Japan is comprised religiously of 67.2% Buddhists and only 1% Christians.
Buddhism is a nontheistic religion or philosophy, meaning; Buddhists do not believe in a Creator. Buddhists also do not believe in an afterlife as well per se, as they believe in an endless cycle of reincarnation that can only be halted through achieving “nirvana” or the extinction of self (greed, rage, malice), ultimately, resulting in the end of suffering and rebirth.
Christianity is a monotheistic religion, believing in one Creator, one God, and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. For the Christian faith, an afterlife is very real and since it is for eternity, it is our “true life.” Two options exist:
1. Heaven: It is the ultimate resting place for all Christians and where their soul gets to be reunited with God and Christ their Savior as they get to live in His presence forever if they believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in this current life (Romans 10:9).
2. Hell: The Christian faith also teaches that God has given human beings free will, and so there must be an opportunity for people to reject God. This is the basis of the idea of Hell and the destination for those that reject God in this lifetime. Hell is the opposite of Heaven, in the fact that it is eternity in the absence of God. Additionally, it is marked by suffering and an eternity of gnashing of teeth, darkness, crying, torment, and burning fire (Matthew 8:12).
When we realize the reality of Heaven and Hell, it makes this Buddhist ritual at Bentendo Hall exceptionally grieving knowing that these people have not put their trust in the truth, but rather have believed in a counterfeit God instead. Most people might think, what’s the big deal? It’s only a festival… but when we weigh the reality of Heaven, Hell, what choices people make and the actions they engage in because of those choices, we realize the sad reality that these people do not know their Creator; the true and living God; and their ultimate and unfortunate destination. My heart grieves over this matter.
The need for people in Japan to know their Creator and the name of Jesus is stronger now more than ever. Please pray with me that all of Japan would know the name of Jesus Christ, that they would reunite with their Creator and that their eyes would be open to the truth! Thank you for reading and God bless you!
Lifted Vision Ministry 