Contents
Guide
Praise for What Happens After You Die
What Happens After You Die addresses what is arguably lifes most important question. This book is clear, warm, personal, transparent, and God-honoring. Randy Frazee writes like hes the readers friend, taking us on a journey of discovery. I encourage you to walk with him.
Randy Alcorn, New York Times bestselling author of Heaven and Happiness
Practical. Encouraging. Highly readable. Informative. These are the words I use to describe the book you are holding. My good friend and coworker Randy Frazee has succeeded in clarifying a daunting topic. His teaching is simple, without being simplistic. He instructs without condescending. He answers difficult questions without skirting the issues. This is a go-to book for all of us who want to know more about the next version of life. Way to go, Randy.
Max Lucado, pastor and New York Times bestselling author
This is an amazing book! So much more to think about now. Where youve been, where you are, and ultimately where we all as Christians want to end up. Ive never heard the transition from this life to heaven explained so well. You have to read this book.
George Strait, country singer and songwriter
An honest, challenging, aimed effort to allow the teaching of Jesus to divinely collide with the greatest mysteries of life. There are certain questions that are asked time and time again and can only be answered by the God who operates outside of time.
Dr. Ed Newton, lead pastor, Community Bible Church, San Antonio, Texas
The first time I heard the story that drives the content of this book, tears streamed down my face. My good friend Randy Frazee and I share a mutual passion for what comes next after this life that flows from our deep loss, and Im so thankful hes sharing the profound truths about real hope that hes learned on his journey with us through this powerful book.
Steven Curtis Chapman, Grammy Awardwinning singer and songwriter
Weve all wrestled with the concept of what it is going to be like after we die and beyond. Although well never fully grasp the wonders until we get there, Randy paints a beautiful picture from the scriptures. Ive known Randy for a while now and his heart truly is one to bring encouragement to the body of believers. So be encouraged!
Jeremy Camp, five-time Dove Awardwinning singer and songwriter
This is a learned, lambent, superbly crafted, grippingly absorbing treatment of the end times. A belter of a book that calls across the generations. Save an evening to read it, and youll savor it for a lifetime.
Dr. Leonard Sweet, professor and bestselling author, Absecon, New Jersey
This book is a super-practical, biblical guide that I would feel comfortable giving to anyone I knowbeliever or non. Its chock-full of scripture, and I cant wait to use it as a tool to teach my children about the deep truths of heaven. Randy is truly a man of God, and Im grateful to call him a friend!
Francesca Battistelli, Grammy Awardwinning artist
Usually prior to endorsing a book, I skim through it. That was impossible with What Happens After You Die. Youll want to devour every word and scripture in this book. Prepare to be taught, encouraged, and challenged from Gods Word and Randys heart.
Dave Stone, senior pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky
The idea that all we will do is cast our crowns and cry Holy, Holy, Holy for the rest of eternity causes a sense of dread and boredom for most men I know. This is all well do in heaven? Randy Frazee gives so much more insight into the adventure God has in store for us for all eternity!
Todd Smith, lead singer of Selah, the multi-platinum and Dove Awardwinning group
We all have questions when it comes to lifes most confusing and dangerous transition. His answers are wonderfully refreshing, honest, and powerfully biblical.
Kenton Beshore, senior pastor, Mariners Church, California
To Don, Teresa, and Jo Ann, my awesome big brother and two beautiful sisters
IT WAS DECEMBER 1999. THE WORLD WAS WORRIED about Y2K, the predicted worldwide crashing of the Internet. I, on the other hand, was firmly stuck in the twentieth century, worried about my mother in Cleveland, Ohio. For several months, she had complained she wasnt feeling well. Each time we talked, the circumstances worsened. My familyliving in Fort Worth, Texas, at the timehad already booked flights to spend the Christmas holiday in Cleveland with our extended families, but because of my moms condition, I decided to go up three days earlier to be with my mom and see if I could help her to feel better.
The doctors had already tested my mom for colon and liver cancer; the tests had come back negative, so they were unable to pinpoint the problem. Pulling every string I knew, I was able to arrange an appointment for my mom on supershort notice at the renowned Cleveland Clinic. When I arrived at our cottage in Mentor-on-the-Lake and walked into the living room, my mother was lying on the couch. I tried not to be startled at how gaunt and sickly she looked, but of course she noticed. It was nearly impossible to hide anything from Mom. I assured her that I had arrived to help her get healthy again, and we all went to bed that night.
My dad slept in their bedroom, while my mother and younger sister slept in the living room. I slept in a room right off the living room. For many hours during that night, I lay awake, listening to the painful moans and sounds of vomiting coming from my mother. It was truly unbearable to hear these cries and be able to do nothing about it. Tomorrow, I thought, would be different.
My hopes rose with the first ray of sunshine that peered through my bedroom window. We needed to travel about an hour to the hospital, and we planned to take my parents Econoline travel van, which they had originally purchased to see the country. When it came time to leave, my mother said she was in too much pain to walk to the van, so I put my mom on my back, just as she had done for me so many times when I was a little kid, and carried her to the van. With every step I took, my mother literally screamed in pain. At that moment, a layer of innocence was peeled back in my life.
My dad drove the van while my mom lay on the back bench. I sat on the edge of the bench to talk with and tend to my mother. About ten minutes into the trip, my mom took me on another road trip down memory lane.
The year was 1977. Having arrived at home from high school in the afternoon, I plopped myself down on the couch to catch an episode of the soap opera One Life to Live. (Before criticism leaks from the lips of you millennials, keep in mind there was no Internet and very few television stations back then, so the programming was quite limited.) My mom walked in. She told me she had been to visit the youth pastor of the church I attended. My folks didnt go to church, but I had started attending a Baptist church three years earlier.
My parents were having marital trouble, and my mom had gone to get some counseling. My pastor didnt fix her marriage, but he did tell my mom about Jesus. My mom shared how he had led her through the Sinners Prayer. I knew exactly the prayer she was referring to. He had led me through that same prayer three years earlier as I knelt by a folding chair with him in the churchs youth room.