All right my friends, we have been talking about many things lately, mostly because of the proximity of the Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ. I have always had a need to be as scriptural as possible, yet never leaving a stone UN-turned.
The Word of God spells out every single action possible for you and me as humans. What is so unusual, is that the Word of God is actually very simple and concise, yet to understand the Word of God requires a heart needful of nourishment.
Have you ever noticed, how fast time passes in your life? One day you are 6 or 7 years old and playing outside and then in the next breath you are now 50 plus years old and wondering what happened? Where did all that time go? Once you were innocent and carefree, and next you are saddled with children, a big mortgage and unending bills.
Consequently, we all look back to our childhood days and relish what once was. Now you are required to work, to make the best income possible, despite the never ending harassment and judgmental opinions of bosses. Suddenly, life is much more turbulent and heavy; it is filled with pitfalls of every kind, people trying to work things out for themselves—while leaving you to tackle the leftovers.
You then begin to look forward to retiring, Social Security, 401k plans that are almost non-existent or worthless at best. But that’s all right with you, because you are bruised and tired, your will for moving onward and upward is all but gone. So now your outlook is one of refreshment and relaxation, of UN-winding and leisure…for…how many years? Oops…something else has popped up here!
It would seem all the years prior to today, have simply flown by, right? So then, how many years will you see in retirement and then retirement to your death? Wow…where did that one come from? It would seem that life is always sneaking up on you, moving faster than you would like and this older age thing is a prime example, if there ever was one.
Let’s not get too sure of ourselves here. When I was in my late 20s and 30s I resembled Tony Orlando, the singer. Now days, as I approach my 64thbirthday, those that I knew back then, look at me and it’s like, “Wow…what happened to you?” I turn and look at them and reply, “Oh yeah…well!”
None of those folks are what they were back then either. The years creep up on everyone and that creep is constant and never ending until the day you die. I must guess far too many have no idea that 24 hours a day is not very long and then coupled together, they become months and years. They are quick in life and suddenly that burly chest is weighing heavily around your waist, your and you couldn’t see 50 yards away if they paid you for it. Welcome to the new and improved life!
Let’s look at this way, if you are in your 60s and you have always lived a simple life, simple days and simple vacations from a simple job. Nothing is wrong with that, you don’t have to worry. Now one day you purchase a Powerball ticket and you end up winning 450 million dollars. You arrive at the Powerball center to receive your lump-sum check. Champagne is flowing like water and everyone is standing all around you with really big smiles.
There are many pats on the back, many well wishers and everyone is so happy, but most of all, you and your wife are ecstatic. No more worries of any kind, no more pinching pennies for food and medication or hospital stays. New cars and a bigger house sparkle in your mind, chic clothing and shoes, maybe even a yacht of sorts. Helping your family and friends out, raising their livelihoods along with you and you will still have plenty left over.
Right in the midst of all the fanfare and partying, you feel a sharp pain in the center of your chest, an elephant just sat down in the middle of your chest. Your breathing becomes difficult and your head begins to swim, you hit the floor and are unconscious as you take your last breath…you’re dead.
Suddenly, you’re standing there…someplace…staring into the most beautiful eyes you could ever imagine and as they stare back, your life flashes through your mind, right up to that very last moment. Nothing is spoken, yet every single detail of your life is laid out for all to see, good, bad and indifferent. There is a nagging thought creeping through your mind, because everyone is looking at you, seeing your life, knowing your every thought in life.
An angel opens the Book of Life and looks for your name, He doesn’t find it and shakes his head so slowly. Then there is this falling sensation, as you enter into the worst nightmare you could ever conceive in your mind, perfect darkness, no light whatsoever. And you feel the ultimate of fear, you know where you are and the agony and torture begins; first in your mind and then your body. The one thing that is missing here is…HOPE!
There is one single thought in your head, you know, you had an entire life on earth to accept the gift of salvation, through the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross. You had always thought to yourself, you would have enough time to make that change, little did you see how fast your life was going.
Zero to whatever age you were when you died was all too quick and you never made that one single decision concerning your eternal life…Now it has been made for you, because of inaction. You know, there is no backing up and doing it the right way, there is no escape, there is no HOPE of any kind…for eternity!
James 4:14: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Mark 8:36-37: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16:25-27: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Mark 9:46: “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”
Revelation 14:11: “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
So here, we look at what the Scriptures say about a man or a woman, in this life today and the Bible tells us what will be tomorrow. Please notice the Scripture passages above again, however many times is required by you to understand what is being said here. This is the Word of God, written to you and me, to teach us of what IS to come.
You better know where you stand with Jesus Christ! You either have your sin covered by the blood of Jesus Christ…or you don’t. It’s that simple and your final destination in eternity is just as simple and it is according to whether you accept salvation through Jesus Christ or not.
My ancestors thought mirrors were a deception, they indeed are a deception; they show only the skin and not what is in the heart. Friends, there is NOreflection of the pain and misery in one’s life, nor the happiness and joy. Life is tough, life is unpredictable, a slippery slide if there ever was one. Don’t be ignorant of the Word of God.
God the Father is perfect and JUST in every way, always has been, is today and will be into eternity. If you choose to ignore Jesus Christ and HIS salvation, you will die over and over again for all eternity. Just because it is too horrifying for you to consider does not make it false. That thought is deception by Satan and his ilk; He is the Father of Lies. Do NOT listen to him!
Ultimately…it is YOUR decision to make and the Lord God Almighty has done everything possible to keep you from hell fire. HE does not want you to go there. Again, it is your decision, but once you die, its permanent. So…your date with…death…is when?