Immigration is a major subject in our world.

Five to six million Ukrainians have left their homeland for other countries because of war. People also flee Africa, the Middle East and South America to escape violence and poverty.

Some countries accept immigrants easily. They have “open borders.” Others make it more complicated. And some even make it impossible.

Laws are different in each country.

But someday we all will leave our country. And only one law applies as to our future destination; God’s law.

We must eventually leave this world for one of two places; heaven or hell. Heaven has a wall, a gate and a strict immigration policy. Hell has open borders. 

Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).

And, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (v. 24-27). 27).

We are given quite a lot of detail about heaven in the Bible. It will be beautiful, peaceful, and free of sin, pain, sickness, sadness and death (Revelation 21:4). Best of all, God Himself will preside in love over this happy state (Isaiah 66:1). He will make sure everything is perfect.

Those in heaven are there forever. Nobody gets out…even if they would want to.

Hell is the same in that respect; people are there forever. Nobody gets out, though they will desperately want to escape.

But hell is the opposite of heaven. It is a fiery furnace where people are weeping and gnashing their teeth (Matthew 13:43). A “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Hell is a real place where unbelievers are sent after death. 

We have all sinned against God (Romans 3:23). The just punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Eternal hell—the second death—is the punishment we have earned because of our sin.

But the most terrible thing about hell is that it is truth known too late. The door of mercy is shut for those who rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ during their lifetimes. They will recognize their mistake. But there is no second chance. They are doomed to punishment. Forever.

God has provided for us the key to open the immigration door of heaven—salvation in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus paid the punishment by his death on the cross for all who believe in Him. All who trust Jesus for forgiveness of their sins will find the doors of heaven swung wide open for them.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).

And “…whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37).

“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Amen