Promoted to Glory.

At the end of last week, my wife and I received the news of the death, in Scotland, of a very dear friend of more than 30 years. Sadly, we were unable to travel back to attend the funeral service. We are so glad that we were able to attend the wedding of our friend Peter, to his second wife, Kate - both of them having been widowed, but having known one another before either of them were first married!

Although current restrictions meant that, in order to broadcast the service, it had to take place in the Chapel of Rest, in the Border town of Dumfries, Peter and Kate worshipped with the Salvation Army. I love the way in which the Salvation Army refers to the death of a disciple of Jesus. The person has not "passed away", or "been lost", or started "kicking up the daisies", or any other euphemism! No! When a disciple of Jesus in the Salvation Army dies, that person is "Promoted to Glory"!

Promotion, in any area of life, is seen as a very good thing. Many spend their lives seeking it - in work, in organisations, in many other fields of existence. However, I have not a shadow of doubt that the greatest promotion that anyone can experience is to be "Promoted to Glory". So what does the expression mean?

Well, "glory" refers to heaven - the "dwelling-place" of Almighty God. The eternal spirit of the  disciple of Jesus, at the moment of physical death, leaves the mortal body that had been its dwelling-place for the earthly life of the individual, and goes directly to be "with the Lord". Paul writes: "So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (II Cor 5:6-8; emphasis added). The Lord Jesus, Himself, assured one of those who was being crucified alongside Him, but who had recognised that this Man was no common criminal, that "Truly, ..., today you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43; emphasis added).

Now that, of course, is not the full story! Thinking along such lines was the problem for the early believers in Thessalonica, that led Paul to provide this assurance: "But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." (I Thess 4:13-17; emphasis added).

What Paul is emphasising is that, until the Rapture*, it is the spirit of the disciple of Jesus whose earthly sojourn has come to an end, that goes to be "in Paradise" - the mortal remains are dealt with in an appropriate manner. Then, at the Rapture, those 'dead' bodies will be resurrected and instantly changed into 'resurrection' bodies (see I Cor.15:52), that shall never decay and, as they rise to meet the Lord Jesus "in the air", those disciples of Jesus who are alive at that moment, will be caught up with them, and all of His people will be with Him throughout eternity*.

Of course, as my repeated reference to "disciples of Jesus", and equivalent terms, will have emphasised, the written Word of God, the Bible, makes clear that all of this is only true for those who are "in Christ" and who have the Christ "in them". If you are not in that position, or if you have some doubts, then I would encourage you to read the previous four posts. I do not believe that it is 'coincidence' that I am composing this post immediately after them!

As always, if I may be of further assistance, at a more personal level, please feel free to contact me at the e-mail address above.

*These words are dealt with, more fully, in my first book - Great Words of the Faith. Please remember that I urge folk to purchase any of my books, not for personal gain, as ALL royalties are sent, directly, to Release International, in support of the persecuted church, but because I believe that they will be found to be helpful to those who are seeking, and also to those who have found!

Death.

Some weeks ago, I conducted the funeral service for an English friend who had lived in the neighbouring department of Lot & Garonne, and who had died after a battle with cancer. He was a disciple of Jesus, and that simple fact made it so much easier to deal with the situation, as I was able to easily bring the Gospel message into the service - to the great pleasure of his widow! 

However, I do wish that I had received the following before that funeral. I would have quoted it, verbatim, as I now share it in print. 

« Blessed are the dead. 

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!" (Rev.14:13).

This promise applies specifically to those recent believers who will suffer martyrdom during the last half of the awful tribulation period (“henceforth,” in context). But dealing as it does with the state of the believing dead, in principle, it surely likewise applies to all who die “in the Lord.”

How are they blessed? In numerous ways, according to this verse.

First, they are blessed in that they “rest from their labours.” In this life we earn our physical sustenance by “the sweat of [our] face” (Genesis 3:19). Here we must work hard to train our minds (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Now we constantly battle our inward, fallen nature: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). Even as we attempt to serve our fellow man, our efforts are spurned and rejected. Not so for the dead! There all these labours will cease, and joyous, eternal service to the Lamb will commence (Revelation 22:3).

Secondly, they are blessed in that their labours continue to bear fruit even after they have gone. Perhaps even a previous word, or act of testimony, will be the eventual tool God uses to bring someone to Himself, and the reward will be properly distributed. No act done to the glory of God will pass unnoticed.

 

Thirdly, what a blessing to know that this state is promised by the very Spirit of God Himself. One’s worth at death is not measured by the content and sincerity of the opinions of friends at his funeral.

This doctrine should produce both great courage for the Christian and great comfort for the bereaved. »

Having prepared the above earlier in the week, I also received, today, notification of the death, in Scotland, of the father of David Robertson – whom I often quote, and who currently lives in Australia, so was unable to visit his dying father, and will be unable to attend the funeral service. I had known my English friend for about 8 years; Mr Robertson, Sen. I never met. However, I would like to think that my children could speak/write of me as David described his dad: “He was a humble, hardworking, faithful man who struggled with assurance, self-doubt and yet never let that get in the way of serving the Lord he loved, looking after his family, and earning the respect of all through hard graft, generosity, and dutiful service.  He was a good dad to me.”

Another comment by David reminded me of a man who had a profound influence on my young Christian life – Billy Grant. He died from cancer of the bowel many years ago, while still a relatively young man. I was able to visit him at home shortly before he died. Before leaving, I prayed with him, and his wife Sally (whose funeral service takes place tomorrow – is all of this “coincidence?!). I was thanked by them both for not having prayed that Billy would be necessarily healed, but that he would know the deep peace of Father God whatever happened in the following weeks. David writes, concerning his wife: “Annabel (who is such a strength to me in these times), prayed last Lord’s Day asking that my dad would know peace as he passed through death into the New Life.” I think, too, of a brother in the Lord who was a member of a Baptist Fellowship to which I belonged at the time. He, too, had terminal cancer. One day, while praying for him during my personal devotions, I sensed that I should visit him, and anoint him with oil, in the name of the Lord Jesus. I did so and, although he died shortly afterwards, his widow assured me that his final days were unexpectedly peaceful.

This morning, I was preaching on the topic of being “in Christ”. Those who are need not fear physical death. They will know His peace, and will be welcomed into His presence, to dwell with Him throughout eternity. The world can offer nothing like that!

A story that is true - but that is not a true story!

This is a story that I have sometimes used as an illustration of a great truth. As the opening words, alone, make clear, the story is not, in itself, even remotely true! However it is, to me, somewhat amusing - and the truth that it contains is well worth discovering! So, here it is!

A man died, and arrived at the Pearly Gates (I told you that the opening words would show that the story is fictional!). He was met by Peter, who was holding a clip-board. 

"Hello!", he says to the man. "I assume that you are wanting to go through these gates, and enter Heaven."

"That is correct." replies the man. "Is there a problem?"

"No problem!", says Peter. "All that you have to do is get 100 points, and the Gates will open wide for you."

"100 points? No-one ever told me about 100 points! How do I get them?"

"Just tell me why you believe that you should be permitted to enter." responds Peter.

"Oh!", says the man, "that's okay. Now, let's see. Well, I was a very nice person, always helping others. I would have given you my last penny; my last piece of bread; the coat off my back."

"Very good. That gets you 3 points."

"Hmm," says the man. "Well, I was married to the same woman for 52 years; I was faithful to her; I cared for our children; and played with my grandchildren. I worked hard to provide for all of their needs."

"Impressive!" says Peter. "You've just gained another 5 points!"

"Just another 5?!" exclaims the man.

"That's it." replies Peter.

"Okay. I was a church member, and always put something into the offering plate. I attended every Christmas and Easter, and sometimes managed to fit in a few additional visits."

"That's definitely worth another 3 points." says Peter. "Anything else?"

"Well," (the man thinks hard), I was a good employee. I never gave my boss any problems, and worked as hard as I could."

"Well done!" is Peter's response. "That's another point".

"Hang on." says the man. How many points have I got now?"

Peter does some quick addition. "I make that a total of 12 points." he tells the man.

"12 points!" the man exclaims. "At this rate, only the grace of God will get me in."

"100 points!" says Peter. "Welcome."

As I said, this is a totally fictional story - but it does seek to emphasise the Biblical truth that our good works, whatever they may be, will never, ever, gain us entry to heaven. We can never 'make up' for the sinful life that we have lived. Even the best disciple of Jesus is only a sinner - but a sinner, saved by grace. That is why Paul could write to the Ephesian believers: "... by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9).

If you are depending on a 'good' life for salvation, please think again. You have broken every one of the Ten Words (Ten Commandments) - if not literally, then certainly in your heart. Jesus made clear that the thought is as bad as the deed - not in its action, but in its sinfulness. For example: "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire." (Matt 5:21-22). Now, I can say, with absolute honesty, that I have never killed another human being. But does anyone think that I could claim never to have been angry?! Yet Jesus says that, although my anger is not as bad as committing murder - it is every bit as much a sin that comes between me and Father God! I am a sinner - and I must claim the grace of God.

That is why the Lord Jesus went to the cross. He did so, in order to present Himself, the perfect sinless sacrifice that paid the penalty for your sin, and for mine. What He demands is that we offer Him our lives, in total surrender to His will. Paul, again: "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom. 12:1-2).

The choice is yours - make it count!

Heaven - will we know one another?

As one who believes, firmly, that there is a heaven, and a hell, I find it interesting that so many, who make no claim to being disciples of Jesus, or even to being "religious", have their own concept of the former (and seem to ignore the latter!). The reason for this may be very basic - it is "in our DNA"! The writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes said: "... He [i.e. Almighty God] has put eternity into man's mind, ..." (Eccl 3:11), and we are unable to fully delete the concept from our being.

I think of this a lot when I see people wishing loved ones who have died - often many years ago - a "Happy Heavenly birthday" on the anniversary of that person's date of birth. This is done, in Facebook, with increasing regularity - and with no thought that the person may not even be "in heaven"!

The written Word of God teaches, very clearly, that only those who are in a right relationship with Almighty God will spend eternity in His presence. For those of us who have lived at any time during the past almost 2,000 years, that means having accepted the Lord Jesus - God in human flesh - as our Saviour; accepting that we are sinners who cannot save ourselves; repenting of our sins; and depending, entirely, on His atoning* sacrifice at Calvary.

The Bible also teaches that "... in the resurrection they [those who have died and been raised to eternal life] neither marry nor are given in marriage , but are like angels in heaven." (Matt 22:30). So I was more than a little surprised to read a Facebook post (I am currently banned from posting, etc., but may still read!) from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that read:

"On June 14, 2007, Ruth Graham passed away at her home in North Carolina—surrounded by her husband and 5 children.

“I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we’ve had in the mountains together,” said Billy Graham. “We’ve rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven.”

We rejoice that now, Mr. and Mrs. Graham have been reunited in their heavenly home."

I can find nothing in the New Testament to support such a view. Indeed, I am not at all certain that I will even know other people in heaven. Those words of the Lord Jesus would certainly indicate that married couples will not be "reunited" - read the quotation in context!   

The only thing of which I can be, and am, certain is that I will be in the Lord's presence - probably not in "heaven" but on the "new earth" (see II Pet.3:13; Rev.21:1). And, just as He walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, before the fall, He will walk with His people there. "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them;" (Rev 21:3). All things will be made new (Rev 21:5) - and that must surely include our bodies; our minds; our natures; and our memories.

The only question is: "Will you be there?" If you are unable to answer that question in the affirmative, then please ask for help from a genuine disciple of Jesus. If you are unable to identify one, then you may contact me using the e-mail address above. There are also some links at the right-hand side of the page, towards the bottom, that may be of help. Whatever you do, don't let it be 'nothing'. Your eternal destiny is at stake!

* If you don't understand this word, then why don't you purchase my first book: "Great Words of the Faith". It explains, in everyday language, this and many other words. ALL royalties are paid, directly, to release International in support of the persecuted church. Link at the top of the blog.

Tomorrow's newspaper!

Well, the 'moratorium' is over - much sooner than I had expected. However, the previous post was viewed by a considerably larger number than I had seen for some time, while not a great number had indicated that they were reading the last couple of posts on Facebook! So, the next plan is to publish here, on the blog (AussieJohn will be pleased!) and to also publish on Facebook - but not quite the full post! This is because only blogs with a high number of 'hits' are quoted when someone does a search on any of the 'key words' in the blog! So, please keep accessing the blog (non-commercial - I do not receive any pecuniary benefit!), and encourage others to do the same!

I have often heard, and used, the expression that "The Bible is more up-to-date than tomorrow's newspaper". It came to mind, this morning, as I continued in my daily readings in the Book of Psalms, and read Psalm 12. The Psalm begins with a plea to YHWH for help - and the reason why that help is being sought!

"Help, Lord; for there is no longer any that is godly; for the faithful have vanished from among the sons of men. Every one utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." (vs.1-2; emphasis added).

Now remember, that David, the psalmist-king of Israel, penned those words about 3,000 years ago! Yet, as I read them, I thought of what I had read in yesterday's newspaper - and what I fully expected to read in today's (and tomorrow's!).

My mind raced! I recalled George Orwell's prediction of "newspeak" in his well-known (if not widely read!) novel, 'Nineteen Eighty-four'! Words are important, but vocabulary is constantly changing. When I was a boy, the "bin-men" came around, every week, and emptied the dustbin that my dad had left out at the front of the house. However, the 'bin-man' eventually became the "domestic refuse disposal operative'!

Today, we are used to the expression "fake news" - that, with the assistance of the internet, can span the globe more quickly than I can type this post! Sadly, because education systems have been taken over (it would appear!) by what would be described as "left-leaning" ideologies and their proponents, and dumbed-down to mediocrity, so many do not even question the information, let alone seek to analyse it! I read, this morning, in Warren Wiersbe's comments on this Psalm, that "... in military jargon, 'retreat' is 'back-loading of augmentation personnel'. If, while you're 'back-loading', you get shot, the bullet hole is a 'ballistically induced aperture in the subcutaneous environment'. (Be Worshipful, p.52). That made me think of Gus Hedges, the Chief Executive in "Drop the Dead Donkey" - a UK television satirical sit-com, set in a fictional TV news-room, that was broadcast throughout most of the 1990s - who’s full of appalling management speak. Twenty years later, the situation has, I would contend, deteriorated even further! David wrote about his own situation and circumstances - but wrote, more truly, of the future than he could possibly have realised!

Lies, flattery, 'double-speak' - how much more contemporary could one be? David continues:

"May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, 'With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is our master?'" (vs.3-4). I thought of the majority of politicians! Great boasts; great promises; great oratory! It would appear that many people are, at last, catching on! However, the fact remains that a political manifesto is only as good as the number of votes it garners. 

You may know the story of the man who died, and was informed that he could check out both heaven and hell, before making his choice as to where he would spend eternity. (It is only a story!!!). He was taken in an elevator, first of all to hell. He got out, and was astonished by the beauty of the vista that met him. People were so happy; he saw many of his old friends; there was a marquee with tables laden with the finest, and most exotic, of foods; there was a bar with a banner above it announcing that "All drinks are free"! It certainly wasn't the hell that he had expected from what he had heard preached on the rare occasion on which he had attended a worship service in a Christian church building!

Next, he was taken up, in the elevator, to heaven. He stepped out into a similar scene, but quickly realised that he didn't actually recognise anyone who was there! He made his decision. "I choose hell", he announced to the angel who had been accompanying him. "You're quite certain?" asked the angel. "You do realise that, once you have made your choice, you cannot change your mind!" "No," said the man, "I won't want to change my mind. I mean, this place looks good, but I saw so many of my friends in hell - and it's much nicer than I had been led to expect!"

He was sent down - alone this time - in the elevator to hell. As the doors opened, he was met by a scene of total devastation. Those friends whom he had recognised, and who had looked so happy and contented, were now looking haggard, and obviously in agony. The devil approached him, to welcome him to an eternity in this terrible place. "I don't understand", said the man. When I checked before, this place was wonderful. It had everything that I could want. What has happened?" "Ah," said the devil, "last time we were campaigning. Now you have voted!"

It's only a fictional story - but it does have a clear message!

David ends his Psalm "On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the sons of men." (v.8). As I look around, I see so much of this. In the margin of the copy of the Bible that I use in my devotions, I have noted Is.5:20 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Is that not what we see today. The murder of an unborn child in its mother's womb is, according to some, a "human right"! It may be argued that it is for the mother - but hardly for the child! We see criminals receiving three good meals each day; access to educational courses; access to the internet; calls for mobile 'phones to be issued; etc. At the same time, some of our elderly are have to exist on one of the smallest pensions in western Europe, and military veterans are sleeping on the streets. 

However, there is hope! David was not a man to allow despair to totally overcome him. Read these words from the middle of the Psalm: "'Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,

I will now arise,' says the Lord; 'I will place him in the safety for which he longs.' The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Do thou, O Lord, protect us, guard us ever from this generation." (vs.5-7).

I love that word "safety". It comes from the same root as the name Yeshua - the Hebrew from which we get (via the Greek!), the Name that is above every name, the name Jesus. In the margin I have written this, and added: "The only true safety is in Jesus".

However difficult the times; however low mankind sinks in the mire of his own making; however much we may despair as we see our society and culture crumble before our eyes; we may have hope! God is still on the throne. He is still the Sovereign Lord of the universe. He still controls the affairs of mankind, however much some may think that their Soros-like fortunes mean that they are in charge. Read Psalm 2 for an overview of what is really happening!

Those who are in the Christ; those who are true disciples of Jesus; are assured of His presence in every situation and circumstance. Most of those who read these words will be living relatively comfortable lives. Hundreds of thousands live is situations of severe persecution. But, to each and all, the promise is true: "'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' Hence we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?'" (Heb 13:5-6).

May that be your personal experience, today, and every day.

Falsehood in the Church.

Every person who claims to be a Christian should watch this clip!

"https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FStopPlayingChurch%2Fvideos%2F828728203850886%2F&show_text=0&width=560" 

The story of Charlie Gard has been tragic from start to finish.

The heading is taken from the Leader Comment in a national newspaper - and one can surely understand the sentiment expressed. The article states:

"No-one can fail to have been touched by the agony the family of the 11-month-old baby has gone through.

The situation that Charlie’s mother and father faced was every parent’s nightmare.

One of the saddest aspects of the case was that Connie Yates and Chris Gard found themselves caught up in a high-profile legal battle which must have made it even harder for them to cope with their awful situation.

In the end, they lost their legal battle and they lost their son. Their hopes for experimental treatment, for Charlie to be allowed to die at home, and finally for him to continue to receive life support in a hospice for several days were all dashed.

Great Ormond Street Hospital has said it will examine what it can learn from the case.

It is difficult to see how the ultimate outcome could have been avoided, but it is clear there was a breakdown in trust between Charlie’s parents and the doctors an early stage.

In the end, it was decided the loss of the child could not be feasibly prevented, but the parents’ heartbreaking experience was worse than it should have been."

However, in what may be considered a sign of the times, I did not notice any comment regarding the spirit of this child? Is this because there are fewer of us who believe that physical death - whether it comes in the womb (abortion), or when one is a centenarian - is not the end? 

When I learned of Charlie's death, I started to sing: "Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast. There, by His love o'ershaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest". Because I have no doubt at all that, for that child who had not even reached the first anniversary of the day of his birth, the words of Paul are totally applicable: "... to depart and be with Christ, ... is far better." (Phil.1:23). Yes, I believe, firmly, that Charlie Gard is in the presence of the Heavenly Father, and that His eternal destiny is assured! "On what grounds?", someone might well ask. My response would be: "On exactly the same ground as anyone else - the amazing grace of God."

I sometimes tell the story of the man who died and - because it is just a story! - arrived at the Pearly Gates. He was met there, of course, by Peter (such stories usually major on popular opinion, rather than strict Biblical truth!) who, surprisingly, was holding a clip-board. 

"Name?", asked the apostle. 

The man gave him the information. 

"Ah, yes," said Peter, "you are on the list. Now, all that you have to do is to gain 100 points in order to gain access to heaven." 

"And how do I do that?" enquired the man.

"Not a problem", responded Peter. " Just tell me why you should be allowed to enter through these gates!"

"I wasn't expecting this." said the man. "However - let me think - oh, yes; I was a loving husband and father to my wife and children."

"That's good." came the reply. "That gets you 5 points."

"Hmm", said the man, thoughtfully, "and I also attended my church regularly."

"Good!", said Peter, "That gains you another 5 points."

The man scratched his head. "Oh, for the last ten years of my life, I was an elder in the church."

"Excellent," replied Peter, "That's worth a further 3 points."

"Does my regular tithing help?" asked the man.

"It most certainly does." said Peter. "That gets you a further 3 points."

"So how am I doing so far?" came the (understandable?!) question.

"Let's see", said the apostle, doing some quick addition, "you now have 16 points."

"Oh dear," said the man, "only 16! At this rate it will take the grace of God to get me through!"

"100 points!" smiled Peter. "Welcome!" "

It's only a story - but there is a very real truth contained in it. Paul again: "... by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph.2:8-9).

Do you know that grace? Have you thrown yourself, fully, on the mercy of Almighty God? Or are you labouring under the delusion that you can, by doing all of the right things (in your own eyes!) God will be "obliged" to let you enter the heavenly realm? 

Of course, there are good works that we must do - but they are the result of our salvation, not the means of it! Paul continues, in that letter to the disciples of Jesus, in Ephesus: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (v.10).

Please don't put the cart before the horse! Come to Him, in repentance and faith, and receive His wonderful gift of salvation, fully paid for by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus at Calvary.

As always, if you think that I may be able to be of any personal assistance, please feel free to contact me using the e-mail address at the top of the blog. I will get back to you as quickly as I can.

A better place!

It's interesting, is it not, that in our "western" culture and society, with its apparent emphasis on secular humanism and so-called atheism, that there is still a desire to believe that physical death is not the end?   I was looking for something on YouTube last evening and, as usual, had loads of "recommendations" offered to me.  One that caught my eye was a clip of a news bulletin on the day of the death of the much-loved comedian, Ronnie Barker.  I watched most of the clip.  I also read a lot of the comments.  So many were along the lines of "RIP" ("requiescat in pace"; "rest in peace"); "You're in a better place"; "You'll be making the angels laugh"!

I have also seen so many intimations of the death of, e.g. a beloved grandparent whose spouse is already dead.  So many express the thought: "At least you're together again", and similar sentiments.  It would appear that the Preacher knew exactly what he was talking about when he wrote: "... also He has put eternity into man's mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." (Eccl 3:11; emphasis added).

What I find interesting is that, first of all, the folk who make these comments are assuming that physical death is not the end - as the Richard Dawkins followers would have us believe. Secondly, it is assumed, it would appear, that the abode of these departed spirits is a "good and pleasant" place in which one may rest peacefully; be with one's previously-departed loved ones; and have generally happy existence!   Of course, on the other hand, there are those of whom it may be said, with considerable conviction, "May (s)he rot in hell"!

So where is this "better place", and may we assume that all of the 'nice' people we know will go there when they "shuffle off this mortal coil"?  Speculation about heaven and hell has been rife for millennia.  But, without going into any specific detail, the Bible makes it quite clear that the former is the eternal abode only of those who have been accounted righteous by Almighty God, Himself - the Creator and Sustainer, of all that has ever existed, currently exists, and ever will exist.   For you and me, in the post-Calvary world, in which we have the opportunity to read the Gospel narratives; to hear the message faithfully preached (but be sure that you listen to those who are true to all of God's Word, and not just the little bits that suit their own message!); to discuss, and share, that message; then the only way in which we may be righteous in God's sight is through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary.

Paul, writing to the believers in Rome, said: "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies him who has faith in Jesus." (Rom 3:21-26).

So that's the answer - "... faith in Jesus".  It's accepting that I am a sinner (and no human being knows that better than I!); that I am unable to either make appropriate amends for my past sins, or to stop myself from sinning; that Father God has done what was required by coming, in the Persona (not a typo!) of the Son and, on the cross of Calvary, taking upon Himself the punishment that I deserve.  Then, having accepted all of that, I respond with the genuine love of my own heart, to this amazing Saviour.  I place my trust in Him for the future, whatever it may hold.  I seek to live the rest of my life as pleases Him.  I claim His sacrifice for myself; I claim the promise/assurance that "... the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7; emphasis added).  The result is that I am justified in His sight - that just means that He treats me "just as if I'd" never sinned!

Do you want to go to a better place when you shuffle off this mortal coil?  There is only one way - Jesus.  I commend Him to you.

Screwtape on Democracy!

During this year, I am using a book of Daily Readings from the works of C.S.Lewis as a part of my personal devotions.  Some of it, of course, is very difficult to fully understand (he was a "rather clever chap"!).  However, there are some of the excerpts that are all too easy to grasp.  Such a one was the reading for today.

It's an excerpt from "Screwtape proposes a toast".  For those who are unfamiliar with any of the works of C.S.Lewis (apart from the Narnia Chronicles, of course!), Screwtape is a senior devil who passes on advice to his juniors (see The Screwtape Letters).  The passage to which I was directed this morning is on the topical topic of Democracy!  Here is the final paragraph:

"You are to use the word purely as an incantation; if you like, purely for its selling power.  It is a name they (humans) venerate.  And of course it is connected with the political ideal that men should be equally treated.  You then make a stealthy transition in their minds from this political ideal to a factual belief that all men are equal.  especially the man you are working on.  As a result, you can use the word democracy to sanction in his thought the most degrading(and also the least enjoyable) of all human feelings ... The feeling I mean is of course that which prompts a man to say I'm as good as you.  The first and most obvious advantage is that you thus induce him to enthrone at the centre of his life a good solid resounding lie."

That, it may be argued, is the problem with modern democracy.  It moves the goalposts.  The American Declaration of Independence to which I referred earlier this month, has those well-known words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, ..." However, is this really true?  One does not require the brain of Einstein to know that it is not.  I am certainly not considered by anyone of whom I am aware, to be the "equal" of Bill Gates (certainly not by my bank manager!).  I am not the intellectual equal of Stephen Hawking; I do not have equal political influence to the Prime Minister; I am far from the spiritual equal of many of the believers whom I am privileged to know!

However, in any "democratic" society, I ought to be treated equally with everyone else.  If I commit a crime, I ought to be punished for it - and not "let off" because I am the spouse of a former president of my country, and a current candidate for that same high office.  If I do the same work as my fellow- employee, and do it as well, then I ought to be paid the same rate - and not less on the basis of my gender.  If I spend my spare time helping those who are in difficulties of one kind or another, then I ought to be deemed as worthy of a civil honour as some failed politician, mediocre "celebrity", or "party benefactor"!

This is one of the wonders of the Christian Gospel.  We are all equal, and are treated equally, by Almighty God.  He knows that each one of us (yes, even you!) is a sinner in His sight.  He sees our rebellious nature.  He recognises our attempts to make ourselves the centre of the universe.  Yet He still loves each and everyone of us (yes, even you - again!), equally, and with an everlasting love.  He doesn't love Bill Gates more than He loves me because Bill Gates is a billionaire, and I am never going to be even a mere millionaire.  He doesn't love Stephen Hawking more than He loves me because Stephen Hawking has an IQ of around 160 while I linger at a lowly 125 (last time I checked!).  He doesn't love the Prime Minister more than He loves me because she has an authority that effects the whole of the UK while I have authority over no-one.

There is only our place where we will not be treated equally - because we will not be equal!  That is at the Great White Throne of Judgment.  John records, for us, the great vision he received while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it; from His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done." (Rev 20:11-13).

David Robertson, minister of St Peter's Free Church, Dundee, has been mentioned - and quoted - by me before.  I was interested to read (after I had decided to publish a post along these lines) his most recent posting.  It is on the subject of hell, and he also quotes from C.S.Lewis: "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened. ” “The choice of every lost soul can be expressed in the words "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven." (The Great Divorce).

Are all people created equal?  In the sight of Almighty God, we are - and He treats us as such.

Will all people spend eternity in the same place?  No!  That is the great distinction. The written Word of God (the Bible) makes it perfectly clear.  Those who have established a living, and loving, relationship with Him in this life, through the salvation that is offered in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, will continue in that relationship (enhanced beyond our wildest dreams!) in eternity.  Those who reject - or even neglect, Him here will be rejected by Him on that Day.

Where will you spend eternity?  In the heavenly realm, worshipping the Lamb?  Or will it be in hell, with the devil and all of his minions?   I trust that, as you have read this post, you will have either the assurance of full salvation - or the desire to make that salvation your own.  If the latter, please feel free to contact me at author@minister.com or check out some of the relevant links further down the page.

And then there were ...?

So, the first month of 2016 closes with yet another "celebrity" death being announced.  The front-page headline in newspaper; the top topic on social media; and, doubtless, the main subject of UK news programmes on both radio and television.  Terry Wogan is dead.

Now, I have every sympathy for the Wogan family.  I never met the man, but he always came across as a pleasant person who was willing to use his celebrity status in helping others.  However, what has happened is, at some point, going to happen to each and every one of us - at least while the rapture of the saints of God is delayed.  As Benjamin Franklin famously said: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."  Actually, some people may manage to avoid paying taxes - but, as physical beings, we are mortal.

What, then, ought our attitude to this inevitable event be?!   There are, of course, those who believe that physical death is the end.  When I breathe my last, there is nothing.   My body may be buried, or burned, but anything of me that continues will only be in the memories of those who knew me.

Others accept that there is some form of 'after-life', but have the idea that where I spend it, and what it will be like, depends entirely on what I have done in this earth.  If my good deeds outweigh my bad deeds, then I go to 'heaven'; otherwise, I go to 'hell'.  Even the concepts of 'heaven' and 'hell' may differ from one culture to another.

Some are of the opinion that, when we die, God will forgive us all, and that everyone will end up in heaven "because a God of love would not want to see any of His creatures suffer"!

Yet another group believe in reincarnation.  I am born, physically, many times - either progressing 'upwards' if I live my present life as a good person (or animal/insect/tree/stone, etc!); or downwards, if the opposite is true.  Eventually, I may reach the pinnacle of human existence and be released from that cycle - to be absorbed into the 'oneness' that is the physical universe, but with no personal identity or personality.

Those, however, who accept the teachings of the Bible as the written Word of the One Who created, and Who sustains, all that is, hold a unique belief.   They (we!) believe that there is a very real heaven, and a very real hell.  We believe that where one spends eternity (timelessness - see my chapter on the subject in Great Words of the Faith; details above) depends, not on anything that I have done, or can do, but on the giving of Himself as a sacrifice, on a cross on a hill called Calvary, of One, Jesus the Messiah/Christ, in my place.  That sacrifice of the perfect Man was/is sufficient to cover the sins of every human being who ever lived, or who ever will live.

However, there is a "catch".  The idea that "all will be saved" conveniently ignores that the God Whose essential Being is, indeed, Love - and love that is actually beyond our feeble comprehension - is also the God Who is Justice, and Righteousness, and Holiness.  In the light of His laws and commandments, each one of us is deserving of nothing but His wrath and punishment.  As the apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers in the 1st century AD: "... everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Rom.3:23; NLT).

So, is that the "catch"?  No!  Paul goes on, in that same letter, to make clear that "... God showed His great love for us by sending [the] Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners." (5:8).  All that we are able to do, but what we must do, is to confess that we are sinners on the sight of Almighty God; that we are incapable of doing anything, ourselves, about our sinful state; and accept, by faith, the salvation that was gained for us at such great cost.  That is the "catch".  Salvation is free and full - but only to those who are willing to accept it.

Terry Wogan's eternal destiny is now sealed.  Forget reincarnation: "... each person is destined to die once,and after that comes judgement"! (Heb.9:27; NLT).  Where he, or any of the other "celebrities" who have recently died, will spend it is between them and Father God.  Nothing that you, or I, can do will change that.  For you, however, there is still time.  Have you confessed your sinfulness, and your sins?  Have you asked for the forgiveness that is available only from Father God?  Have you accepted, and professed, Jesus, the Christ, as your personal Saviour?  Are you seeking to serve Him as Lord of your life?  These are important questions - your answers to them will determine what happens to the real "you" when your mortal body reaches the end.  Please do not ignore them.  If I may be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me via the e-mail address at the top of the page, or through my "AllExperts" page (Link below, and on the right).  Alternatively, seek the help of a genuine believer already known to you.  Whatever you do, act.  Follow the example of Boaz, of whom it is recorded: "... the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today." (Ruth 3:18).

David Bowie – The Hysteria, the Sorrow, the Frustration and the Hope

The following is, with permission, from "The Wee Flea" - the blog of David Robertson, minister of St Peter's Free Church of Scotland, in Dundee; and, currently, Moderator of the Free Church General Assembly.   He is, in my opinion, one of the most gifted speakers/writers/debaters/apologists in modern Scotland - a worthy successor to Robert Murray McCheyne who was a former minister of St Peter's.  

The post is longer than my own usually are - but is well worth reading.

David Bowie’s death, grief, and the frustration of a society that has nothing to offer the lonely

It was a shock. Of course it was. Make your coffee, switch on the radio and you hear Life on Mars on Radio 4. What had happened? Had Bowie died? Indeed he had. An unconventional celebrity life, with an unconventional celebrity death. In this age of social media, gossip columns and photographers desperate for that one image, it is astonishing that David Bowie had cancer for 18 months and it never once got into the media. No one – apart from close friends and family – knew. He did something really unusual for a modern celebrity. He died privately.

Bowie Bingo

But now everyone wants to have their say. I played Twitter Bingo that morning. David Cameron – check. Nicola Sturgeon – check. Media stars – check. Church leaders – check. It wasn’t long before I had a full house. Even the Vatican got in on the act – its newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, paid tribute. “One might even say that, beyond the apparent excesses, the legacy of David Bowie… is enclosed in its own sort of personal sobriety, expressed even in the lean physique, almost threadlike.”

I’m sure that many people were genuine in their tributes and did feel a real sorrow. Others may just have been playing the game; saying something for the sake of being seen to say something and show that they ‘cared’. God alone knows. I suspect the wall-to-wall coverage combined with the political, religious and cultural leaders’ interest was largely because those who are now in charge grew up with David Bowie as part of the soundtrack of their life. And to lose that is a sorrow.

Heaven 

But what really interested and saddened me was the number of spokespeople who made comments about him being in heaven. I hadn’t realised that so many of the great and good believed in heaven – and surely they would not be lying to us? Or just using heaven as an excuse to make a corny pun about ‘starman’ now looking down on us? And that set me thinking – what do we really think about heaven? I thought that in this naturalistic, materialist world we could be all grown up and just say, “He’s gone, he had a good life, did a lot of daft things, did a lot of good things, we will miss him, but he’s gone”. I haven’t checked, but I almost expected Richard Dawkins to tweet, “He’s gone. There is nothing left of him but his music and family. He’s not in heaven”. But it appears that in popular culture, we still cannot face up to the nihilist existentialism of atheistic naturalism. It seems that the Bible was right about eternity being in our hearts. “I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end”(Ecclesiastes 3:10-11).

So those who were happily singing “Imagine there’s no heaven” a few months ago are now telling everyone that David Bowie is in this heaven that they imagine does not exist?! And those who want to say something nice and believe that everyone goes to heaven, think that Bowie is up there along with Lemmy, Hendrix and of course Stalin, Hitler and Jack the Ripper. That is, after all, the logic of their position. And again I have not looked, but I am sure that in the bloggersphere somewhere, there are some ‘Christians’ who are taking the opportunity to tell everyone he is in hell and how as a bisexual rock star drug addict he is a warning to us all. And there will be those who are writing about how he was converted on his deathbed and they can tell this because of a) something Bowie said, b) a dream they had or c) a very reliable source, a friend of a friend, who is ‘in the know’.

Sorrow

All I can say is that I feel a real and frustrating sorrow. Let me explain. Bowie, like most human beings was a complex man, who experienced many changes in his life. For example he moved from being gay/bisexual to being heterosexual. In an interview with Tony Parsons in Arena magazine in 1993 he said, “In the States, towards the end of the Seventies, I think the gay body was pretty hostile towards me because I didn’t seem to be supporting the gay movement in any kind of way. And I was sad about that. Because I had come to the realisation that I was pretty much heterosexual”.

He cannot just be simply pigeonholed according to what we want to be true. I didn’t know David Bowie and I am in no position to pass any judgement upon him. I do think he was a musical genius and much of his music was also part of the soundtrack of my early life. But the sorrow comes from what I heard him express, and the pathetic solutions offered to him by a society that he helped create.

Believer?

Firstly, there is no doubt that he was not an atheist. He said so. In that interview with Tony Parsons he explained why he had said the Lord’s Prayer at the Freddy Mercury tribute concert. “In rock music, especially in the performance arena, there is no room for prayer, but I think that so many of the songs people write are prayers. A lot of my songs seem to be prayers for unity within myself. On a personal level, I have an undying belief in God’s existence. For me it is unquestionable.”

Incidentally, I personally found that moment of saying the Lord’s Prayer absolutely extraordinary. It was so unexpected and somewhat surreal. Did Bowie not realise it was a public ‘secular’ event? How dare he bring religion into it! Did he not care how many people he would offend? Probably not.

Does this mean that we can claim him as a card-carrying Christian? Not at all. As far as I know he never professed to be one. But like all intelligent and creative people, he did show a great interest in the Bible, in Jesus Christ and in the great questions that Christ is the answer to. In his 1993 Album, The Buddha of Suburbia he wrote the following lines in the song, Sex and the Church:

Though the idea of compassion
Is said to be
The union of Christ
And his bride, the Christian
It’s all very puzzling.

All the Lonely People

The most poignant moment in the Parsons interview was when Bowie explained his collapse into drugs, sex and despair by saying, “I felt totally, absolutely alone. And I probably was alone because I pretty much had abandoned God.”

And that is where the frustration part of the sorrow comes. Because Bowie himself was clearly a seeker. He recognised that the ‘hole within’ would not be filled by ‘sex and drugs and rock ‘n’roll’. He needed to know that there is “a way back to God, from the dark paths of sin, there’s a door that is open and you may go in; at Calvary’s Cross is where you begin, when you come as a sinner to Jesus”. A society that has itself abandoned God has nothing to offer the person who is lonely because they feel they have abandoned God.

I mourn for David Bowie. As I mourn for ‘all the lonely people’, whose need for fulfilment, forgiveness, faith and a future can only be met by Christ.

Bowie’s last album, Blackstar, realised this month, has a poignancy about it that is painful. Especially this from the song Lazarus:

Look up here, I’m in heaven
I’ve got scars that can’t be seen
I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen
Everybody knows me now.

Life to the Living 

Bowie is gone. I know not where. Who knows what happened in the last years, months and moments of his life? We mourn his passing. Let the dead bury their dead. Meanwhile our task is to bring Life to the living. Let us bring the Good News to those who are lonely because they feel they have abandoned God, that He has not abandoned them.

Thorns and brambles.

It's been a long week - with a lot of it spent in travelling, as we (my wife and I) made our way back to our static caravan in the Gironde area of France.  We are, once again, so very grateful to friends who provide us with hospitality on out journeys - on this occasion, specifically the Loudons in Maidstone, and the Rouffets in Seclin.

This afternoon, we took a wee walk around the lake at the camp-site in order to gather some brambles (blackberries in the UK furth of Scotland, and mûres in France!).  A lot are not quite ripe, so there will be much more harvesting over the next week or two!

As we gathered, I recalled what was probably the first time that we had done so in our married life together.  We were on our way back from a wee camping trip to the northernmost part of Scotland, having stayed at a site with the delightful name "Grannie's Hielan' Hame", and driven up to John o' Groats, Dunnet Head, Wick, and Thurso.  Of course, in those far-off days,  the site didn't have the heated indoor pool, and the other attractions that are advertised on its website today!  It was on our way back home, travelling along the northern shore of Loch Ness (and keeping an eye out for Nessie, of course!), that we spied a veritable plethora of those delicious black berries near to Fort Augustus.

We quickly realised that berry-picking is not as straightforward as it might be thought to be!  In spite of the abundance of that delicious fruit, it took us some time to fill every available container.  The problem was the thorns!   They tore at our hands; they caught on our clothes; they made collecting those berries a difficult task.  However, we persevered.  Why?  Because we knew that there would be a great reward - a freezer filled with bramble and apple pies that, with some custard, would provide pudding for many, many meals - and for a few months!

The life of the disciple of Jesus can be a bit like picking brambles!   There are those who claim that, if we yield our lives to His control, then everything in the garden will be, forever, rosy; that all of our problems will disappear; that life will be one big party.  That, I have to make clear, is a lie.  It is, indeed, a lie that comes from the very pit of hell.  Strong words, you might be thinking, but they are true.

In spite of the pronouncements of certain well-known preachers, Jesus never promised a life of ease, prosperity, material wealth, and freedom from disease.  Rather, throughout the Gospel records (contact me for a list of references!), He makes it clear that being His disciple will bring hardship, persecution, imprisonment, and even death.  He assures His followers that they will be despised, and reviled.  He speaks about counting the cost.   In terms of our bramble picking, He clearly points out the thorns!

However, this is the same Jesus Who has promised that He will be with His true followers to the end of the age; that He will never leave them, nor forsake them; that He has gone to prepare a place for them, and that where He is, they will be also.  That, we might say, is the brambles!

So, what I am trying to share here is simply this - that if you are a true disciple of Jesus, you may expect that life will not be smooth and trouble-free.  Indeed, it will be the very opposite as the devil prowls around, like a raging lion, seeking whom he may devour.  However, you may also be assured of His company through even the most difficult of times.  If you wish concrete proof of that, get involved with the persecuted believers in some 50 countries worldwide!

We enjoyed an apple and bramble crumble this evening.  It made the thorns worthwhile.  When we reach that eternal dimension that we refer to as 'heaven', then we will see that all of the difficulties were worthwhile, as we then spend that great eternal day in His wonderful presence - seeing Him, face-to-face, and knowing even as we are known.  Hallelujah!

Label - or badge?

This afternoon, I spent a couple of hours with one of my former pupils.  I am delighted that there are a number of them with whom I meet, from time-to-time, for coffee (or tea) and a chat.  During the course of our conversation, I mentioned that there was a time when I dreamed of being inducted into a country parish, where I would have a horse and a dog, and would attend to my parish visitation on horseback - a latter-day John Wesley!

Okay, so some 'delusions of grandeur' creeping in there!  I forgot to mention to my young friend that the dog would always come with me, running alongside my trusty steed.

John Wesley was, at one time, somewhat biased with regard to denominations.  Then, it is recorded, he had a dream in which he seemed to be transported to the very gates of hell.  Seizing the opportunity, he inquired: "Are there any Presbyterians here?"  "Yes", was the reply.  "Any Romanists?", he asked.  "Yes", he was informed.  "What about Congregationalists, and Anglicans?"  "Both are here", came the answer.   Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, hesitated.  "Not any Methodists, I hope!"   To his dismay, he received the same, affirmative, response.

Suddenly, the scene changed, and he stood at the gate of heaven.  Once again he asked, "Are there any Presbyterians here?"  "No", was the reply.  He went down through the same list as before, each time receiving the same answer - "No!", until he came to the question that most interested him.  "Are there any Methodists here?"  He was shocked to, yet again, receive the same, stern, reply, "No!"

"Well then", he asked, "please tell me who is in heaven."  "!" was the jubilant Disciples of Jesusanswer.

When I attended Grammar School, we wore a uniform.  Part of that uniform was a blazer.  Each blazer had a label that gave some important information about the garment - the size; the material; the name of the manufacturer; the cleaning instructions.  That label was usually either at the back, under the collar, or in the inside pocket - both places out of sight.  However, each blazer also had a badge.  This was the school crest, and it stated the name of my school.  That badge was worn, proudly, on the breast pocket, in full view of any who cared to look.

Within the Christian Church, there are many labels, as John Wesley knew.  They provide, concerning each denomination, or other grouping, some important information regarding that group - the type of church government it espouses; its belief about the appropriate subjects for water baptism; its approach to the gifts of God the Holy Spirit; etc.  However, as a disciple of Jesus, I have a badge.  That badge is "Christian" ('disciple of Jesus' is a clarification of a word that has, sadly, become greatly devalued), and it is that badge that I wear, proudly, for all to see.  It is also that badge that identifies other disciples, and enables us to enjoy a unity of spirit that, I am convinced, is available nowhere else!

If I may use popular figurative language, when I arrive at the pearly gates, Peter will not ask if I was a Presbyterian, Baptist, Charismatic, or whatever.  All that I will require to gain entry is my badge - disciple of Jesus.  Well, actually, there is a bit more - but I've gone on long enough, so I'll share that in the next post!

Rik Mayall (deceased).

I hesitate to write about the sudden, and apparently unexpected, death of anyone, least of all someone as well-known as the late Rik Mayall.  I also extend my sympathy to his family and closest friends, whose sense of loss is keenest at this time because their love was deepest, and most personal.

However, it is a reminder that, as is sometimes said, "We never know the minute"!  I suspect that if, yesterday morning someone had asked Rik Mayall if he thought that obituaries would be being written about him by the evening, he would have laughed.  After all, this is the man who had survived a bad crash on a quad-bike, and is reported as having said, when he regained consciousness after a time when his wife had been informed that the machines that had been keeping him alive for five days, would be switched off in an hour, "I've beaten Jesus Christ"!  This, apparently, referring to the fact that the accident occurred about Easter time.

Well, I am not here to judge the late Mr Mayall.  One Who is perfect in all His ways, and Who, alone, can dispense perfect justice, will do that.  I can only say that the newspaper reports (not that I believe everything that I read in newspapers!) that quote his own words - as opposed to the words that his 'characters' - would indicate that even that experience had not caused him to consider, deeply enough, what happens at the end of our mortal lives.

To some, of course, there is total annihilation - we simply cease to exist in any shape, manner, or form.  To others, we are judged according to our good works.  If we have enough of them to cancel out our bad deeds, then we are okay; if not, we are in trouble!  To yet others, we keep returning to this planet, in different forms dependent upon our previous life, until we eventually reach the stage at which we are able to be released from that cycle of life-death-rebirth, and are absorbed into the 'oneness' that is the universe.

The Christian Gospel is, I firmly believe, the only message that brings genuine peace at such a time.  It tells me, quite simply, that I can never earn enough 'good points' to gain eternal life in that dimension that we refer to, in the English language, as 'heaven'; or that we will ever achieve 'nirvana'.  Instead, it makes an offer - a stupendous offer!  It tells me that I am a sinner, without any hope in myself.  But it also tells me that the righteous Judge has already, in the Persona of the Son, paid the penalty for my sin.  What I need to do is to acknowledge that, and accept the salvation that is offered to me through, and in, Him.  I am then adopted into the family of Almighty God, the Creator, and Sustainer, of all that is and begin, here and now, the eternal life that is His life.

It''s an amazing offer - and it is an offer of love and grace and mercy.  If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me by leaving a comment (that will not be published!) with a contact e-mail address, and I will be delighted to be of assistance.

"God loved the world so much, that He gave Himself, in the Persona of the Son, that anyone who places their trust in Him will not perish, but have, here and now, eternal life."

Then, and only then, will you be able to meet death, whenever it comes, knowing that you are in the One Who defeated it, almost 2,000 years ago.  Hallelujah!