Once we are born, we are bound to die when the season of death comes. Others say we are born to die and it is true by physical assessment or interpretation. At the moment of death, what shall be our greatest pride by God’s standard?
Can we escape death?
Unless God decides otherwise, history adequately confirms that we shall all die one day. Ecclesiastes 3:6 say for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die. We recommend to all to read Ecclesiastes 3:1-9. God has appointed unto man to die once and after death face judgment, Hebrews 9:27. The first activity after death is judgment. Matthew 12: 36 says on the day of judgment men will render account of every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
How will we be called home?
We will be called home individually and separately to account for our stewardship here on earth. We could die any time soon or Jesus Christ could come any time soon. In either case or situation our physical existence will come to an abrupt end. God continues to give us sufficient prior notices every moment we see and hear the death of others or hear his word.
Just as no one knows the exact time he or she sleeps or doses off, so shall our end come without our choice. We may go to bed ready to sleep but God decides when we knock off in sleep or wake up. Jesus said in Matthew 24: 36 that of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24: 41; Luke 17: 35 says two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left. This condition will apply in situations of our home call as well. So Matthew 24: 44 cautions that you must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. We dare say that death will come at an hour which we do not expect. Are we ready?
What is God’s standard?
1 Peter 1: 14-16 says as obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who has called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, you shall be holy, for I am holy. This means the standard shall be obedience and holiness to God. Revelation 7: 14 refers to this as those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Upon failing the strict test, we shall be cast out as workers of iniquity, Matthew 7: 21, 23.
Will God vary his standard?
1 Peter 1: 17 says God will judge each one impartially according to his deeds. Concerning the fate of those who died before Christ, 1 Peter 3: 19-20 say Christ Jesus when he died went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formally did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.
In effect those who died before Christ have been provided for if we reckon as 2 Peter 3:8 says, but do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. If Christ spent three years in his ministry on earth, then the three days of his death are of significant religious and divine purpose and relevance. We should be mindful of our own situation.
Who will be our judge?
Acts 10: 42 says he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Acts 17: 31 says God has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead. Who is this man? His name is Jesus Christ.
John 5: 22 says the Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. John 5: 26-27 says as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man.
Can we reform after death?
Since the next event after death is judgment, there will be no opportunity to reform after death. We can only reform whilst we have life here on earth. In Luke 16: 19-31, Jesus succinctly illustrated this fact in the story of the poor man Lazarus and the rich man Dives.
What will be God’s judgment?
God’s judgment will yield only two outcomes or decisions, eternal life or eternal death. Jesus said in Matthew 25: 21, 23 he shall say to his elect, well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master. This will be the fate of those who will be called to eternal life as having passed God’s standard for eternal life. It will be a momentous joyful occasion.
For those who will fail the standard, Jesus said in Matthew 7: 23, then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers. What this means is described vividly in Matthew 25: 41 which says then he will say to those at his left hand, depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25: 46 says they will go into eternal punishment. Matthew 8: 12 says they shall be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Matthew 13: 42, 50 say they shall be thrown into the furnace of fire.
How will our moment of departure be? We still have the opportunity to change our course of destiny if we are desirous of eternity with Christ Jesus, the judge.
Prayer
Our Lord God Almighty, it is true that we cannot escape death when the moment is due. As we do not know the circumstances of our departure, grant us your grace through Christ Jesus our final judge to meet your requirements for righteousness and holiness before the time. You do not delight in the death of a sinner so cleanse us now and lead us away from hell fire. In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen!!
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