Articles
End of the Journey
End of the Journey
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it"--Ecclesiastes 12:7
Today we are on a great earthly journey that began the day we were born. It is uncertain as to when our departure from this life will take place. Each day we live just brings us one step closer to the time when our sojourn on this earth will come to an end (Eccl. 9:5, Heb. 9:27). If we live another week, a month or even years, it will still be only a short time when we consider the eternity to which we are going (Psalms 90:9-10). We do not need to be anxious about the when or how of death. Our major concern should center on being ready to exit this world and enter the world that will never end (Eccl. 12:13-14, 2 Cor. 5:10, 2 Tim. 4:6-8, 2 Corinthians 5:9).
The words of Ephesians 5:14-17 sound out a great warning to us, especially verse 16: "Making the most of your time, because the days are evil". Every step we take must be taken with great caution and watchfulness lest we find ourselves walking down that broad way that leads to everlasting destruction (Matthew 7:13). Walk not after the flesh but strive to walk in a manner that becomes a faithful child of God (Gal. 5:19-25, 2 Pet. 1:3-11).
Yesterday is gone forever, tomorrow may never come, thus we must understand that all we have is this present moment of time and it can end in the blink of an eye. Now is the time to be obedient to the Lord (Heb. 5:8-9, 2 Cor. 6:2, Phil.2:12). Now is the time to put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11-18), to set affections on things above (Col. 3:1-3, to lay up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21, time for those members of the Lord’s church who have become lukewarm, indifferent, inactive and unfaithful to come home, repenting and praying for God’s forgiveness (Rev. 3:15-16, 1 John 1:9). Are you ready to come to the end of the way and take that last step through the door of death? Take heed, it may be later than you may think. Make peace with God while it is still today, tomorrow may be too late. Hear him, believe him, repent, confess him, be baptized for remission of sins, then live faithfully for and with him until that hour comes when these earthly bonds are cast off and we go to meet our God face to face (Romans 10:17, John 20:30-31, Acts 17:30-31, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:19-23).
The end of this earthly journey for the child of God is a home of eternal rest (Rev. 14:12). The builder of that home has promised that he will come again and take us there to dwell with him (John 14:1-3). As I have grown older, I have become acutely aware of the insecurity of this earthy life. I have seen so many of my loved ones and friends slip silently through the door of death and I am keenly aware that my days on this earth are passing swiftly and all too soon I too will be leaving this world behind. Now, none of us knows when, where or how we will die. The only thing we know for sure is that the day is coming when our fleshly heart will beat for the last time. Does the thought of that day scare you or excite you (Phil. 1:21-23, 2 Cor. 5:6-9, Gal. 2:20). I venture to say that how you answer this question depends on the way you are living your life right now and how you view death.
Charles Hicks, Hendersonville Tennessee
