What Happens When You Die? The Universal Decree

A Deadly Message From Ancient Persia

In Esther 3:12-15, King Ahasuerus's scribes sent a horrifying decree throughout the Persian Empire: "to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day." The message commanded everyone to be "ready against that day."

While this ancient decree targeted the Jewish people, it reveals a sobering truth that applies to every person alive today.

The Universal Decree That Awaits Us All

Just as Haman's deadly message went out to every province, there's a universal decree that no one can escape. Hebrews 9:27 says: "For it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

Job 30:23 declares: "For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living."

Unlike the Jews in Persia who had months to prepare, we don't know when our "day" will come. The question isn't whether you'll die—it's whether you're ready for what happens after you die.

What the Bible Reveals About Death

Scripture teaches several crucial truths about death:

Death is the consequence of sin.

• Romans 5:12 explains: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

Death comes to everyone.

• Ecclesiastes 2:16 reminds us: "How dieth the wise man? as the fool." Wealth, wisdom, and worldly success cannot prevent death.

You cannot control your time of death.

• Ecclesiastes 8:8 states: "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death."

Two Eternal Destinations

Here's the crucial truth: after death, you will live somewhere eternally. You're either going to live forever rejoicing in fellowship with Jesus Christ, or you'll be eternally separated from God with your name blotted out of the book of life.

There will be a "blotting" in your life—either your sins will be blotted out through faith in Christ, or your name will be blotted out from the book of life.

The Greatest Fool in the Kingdom

Jesus told a parable in Luke 12:16-20 about a rich man who built bigger barns and said to his soul: "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry."

But God said to him: "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"

The greatest fool isn't someone who lacks intelligence or wealth—it's someone who lives as though they'll never die, yet must die knowing they've never prepared for eternity.

Are You Ready?

In Esther 3, the ancient Persian postal system carried Haman's decree with fresh horses at each station, ensuring the message reached everyone quickly. Today, God's message reaches you clearly: death is certain, but eternal life is available through Jesus Christ.

The question that should grip your heart is this: Are you ready against that day?

Don't be like the rich fool who made no preparations for eternity. Acknowledge that you're a sinner, believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again, and call upon His name to be saved.

Where will you spend eternity?

🎧✨ Want to hear this powerful message in its entirety? This condensed post only touches the surface of this expository preaching session. Listen to the complete verse-by-verse Bible teaching sermon to discover even more insights about preparing for eternity, including historical examples from Corrie ten Boom and Oskar Schindler. [Listen to the full sermon here] – this life-changing message will prepare your heart for eternity!