October 1, 2001, Vol.1, No.7.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "The
Destiny of Man" (see below)
and "Frustration!"
THE DESTINY OF MAN
by Keith Sharp
September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror as terrorists took
the lives of almost 7000 people. Thousands of people like us,
who hours earlier were beginning a normal work day with no hint
of eminent danger, were suddenly face to face with their eternal
destinies. For many souls who moments earlier were absorbed with
job, family, and pleasure, now only one thing mattered - were
they right with God? Surely this should cause us to ponder. Our
lives too, in any of a thousand different ways, could be instantly
snuffed out. Each of us must face the destiny of his soul. In
comparison to this, all other concerns shrink to utter insignificance
(Matthew 16:26-27). What is your destiny?
Let us examine destiny from the standpoint of this life. To
the young, life seems endless, but both the inspired Word of
God and the experience of the aged confirm that our span here
is but a fleeting moment (Psalm 103:15-16). Furthermore, human
life is so terribly uncertain. While you anticipate many years
of toil and pleasure, your life could be ended in an instant,
as quickly and unpredictably as the vanishing of the morning
mist (James 4:13-15). We must also realize there will be no second
chance after death to make amends for a misspent life. Each of
us shall be judged by "the things done in the body."(2
Corinthians 5:10) As you ponder your life, be realistic. Death
is certain (Hebrews 9:27). The only alternative is the possibility
the Lord may return while we are still alive (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
Spend your small amount of time here preparing for destiny.
 After
death, what then? The spirits of all the dead enter a realm known
in the Hebrew tongue as "Sheol" and in the Greek as
"Hades." (cf. Acts 2:24-27, 31) This realm is variously
defined as "the common receptacle of disembodied spirits,"
"the unseen world," or simply "the abode of the
dead." There are two places within this realm, "Paradise,"
where the blessed dead are comforted (Luke 23:43), and "torments,"
where the lost departed spirits suffer (Luke 16:19-26). These
places are separated by a "great gulf" over which none
can cross (Ibid).
Then follows our unbreakable appointment with the Day of days.
There have been many great days in human history. Americans remember
Independence Day, July 4, 1776. Now September 11, 2001 has eclipsed
December 7,1941, Pearl Harbor Day, as "a day that will live
in infamy." But there is coming a day, "the judgment
of the great day," (Jude verse 6) which shall completely
eclipse all other days of all time. On that  monumental day, all the people,
both good and bad, of all ages shall come forth from the grave
(John 5:28-29)! Abraham and Sarah shall arise from Machpelah.
Moses shall come forth from the unknown wilderness grave across
from Beth Peor. The oceans shall deliver up the countless millions
interred within. The righteous dead shall burst forth from the
grave with the shout of victory. All, all from Adam down, shall
be raised! All the peoples of all the nations of the earth, including
you, my friend, will stand before the Lord to be judged (Matthew
25:31-33). Christ will be the Judge (John 5:22), and His Word
the standard of judgment (John 12:48). Reject His tender plea
now if you will, but by that same Gospel your destiny will be
sealed.
On that day time will end and future eternity will begin (Matthew
25:46). Eternity - what does it mean? Actually, in human terms
it is indefinable because it is infinite (unlimited), whereas
all within our experience is finite (limited). But, to crudely
illustrate its vast sweep, suppose that a tiny house fly were
to scrape a minute particle of dust up on one of his little wings
and begin the 92,900,000 mile journey to the sun at the rate
of one mile per hour, deposit the particle, return to the earth
at the same slow pace, and continue this process until the entirety
of our globe, all six sextillion (6 followed by 27 zeros) tons
of it, were transported to the sun. How would this compare with
eternity? About like the snap of your finger compares to all
human history from Adam to the present. And the comparison is
inadequate, because, despite the enormity of the time involved,
it is finite, not infinite.
 If
you have not prepared for destiny, you will spend that eternity
in a horrible devil's Hell (Matthew 10:28). The punishment will
be terrible beyond human power to describe. Those miserable wretches
so utterly condemned will burn without ceasing with never any
hope of relief (Revelation 14:10-11) and will wail and grind
their teeth in agony (Matthew 25:30). Their companions forever
will be the wicked of the earth (Revelation 21:8) along with
man's vicious adversary, Satan, and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
On the other hand, if you have prepared to meet your destiny,
the beauty of an eternal inheritance in Heaven will await you
(1 Peter 1:3-5). What joy to spend eternity in that sweet home
where we shall never again face the suffering of disease, the
heartache of death, or the tears of departure. The loving Father
shall tenderly comfort His children forever and ever (Revelation
21:1-5). He shall be our light throughout endless ages, and the
curse of sin will be forever lifted. (Revelation 22:5) How blessed
to be with the Father (Matthew 5:16), His beloved Son (Hebrews
8:1), the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:12) and the angels of God (Matthew
22:30). How delightful to walk and talk with Abraham, Moses,
Ruth, Esther, Mary, Paul, Peter and all the great men and women
of faith from every age (Matthew 25:34). Don't you long to go
there?
Eternity is the common destiny of Adam's race. Where you spend
that eternity is your decision. It depends on what you do with
Christ and His Word. You can believe in Him, obey Him, and give
your life to Him, and your eternal destiny will be the wonderful
joy of heaven. Or you can refuse Him and His Word and suffer
for ever in hell. Where will you spend eternity?
~ ~ ~
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