"And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hell followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth... Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire." (Revelation 6:8, Revelation 20:14)
I just watched a music video of a Johnny Cash song "When the man comes around"
...I think it will be awhile before I stop trembling. Most of us live so remote from from war and devastation... for now. Most have experienced the loss of a loved one or an acquaintance... it makes most of us wonder... what next?
The scriptures tell us of a day that "death" itself will be destroyed... as our last enemy to be defeated. This enemy will rob us no more, it will be feared no longer, it's inevitability will cease... then who shall we fear? It is interesting how gentle the biggest mysteries are answered by Jesus... talking about death, He calmly explains who really is in control...
"...And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
...this is where the Johnny Cash song comes into play. Who really determines the beginning and end of life? Who has ETERNITY on His side... with all the time in the world, He patiently awaits our arrival... at His door. You see, He spent our lifetime here knocking on our door... will we spent the rest of our existence there, knocking on His?
"...Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man (Adam) came death, so by a man (Jesus) has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:20-26)
"...Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers
One hundred million angels singing
Multitudes are marching to the big kettledrum
Voices calling and voices crying
Some are born and some are dying
It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtK-QCiD-...A Sermon Delivered On Sunday Morning, November 18, 1866, By C. H. Spurgeon, At The Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington...
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:26)
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles...I came close to death a number of times in my life... I mean real close! Each time I didn't have a care in the world... literally ...I didn't care for anything here, but I also had a friend waiting for me on the other side. God has placed within us the grand ability to set the inevitable eternity out of our minds... as the scriptures state He has placed eternity within our hearts. We actually believe that we will live forever... because we will. It is location that has us mostly in denial.
What would you loose if Jesus' Words were true? IF He really had a plan for us beyond the grave, and we would be found safe... if only in Him? Do we have a better plan? God is just and will not condemn those who are ignorant... but that is not us... is it?
I see it daily... infatuation with DEATH. Some where sculls and morbidly fantasied depictions of Death, on everything from rings to jackets... the other day I saw a truck done-up in a "Mad Max" motif of sculls from dash to bumpers! Ghoulish tattoos and posters in rooms... along with an unhealthy collection of videos and music, Death is not regarded as an enemy, rather as a friend. All as if to say "I don't believe your story... I am the master of my own destiny" ...not having a single person from great beyond to confirm the "party" to be had on life's departure.
We have it on good authority that there will be a day when even some will want to die and will not be able, they will pursue their old friend Death and he will forsake them...
"And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them..." (Revelation 9:6)Jesus said... "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"
(Matthew 16:26)
...my purpose is not to cause fear, rather to face it. As one who has been the very enemy of the One (Jesus) whom I now serve... if there is one point I would like to get across... CAREFUL HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR "FRIENDS" ...Death is no friend of yours!