Mortality: Taken for Granted? (paradise, hell, churches, scriptures)

[Chanteuse d' Opéra]

I'm 20 yrs old...I just checked my e-mail & saw that a girl whose also a college senior (in the class of 2010) got killed this morning in a car accident...life is too short & in light of all these celebrity deaths (I know ppl are born & die every day)

But I think at this point in my life, death is becoming surreal to me...I've never had anyone close to me die before...my grandfather died in 2005 when I was 17 but he was a very mean man & nobody really grieved for him except for my grandmother...I'm not afraid of dying but getting killed, I've heard accounts before from people who have almost died but came back that it was amazing almost "crossing over"...

I'm a Christian but @ times I doubt that there is a Heaven & Hell...I am most afraid of nothingness, of leaving my physical body & just becoming a "spirit", if you will...

anyway, I was wondering what you all thought about this? As I prepare to graduate from college next year...& as my birthday approaches (in July) life & death seem all too real & almost a tangible concept..I hope this made sense...your thoughts are appreciated...

[Reverend1111]

Death is a touchy subject for most because we don't know what to expect. Unless we've died and lived in the spirit world and came back to tell of the adventure, there is really no proof of anything.
I can tell you what I feel is true but that will only be my truth. You have to decide for yourself how you want to deal with the issue.

I don't really know if I've ever been afraid of death. I know that at this point in my material career, I'm looking forward to that time. It's special to me because it would mean this part of my career is over and the next phase is about to begin. It's like graduating from kindergarten to first grade. You are looking forward to the next school year and that means you'll be older and things will change.

When we do cross to the spirit world, we will be greeted by family and friends. They will make us comfortable and help us get acquainted with the new world and our new bodies. We will, eventually, have to go where our soul is fitted for. Wherever we end up, we have to remember that it's just a place to progress from. God loves all, even the sinner and will wait for them throughout all eternity.

I dont' fear death. I look forward to it.

[Reverend1111]

I want to add that while we are here, we should experience this life fully as we will never get another chance. Live a life of love for everyone and everything and every endeavor. Learn the lesson from everything good and bad. And above all, be in the world without having the need to worry if something is right or wrong just because somene else says so. Just be Love.

[wilvan]

When we die we don't go to heaven or hell as taught by most traditional Christian churches. The Scriptures say the dead knows nothing... they are unconscious... until the resurrection. True Christians will be in the first resurrection at the 2nd coming of Christ and they will rule with him on earth for 1000 yrs.

After the 1000 yrs is over comes the 2nd resurrection of all humans to face God in the Great White Throne Judgment. Humans who are given eternal life will live in the New Earth... a paradise without end. God will wipe away their tears... there's no more pain, or sorrow, or death, as these are all things of the past.

Is There Life After Death? - by Richard F. Ames