This past week, the bodies of the people who were killed in the tragic shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, were returned to the Netherlands. In a solemn ceremony, the country mourned their great loss together as each of the plain wooden coffins were removed from the plane. Thousands of people lined the 160-mile route from the airfield to a forensic facility where the bodies will be identified and then returned to their families for proper burial.

We can only imagine how awful it must have been for the family members of those who were killed in the incident to watch as coffin after coffin was carried from a plane to a waiting hearse. Imagine how it would feel to be grieving over a loved one who has died and you don’t even know if you will be able to recognize that person’s body when you receive it or if you will receive it at all. Imagine waiting at the airport to greet a friend when they arrive and they never come.

These experiences of grief, suffering, and pain are common to the human race. It is almost as though it is par for the course of life on Earth.

However, what if I told you that there was a place where such experiences are not simply unlikely, but completely impossible. Imagine if there were a place where it is impossible to die, to grieve, or to cry. A place where it is impossible to lose someone you loved. A place where there are no plane crashes, or sudden deaths, or accidents.

This place is not just a fantasy. It is a real place — it is called Heaven. The Bible describes Heaven in the book of Revelation. Heaven is a place where “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Why are certain negative things that happen on earth not allowed in Heaven? The Bible tells us why when it says, “there shall in no wise enter into [Heaven] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.”

All of the ugly, vile, sinful things that happen on earth will be impossible in Heaven. The question is: Will you be there?

It would be terrible to know about this place called Heaven, and yet not do whatever it took to get there. Thankfully, God has made it simple for us to be sure that we are going to Heaven when we die. But, first, we must understand what keeps us out of Heaven. Our sins, the wrong things that we do, separate us from God and make us ineligible for a home in Heaven when we die. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Because of our sinfulness, we are automatically destined to spend eternity in Hell.

However, because God loves us, He decided to make a way for us to not have to go to Hell for all eternity. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus Christ came to earth, lived the perfect life that we could not live, and then went to the cross, dying a cruel death for our sins. While Jesus was on the cross, God poured out all of his wrath and punishment on His Son so He would not have to pour it out on us. As Romans 5:8 says, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

After Jesus’ death on the cross, he was buried, but three days later, he rose from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead showed that he had been triumphant over Hell and death. Thus, if we place our faith and trust in Him, we can also triumph over Hell and death. If we place our faith and trust in Him, we are guaranteed a home in Heaven.

I do not know the spiritual state of those people who died on that plane on July 17, but I do know that if you are listening to me right now, you have an opportunity to be certain that you will go to Heaven when you die. Please don’t waste this opportunity. Place your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ today by believing that he died, was buried, and rose from the dead. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you trust Jesus Christ for salvation, you will be saved from sin, spiritual death, and hell, and you will be guaranteed a place in Heaven. If this is your heart’s desire, you can pray a short prayer to let God know that you are making this decision today:

Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have sinned against you. For Jesus Christ’s sake, please forgive me of all of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again for me. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart, save my soul, change my life, and fill me with your Holy Spirit today and forever. Amen.

If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”.

Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!