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Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth about Tomorrow and What It Means for Today

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Get ready for life after death. Combining three books that together have sold nearly 1 million copies, Heaven and the Afterlife gives you Erwin Lutzer’s best reflections on eternity and what it means for you today. The trilogy Together these books will help you live faithfully today, readying you for that final hour when you meet your Maker.

480 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2016

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About the author

Erwin W. Lutzer

165 books281 followers
Erwin W. Lutzer is senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Loyola University, he is the author of numerous books, including the Gold Medallion Award winner "Hitler's Cross" and the best seller "One Minute After You Die". He is also a teacher on radio programs heard on more than 700 stations throughout the United States and the world, including "Songs in the Night," "The Moody Church Hour," and the daily feature "Running to Win." He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area and have three married children and seven grandchildren.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Sherri.
1,626 reviews
May 22, 2019
This gave our small group plenty of fodder for discussion. We didn't all agree with the author and each other.
Profile Image for Jeanie.
3,088 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2016
As Christians, we live with the tension between what is "already ours" and the "not yet" of our experience. Paul said believers should look forward to Christ's return "that you may not grieve as others do who have not hope. Grief was expected, but it is different from the grief of the world. There is a difference between tears of hope and tears of hopelessness.

Ask the question "What must I do to get to heaven"? You may hear the answer of live a good life. Give to others. Treat others like how you want to be treated. Just like the young rich ruler that asked Jesus the same question and informed Jesus all the good that he had done but missed what he needed, we also fall into the same trap. We don't understand the gospel. The kingdom of God and God's will for mankind.

Our Gospel is inward instead of outward towards the promises of God that are in Christ Jesus. It is a constant battle and that is why good teachers like Erwin Lutzer is such a blessing. This study has 3 books in one. How can you be sure you will spend eternity with God, One minute after you die, and your eternal rewards.

Trusting in Christ means we have been given a great trade. He has taken our sin and we have taken his righteousness. What is profound about that is Christ became legally guilty of the worst of sins. The great trade brings us to the cross and to the banquet table.

When correctly understood, the gospel humbles us that we are able to love and serve others without it being a contract (the prodigal son's brother is a reflection on a self-serving love). What does this all have to do with heaven? It is looking forward to eternity that we can live in freedom today. It is looking forward to eternity that we understand how sin keeps us from the one thing we need the most. It is looking forward to eternity that we are transformed to live to serve God and others.

Some of the quotes I found encouraging and helpful.

The issue is never the greatness of the sin, but the willingness of the sinner to be saved.

Doubt, if properly used, can be the servant of truth.

We are not to work for Christ as an employee for an employer; we are to work for Him as sons and daughters.

The works that are most acceptable are those done with the conviction that there is no merit in us but in Christ.


A study that is thorough in what is God's part and what is our responsibility. A study that will give rest but push us forward to the goal of heaven. I was encouraged and challenged to look forward.

A Special Thank You to Moody Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

4 reviews
December 22, 2018
Something Real!

I love the thought of heaven and the afterlife . Pastor Lutzer in his book really encourages the heart . I would recommend this book to anyone who has a problem Believing that we have a Master Designer!!
Profile Image for Becky.
6,186 reviews303 followers
May 8, 2016
Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow And What It Means For Today by Erwin Lutzer is an omnibus edition of three previously published books. It includes: How You Can Be Sure You Will Spend Eternity with God, One Minute After You Die, and Your Eternal Reward. Of the three titles, my particular favorite--one that I've read three or four times now--is How You Can Be Sure You Will Spend Eternity with God.

How You Can Be Sure You Will Spend Eternity With God is a great book, perhaps even a life-changing book, for some readers. It explores the truth claims of the Bible, of Christianity, clearly presents the gospel--what it is, what it isn't--and proclaims assurance of salvation for any who truly believe. It may come across as confrontational to some readers. For example, if you have a fuzzy notion of heaven, disregard the concept of hell, and can't quite put into words what the gospel is and why you need saving in the first place, this book is a wake-up call perhaps. This book isn't just for unbelievers or the unchurched. This book is for everyone. It is clear, straight-forward, intentional: hear the good news, be delivered from your sins, and BELIEVE in Jesus Christ.

One Minute After You Die is another great title by Lutzer. This one focuses specifically on heaven and hell. Every person--sooner or later--will die and 'one minute after you die' you will either be in heaven or hell. No exceptions. It explores what we know about heaven, what we know about hell, and how can we know what we know about either. (The answer to the last being trust only what has been revealed in the Word of God.) Lutzer argues that you can know now where you will spend eternity. He urges readers not to put off thinking about eternity.

Your Eternal Reward is the third title. Of the three titles, it is probably my least favorite. The other two books have focused on the gospel, on grace, on God, on worship here on earth and on heaven. This book, on the other hand, focuses on rewards and punishments. One can easily twist it out of context perhaps and conclude that grace isn't that amazing after all. I don't want to twist it out of context. And. Because I generally do trust that Lutzer knows what he's talking about, I'll just say that this one is beyond me in rightly understanding it. Essentially his message is that heaven is not the same for everyone; that some believers will not have any rewards and will not be participants of much of anything in heaven; that you should decide to live every day focused on earning rewards for yourself in heaven. This what-can-I-do-to-add-to-my-rewards-today focus rubbed me the wrong way. It's not that I don't believe in sanctification and that I support reckless, careless living. It's just I think our eyes should be on God and not focused on what-is-in-it-for-me.

Profile Image for Kimberly.
167 reviews
February 29, 2016
Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth about Tomorrow and What it Means for Today by Erwin W. Lutzer caught my attention as I sat at my Mother's bedside while she was fighting her battle with cancer.

There are three books combined into this one book...
1. One Minute After You Die
2. How You Can Be Sure You Will Spend Eternity with God
3. Your Eternal Rewards

The author uses scripture to let us know what Jesus has to say on these subjects. This book is a very LOUD wake-up call for everyone. Full of information on what the BIBLE and JESUS tell us waits on the other side. We can't change our mind after having arrived, we must do that here. The author lets us know, by using scripture, how to KNOW where we will spend eternity.

This can be both an encouraging book for Christians, or scary for non-believers when you get a glimpse of what awaits.
I highly recommend this book to everyone as I want to see everyone in Heaven someday.

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Moody Publishers & NetGallery in exchange for my honest review.
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