D E ATH IS NOT

THE END
What Happens When Life
on Earth Is Over

By
Billy Joe Daugherty

HARRISON HOUSE
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken
from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from The New
King James Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1979, 1980,
1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified
Bible. Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The
Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living
Bible © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy
Bible: New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission
of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

10 09 08 07 06 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Death Is Not the End:

What Happens When Life on Earth Is Over
ISBN 1-57794-772-X
Copyright © 2006 by Billy Joe Daugherty
7700 S. Lewis
Tulsa, OK 74136

Published by Harrison House Publishers

P.O. Box 35035
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74153

Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved

under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or cover
may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form
without the expressed written consent of the Publisher.
 Death Is Not the End

People are often saddened and sometimes

overwhelmed with grief at the loss of a loved
one or a friend. During these times, God’s
Word will give you comfort when nothing else
can. However, when you understand what the
Bible has to say about death, you will view it
as a short separation from the one you love
instead of a great loss.
Jesus said:

I am the resurrection, and the life: he

that believeth in me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die.
John 11:25,26

Dying does not end a person’s life. Jesus

said that the person who believes in Him, even
though he died, would continue to live.

—3—
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

What does this mean? Man is not just a

physical, fleshly being. Man is a three-part
being. A person is a spirit who lives in a body
and has a soul (mind, will, and emotions). The
spiritual part of man is an eternal being. At the
moment someone dies, his physical body
ceases to have life. But the spiritual part of a
person leaves the body and goes to its eternal
destination, either heaven or hell.
The spirit of a person who knows Jesus as
his or her Lord and Savior goes directly to
heaven when the physical body dies. The
Apostle Paul explains it like this.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
We are confident, I say, and willing rather
to be absent from the body, and to be
present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:7,8

In these verses, Paul showed us that he

was not afraid to die. He knew that when he
died, his spirit would leave his body and he
would go to be with Jesus.

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 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

Your spirit is the real you. The Bible refers

to the spirit of a person as the inner man (Eph.
3:16), hidden man of the heart (1 Peter 3:4),
and the heart (Matt. 22:37).

—5—
 Death Has No Sting

Many people fear death because it is

unknown. In other words, it is beyond the
visible realm. There have been some people,
however, who have had “near-death”
experiences and have been able to come back
to tell what happened to them.
While the experiences vary from person to
person, those who knew Jesus as their Lord
when they died often talk of feelings of
absolute peace. If they died from a sickness,
they no longer suffered from the pain of that
illness. Some who have seen heaven but were
called back to earth didn’t want to return.
They wanted to stay in heaven. Here is what
the Apostle Paul had to say about death.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave,

where is thy victory? The sting of death is
sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But

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 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

thanks be to God, which giveth us the

victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden

of Eden, sin came into the world; and as a
result of sin, death also entered the earth. For
those who have not made Jesus the Lord of
their lives, the thought of death can be
frightening. For the Christian, however, death
no longer has a “sting” because Jesus bore the
sins of the world when He died on the cross.

He personally bore our sins in His

[own] body to the tree [as to an altar and
offered Himself on it] that we might die
(cease to exist) to sin and live to
righteousness. By His wounds you have
been healed.
1 Peter 2:24 AMP

Since Jesus paid for your sins, you are free

from everything that is a result of sin, which
includes sickness and death.

—7—
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

Sin shall not have dominion over you,

for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:14 NKJV

Before giving your life to the Lord, it is

impossible to get complete mastery over sin.
However, sin does not have the right to
dominate a born-again Christian. The believer
is free to serve God and not sin. It’s through
the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to
overcome the temptation to sin.

The Sting of Death Is Sin

What does this mean? Sin produces death.
It is a sting that results in death if it is not
removed. People who haven’t given their lives
to Christ do not have any hope for eternal
salvation. They only hope that God will allow
them to go to heaven. Many try to build up a
stockpile of good works, hoping their good
deeds will open the gates of heaven for them.
However, there is only one pathway that leads
to heaven. If they do not take it, they are

—8—
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

destined to spend eternity in hell, separated

from God.
For the wages of sin is death; but the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

No one would have any hope of spending

eternity in heaven had it not been for Jesus. He
paid the wages of sin for mankind. He died so
you might live!
The moment you accept Jesus as your
personal Lord and Savior, you receive God’s
forgiveness. Your sins are cleansed, and the
sting is removed! Your spirit receives the gift of
eternal life.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he
is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Your spirit man is recreated when you

become born again. The stain of sin that

—9—
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

separated you from God is now washed clean.

The old nature of sin is gone, and a new God-
nature has entered your heart.

Right With God

You also become righteous in the eyes of
God. You receive your righteousness the same
way you received salvation—by faith.
Unrighteousness brings fear, inferiority, and
condemnation. But righteousness produces
faith, courage, and freedom from guilt.
For he hath made him to be sin for
us, who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

The gift of righteousness is available to all

who call upon the name of Jesus in faith. It is
as close as your heart and mouth. This means
that you believe you are righteous and that
you don’t allow anyone to make you feel
unrighteous. If thoughts of condemnation or
inferiority flood your mind, you overcome

— 10 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

them by speaking aloud what the Wo rd says

about your righteousness.
The word is nigh thee, even in thy
mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word
of faith, which we preach; That if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:8-10

Death Has No Sting for You!

When you invite Jesus into your heart to
be your Lord and Savior, you have received the
gift of eternal life and enter into the kingdom
of God! When the time comes for you, or
someone you know, to cross over into heaven,
you don’t have to be fearful.

— 11 —
 Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

Life after death does not have to be

troubling to anyone. Jesus said in John 14:1-4:
Let not your heart be troubled: you
believe in God, believe also in me. In my
Father’s house are many mansions: if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go
to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again,
and receive you unto Myself; that where I
am, there you may be also. And where I
go you know, and the way you know.

When a person reaches the end of his life

or is challenged by a life-threatening illness, the
individual and those around them may be
fearful of death. Sometimes in a person’s fight
against sickness, the individual becomes tired.
Often the individual catches a glimpse of
heaven and sees how good it looks. At this
point, it’s easy for the person to quit fighting
and step on over to the other side.

— 12 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

In the above verses, Jesus is telling us not

to be afraid of death. He is letting us know
what we can expect when we arrive in heaven.
There are many dwelling places there. Jesus
said that He has gone ahead to prepare a place
for you. He has made a place for everyone who
has been born again by receiving Jesus as Lord
and Savior.
In verse 3 above, Jesus says that He will
receive you unto Himself. When you die, you
will be with Jesus. This is comforting to know
for yourself and for your loved ones.
To be absent from the body is to be
present with Jesus. (2 Cor. 5:6-8.) No wonder
Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled.”
Having the knowledge that your loved one is
with Jesus should give you peace. Even though
you may miss the person, he or she is with
Jesus, enjoying a continuation of life in a
different place.
If you do not have peace about your
eternal destination, ask Jesus to come into

— 13 —
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

your heart. If a loved one has died, you cannot

a ffect his or her life today; but you can allow
Jesus to transform your heart. It all happens
by faith.
Faith believes what God has said. Faith
a g rees with God. Faith speaks what God
speaks. Faith obeys God’s Word. You can
release your faith now by believing and
speaking these words:
Heavenly Father, I come to You
admitting that I am a sinner. Right now, I
choose to turn away from sin, and I ask
You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I
believe that Your Son, Jesus, died on the
cross to take away my sins. I also believe
that He rose again from the dead so that I
might be forgiven of my sins and be made
righteous through faith in Him. I call
upon the name of Jesus Christ to be the
Savior and Lord of my life. Jesus, I choose
to follow You and ask that You fill me
with the power of the Holy Spirit. I
declare that right now I am a child of
God. I am free from sin and full of the

— 14 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

righteousness of God. I am saved in Jesus’

name. Amen.

By praying this prayer, you never have to

fear where you will go when you die. Your
eternal destination will be with Jesus in
heaven. Welcome to the family of God!

— 15 —
Jesus Took Away the Fear of Death

Since we, God’s children, are human

beings—made of flesh and blood—He
became flesh and blood too by being born
in human form; for only as a human being
could He die and in dying break the power
of the devil who had the power of death.
Only in that way could he deliver those
who through fear of death have been living
all their lives as slaves to constant dre a d .
Hebrews 2:14,15 TLB

It was out of love that God sent His Son to

the earth in the form of a man. Jesus was
obedient to God’s will for His life and willingly
went to the cross so you could be free from the
oppression of the devil. After He died and
went to hell, He took the keys of hell and death
away from Satan. (Rev. 1:18.) Because Jesus
now has the keys of death, you no longer have
to fear dying. You know what is beyond the
veil of death.

— 16 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

When the time comes, you can confidently

cross over into eternity. Likewise, when a
family member or friend crosses over to the
other side, you know that they are in a much
better place. They are not gone forever. It is
only a matter of time when you will see them
again. Your eyes have now been opened to see
that Jesus is there to welcome your family,
friends, and you into heaven.

Sorrow Not as Those

Who Have No Hope
We should not allow grief to consume us
when a loved one or a close friend has died.
Your life should not end when someone else
dies. Remember, that individual would want
you to continue living to your fullest potential.
Even in situations where someone has
been murdered or died in a senseless accident,
it’s important that you use the pain you feel to
propel you forward rather than letting your life
end by being consumed with grief and

— 17 —
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

d e p ression. In the beginning, it may be

difficult; but as you keep moving forward, you
will eventually be able to help others who have
gone through similar situations.
In the following verses, the Apostle Paul
shares what happens to a Christian when the
individual dies. He did not want the person left
behind to “be full of sorrow.” He also goes on
to describe a future event that will affect
everyone on the earth.
And now, dear brothers, I want you to
know what happens to a Christian when he
dies so that when it happens, you will not
be full of sorrow, as those are who have no
hope. For since we believe that Jesus died
and then came back to life again, we can
also believe that when Jesus re t u rns, God
will bring back with Him all the Christians
who have died. I can tell you this directly
f rom the Lord: that we who are still living
when the Lord returns will not rise to meet
Him ahead of those who are in their graves.
For the Lord Himself will come down fro m
heaven with a mighty shout and with the

— 18 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the

g reat trumpet-call of God. And the
believers who are dead will be the first to
rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still
alive and remain on the earth will be caught
up with them in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air and remain with Him
forever. So comfort and encourage each
other with this news.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 TLB

The latter verses describe what is called

the Rapture. This is a time when the physical
bodies of Christians will be caught up to meet
Jesus in the air. Even the bodies of those who
have died will be resurrected. Those who are
alive will be changed in a moment. In the
twinkling of an eye, they will be transformed
into glorified bodies.
This is a word of encouragement. The
Bible says to comfort one another with these
words. There is a great future ahead for you
and for all believers.
Death is not the end!

— 19 —
 Scriptures

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
there f o re with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye

have loved me, and have believed that I came out
from God.
John 16:27

But God commendeth his love toward us, in

that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great

love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were
dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;).
Ephesians 2:4,5

Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have

— 20 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

not an high priest which cannot be touched with the

feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to

shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of
his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two
immutable things, in which it was impossible for
God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who
have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set
before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the
soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into
that within the veil.
Hebrews 6:17-19

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith

without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).
Hebrews 10:23

Cast not away there f o re your confidence,

which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have
need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of
God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little
while, and he that shall come will come, and will

— 21 —
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any
man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in
him. But we are not of them who draw back unto
perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of
the soul.
Hebrews 10:35-39

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and

called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to
holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of
holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of
merit that we have done, but because of and to
further His own purpose and grace (unmerited
favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the
world began [eternal ages ago]. [It is that purpose
and grace] which He now has made known and has
fully disclosed and made real [to us] through the
appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who annulled
death and made it of no effect and brought life and
immortality (immunity from eternal death) to light
through the Gospel.
2 Timothy 1:9,10 AMP

— 22 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And

why should you moan over me and be disquieted
within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for
Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of
my [sad] countenance, and my God.
Psalm 43:5 AMP

I sought the Lord and he heard me, and

delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be

removed; but my kindness shall not depart from
thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be
removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:10

And fear not them which kill the body, but are
not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which
is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be

spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:6

— 23 —
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death

of his saints.
Psalm 116:15

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought

down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.
Proverbs 14:32 NIV

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and

was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.
Luke 16:22

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and

whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we
live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:8

According to my earnest expectation and my

hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that
with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ
shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life,

— 24 —
 D E ATH I S N OT TH E EN D

or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is

gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my
labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am
in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart,
and to be with Christ; which is far better.
Philippians 1:20-23

These all died in faith, not having received the

promises, but having seen them afar off, and were
persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on
the earth.
Hebrews 11:13

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto

me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the
Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labours; and their works do
follow them.
Revelation 14:13

Let him know, that he which converteth the

sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul
from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
James 5:20

— 25 —
 D E AT H I S NO T T HE E ND

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say

unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
John 6:53

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am

the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12

Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot

be re c o v e red, so we must die. But God does not take
away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished
person may not remain estranged from him.
2 Samuel 14:14 NIV

— 26 —
 If you prayed the prayer to receive Jesus Christ
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 About the Author

Billy Joe Daughert y, along with his wife,

S h a ron, founded and pastors Vi c t o ry Christian
Center, a church of more than 14,000 members in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ministries of the church include
Victory Christian School, a K-12 program with more
than 2,000 students; Vi c t o ry Bible Institute, which
p rovides ministerial training both in the classroom
and online; Wo rd Explosion, a major inspirational
and training event that draws over 50,000
p a rticipants each year; and Victory in Jesus, a daily
television broadcast hosted by Billy Joe and Sharon.

To contact Billy Joe Daugherty

please write to:

Victory Christian Center

7700 S. Lewis
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
Phone: 918-491-7700

Or visit him on the Web at:

www.victory.com
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