What Did Jesus Say About the Afterlife and the End of the Age?

Not too long ago, the Book Ratings website chose one of my books as one of their top 10 Bible Studies for teens. The title of the book that was chosen is The Afterlife and the End of the Age, In Jesus' Words.

It is interesting that they recognized the book as a great study for teens. When I wrote the book, I wrote it for an intended adult audience; however, I can certainly see how it would be a very interesting study for older teens. The website also rated the book as PG, of course, because there is much discussion in the book of violence, persecution, wars, and natural disasters -- all events that Jesus informed us would certainly happen towards the end.

Here is a short excerpt of The Afterlife and the End of the Age, In Jesus' Words:

In Mark 13:, Jesus speaks about the end of the age, and he tells his followers,

"For in those days, there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of creation, which God created until now, and never will be. Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days. Then, if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or,  'Look there!' Don't believe it. For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. But you watch. Behold! I have told you all things beforehand."


Notice what Jesus said: "Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved." The word used here is important: no flesh would survive. The original Greek word used here is the word pronounced sarx, and it is clearly a word meaning flesh or body. See, Jesus knows that life is eternal, and he did not say, "No one will survive." He was specific in that it is only the earthly flesh that may not continue to live after the opressions and persecutions that would come. We know that our bodies are merely "temporary tents" for our spirit.(2 Corinthians 5:11) Even though the body, or the flesh, dies, we all have eternal spirits. 

We have to remember that we are spirits. There is a quote of unknown origin that says, 

"You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."

Your body is merely a temporary dwelling space that is presently occupied by your soul. Your flesh may be destroyed, but the real YOU -- your spirit -- lives on. 

I believe it is very significant that Jesus specifically spoke and said that no flesh will be saved. Throughout the Bible, especially through Jesus' teachings, it is clear that flesh represents our physical, material, earthly bodies, and that our flesh is separate from our spirit

So much of our lives seems focused on "body care," and on the appearance and health of the body. That is not necessary a bad thing; but, 

What if we spent as much time and focus on our "soul care" and on our spiritual growth as we do on the body? What kind of difference would that make in our lives now, and in eternity?




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