Doc, Is There Any Hope?

Doctors—we put a tremendous amount of hope in them when we’re sick or injured. But even the best doctors in the world cannot save us from the advanced stages of cancer, heart disease, AIDS or other terminal illnesses. When dying is inevitable, is there any hope for us?

The following is an actual conversation between a terminally ill cancer patient we’ll call Dave and a doctor offering his patient hope.

“Doc, I have terminal lung cancer. My oncologist has completed all the prescribed therapy. I’m taking morphine for pain, have a poor appetite and a severe cough. I’m scared! Doc, is there any hope for me?”

“Dave, there is hope for you. The Bible is full of good news about how you can enter heaven!”

“I would appreciate hearing that, Doc. My restaurant business kept me busy seven days a week. I seldom went to church or read the Bible.”

“Jesus spoke the following words in the Gospel of John: ‘Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you...and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.’”¹

Dave listened intently, then asked, “If Jesus is preparing a place for me in heaven, how do I get in?”

“Good question. God’s plan is very simple. The book of Romans reads: ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;² [and] the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.³ [Yet] God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’⁴

“You see, Dave, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place. By His death we all have been forgiven our past and present sins, those wrong things we do and think. The Bible tells us, ‘If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’⁵

“If you personally trust Jesus Christ by faith, you will pass from spiritual death into eternal life in heaven. Will you make this commitment to Him?”

“I sure will, Doc. I know my death is imminent, and I want to go to heaven when I die.”

Then Dave prayed:

“Dear Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I believe Your Son, Jesus, died and rose again and has forgiven all my sins. I personally call upon You in faith and trust Jesus Christ as my Savior. Thank You for giving me peace with God and the gift of eternal life in heaven. Amen.”

Dave's doctor visited him many times during the following weeks. He discovered Dave's fear of death was gone. His sleep pattern and appetite improved and his need of pain medication decreased. Dave had found peace with God.⁶ He shared with his wife, family and friends that he was ready to enter heaven and hoped to see them there.

How about you?

If you were to face a terminal illness, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven when you die? If you prayed the previous prayer, you will see heaven when your life on earth is completed.

Dr. Claude Van Andel

My decision:

YES! I have trusted in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I now have forgiveness of my sins, peace with God and the assurance of eternal life in heaven. Please send me free information about my NEW LIFE as a Christian.

Scriptures: 1) John 14:1-3; 2) Romans 3:23; 3) Rom. 6:23; 4) Rom. 5:8; 5) Rom. 10:9; 6) Rom. 5:1