From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Jesus came from Heaven to Earth to make eternal salvation possible. When God created Adam and Eve, His plan was that they would live in perfect harmony with Him forever. But Satan was determined to change that, and with his lies, he lured them away from God. When that happened, death came upon the human race, and we are all its victims. We must never forget: Death was Satan’s greatest victory.

But the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ reversed this. Satan’s greatest victory has now been turned into defeat! Death has now been put to death! No wonder the Bible says, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? … Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57 NIV).

Christ’s reason for coming to Earth was love, and His goal was to destroy death and take us to be with the Father forever. This is our sure hope.

Perhaps the greatest psychological, spiritual, and medical need that all people have is the need for hope. For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to Heaven for us. He came to Earth to show us the way to Heaven. Jesus wants us to learn what it means to walk with Him every day. When a person comes to Christ, God gives eternal life—which begins immediately when we open our hearts to Him.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)