Instead of being consumed by the idea of an afterlife
If I may, dear SBC (peace to you!), I would to give an alternate perspective and that is that christians (i.e., members of the Body of Christ) aren't looking toward an afterlife... but toward the real life... of which this "life" (which is really not life) is a precursor. That is because we understand that none of us are truly living now, for the true living do not die. And... we die. True life is not temporary, such as we experience now - it is eternal. It is not subject to disease, aging, or death... things that are unique to flesh with its blood.
Even scientists believe that we SHOULD live forever - they just haven't deciphered, yet, just what it is that causes us to age and die as a result. Aging is a disease, dear one... of the blood. A defect in that blood. If one possessed pure blood, however, blood that has no sickness, disease, aging, or death IN it... one WOULD live... forever. And that is the hope... the gift... set before ALL of mankind: to live forever... by means of blood that is pure.
What... or rather... whose blood is like that? The blood of the Most Holy One of Israel, JAH of Armies. Which some know as "holy spirit." There is a promise to man that by means of this blood he (man) can be returned to the original "image" or likeness that was granted to Adam. There is only one caveat to man's receiving this blood: he must get it from the only One granted to dispense it - the Holy One of Israel, God's Son... JaHeShua, the Chosen One of JAH (or "MischaJah").
I know, I know... it all sounds contrived and hocus pocus to a critical thinker like yourself. And you have every right to think as you do: religion and certainly "christianity" as this world knows it hasn't given you much reason to think otherwise. I would think the same had not that One come to me and since speak to me personally. I also know how hard it is to believe that as well, but I would be totally remiss if I did not share these truths with you. It is not an issue for me that you believe me - the issue is whether I have enough love for you to TELL you... regardless of whether you believe me or not.
I do have such love, not because I know you or because of anything you've said or done to or for me. But because the One who has told ME these things loves you - indeed, he gave his life for you, too, even if you don't believe or acccept that - and I love him. So, since there really is nothing I can give him in exchange for what he did for me, I figure the least I can do is tell the truth about him... to those who ask... and those who doubt. Whether they hear or refrain.
The Most Holy One of Israel is the God of the Living, dear one. Not those who exist in the flesh now, but those who will eventually receive a white robe, the "outer garment" of a body that is CLEAN... and thus FREE... from sickness, aging... and death. THAT is the life... and one can obtain it only by exercising faith in The Life, Christ... and his blood... which blood he received from HIS Father (as we receive it from our fathers)... and gives to those who belong to... because they are beget by... him.
There is no afterlife, dear one. There is only the precursor to life... and then... life. Everything else is death.
I hope this helps and, again, bid you peace!
A slave of Christ,
SA, who doesn't particularly "like" the debate(s) between believers and non-believers, particularly when they become contentious, abusive, even malicious, but realizes the potential benefit to BOTH as a result of them. Because it is easier to love one's "enemies"... perhaps even do good to them, even pray for them... if one bothers to try and understand them and why they think/believe as they do. It is much more difficult to have tender compassion for one you can't even bother to try and understand, who you consider "beneath" you and/or have a measure of contempt for simply because you haven't a clue as to what they're about. Such unwillingness leads to thinks like racism, gender and other discrimination, even murder and war. Love does not required one to agree with what another/others believe. It simply requires one to TREAT others as they wish to BE treated... even if they ascribe to a different set of beliefs. To do less... while decrying the abuse, compulsions, and hypocrisy of certain religions is... abuse and compulsion... and thus, hypocrisy itself. Beware the leaven... which is hypocrisy and which, apparently isn't unique to the religious...
