As a pastor, I have opportunities to talk with people when they discover that eternity may be closer than they expected. Sometimes they are facing a serious illness. Sometimes they are in hospice care, or their family has just received difficult news. In those moments, I have the privilege of praying with people, encouraging them with God’s Word, and helping them think about what it means to be ready to meet the Lord. These conversations remind me that preparing for eternity is something every one of us needs to consider, no matter how old we are or how healthy we feel today.
Over the years, I have developed a resource to help people think through what the Bible says about death, heaven, hell, salvation, and the hope we can have in Jesus Christ. It includes encouraging Scripture passages, guidance about knowing whether you are saved, and practical reminders about preparing a will, communicating your wishes, and arranging your affairs. I have also put together resources at christeien.com to help people learn what happens when we die. I have gathered Bible-centered videos into a YouTube playlist called Facing Death with Hope, making these teachings easier to access for people facing serious illness, receiving hospice care, or seeking encouragement about eternity.
But preparing for eternity is not something we should wait to do until a doctor tells us our time may be short. Every one of us needs to ask what would happen if today were our last day on earth. What if it were our time to graduate to glory, to go from faith to sight, or to finish the race God has given us? As Christians, we can look forward to being with Jesus. We do not have to think about death as though we will simply cease to exist. We have a living hope, and that hope should influence how we live right now.
We can also think about the rewards that may await those who faithfully serve Christ, the eternal difference we can make while we are here, and the influence that may continue through the things we share and leave behind. Recently, we remembered Elsie during her memorial service. Like her husband, Dwayne, she wanted her memorial service available on YouTube as a lasting remembrance of her faith in Christ and her life. I think that is a wonderful testimony. I would encourage every Christian to consider leaving something similar for family and friends, even if it is simply a written account of how you came to know Jesus and what He has meant to you.
Watch the Sermon: Preparing for Eternity
In this sermon clip, I share biblical wisdom from Proverbs about facing our future, recognizing the uncertainty of life, and preparing to meet Jesus Christ.
Learning to Think About Eternity
Proverbs is a book of wisdom. Much of it concerns how we live in this world, how we make decisions, how we treat people, and how we pursue the kind of life God desires for us. Throughout the book, Solomon contrasts wisdom with foolishness, righteousness with wickedness, and the consequences of choosing one path rather than another. These contrasts invite us to consider what kind of people we are becoming and what matters most.
I have sometimes thought that if we went through Proverbs and made a list of all the qualities God wants us to pursue, setting aside for a moment all the descriptions of foolishness and wickedness, we would have a wonderful picture of the kind of character that reflects life with God. We would see trust, compassion, kindness, joy, wisdom, honesty, and concern for others. These are qualities we should develop now, and they help us appreciate the goodness of the God with whom believers will spend eternity.
When people are thinking about death or grieving someone they love, I sometimes recommend Erwin Lutzer’s book One Minute After You Die. It is a relatively short book that encourages readers to take eternity seriously. I have also appreciated Randy Alcorn’s writing about heaven, although I remind people to distinguish between what Scripture clearly teaches and what an author suggests might be true. We should be willing to think, study, and imagine what eternity could be like, but ultimately our confidence must rest on what God has revealed in His Word.
The important thing is to know where you are going when this life ends and then to live in such a way that you help as many other people as possible come to know Jesus Christ.
Face Your Future
One of the first things we need to do is face our future. Unless Jesus returns first, every one of us will eventually come to the end of our earthly life. None of us knows when that will happen. I might die before you, or you might die before me. We could experience an unexpected accident or illness, or God could give us many more years. We simply do not know how much time we have.
Proverbs 27:1 reminds us, “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” That is a wise reminder in a world where we hear about new illnesses, accidents, disasters, and tragedies almost every day. At the same time, medical technology continues to advance, and many people are living longer than previous generations. We do not know whether our lives will be short or long, but we should recognize that every day is a gift from God.
That does not mean we should stop making plans. In fact, Proverbs repeatedly encourages wise planning, diligent work, and thoughtful preparation. I have spent time praying and developing a preaching calendar with ideas for messages I would like to share through the fall of 2029. After more than thirty years of preaching the Bible, there are still many passages and subjects I would love to study and teach. I have a general idea of what I would like to accomplish, but I also recognize that all those plans depend on God giving me the opportunity and directing my steps.
James 4:13–15 addresses this very issue. James warns people who confidently announce their business and travel plans without considering the uncertainty of life. He reminds us that our lives are like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Rather than assuming we control the future, we should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” We can plan responsibly while remembering that God, not we, is ultimately in control.
Psalm 90:12 expresses a prayer that all of us should take seriously: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Numbering our days is not simply counting how many years we might have left. It means recognizing the value of the time God has entrusted to us and learning to use it wisely.
Make the Most of Whatever Time God Gives You
Our opportunities and responsibilities change as we move through different stages of life. Young adults may be making decisions about education, employment, marriage, and raising children. Parents may be focused on helping their children grow and prepare for adulthood. Middle-aged adults may be thinking about new opportunities, family responsibilities, or how to use the next twenty years effectively. Older adults may be entering retirement and wondering what meaningful service will look like when their employment years are over.
I recently had a conversation with a grocery bagger and a cashier about people who return to work after retirement because they do not enjoy sitting around with nothing to do. One of them explained that he would rather be helping people at the grocery store than staying home without a purpose. I think that reflects something important about how God has made us. We need meaningful opportunities to contribute, serve, and use our abilities.
I have also noticed that some retired people have schedules that seem busier than those who are still working full-time. Retirement does not necessarily mean having nothing to do. It can provide opportunities to lead ministries, encourage others, volunteer, disciple younger believers, or serve in ways that were difficult during the working years. Whatever stage of life we find ourselves in, we should ask how we can faithfully use the time, relationships, abilities, and resources God has given us.
Years ago, a neighbor who worked at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres gave us tickets to see the musical I Do! I Do! It follows a married couple through fifty years of life together, including their wedding, raising children, disappointments, reconciliation, growing older, and eventually leaving their family home. The production was remarkably successful, running for more than twenty-two years with the same original cast.
It was a good production, but I remember leaving feeling discouraged. The story portrayed a lifetime of experiences, relationships, successes, and struggles, yet it did not present the eternal hope that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. Of course, I was watching a musical, not attending a church service, but it caused me to think about how sad it would be to live an entire lifetime without considering why God has placed us here or what happens when our lives come to an end.
There must be something more to life than simply growing up, working, raising a family, growing old, and dying. For those who know Jesus Christ, there is something more. We have been adopted into God’s family, purchased at a great price, and called to live for His glory. Our lives have an eternal purpose, and what we do with them matters.
Find Your Refuge in Jesus Christ
Proverbs 14:32 says, “The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.” What an encouraging promise. If everything in your life falls apart and you do not know Christ, where do you turn for lasting hope? But those who belong to Jesus have a refuge that death itself cannot take away.
Sometimes people say that the worst thing that could happen is that they might die. But from a biblical perspective, the worst thing would be to die without Jesus Christ. For a believer, death is not the end of our relationship with God. It is the beginning of experiencing His presence in a way we have never experienced before.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 says that the day of death is better than the day of birth. That statement may sound surprising, but it reminds us to take the end of life seriously. For Christians, we also have the wonderful assurance that being with Christ is better than anything this world can offer. The apostle Paul expressed that confidence when he said that departing to be with Christ is “far better” (Philippians 1:23).
That does not mean Christians should wish to shorten their lives or stop enjoying the opportunities God gives them. We should appreciate life, serve faithfully, care for our families, and make the most of the days we are given. At the same time, we do not have to live in terror of death. We can look forward to being with the Savior who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Jesus spoke directly about this hope in John 11:25–26 when He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” Then Jesus asked a very personal question: “Do you believe this?”
That is a question every one of us needs to answer.
Be Certain About Your Relationship with God
Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that people are destined to die once, and after that comes judgment. The Bible does not teach that we simply disappear when our physical lives end. We will stand before God, and we need to understand what makes us ready for that day.
For someone who has genuinely trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the question is not whether they have performed enough good works to earn entrance into heaven. Jesus has already accomplished what we could never accomplish for ourselves. Our salvation rests on His death and resurrection, and we receive that salvation by grace through faith.
The Bible also teaches that believers will give an account of how they lived and what they did with the opportunities God gave them. First Corinthians 3:12–15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 speak about the evaluation of believers’ works. This is not a second opportunity to earn salvation, but it reminds us that faithful service matters. God knows how we have used our time, abilities, knowledge, opportunities, and resources.
I believe I am secure in Christ, not because I am perfect, but because of what Jesus has done for me. I have placed my faith in Him, and He has forgiven my sins. I have been adopted as a child of God, and the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of the inheritance God has promised His people. My confidence is not in my ability to hold on to God, but in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who has saved me.
I hope you have that same confidence. If you are uncertain about your salvation, do not simply ignore the question. Open your Bible, consider what Jesus has promised, and make sure you are trusting Him rather than your own goodness, religious activities, or accomplishments.
Leave Behind More Than Your Possessions
When people begin preparing for the end of their lives, they naturally think about financial matters. It is wise to have a will, communicate important decisions, make arrangements for loved ones, and keep necessary information organized and accessible to the appropriate people. These responsibilities are acts of love and consideration for the family members who will remain.
But there is something even more important than leaving behind a house, investments, possessions, or instructions about financial affairs. We should think about leaving a spiritual legacy.
Have you told your children and grandchildren how you came to know Jesus? Have you written down what God has taught you through the difficult seasons of life? Have you expressed your love and appreciation to the people who matter most? Is there someone you need to forgive, encourage, or reconcile with while you have the opportunity?
A written testimony, a letter to family members, or a recorded conversation about your faith could become a treasured gift. A memorial service that clearly explains the hope of the gospel can also be an opportunity to point people toward Christ long after our earthly lives have ended.
We may not be able to take our possessions with us, but we can use our lives and resources now to make a difference that lasts for eternity. We can share the gospel, encourage believers, invest in ministry, help people in need, and demonstrate the love of Jesus in practical ways.
Don’t Just Prepare for This Life. Prepare for Eternity.
The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us that life should be lived thoughtfully and intentionally. We should make plans, work diligently, develop godly character, care for others, and seek the Lord’s direction. But none of those things should distract us from the reality that our earthly lives are temporary.
If God gives you another ten, twenty, thirty, or forty years, how will you use them? What might He want you to accomplish? Whom could you encourage, teach, disciple, or help lead to Jesus Christ? What changes should you make now so that your remaining years are invested in things that truly matter?
And if this were your last day, would you be ready to meet the Lord?
You do not have to know every detail about heaven or understand every question about eternity to have confidence in Jesus Christ. You need to know the Savior who conquered death, offers forgiveness, and promises eternal life to those who trust Him.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He followed that promise with a question that remains just as important today as when He first asked it: “Do you believe this?”
My prayer is that you can answer yes, and that whether God gives you many more years or only a short time, you will live faithfully, love others well, and look forward with confidence to the day when faith becomes sight.
Prepare wisely for the future, but most importantly, prepare for eternity.
Encouragement for Someone Facing Death: If you or someone you love is facing serious illness or the end of life, I have also written God’s Promises to You: Finding Peace, Assurance, and Hope in Jesus Christ. It brings together Scripture passages about salvation, forgiveness, assurance, and the hope of being with Jesus.