How to be Sure Heaven is Your Eternal Destination

Hello, there! I’m so glad you are here today, as I have a very important question to ask you. Let me come straight out and ask, “Are you 100% sure of eternal life in heaven if you were to die today? Do you know where your eternal destination is?” Well, that’s two questions, though they are related.

Your answer will be either a resounding YES or one of uncertainty. It’s either heaven or hell, as those are the only two options. 

I don’t mean to be so blunt, but this topic of your eternal destination is crucial, and I need to talk with you about believing in Jesus. 

But first, I’d like to share with you a quick story about my Dad.

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My Dad’s Answer About His Eternal Destination

Years ago, I asked my father the same question I just asked you. I was concerned about his eternal destination as I was for my whole family. While my father was raised Roman Catholic, he hadn’t gone to church in decades. As a result, he was unable to answer my question with certainty, as he said, “I hope I go to heaven.” Based on his response, I was able to explain how he could be certain, without a doubt, that his eternal destination would be heaven.

I’ll tell you the rest of his story in a few minutes.

God’s Timing Concerning Your Eternal Destination

You’re not here by mistake, and by “here” I mean reading these words. The Holy Spirit is drawing you to Jesus Christ and using these words in the process. You see, the Holy Spirit is also concerned about your eternal destination and is drawing you to Himself, to make a decision that you’ll never regret.

Oh, I realize that just because you are reading this doesn’t mean that you have the same belief system that I do. Hopefully, we will answer some of your questions as we go along. 

But first, let’s find some truth to help your understanding of salvation. As you read through this post, you can read the Bible verse in full by clicking on the Scripture reference links.

The Remedy for Sin that Guarantees Eternal Life

Before we go any further, you need to know the truth about sin. We are all sinners, that’s hard to hear, I know, but it’s true. You sin. I sin. We all sin, which makes us sinners. We need to acknowledge that, according to Romans 3:23, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God.

The good news is that Jesus died to save sinners, you and me, Romans 5:8. Did you know that if you were the only person on this planet, Jesus would still have died on the cross for you? His death by crucifixion was horrible, and yet He chose to go through with it for you. Why? Because He knew that you could not provide the requirements of the sacrifice for your own sin.

You can be assured of His sacrifice for you because all who believe in Jesus will not perish. Their destination will be secured with eternal life, John 3:16. It’s because of God’s great love for you that Jesus died for you. 

Jesus is our sin remedy. It is by your faith in God that you can be saved, Romans 1:17. And the best part is that it is your faith that saves you, not your good works and not someone else’s faith, Ephesians 2:8-9. Nothing you do can earn your destination in heaven. Only faith in Jesus can do that, and it all starts with believing in Jesus. 

God Loves You and Provides You with an Eternal Destination

Sister, know this and take it in deep, please,…God loves you! He loves you so much, so deeply, that He gave up His only Son for you. He wants you to have an eternal destination of heaven, and He wants you to have eternal life, John 3:16.

What Father does that, give up His Son for someone else? Oh, sure, many fathers say they would do that, and they probably have. However, only God gave up His Son for all of mankind. Think about that. There are roughly 8 billion people on this planet, and they all have the same opportunity to believe in Jesus for their eternal life with Him. 

The Punishment for Unbelief

Many people choose not to believe in Jesus. This means that they are choosing a destination of hell along with its punishment, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.

Do you know that hell is a very real place? So many people say they’ll have a party with their friends there, but that’s not what will happen, according to the Bible. Hell is a place of continual torment that was intended for the devil and his demons. But people end up going there because of their hatred for God and lack of belief in Jesus.  

Let’s face it, none of us is righteous in ourselves, which means we all deserve the punishment of death. I don’t mean the first death where our family and friends die, and we bury them. I’m speaking of the second death, which is a spiritual death that leads to the eternal destination of hell.

Are you aware that not believing in Jesus is a sin, Hebrews 3:12? Many passages in the Bible speak of the unbelief of Jesus and His finished work as a sin against God.

Unbelief is worthy of the punishment of death, which is eternal separation from God. This is a fearful thing, to be eternally suffering in the lake of fire and brimstone, Revelation 21:8.

Friend, know that hell is a very real place, Luke 16:24-26, and is intended for the devil and his demons. However, people find themselves heading to this eternal destination because of evil in their hearts and unbelief in God. This is not where I want to go, do you?

Believe in Jesus and Gain Eternal Life

Here are a few truths I want you to hear/read to help you believe in Jesus:

1. Know this, that Jesus is the only One who can save you, Acts 4:12. There is no other name but Jesus who can save you from your sins. That is, there is no other name that provides salvation with the promise of eternal life with an eternal destination of heaven.
2. Whoever calls on the name of Jesus will be saved, Acts 2:21. This is a sure thing, so you won’t have to wonder if you’re saved or not. When the confession is made that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, your faith has saved you.
3. God has called you His own. He calls you His child because of His great love for you, 1 John 3:1. You are not a mistake, nor are you a failure. You are His masterpiece, and He made you for a purpose.

So, now you have read how a person can obtain salvation. Is it clear to you that you can know which eternal destination will be yours? Heaven or hell? I hope and pray that you will believe in Jesus and His finished work of the cross.

Remember this, the Bible says in 1 John 5:12, that “he who has the Son has life, and he who does not have the Son, does not have life.” This means that the only guarantee that you or I or anyone has is our belief in Jesus, and more than that, allowing Jesus to be our Lord and Saviour. We become members of God’s family and will spend eternity with Him in heaven. This post, by Got Questions, may help answer some questions I haven’t touched on. 

How to Secure Your Eternal Destination in Heaven

So, friend, are you ready to move from unbelief to belief in Jesus as the Son of God? If so, I have a few questions for you:

• Are you ready to accept the truth that Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived as a sinless man, died on the cross, and forgave your sins, past, present, and future?

• Do you acknowledge that Jesus, in His death, was separated from His Father as He bore your sins?

• Do you acknowledge that He rose again from the dead three days later and ascended to heaven to once again live with His Father?

• And do you accept what Jesus did for you? Do you want to exchange your eternal destination of hell for the destination of heaven?

This is such a momentous decision in your life. You are deciding your future destiny. You are doing this through faith in God. When you make your decision, you may not feel any different from the moment before. Or you could feel refreshed, like a load has been taken off your shoulders. Either way, your salvation is secure. You are now a child of God and a member of God’s family.

What will you decide? Heaven or hell? The choice is yours.

A Prayer of Confession of Salvation

Are you ready to make your decision now? Can I lead you in a simple prayer? While you are reading this, you can elaborate on your situation, if you wish. The words in this prayer will not save you. There is no formula for getting saved except simple faith in God, in believing in Jesus for what He did for you.

Father God, I have read of how much You love me even though I am a sinner. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You, Jesus, for being obedient unto death in providing salvation for me. Jesus, thank you for the forgiveness of my sins, past, present, and future. Through my faith, I am now saved. I am now born-again, and my name is written in the Book of Life. Thank You for salvation! I am free, I am saved, I am a new creation in Christ! My eternal destination is now eternal life with You, Jesus! Thank You, Father God!

If you prayed this prayer, you have declared your faith in God, belief in Jesus, and desire to be part of God’s family. The angels are rejoicing (Luke 15:10) this very moment! You are now saved, Romans 10:13!

So, now that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you will want to do a few things to ensure you don’t get sidetracked with the busyness of life. Here’s a related post for you to check out: 6 Vital Steps for the New Believer. 

My Dad’s Story

Well, I shared with my Dad something very similar to what I just shared with you. He didn’t want to pray the prayer with me, so I left it with him as I prayed for him to make his decision.

A few weeks later, Dad had major surgery for a “below-the-knee amputation.” I fully expected to help him adapt to the changes thrust upon him with a prosthesis and wheelchair.

However, I received a phone call from Dad’s doctor that my father did not make it through recovery after the operation. He died without regaining consciousness.

I was heartbroken! My main concern was, did he accept Christ through faith? Was he born again at the time of his death? Did he have moments of awareness to call out upon the name of Jesus?

The next morning, in the early hours, God gave me a dream. I was in the center of God’s palm, pulling my Dad up onto His palm. Dad stood up, dressed as he always did, black trousers, a white shirt, and through his pant leg, I could see a healthy pink leg. Dad was healed!

For years, I wondered what the dream meant. Would I see Dad again in heaven? Had he made the decision that would have changed his eternal destination from hell to heaven? Or was it my wishful and hopeful thinking?

It was a hard thing for me to live with, the not knowing. However, God, in His mercy, 23 years later, showed me in a vision that my Dad is in heaven. Praise God! Since that day, I have had the assurance that I will see him again!

Wrapping this up…

I’m so glad you decided to follow Christ, to be a believer, meaning that you are now a Christian. The angels have rejoiced in heaven over your decision. Did you know that?

Congratulations!

Now that you have secured your salvation, what about your family and friends? Do you know if they are going to heaven or hell? This would be a great time to share your newfound faith with them. They need to know about Jesus, too, don’t you think?

I know that sharing your good news with others may be a problem, but I want to encourage you to stand strong. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for the words to say to them. Maybe it will be in a quiet moment when you can share what Jesus has done for you.

In Him We Live,

~ Cindy

~ Posts Related to this Topic ~

Understanding Salvation for New Believers
6 Vital Steps for the New Believer