Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
…..I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
…..until the danger passes by.
I cry out to God Most High,
…..to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 57:1-2 NLT

John 5:24-30 (<<click here to read the passage)

Some interesting famous last words…

  • The last words of Union General John Sedgwick, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” Said to his men who were ducking from the fire of a Confederate sniper.
  • Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories, died at age 71 in his garden. He turned to his wife and said, “You are wonderful,” then clutched his chest and died.
  • Johnny Ace, an R&B singer, died in 1954 while playing with a pistol during a break in his concert set. His last words were, “I’ll show you that it won’t”
  • Murderer James W. Rodgers was put in front of a firing squad in Utah and asked if he had a last request. He replied, “Bring me a bullet-proof vest.”
  • Charlie Chaplin said this after a priest reading him his last rites said “May the Lord have mercy on your soul” “Why not? After all, it belongs to Him.”

Most of us have no idea when we will die, or how, or why, or where, but from the beginning of time, all have died. [Yes, Enoch was an exception, “he disappeared, because God took him.” (Hebrews 11:5-6 NLT), as was Elijah – being carried by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11 NLT)] Jesus, of course, died, but was gloriously resurrected! As we will be as well some time in the not too distant future.

Regardless of our opinions, today’s passage from John 5 is the actuality of what will happen after death. Jesus proclaims in verse 29,

Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment. NLT

We all may not be vocal about how we feel regarding eternity but somewhere deep within, we have an opinion of what will happen to us when we die. The note on verse 29 from my Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation reads,

Those who have rebelled against Christ will be resurrected, too, but they will hear God’s judgment against them and will be sentenced to eternity apart from him. There are those who wish to live well on earth, ignore God, and then see death as final rest. Jesus does not allow unbelieving people to see death as the end of it all. There is a judgment to face.

It makes no difference who we are or what we believe, we all – every single being who has ever breathed life on this earth – will stand before God for a final judgment. Death, though many hold it to be so, is not the end. It is but a threshold that we each must cross. While we live and breathe, decisions can be made. We can choose, or not choose, to serve God and until that last breath is taken, even if we have lived in rebellion against Christ, we can turn and repent and follow Him. He is eager for each of us to choose life. But if that final breath comes and we remain in our rebellion, we will be held responsible for decisions made.

Even as you read this, it is not too late. This prayer from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is simple. If you have never spoken with God about your eternal destination, won’t you take the time to do so?

“Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord,
from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

May 23rd, 2021,