1. There is so much suffering on earth. It can appear unfair.
2. Maybe there is a better existence in the afterlife.
3. The afterlife might be a better life than the one we live on earth.
4. When you experience a loved one dying of cancer. It seems so unfair. A Christian does hope in God that they are dying to go to a better place.
5. Faith & belief in the afterlife are powerful concepts when a person is faced with the finality of death.
6. Life can be unfair. Some perfectly innocent people are killed. Children die. Cancer can afflict anyone. War & nuclear poison can even kill the unborn child.
7. It can be a source of comfort to say & believe that that person who has died is going to be in a better place.
8. It makes sense to soften the blow of death. Grief or bereavement is a powerful force that can pull people into despair.
9. If there is faith belief in a loving God who will embrace that person when they die then this will help people come to terms with death.
10. Death is a final moment. The actual journey towards it can be quick or slow. Some will suffer on their journey to death. They will need nursing & love.
11. This experience makes many trust in God.
12. Faith is not based on evidence. Faith is based on trust.
13. Many feel the presence of the afterlife will make them behave differently in this life.
14. For years the Church taught about Hell. Hell was where a bad Christian was going to go if they did not obey God’s laws.
16. Fear kept people on the straight & narrow.
17. There was also teaching about why people had to be poor & righteous otherwise they faced judgement.
18. There is also the Christian teaching that the devil might tempt you away from God. He might encourage you away from good to the more wicked sins of this world.
19. If people feared everlasting torment. Then maybe they would be good.
20. Salvation comes to a Christian by believing in God.
21. They believe they will be saved by their devotion to Jesus.
22. The belief in salvation is that Jesus will remember them in the next life. They hope Jesus will be merciful to them.
23. This is a comfort & a sustaining belief that will make life after death a joyful comfort for the future.
24. There is also the faith that someone you loved did not die without there being good reason. You might call it a sacrifice.
25. Christians will sacrifice their sons & daughters in battle. In the war against terror many families will believe their loved ones died doing their duty to God.
26. The reward for the glorious dead is eternal peace with God.
