Q: Is a splashover of heaven really just a super beautiful day with good sunny weather where everyone is kind, smiling and being extra nice to you?
I would agree that a splashover of heaven is mostly.. when you're finding Jesus in your splashover of hell (experienced here).
To find Jesus in your hell (experienced here) is so wonderfully sweet because you recognize that this is the Son of God. Oh, my goodness, He has beckoned me into the inner sanctum of His fellowship of sharing and sufferings. Hear one of my heroes on this topic, Joni Eareckson Tada! Not too many more believers have suffered more than she has.
Jesus did.. on the cross for you. Then he rose again.
-That day in November '81 when I met Liney downtown while we were in college, it was a great splashover from heaven! She is still uplifting and graceful is like that! Such a blessing.-Those days when my older brother, and that moment when my dad got saved - wonderful splashovers from the Lord!-That day in March of '83 when we found out we were going to have a child -- felt like a splash over from heaven. Three times felt like that.-That day after being up in the snowy Bavarian Alps in Germany, then hearing about my sister Kathy's stateside murder -- felt like a very negative splash-over from hell. And then seeing my parents go through all that. And then doing the funeral for her 24 year old son years later in the same location.-That day when detectives walked up my driveway and knocked on our door regarding my son Nathan's covid death. Grateful to have been notified but it felt like a splash-over of hell.Glad we soon won't have any more shocking, brief or long, intense, big or small splashovers of hell.. that are experienced by countless believers while here. Maranatha!
Believer, I challenge you to press in. Please find hope and meaning again and again.. walking closer with Jesus. Yep, in the middle of your trials and sufferings you can let your roots go deeper. You can press in today to more intimate know and connect with Jesus Christ. He and his grace can get you through this. Pray without ceasing!
What does it mean that God's grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)?
What was Paul's thorn in the flesh?
Is it true that my God shall supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19)?
What is meant by “sufficient grace”?
What is the definition of grace?
How is God's strength made perfect in weakness?
Grace is when God gives us good things, kind splashovers that we don't deserve.
Mercy is when He spares us from bad things we deserve.
Blessings are when He is generous with both.
Truly, we can never run out of reasons to thank the Lord.
God is Good all the time - He's never not been.
If God has been good to you. Thank and praise Him.
Factoids: Everyone will continue to exist forever and everyone will indeed receive a resurrected body fitted for that particular location. There are two real locations - RSVP, decide well, make your reservations in advance.
The punishment of the wicked dead in hell is described in Scripture as “eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41), “unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12), “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2), a place where “the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:48), a place of “torment” and “fire” (Luke 16:23–24), “everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:9), a place “burning sulfur” where “the smoke of.. torment rises forever and ever” (Revelation 14:10–11), and a “lake of burning sulfur” where the wicked are “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
The punishment of the wicked in hell is as never-ending as the bliss of the righteous in heaven. Jesus Himself indicates that punishment in hell is just as everlasting as life in heaven (Matthew 25:46). The wicked are forever subject to the fury and the wrath of God. Those in hell will acknowledge the perfect justice of God and the lordship of Jesus Christ, the Savior they rejected (Psalm 76:10; Philippians 2:10–11).
Yes, hell is real location? Yes. If I ever speak of hell, then I do this with a tear in my eye or I'd consider something wrong with me.
Believers experiencing splashovers from heaven from time to time while here (I mean those unique blessings etc) sure won't have them there.
They won't happen once the person has entered into eternity. And those Splashovers from hell so to speak (including spiritual attacks, pains, infirmities, persecutions, rejections due to their faith etc.), that believers from time to time experience while here, will never experience them again once the believer enters into eternity. No more hellish moments for them again!
Splashovers from Heaven
Every believer I know has tasted moments of heaven on earth. Have you experienced a foretaste here?:
- An unexpected answer to prayer.
- A kindness received that feels like it came straight from God.
- A peace that passes all understanding during chaos.
These are not the fullness of heaven but foretastes, like dew before the morning sun. They are gifts of grace to sustain us and remind us of the unending glory awaiting us. Yet, once we step into eternity, these splashovers will no longer be needed. Why? Because the river of life will flow freely, the light of God’s presence will never dim, and we will dwell in the eternal reality of heaven without interruption or shadow. The glimpses will give way to the face-to-face reality of His glory.
The Bible says, “Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Splashovers from Hell
On one side of this tension here are the trials and sufferings that feel just like splashovers from hell:
- Persecution for our faith.
- Physical pain and infirmities.
- Spiritual attacks and the harsh weight of discouragement.
These, too, serve a purpose. God, in His sovereign grace, uses even the hardest moments to shape us, draw us closer to Himself, and remind us of our dependence on Him. These sufferings refine our faith like gold in the fire (1 Peter 1:7). But here’s the good news: these splashovers are temporary.
Once we enter eternity, there will be no more suffering, no more spiritual warfare, no more rejection for standing with Christ. Every tear will be wiped away, and every trial will be redeemed for His glory.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
The Eternal Reality
The beauty of heaven and the horror of that place called hell are not mere theological constructs—these two locations are real destinations. For the believer, the trials and glimpses of glory we experience now are preparation for an eternity with Christ. Yes, as we turn to him for help, for grace, for wisdom. For the unbeliever, all the fleeting joys, promptings, and sufferings here are the only foretastes so to speak.. that they will ever have of heaven and hell, respectively.
This world is the decision zone for people not for angels who can't be saved, the place where eternal choices of humans are made. Once eternity begins, the splashovers are over and done, and the full reality begins. There's no purgatory or spritiaul regeneration after physical death:
- For the believer, heaven will be more than a mere flood of joy beyond comprehension.
- For the unbeliever, hell will be far more than a place of unending separation from God. More in a really bad way for each one, and there are various degrees of punishment in hell because God is just (not various levels of hell).
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)
Hope for the Believer
Take heart in God's word, believer. Every blessing is a reminder of God’s goodness, and every trial is an opportunity to trust Him more deeply. When the journey ends, heaven will not just erase the hardships but redeem them.
And until that day, cling to Jesus, who endured the ultimate splashover of hell on the cross so we could be welcomed into the eternal flood of His love.
Splashovers in the Valley of Decision
This life is a peculiar blend of joys and sorrows—what we might call “splashovers.” For believers, the splashovers from heaven are those fleeting moments of grace and beauty that remind us of our eternal home. A radiant sunrise, the peace of answered prayer, the kindness of a friend—these are glimpses of the glory to come. But once we step into eternity, those glimpses will give way to the fullness of joy in the presence of Jesus. There will be no more "splashovers" because the floodgates of heaven will be fully opened to us forever.
On the other hand, the splashovers from hell—the trials, pain, and heartbreak we sometimes face—are but temporary afflictions. For believers, they serve a purpose, drawing us closer to Christ and deepening our trust in Him. But here’s the glorious truth: once we enter eternity, those splashovers of hell will be no more. Not a single tear will fall, not a single heart will break, not a single fear will linger.
The Bible says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
The Valley of Decision
For those who have not yet placed their faith in Christ, this world is something far more significant: the valley of decision. As Joel 3:14 declares:
“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”
This is the place and time where eternal destinies are decided. Heaven and hell hang in the balance. Splashovers from heaven may serve as an invitation—a whisper of what God offers through Jesus Christ. Splashovers from hell may serve as a warning, a reminder of what it means to live separated from God.
But this valley is not a neutral zone. Spiritual warfare rages here. The enemy works tirelessly to cloud minds, distract hearts, and keep people from making the one decision that matters most: to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Yet, the Spirit of God moves even more powerfully, drawing hearts to Himself, speaking through His Word, and revealing His love through His people.
No Second Chances in eternity, but He's Known as The God of Second Chance for People While They're Here
The sobering reality is this: the valley of decision exists only on this side of eternity. Once we pass into eternity, our choice is sealed forever. There is no second chance, no way to be born again after death. That’s why Scripture urges us:
“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Heaven is not a reward that's earned for the self-righteous, nor is hell a punishment for the especially super wicked only. There will be sinners in both locations, saved sinners in heaven who don't deserve to be there, and all Christ-rejecters (moral, religious and immoral sinners) in hell. Both are destinations determined by one thing alone: What did we do with Jesus Christ? Did you repent and biblically believe in God the Son? Did you receive him and obey His Spirit by faith?
Spiritual Warfare in the Valley
It happens. The valley of decision is not merely a place of reflection; it’s a spiritual battleground. The enemy wants us to believe that "There’s always more time just put the decision off, that you're just too far gone, You've sinned too much, or that God’s promises are too old, and therefore too good to be true." Mr. Lu-Cifer is a jerk. He sows seeds of doubt, fear, and pride to keep us from making the most critical decision of our lives. He is the accuser of the brethren -- he loves to point the finger at you and make you feel like a dirty dog. Too much a sinner to get saved.. to be accepted by God into his family.
But Jesus stands ready, arms open wide, offering forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. He has already won the battle on the cross, defeating sin and death. “It is finished,” He declared (John 19:30). The invitation is clear, the command for you to repent and to come is there for you because He loves you.. and the decision is ours. He won't make you come to Him and doesn't want anyone in heaven who doesn't want to be there.
A call goes out to lost sinners, the call goes to saved sinners who wandered away aka believers
Believers, your role of faith in this valley is critical. You are the hands and feet of Christ, called to rep him well, to clearly share gospel message, His love and his Bible truth with a world in desperate need of him.
Pray in faith for people. You may be the instrument God uses to bring someone to Christ during their moment of decision. Pray fervently. Speak boldly. Pray without ceasing. Love deeply, reach out. And yes, live in such a way that the splashovers of heaven in your life point others to the One who makes all things new. He can bring beauty out of ashes.
Eternal Realities
When the valley of decision here gives way to eternity there, only two realities remain:
- For saved sinners there: Endless joy, blessing and bliss in the presence of God. No more splashovers from hell on earth—only the eternal flood of heaven’s glory (until we're in the millennial kingdom on earth).
- For unsaved/unforgiven sinners: Eternal separation from the God of real love. No more splashovers from heaven—only the unending torment of lonely hell.
These are not scare tactics or abstract theological musings from me. These are the eternal truths revealed in God’s Word. And they demand a response from each of us -- what will you do with Jesus and his gospel?
The Choice is Yours
Come to Christ today.. on His terms not on your own. Humbly repent and believe biblically. Decide well while you can. We have a bit of time perhaps? RSVP to God via the living Son for His heaven. The valley of decision here is not forever—but eternity is.
