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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The announcement of Ozzy Osbourne’s death recently blew up the internet with all kinds of theories, some claiming that a baby born the day of his death was a reincarnation of Osbourne. This is bizarre, of course, but a lot of people think there is something to it. – S.D

A: Many find the idea of reincarnation attractive – the belief that after we die, we come back to Earth again. Some simply like the thought of being able to live out multiple experiences.

The Bible is clear: Reincarnation isn’t true, and the life we live in the here and now is the only one we’ll ever live. Once we die, we go into eternity – either to Heaven to be with God forever, or to that place the Bible calls Hell, where there is eternal separation from God and His blessings.

What difference should this make? It gives urgency to our lives today. The Bible says that “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NKJV).

God’s plan for each person is one life. There’s “a time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2, NKJV). Between these bookends is the journey. There’s no chance after death to do life over again. One life is all we have, and it’s gone in the blink of an eye.

Sometimes we get tired of the burdens of life and wish we could start all over again. We can, with God. He desires that we walk His way through the one life He has granted us. We don’t have to waste our lives on things that have no eternal value.

The Bible has much to say about the brevity of life and the necessity of preparing for eternity. Oh, that we would pray to the Lord and turn our eyes from worthless things, and receive the life God wants us to live (see Psalm 119:37).

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

©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.