Two Kinds of Endings (Part 2)

Scripture:  Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) - And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

Without a doubt, a thinking person recognizes that we all have an appointment with eternity. (Hebrews 9:27)  While this earthly life has an ending, an entrance into eternity-- whether one believes the precious life-giving gospel or not-- the eternal ending for the Christ-rejector is undoubtedly NOT better than the beginning of earthly life!  It is THE most sobering reality-- what one has said about eternal endings for those trusting in their OWN self-defined righteousness-- “this earth is as close to heaven as they will ever be; but for those who, by the Father’s grace, trust in Christ as their PERSONAL Savior, this world is as close to hell as they will EVER be!”  (I pray, dear reader, that you are in the latter group).  There is no greater hope, no greater inspiration to seek (and to keep on seeking) to be pleasing to the Lord, than the biblically supported EXPECTATION of reaching the end of earthly life and waking up in Paradise! (Psalm 17:15; 2 Cor. 5:8)

It is a very good spiritual practice to pause periodically and reflect on our responses to life’s ongoing mosaic of experiences—mountain tops and valleys, victories, and trials. God Himself urges us in His word to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!  Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is IN you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5) More importantly, have we pleased our Lord as we survey our walk throughout these temporal experiences, with their much-anticipated endings?  The answer will determine the type of entrance we will have into eternity—the endpoint of which is NOT at all ADJUSTABLE after it has begun in earnest!  While it marks the END of our earthly life, for the true Christ-follower, it’s also the BEGINNING of life as it was truly meant to be!  

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for Your indescribable gift of  grace to trust SOLELY in Christ Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins’ remission! In light of Christ’s work at Calvary my ending shall truly be better than my earthly beginning!  Praise Your Holy and reverend Name!  Amen!!

(by Denise Diggs)