What Comes after This Life?

What Comes after This Life? addresses the biblical teaching on heaven, hell, death, and resurrection, offering a concise introduction to what Scripture reveals about the afterlife. Part of the Crucial Questions series, this booklet by Dr. R.C. Sproul examines these topics with clarity and pastoral care.

Sproul begins with the reality that death entered the world as a consequence of sin and that every person must face it. Rather than allowing fear and uncertainty to dominate, he directs readers to the promises of Scripture—both the hope of eternal life with Christ for believers and the sobering reality of God’s judgment for those who reject Him. The booklet traces the biblical narrative from the fall through the hope of the patriarchs to the words of Jesus and the Apostle Paul.

Across nine chapters, Sproul explores what the Bible teaches about the nature of heaven, the resurrection body, the promise of God’s unveiled presence, the justice of hell, degrees of punishment, and the finality of God’s judgment. He emphasizes that the doctrine of hell is rooted not in human invention but in the teaching of Jesus Himself. Throughout, Sproul calls readers to allow Scripture rather than cultural assumptions to shape their understanding of eternity, urging them not to postpone the question of their standing before God.

Key Themes

• Death as a consequence of sin and the Christian hope beyond it
• The biblical promise of heaven and the presence of God with His people
• The reality and justice of hell as taught by Jesus
• The nature of the resurrection body and the life to come
• The finality of judgment and the urgency of faith

Featured Quotes

“Nothing is more glorious than to be bathed in the radiance of the unveiled presence of God.”

“Although we rejoice in Christ’s victory over the grave, we nevertheless fear death.”