This past year many of us have had family or friends pass from this earthly realm into the heavenly realm – their heavenly home. (I might just add that most had several health issues – not just one). When a person leaves this earthly realm, then it is said that they died, but they did not die. Their body died, but they did not die; they still are very much alive – somewhere. The question is “where”? There are just two options: hell, or heaven. Does this sound strong? Does this sound bold? Yes. But that’s because time is short and a person must decide their eternal destination while in this earthly realm.

While thinking about this it occurred to me how similar our eternal planning to move to heaven is to our natural planning is here to move to another home. So, to help us understand the importance of making a right decision, I making some comparative illustrations on moving – as is from one city or state to another – and our leaving this realm for the next.

When we plan to move from one city to another, there are certain things we must do before the actual moving day. We search for a realtor, a job, a home, and perhaps a good school district. A good realtor saves us from a lot of heartache in these searches. In comparison, Jesus is our spiritual Realtor. Jesus is the ONLY ONE who can provide us with a home in heaven. (John 14:6) The Holy Spirit helps us now to secure good jobs to provide for the needs of our family. He saves us from a lot of heartache in our lives here on earth when we obey His leading.

At the closing of purchasing of a new home, there are lawyers to help us understand our rights and the legality of all the forms of purchasing a home. God has the plan to move us from this earthly realm to His Heavenly realm, and that plan is Salvation in His Son Jesus. Just as we have legal earthly laws that provide us with rights and benefits, Jesus, our Advocate, has secured eternal legal rights and benefits for those who believe in Him. He is the One who stands beside us through the whole process of living a Christian life now. The Holy Spirit works with us to teach us, and grow up spiritually from faith to faith and glory to glory.

If you’re going to believe there is a heaven then you must also believe that there is a hell. The Bible talks of both places. Again, the question is where will your next move take you? Heaven or hell? In order to be prepared for the next step, a decision must be made to believe in Jesus as your Savior; and that decision must be made while living in this life.

Be not deceived into thinking that you can wait until the end of this earthly life; for you may not have opportunity to make that decision at the last minute. So, the best way to plan is to prepare now by acknowledging that Jesus died on the Cross for the penalty of your sins; that God raised Him from the dead; and to confess (say) that you believe in Jesus as your Savior. It actually is that simple; it just needs to be sincere from you heart of repentance. To repent means to turn from sin and turn to living for Jesus.

I pray that this simple illustrative comparison will help you make a decision of believing in Jesus so if we never meet in this earthly realm, we will meet in Heaven. Don’t put it off. Time is short because Jesus is coming back again very soon.