In The End Pete Kersker - Jul 11, 2025 Jesus taught using parables (stories) with a secret meaning which Jesus explained to his disciples (students). Many of his parables (stories) were about God's Kingdom of heaven. Jesus taught us how to enter the Kingdom of God to be forgiven by God, be reconciled with God, and become Kingdom-workers who obey God by serving people. This gives our lives purpose until the end. "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried" (Luke 16:19-22 NIV). Our end in this life is not the end of our lives. We will continue living on until Jesus returns. When Jesus returns, we will stand before our Judge (Jesus) and give an account for our life here. Jesus will look at how we lived, including how we served others. Jesus told us that we must love God, love our neighbors, love our enemies, and love one another in the Church just as he loved us. We will be judged based on our love, or lack of love. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us'" (Luke 16:23-26 NIV). Once we leave this life, it's too late. The opportunity to love, care, and do what is good and right will be passed. The door will be closed on our first life. The second life will begin where we will be judged. "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead'" (Luke 16:27-31 NIV). All of us are given the same twenty four hours in a day. All of us are given God's vision for our lives. All of us are given God's call to return home before it's too late. Jesus died for all of us, so we can walk with God again. Don't wait until it's too late. See God. Listen to God. Join God. Serve God in this life so you can enjoy eternal life walking with Him. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV). Do you live this life storing up treasures for the next? What do you treasure? Where is your heart?