We mourn the recent deaths of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, David Carradine and others, some of whom are family members and friends. They arrived at that momentous crisis toward which we are all traveling.
God asked Job an interesting question: Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? Job 38:17. Even though it is not my intention to dwell on the occurrence which precipitated His speaking these words, the idea is that God knows and observes all things, that the world beyond that is unseen by us is fully known by our omniscient Father. Man, no matter who he is, whatever his talents or learning, or skill, cannot penetrate the future. Without a revelation from God, all mere man can do is guess and conjecture about the eternal world.
With God, the past, present, future, heaven, earth and Hades are easily understood and makes sense because He sees with perfect clarity and accuracy. He sees and knows precisely all events which happen to man. God not only sees the moment of our birth, but He sees the hour of our departure from this life. He witnesses our entrance into this world and He also witnesses when death's gates are open and we walk through. That momentous crisis of our being, God has mercifully concealed from us. The future of our personal history is impenetrably and mysteriously veiled from our sight.
But we live in a world of mysteries do we not? They awaken our inquiry, and baffle our investigation at every step. Nature is a vast arcade of mysteries. Science is a mystery, truth is a mystery, religion is a mystery, our existence is a mystery, and the future of our being is a mystery. And God, who alone can explain all mysteries, is the greatest mystery of all. How little do we understand of the inexplicable wonders of a wonder-working God, "whose thoughts are a great deep," and "whose ways are past discovering."
Death's gate however, is not a mystery. It is the boundary of life; it separates the living from the dead. The gate of death opens for us to exit life and enter into the unknown region of eternity. Passing through these gates, we cease to be creatures of this world and of time and become inhabitants of the eternal state.
Now, death's gates are under official jurisdiction. They are under the control of God. He is the arbiter of life. He fixes the boundaries of our earthly being, beyond which we cannot pass. Death is not an accident, but the yielding up of life to God at His pleasure and by His authority.
Regardless of how technologically advanced we may be, all men must walk through the valley of the shadow of death. God is clear: it is appointed unto man once to die. No matter how unpleasant, how painful, how solemn the thought, we must all die. There is no escape, no exceptions, and no exemptions from the fatal stroke of mortality. However praised and exalted by worldly glory; however rich, however invested with power, however favored by God or man, every living man must pass through the gate of death. Life is a continual journey towards this momentous crisis. Some of us will go with accelerated speed and soon reach the gates. Others of us will journey more slowly, but all of us are moving towards that terminus of human existence on earth.
And, once we have walked through death's gates, there is no returning to this life. Death's gate leads one-way. You recall the words of David to his servants when they asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!" And David responded, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:21-23).
Job also expressed the same truth:
"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more. As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more (Job 7:6-10).
Many of us have watched over our friends and loved ones, the momentous crisis came, the last breath breathed. The gates of death silently appeared and our beloveds escaped through. Then death's gate was closed once again. And, if we are honest, we know that somehow, in the departure of our loved ones, we were brought closer to these gates of death ourselves.
Most of us know times when illness brought us or someone we know near to death's gate. For some, there have been moments when broken, diseased, pain-stricken bodies have been so sick, that they thought the gates of death were opening for their exit. Life's work seemed to be finished, earthly ties seemed to be dissolving, the mind was being prepared for the last stages of the journey. And then God, in His manifold mercy restored to us His healing influence, added to our strength, renewed our vigor and extended our years. He thus infused our souls with the experience of the Psalmist who cried out in utter joy, "I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling," (Psalm 56:11-13, Psalm 116:7-8).
Even so, we still must die. Yet, all those who trust in God are provided a free pass for safe passage through death's gate. This pass is acceptance with God through faith in Jesus Christ. All possessors of this free pass is delivered from fear, it saves us from despair in the dying hour, ensures our everlasting salvation and entrance into God's heavenly kingdom.
And so we praise and honor our God. We praise Him because even though we are born to die, even though every hour of life draws us closer to death's gate, even though our momentous crisis is just ahead, even though our lives are spent as a tale that is told, we have a house not made by human hands prepared for us in His kingdom.
We thank God for reminding us of the fact of our mortality. It is a reality that deserves our serious consideration and daily reflection.
Let those of us in Christ contemplate with joy and thanksgiving and hope the blessedness to be experienced beyond the momentous crisis.
LIFE'S RAILWAY TO HEAVEN
Life is like a mountain railroad, with an engineer that's brave; We must make the run successful, from the cradle to the grave; Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels; never falter, never quail; Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail.
You will roll up grades of trial; you will cross the bridge of strife; See that Christ is your Conductor on this lightning train of life; Always mindful of obstruction, do your duty, never fail; Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail. You will often find obstructions; look for storms of wind and rain; On a fill, or curve, or trestle, they will almost ditch your train; Put your trust alone in Jesus; never falter, never fail; Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail.
As you roll across the trestle, spanning Jordan's swelling tide, You behold the Union Depot into which your train will glide; There you'll meet the Superintendent, God the Father, God the Son, With the hearty, joyous, plaudit, "Weary pilgrim, welcome home!"
Refrain
Blessèd Savior, Thou wilt guide us, Till we reach that blissful shore; Where the angels wait to join us In Thy praise forevermore.
- Abbey and Tillman
Saundra L. Washington D. D., loves the Lord and His people. She has served in the Christian ministry for over three decades and is currently the Founder and Executive Administrator of AMEN Ministries. The central focus of our ministry is providing resources and services to the bereaved and those who care about them.
You are invited to visited AMEN's home and Grief Center in your leisure.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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