Jesus used the symbol of two roads to illustrate the condition of every person in this life (Matthew 7:13-14). Either we are on what He called the “Broad” road or we are on the “Narrow” road. Both of these roads lead to a destination. The Broad Road leads to eternal sorrow, pain and judgment, but the Narrow road leads to eternal life, joy and blessing. The road we are on when we die will determine our eternal destiny.
START
We all begin on what Jesus called “the Broad Road.” It is wide because there are so many people on it. It is easy to remain on this road. People on this road either don’t worry about their wrongdoings or think that they can make up for them somehow. Once we are old enough to either accept or refuse God’s offer of deliverance from this way, we deserve the judgment of God and will be punished for our sins if we do not enter the door that leads to life.
ONE DOOR
The only way to change our destination from hell to heaven is by entering the door that leads to the narrow way. Jesus states in John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…” (John 10:9 NKJV). Jesus provided the only way for us to be right with God, and we can’t get to heaven without Him (John 14:6). Jesus is the only mediator (go-between) between God and mankind (1 Timothy 2:5). To be this Mediator, He gave Himself as a payment for our sins by dying on a cross (1 Timothy 2:6). When we put our trust in Him as Savior and Lord, God can apply that payment to us, and we are forgiven and made right with God. We become a new person in Christ, God gives us a new nature that wants to please Him, and we enter the narrow way which leads to life!
DEATH
The death pillar crosses both roads. Whether a person is on their way to hell or heaven, they will die. We die because we are all sinners–death is the result of sin (Romans 5:12). But death for the believer in the Lord Jesus results in entrance into heaven, whereas death for the unbeliever results in banishment from God’s presence in hell (Hebrews 9:27). After death, there is no way to change one’s eternal destiny (Luke 16:26).
RAPTURE
The Bible does speak of one way that some believers will escape death. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 states “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ” (The English word “rapture” comes from a Latin word meaning “to seize, carry off” similar to the Greek word in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.) Jesus stated in John 14:3, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” There is no way to know when the rapture will happen. Some time after the rapture takes place, the Tribulation period will commence in which God judges the world for its sin and rebellion against Him. Those who refused the opportunity to be saved before the rapture takes place will be lost (2 Thes. 2:10).
HEAVEN
At the time of the rapture, the saints will stand before Christ and give an account for how they have lived their lives (Romans 14:10-12, 2 Cor. 5:10). This is not to determine their destiny, but to determine their reward or loss of reward (1 Cor. 3:15). In the “Father’s house” there will be rest from all heartache, trial, pain and suffering (Revelation 21:4). The saints will praise and serve God and the Lord Jesus for ever, including helping in the administration of the 1,000 year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4).
HELL
God loves all sinners and desires for them to be saved from eternal punishment (1 Timothy 2:4), but those who say “no” to God and want their own way eventually get their own way: to be separated from God forever. God does not force sinners to repent and turn to Him for salvation. Jesus spoke more about hell (hades) and the Lake of Fire (Gehenna) than He did about heaven — He cared about us and wanted us to be warned of our danger. Luke 16:19-31 is the Lord’s account of a man who went to hell.
GREAT WHITE THRONE
Revelation 20:11-15 reminds us of a coming judgment day when the Lord Jesus will stand as Judge for all those who reject Him. Here, each lost individual is sentenced to a degree of punishment according to the level of their sin and rebellion against God.
LAKE OF FIRE
This is the eternal destination of the lost. It was prepared for the devil and his angels, but all those who follow Satan’s lies and conduct will also share in Satan’s destination (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10; 21:8).