(Revelation 20:6) “Blessed
and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second
death has no power…”
Somewhere and at some time a survey was taken and
this was the question asked, “If you are given the chance to see when you would
die would you want to know?” Ninety eight percent chose not to know. Why? It is
obvious that we fear death, when in fact we needn’t but in order for that
reality to inhabit our lives we must disclose all the facts.
Did you know that some will face a second death?
Sadly this will be a large chunk of the earth’s population. But not many people
have been told this truth throughout their lives. Has it ever been explain to
you with careful consideration? It is imperative that we have the facts prior
to the decisions we make concerning all facets to our lives, how serious will
it be for us to get the most important decision of them all incorrect? The one
decision that carries with it eternal consequences and with no re-runs
available. We only get one life to find repentance for our sin and our
rebellion against God; it is crucial that we find forgiveness form the only
true Saviour which God has so mercifully supplied; the darling of heaven, His
beloved Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Reject this offer at your own peril and you
will taste the wrath of God and the sting of the second death.
Why do we so
often shy away from the truth, especially when the subject that needs examining
is such a serious topic? The Lord Jesus is the beginning and the end when it
comes to the rescue of a person salvation; whereas our natural birth and the
corruption of Eve’s sin guarantee us death; we are born to die and if we die in
that state we will have to face the judgement of God where our second death
will have eternal consequences. A sting so server that there will be no escape,
condemn to a place of torment for eternity; these are the facts according to
the teachings of scripture. The Word of God has so declared it; “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of
fire. This is the second death, the lake
of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life,
he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14-15)
Why do we then
lie to ourselves and to others when we face the deaths of our loved ones? We
make comments like, “they are at least now at peace”, when all their lives they
have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ rescue. It is obvious that they are in fact
in torment awaiting the judgement of God. In a cell awaiting their trial and so
shall it be for all who reject the mercy of God. Reject His offer of salvation
in and through the Lord Jesus Christ at you own peril; “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or
forfeits himself? For
whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed
when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste
death until they see the kingdom of God."” (Luke 9:24-27)
When we lie to others we give them
a false hope, allowing them a slight glimmer of dishonest optimism which allows
them to believe that they will escape God’s judgement regardless of the way
they live their lives. This type of reasoning is from the pit of hell. IT IS A
LIE! And I will not be apart of those lies anymore. Reject the Lord Jesus’
sacrifice for your sin and your end will be hell.
The reality of
the doom and gloom of bringing children into this world is eternal damnation,
if they remain steadfast in the path they were born into with sin dominating
their lives with the “fruit” of it rebelling against God; they will end up in
hell! This is a heavy thought but most certainly worth at least a small portion
of our considerations. The only hope I have for my son Moe is that he will be
sold out for the Lord Jesus, the rest of his life and the way he fills it has
very little bearing on the way I will guide him through it. Work or you shall
not eat but be content with what God gives you; do not covet another mans goods
nor the position he holds in society. Make every decision with and overarching
spin on eternity and your position in it. Be a surgeon by all means but make
sure you are not driving your children to that end without total disclosure; if
we have failed in this area, that is on us as parents, but thankfully we still
have time to set that which is crooked straight in and through the finished
work of the cross.
The Lord may
just be calling you out to take your head out of the sand. We are not race
horses with blinkers attached but human beings with eternal spirits. This life
is but a fleeting moment in comparison to eternity; let us get our balance
right. We have been hoodwinked into believing so many lies and our drives which
govern our determined outcomes will never change outside of the Lord Jesus
Christ and His salvation. We must all be part of the first resurrection if we
are to escape the second death. “Blessed
and holy is the one who shares in the first
resurrection! Over such the second death has no power.”
Understand
this, miss out on the first resurrection and you will tasted the sting of the
second death and there will be no escape. Some may despise the way in which I
have unpacked these truths but it’s often hard callous accuracy which we need
to set us free; “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."” (John 8:32)
Signing off
Tyrone
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