heaven

Spokesman Mark DeMoss explained: “It was Mr. Graham’s explicit intent that his funeral service reflect and reinforce the Gospel message he preached for more than 60 years.” Meanwhile, a more permanent memorial to Dr. Graham’s life and legacy is being planned.

The headline shocked me: “Billy Graham’s nephew isn’t mourning his passing.” I was afraid that journalists had found a disgruntled family member who would disparage Dr. Graham’s legacy.

A number of influential Christian figures finished the work God gave them to do and went home to be with the Lord this year. These men and women were authors, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and involved in ministries of all types. They represent an incredible cross-section of who God chooses to be a part of His Kingdom and to bring others into that Kingdom. We can draw much inspiration and encouragement from learning about their lives, but we can also look at their lives as reminders that without Christ, we are lost, but with Him, we can do all things for which He will equip us. We hope that you benefit from reading through this list of 13 influential Christians who faithfully lived out their callings and are now at rest.

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A new survey shows that in a number of Western nations, the population no longer believes in Heaven or Hell, even if they also claim to believe in God.

"Is it that we wait for heaven to be free from the troubles of this world? Accepting everything that comes our way as part of our lot in life? Believing that we will not see the promises of God in this life?"

A scientist recently was forced to rethink her faith (or lack thereof) when she had a near-death experience.

Disasters like Hurricane Harvey remind us that the future is known only to God.

For Christians, there can be no greater comfort than knowing death is not the end. But what about those who don’t believe in the afterlife, or worse, simply don’t care?

“Heaven is a fairy tale for people afraid of the dark.” –Stephen Hawking

I’m afraid of the dark.

If we’re talking about the endless kind of darkness that offers no light anywhere, no hope ever, and nothing but nothingness, who among us would not panic at the thought of that?

I expect people like Mr. Hawking simply find the idea of Heaven too good to be true, and thus conclude that it must be a product of man’s delusional yearning for “pie in the sky by and by.”

And yet, there are solid reasons for reasonable people to believe in the concept of a Heavenly home after this earthly life. Here are some that mean a lot to me. By no means is this list exhaustive. It’s simply my thinking on the subject.

The God who made us created us with a longing for Himself and a satisfaction in nothing less.

When we get to Heaven, we will finally be satisfied, but not until then. “I shall be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake” (Psalm 17:15).

“I go to prepare a place for you,” said our Lord. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3).

If it were not so, I would have told you.

Jesus said that. I believe Him.

I choose to believe.

In the Q&A section of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s website, the famous evangelist recently answered five common questions many people have about heaven.