[Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Saturday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my files:

GOD HAS SPOKEN

     For every birth, there will be a corresponding death.  We 
celebrate birth and sometimes pretend that death will not come.  We know from 
experience the things that may happen
as a part of life after birth.  We often know little or even give
thought ot what happens in life AFTER death, yet life AFTER
death lasts infinitely longer than life AFTER birth.  Furthermo-
re, the state and quality of life after death is directly determ-
ined by behavior in life after birth, according to the eternal
purpose of God effected in Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 4:6-8; Rom.
2:5-11; Eph. 3:8-13).

     Depending on one's state of preparedness, the day of one's death can be 
either the most tragic of days or the day
of greatest rejoicing.  The wise man said, "A good name is 
better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the
day of one's birth" (Eccl. 7:1).  We, by birth, enter a world of
conflict with its central struggle between good and evil.  By
the help of God, we can prepare ourselves to "fight the good
fight of faith," follow that which is good, and finally gain victory over 
evil and enter eternal rest from the labors and 
conflicts of this life (1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Thes. 5:15; Rev. 14:13).

     What happens immediately upon physical death is not as
important as what is coming in God's own time, but God has
given us some insight.  "Then shall the dust return to the 
earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave
it" (Eccl. 12:7).  Both the rich man and Lazarus were in the
company of the dead (Lk. 16:22-26).  Before the resurrection,
righteous ones enjoy rest (Psa. 16:9; Rev. 6:11).  In the resur-
rection all that are in the grave will come forth -- both good
and evil (Jno. 5:28,29).

     All will appear before Christ's judgment seat, for God has
committed all judgment to Jesus (2 Cor. 5:10; Jno. 5:22; Acts
17:30,31).  The good and the evil ones will be separated like
sheep from goats (Matt. 25:31-33), and each will be judged 
upon what he did while living on earth (Rom. 14:12).  Then the
disobedient "will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into 
eternal life" (Matt. 25:46).

     Do you contemplate etrnal life in contrast to life after phys-ical 
birth?  Are you prepared for the momentous even that 
separates the two?  Does a study of righteousness, self-con-
trol, death, and judgment to come trouble you?  Where will you live after 
death?     --------- Gilbert Alexander.   </HTML>
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