When The Door Slams
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV). Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV).
We do not know what lies ahead, just over the hill. Terrible things are happening in our world...and we are afraid. But deep beneath our fear of life lies, carefully hidden the real reason for our fear these days. It is something we try to ignore. In the sunshine of life and before the face of God. The truth is we are afraid of death.
It is easy to think of others having to keep this appointment with death, but it can be difficult to remember that we, too, must keep this same appointment. When we visit a dying family or friend, we are conscious of a certain spirit that gathers about such persons. Death is appointed for all, and the questions of its appearance is a matter of time. Other appointments in life we can neglect or break, but here is an appointment that no one can ignore, no one can break.
We lack the freedom and release which comes from taking Jesus at His word, and fearing not "them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul..." (Matthew 10:28). If physical death were the only consequence of a life lived apart from God, we would not have so much to fear, but the Bible warns that there is the second death, which is the eternal separation from God.
The Christian should have no fear of death...But, on the contrary, faith should give him a touch of anticipation and a tingle of adventure as he looks forward to that experience that shall surely reward his hope and exceed his most glorious expectations.
However, there is a bright side. As the Bible pronounces hell for the sinner, it also promises heaven for the saint. A saint has been described as a sinner who has been forgiven by Christ Jesus our Lord and Savor. The subject of heaven is much easier to accept than the subject of hell. And yet the Bible teaches both.
Think about this: It is only when we do know [Jesus] that we are not afraid, for there is nothing to fear. Only when one is no longer afraid to die is one no longer afraid at all. If you are afraid of death, then you are afraid of life. Only when you have something to die for, you have something to live for. And death when it comes, it will come to you as a welcome friend, sent to usher you into the glorious new life that awaits you just around the bend at the end of this old life.
Related Bible Texts: Psalm 89:48; Matthew 10:26-33;13:41-42; John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:42-55; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 21:1-4
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
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