Eastern religion teaches that one goes through an endless cycle of death and rebirth until one achieves perfection and Nirvana. Afterlife in Nirvana is to be a drop in an endless ocean of existence. All personal identity is lost. You are the universe and the universe is you. This is a monistic worldview. Everything is of one substance and in the afterlife one goes back to being part of everything else.
Christianity is a worldview which values personal identity. Verse after verse of biblical truth stresses the individual and the relationship with a personal God, a personal salvation and a personal afterlife.
God established His relationship with Jeremiah before he was even born.
Jeremiah 1:5 (HCSB)
I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
God speaks to Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV) the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
David speaks of the inescapable presence of God.
Psalm 139:7-8 (HCSB) Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the grave), You are there.
Old Testament : Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people (Genesis 25:8).
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people (Genesis 25:17).
And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him (Genesis 35:29).
And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people (Genesis 49:33).
Aaron shall be gathered unto his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20:24).
And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered (Numbers 27:12, 13).
New Testament : On the Mount of Transfiguration Luke chapter 9 the disciples see and recognize Moses and Elijah. “There talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias” (Luke 9:30). Not only were Moses and Elijah recognizable by our Lord, but they were known to the disciples also. Peter certainly knew them, for he said: “Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles: one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias”
Jesus said: “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11).
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
So the answer is clear. If our loved one has received Jesus Christ and is spiritually regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are guaranteed that we will go to our loved ones in heaven and be with them forever. Period, end of discussion.
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