LSMom

I don't have anything to add to all the comments already made - but I really like the perspective that Carole (post #5) gives us of the situation. It's sometimes easy to forget that the people we read about in the bible were regular people, just like us. They didn't have any special insight, they were afraid, unsure and confused. I doubt I would have done half as well in their place.

"I am the resurrection and the life...." John 5:25 According to my bible dictionary, resurrection is "a return to life subsequent to death". Jesus does more than just allow or cause life after death, He IS life, and He IS life after death. Death becomes impossible with Him. It cannot overcome Him, as He proved after the crucifixion. He is extending that eternal life to all of us who believe in Him. Even though we will die at the end of an earthly life, we are resurrected to an eternal life afterwards and it is Jesus who makes this possible.

I really like your description of heaven as paradise. I don't think we can really understand what it will be like - I don't think we can ever truly understand or comprehend God's intentions (or God, Himself, for that matter). I believe that, whatever it is that He has planned for us, it will be unspeakably wonderful, and in all ways far better than the condemnation being planned for the unbelievers. I used to be terrified of death - as all humans are, I suppose - but one day I realized that if I profess to believe that God loves me, then I have no choice but to trust that everything else He told us is also true. If Jesus tells us that He has gone to prepare a place for us, then we can be sure it will be far better than anything we experience on earth. The only way we will be able to experience that paradise is to leave this life. I still don't know what to expect, but the terror of the unknown is gone - now I look at it as a wonderful surprise waiting for me.