In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes there is a most profound statement. In chapter three verse eleven the text reads—“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” (NKJV). What powerful statements! From the very beginning men and women, both godly and ungodly, have had within them some consciousness of eternity. From the ancient Greeks and Egyptians with their pyramids and legends of the after-life to the patriarch Job, who said confidently—“after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:26, ASV).

     Even the most wicked person deep down inside has some fear, wonder or curiosity about what lies beyond our small and frail lives. Yet, unfortunately many people, rather than preparing for eternity (as God has shown us that we may do through the gospel of Jesus Christ), choose to ignore their own consciousness of eternity. Some will say—“There is no God!” As a result, eternity is of no concern to them. Others will say - “I’m young and healthy, I have time.” Thus they delay any concern about eternity. Perhaps saddest of all, some will convince themselves that their own ideas about how to prepare for eternity are the same as God’s will. Thus, whether they have looked at the Bible to see what God wants or not, they tell themselves that they are ready for eternity.

     Whatever you may choose in this life for a career, hobby, home life or family, when it comes to the end of our life all that will truly matter is…

“How have you prepared for eternity?”

Given the fact that only God can know—“the work that God does from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), the only way that one can know how to prepare for eternity is by listening to Him. Hebrews chapter one verse two tells us that God “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (NKJV). If God has now spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, we had better do all that we can to listen to Him. Have you listened to Christ through God’s word in the Bible? Have you followed His instructions? Are you prepared for eternity? The time is now!