Heaven isn’t a myth or a metaphor, it’s a promise backed by both Scripture and evidence. That was the heart of author and apologist Lee Strobel’s message when he spoke at Pastor Robert Jeffress’ First Baptist Dallas. His story of doubt, investigation and faith reminded listeners that death is not the end but the beginning of something far greater.
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From skeptic to believer
Strobel, once an atheist and legal editor for the Chicago Tribune, set out to disprove Christianity. But his research led him to faith in Jesus. That same desire for truth resurfaced years later when a medical emergency left him near death.
“The doctor said I was one step away from a coma and two steps away from dying,” Strobel said.
Lying in a hospital bed, he faced the question that every person must answer: What happens when we die?
Searching for evidence of the afterlife
Strobel’s search for answers became his book The Case for Heaven. He said the Bible clearly teaches two stages of the afterlife: the soul’s immediate presence with the Lord and the final resurrection when Christ returns.
He pointed to research on near-death experiences, citing hundreds of documented cases that support the existence of consciousness beyond death.
Key points Strobel highlighted
- The soul exists apart from the body and continues after death
- Verified experiences match biblical descriptions of life beyond the grave
- Some experiences confirm the reality of both heaven and hell
- These accounts strengthen rather than contradict Scripture
The resurrection as the ultimate proof
“If anyone can speak about the afterlife, it’s Jesus because He conquered the grave,” Strobel said. He cited multiple historical and medical sources confirming Jesus’ death and resurrection, noting that early accounts appeared within months of the crucifixion, too soon to be legend. Even skeptics acknowledged the empty tomb.
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He quoted world-renowned attorney Sir Lionel Luckhoo who concluded, “The evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.”
Heaven is a home, not a cloud
Strobel reminded the church that heaven is not an abstract concept but a physical renewed creation. “Heaven is the complete renewal of our world, a very earthy physical place,” he said. “Not just for souls but for resurrected bodies designed for God’s kingdom.”
Knowing heaven is our destination, he added, helps believers endure hardship. “When you know heaven is on your calendar, it helps you get through the trials of this world.”
Freedom from the fear of death
Citing Hebrews 2:15, Strobel said Jesus frees people from the lifelong fear of dying. Christianity, he said, offers the greatest hope possible, eternal life in the presence of God, reunited with loved ones and free from pain and sorrow.
He shared a conversation with evangelist Luis Palau who was dying of cancer but full of peace. Palau told him, “After I close my eyes for the last time, I go to be with God.”
If he could text Christians from heaven, Palau said, his message would be simple: “Go for it.”
Take risks. Tell others about Jesus. Live courageously for Christ.
To those who reject faith, he said, “Don’t be stupid. Don’t miss the party God has waiting for you in heaven.”
The greatest invitation
Strobel closed with the gospel’s central truth from Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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He urged the church to be bold in sharing that message. “When you get to the end of your life, you’ll never regret being courageous for Christ.”
The best is yet to come
Heaven is not a dream, it’s home. Strobel ended with a word of hope:
“Friends, when you close your eyes for the last time in this world, you will open them in the presence of God forever. The best is yet to come.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
