AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

People enjoy exciting stories, ones taking unexpected twists and turns leaves them asking, “and then what happens?”. Movie sequels for Harry Potter, Star Wars, Lord of The Rings, or The Land Before Time use familiar characters to bring their stories to a close, filling their fans curiosity for what happens next. The Bible tells us the story of how God’s love will save humanity from their sins, allowing those who want to, the possibility of becoming his children. Like all good stories the Bible has many unexpected surprises that can keep the reader wondering; “how does God work for the good of those who love him and what is his plan for humanity?”, but from our point in God’s story, then what happens?

Over the last two thousand years, Christians have declared Jesus to be the deliverer of mankind’s salvation, the key character in God’s plan. Acts chapter one tells us that, before Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives, his disciples asked him; 6…“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”. 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  

Later on; 9…while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Christians around the world are awaiting the return of Jesus. Within the Christian community there is little unanimity on how his return will take place. Some believe it will be before the tribulation, others after it, some don’t think there will be a tribulation at all, but rather, they believe they’ll join Jesus in heaven after they die, spending eternity with him there. I think the third verse of the old gospel song, How Great Thou Art, sums up the beliefs best.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow with humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

There’s not much talk in Christian churches about how the Kingdom of God will take shape or the important roles those called to Jesus will have in it. Regardless of your views on when Jesus will return, those who study Bible scripture know there is much to take place after Jesus returns, before the Kingdom of God is fully established here on earth. Knowing how these events take shape will help us understand God’s plan for humanity. Examining our beliefs to make sure they are fully rooted in Bible scripture is imperative when building our faith on firm biblical foundations. When we can’t reconcile all Bible scripture within our beliefs, we must reevaluate our beliefs or our understanding of what the Bible is telling us.

Regardless of when Jesus returns, let’s look at some biblical events that take place during and after the return of Jesus. Let’s start with a few reasons why Christians should look forward to His return.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 New King James Version

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 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.

Matthew 24:29-31 King James Version (KJV)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 King James Version (KJV)
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Just a side thought or rabbit trail, how many Christians believe they put on immortality when they accept Jesus as their personal savior, rather than when they are raised incorruptible at the return of Jesus?

 Jesus taught his disciples and followers when they would receive eternal life. He told them he would come back and raise them to eternal life in John 6, and then he repeated this teaching to them three times in the same conversation, making sure they understood.

39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

At the last day, when Jesus returns, the Bible assures Christians they will be changed into their new bodies. We don’t know what those new bodies will be like, but they will be like the body Jesus has.

1 John 3:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Once Jesus returns the armies of the world make war with him. The battle is vicious and bloody but in the end Jesus wins.

Revelation 11:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 19:11-19 New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ on a White Horse
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head weremany crowns. He [a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a [c]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

The Beast and His Armies Defeated
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the [d]supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people,[e]free and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 

Revelation 14:18-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred [a]furlongs.

Once the world’s armies are defeated the Beast and False prophet are thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 19:20 New King James Version (NKJV)
20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

At this point in the story some Christians would wonder, and then what happens? The Bible goes on to describe Satan and his demons being chained in the bottomless pit while the earth is healed during a thousand years of peace ruled by Jesus and his saints.

Revelation 20:1-3 New King James Version
Satan Bound 1,000 Years
20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

Zechariah 14:4-17 New International Version (NIV)
4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake[a] in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

6 On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. 7 It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.

8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the 111Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.

9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

What next? The Bible tells us those who are left living on the earth during these thousand years will live under the rule and laws of Jesus. Not everyone at this time will willingly want to follow him.

Zechariah 14:17-21 New International Version
17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worshipthe King, the Lord Almighty, they will have no rain. 18 If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The Lord[a]will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
20 On that day holy to the Lord will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. 21 Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite[b] in the house of the Lord Almighty.

Those who were resurrected at the return of Jesus will be with him, they will have important roles to play in the Kingdom as kings and priests.

1 Peter 2:9 New International Version

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Revelation 1:5-6 New King James Version
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who [a]loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us [b]kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him beglory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 20:4 New King James Version

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years.

The first mass resurrection took place when Jesus returned to earth. Those who were in that resurrection are blessed and holy. Resurrected into new immortal bodies like the one Jesus has, they will not die, so the second death will have no power over them. Have you ever asked yourself what is the second death? It seems apparent that in order to die a second time or go through a second death, people would have to have a second life. How could they gain such a life, is that a Christian belief, is that possibility even biblical?

God’s ability to rescue humanity doesn’t end with their present life. He has the power to bring people back to life through a resurrection from the dead. Jesus is the savior for all of mankind, from any time or place they may have lived. For humans to avail themselves of the sacrifice Jesus made for them, they must except that sacrifice, but when would they be able to make such a life altering decision? These next verses will shed light on what awaits all those who weren’t resurrected at the return of Jesus. The rest of the dead, everyone who has ever lived, will live again and have their first opportunity to know Jesus. Only those who are called to Jesus by the father can come to him during this present life. Everyone else are blinded to Jesus. Just as God promised the ancient Israelites a future life of knowing him, all who never heard the call of the father during this present life will now hear that call.

Revelation 20:5-6 New King James Version
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Ezekiel 37:1-13 New King James Version
The Dry Bones Live
37 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they werevery dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I amthe Lord.” ’ ”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the [a]breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and [b]breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.

How long will these resurrected people’s second life last? The Bible gives us one verse describing a time when people will freely learn about him. Verse 20 tells of a time where no infant will die without living a full life, a time where only a sinner will live to the age of 100.

What do you give someone who has everything? You give them something they don’t have and can’t get for themselves. God can’t make someone willingly love him and he won’t force himself on people. He wants them to willingly want to be with him and will give them a lifetime to decide. They’ll get to make that decision while living on a splendidly renewed earth after the thousand-year period is over.

Isaiah 65:17-25 New King James Version
The Glorious New Creation
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or [a]come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,
And her people a joy.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
And joy in My people;
The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,
Nor the voice of crying.

20 “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days,
Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days;
For the child shall die one hundred years old,
But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them;
They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit;
They shall not plant and another eat;
For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people,
And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labor in vain,
Nor bring forth children for trouble;
For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord,
And their offspring with them.

24 “It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together,
The lion shall eat straw like the ox,
And dust shall be the serpent’s food.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,”
Says the Lord.

And then what happens? As we already know, Satan is released after the thousand years are over. It’s now 100 years after the thousand years has finished, so his time to be released has definitely come. Satan is released into the world and as usual, he goes out to deceive mankind.

Revelation 20:3 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

Revelation 20:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV)
Satanic Rebellion Crushed
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.

God destroyed the wicked who rebelled against him. Even after living a lifetime of peace under the rule of God, they rejected Jesus, choosing to follow Satan instead, they now die for the last time. Now God’s attention turns to the original rebel, Satan is thrown into the lake of fire, never to influence mankind again.

Revelation 20:10 New King James Version
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[a] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

And then what happens? The Bible tells us about one more resurrection. This time it’s a dreadful one where participants in it must answer for their poor life choices. Many of the parables Jesus taught warn us about this resurrection and how those in it will lose all they thought they possessed. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. These parables are directed towards those who thought they were pleasing God, but in actuality they’re hearts were far from him.

Matthew 25:24-30 New King James Version (NKJV)
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what isyours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 7:21-23 New King James Version
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Those who follow Jesus and then turn back are in danger of losing their salvation and being left out of the Kingdom.

Luke 9:61-62 New King James Version (NKJV)
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go andbid them farewell who are at my house.”

62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Hebrews 10:26-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Just Live by Faith
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Hebrews 6:4-8 New King James Version (NKJV)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 [a]if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

This third resurrection is the last one spoken of in the Bible. Being resurrected back to flesh and bone, those who die in the lake of fire will remain dead for the rest of eternity, this is their second death. I firmly believe John 3:15-17 is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
New King James Version 15 that whoever believes in Him should [a]not perish but have eternal life.16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Only those who believe in Jesus will gain eternal life, that leaves everyone else dead, not possessing eternal life. Hell, and the grave are no longer needed as all who have ever lived will have passed through them. Hell, and the grave are now done away with.
Revelation 20:12-15 King James Version (KJV)
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

And then what happens? Finally, we come to the end of God’s plan for mankind’s salvation. All who chose and followed Jesus faithfully, no matter when, will live with the father, as his children for the rest of eternity after the new Jerusalem arrives on earth. Those who rejected his love are allowed to choose an eternal punishment of death. Never again will they be brought back to life as everyone has had their opportunity to freely accept Jesus if they wanted to.

Revelation 21:1-8 New King James Version
All Things Made New
21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It[c] is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Like clues in a mystery all pertinent scripture needs to be included the story, if we are to fully understand the coming Kingdom of God. This short essay only touched on a few of the scriptures that need to be incorporated into the beliefs of those wanting a clear picture of God’s salvation for humanity.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

There have been many books written about having love and how showing love to those around us is the most important thing people need, they emphasize how you’ll never go wrong with love. Supported by the Bible these beliefs are correct, God is love and, in the end, love will be of the greatest value.

1 John 4:7-11 New King James Version
Knowing God Through Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 Corinthians 13 New King James Version
The Greatest Gift
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

However, the belief that all you need is love, is in stark contrast to the words of Jesus, who claimed believing in him was the only way to salvation and eternal life with the father.

John 14:1-6 New King James Version
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And 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. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Many Christians believe all loving people will be saved and get to live in heaven despite not knowing Jesus. As a rule, these Christians have a traditional understanding of life after death, where the good souls go to heaven and the bad souls go to hell for punishment as soon as their mortal body dies.

Understanding man’s mortality, as well as the resurrections, is important in knowing God’s plan for salvation. Through those resurrection plans love will win in the end. Both beliefs are true. All will have to accept the salvation of Jesus to be saved and those who have love will live with God for eternity. The resurrections and end time events, as the Bible describes them, gives a time and place where both these beliefs can come true. Using all relevant Bible scripture is vital when trying to understand the plan God has for mankind’s salvation.