Death is a subject which you probably would prefer not to consider right now; but it would be wise for you to solemnly face this fact - Before long you will be dead. There are few things in this world about which I can speak with absolute certainty. But of this one thing, I am absolutely sure - "It is appointed unto men once to die." Unless the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth in the near future, we will all die very soon. Here are five things that I know are true. Without any shadow of a doubt, these five facts are true of both you and me.
1. YOU DESERVE TO DIE. You are a sinful creature. Having broken God's law, you have earned the wages of death. The fact that you are still living upon God's earth, breathing God's air, and feeding upon God's provision is a great act of Divine mercy. If you had what you deserve, you would have long ago been brought to the dust of death, eternally separated from God.
2. YOU ARE GOING TO DIE. If time stands a little longer, we will all die, men, women, and children, just as surely as the sun sets, you are going to die. The day and hour of your death is unalterably fixed. Your appointment with death has already been made; and you will keep it. "All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass." Life in this world, considered at its best, taking the longest possible view, is but a very brief and painful experience. "It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." You may be young, healthy, and strong, but soon, very soon, the cold sweat of death will be upon your brow, perhaps even before this day is over. Every community has its cemetery. The tombstones in the grave yard tell us that such and such men once lived. They tell us also that this is the end of all men. As surely as these have died, I must die, and you must die. Will you lay this fact to your heart? You are going to die!
3. WHEN YOU DIE YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY STAND BEFORE GOD IN JUDGMENT,(II Cor. 5:10). The silly superstitions of limbo, purgatory, and soul sleep are totally contrary to the Word of God. No sooner will you close your eyes in death than you will stand before the bar of God's strict justice in judgment. You will soon meet God in judgment!
4. After you die, when your body is laid in the grave, YOU WILL LIVE FOREVER, EITHER IN THE ETERNAL BLISS OF HEAVEN OR IN THE ETERNAL TORMENTS OF HELL. This fact is constantly before my heart. I am preaching to men, women, and children whose immortal souls must forever enjoy the bliss of heaven, or whose souls must forever endure the torments of hell. Yes, there is life after death. Heaven is both real and eternal. And hell is both real and eternal.
5. And the Word of God makes it abundantly clear that YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY WILL BE DETERMINED BEFORE YOU DIE. Where will you spend eternity? How shall it be with you in the swelling of the Jordan? Will you live forever in the bliss of heaven? Or, will you spend eternity under the terrible, inexhaustible wrath of almighty God in hell? If you die without Christ, hell will be your eternal prison. Turn, oh may God enable you to turn, to Christ and live. You must be washed in his blood. You must be robed in his righteousness. You must be united to him by faith. Otherwise, you will surely perish!
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