:16

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • John 14:6

    Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

  • John 3:13

    No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.

  • Matthew 25:41

    Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;

  • Revelation 20:6

    Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.

  • Proverbs 14:12

    There is a way which seems right to a man, But in the end it leads to death.

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