Every line where people wait—to cast a ballot, board a plane, order a coffee—has a first and last spot; and most of us are usually impatient to get to the front.
Life has a lot of lines—one study estimated the average person spends two years waiting in them—but some lines are more important than others. To wit, we’re all in line to die, but none of us really knows how close we are to the front.
A couple of weeks ago a friend and I exchanged Judge Scalia quotes:
“mere factual innocence is no reason not to carry out a death sentence properly reached.”
“God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools…and He has not been disappointed…If I have brought any message today, it is this: have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.”
I liked the second one better; and this was my response to my friend who sent the first:
This is the first season of my life where I’ve honestly been interested in politics and following world events. So I’m barely above ignorance concerning Mr. Scalia’s legal opinions; but when someone dies I do wonder if they knew Jesus personally because it’ll make the difference for eternity. And how God measures Mr. Scalia at the final judgment is all that matters now.
I know you love me 🙂 but I suspect you also think I’m a little nutty; and just to know…I’m not much bothered by the idea 🙂 so here goes…
The world is changing rapidly and becoming a much less hospitable place for Bible believers. God’s already spelled out what’s going to happen though and I have no fears…just truly see it as my next great adventure. Soon is a relative word, but I believe Jesus is coming soon to remove his followers. The Bible says it’ll happen in the twinkling of an eye.
I’m emailing an article* that talks about what happens on earth after the Christians are gone. I’ve no idea what you believe in your heart of hearts, but you do know I pray for you daily. I’m so thankful that God’s design is as it is…everybody is born a sinner…and nobody can earn salvation. It’s a free gift, but has to be deliberately accepted before the transaction is valid for the individual. I’m excited about where we are in time. Love you!
Paul teaches in Romans, Chapter 11, that the church age, in which we now live, is going to end after the last Gentile (non-Jew) comes to Christ. A most important line; so this morning, for the very first time, I prayed specifically for whoever’s holding that last spot.
It will happen in a moment,
in the blink of an eye,
when the last trumpet is blown.
For when the trumpet sounds,
those who have died will be raised to live forever.
And we who are living will also be transformed.
1 Corinthians 15:52
