Are you prepared to face eternity? Most of us live in the here and now, charting our daily course, interpreting the signs, and convincing ourselves that we have more time. The debate is raging over which sign is next and … how close we are to the end. Have the seals been opened yet or which seal are we now on. Perhaps we are nearing the seventh trumpet or it’s time we should be looking for the Antichrist. Just as a ship is cast to and fro on an angry sea, we have the inevitable divide between those who are expecting a secret rapture while others are planning to go through the Great Tribulation. Through all this debate the consensus is we have more time, the kids haven’t graduated yet or we’ve been planning for that summer vacation, or any number of other plans not yet fulfilled. Couple this with the increased rhetoric about the end of the world in 2012 where many are prepping for the inevitable, but convinced they too have more time based on the Mayan calendar. No matter where you stand in the end time debate, the question is still valid, are you prepared to face eternity?
Today is filled with news about a world that in many respects seems to be coming apart by the seams with unexplained phenomena, a pending economic collapse, war drums beating to announce a world war, and nature being turned upside down. There are reports of large expanding sink holes, active volcanoes, birds falling from the air, fish washing upon beaches, and recent reports of wild hogs terrorizing Islamabad, Pakistan. We have also seen freak snow storms, freezing weather and rivers and lakes turning red like blood. And if that were not enough most are captivated by the upcoming election in America, slated to be the most important election ever in the history of a nation, perhaps the world. As we all hold our breath is anyone asking: are you prepared to face eternity? The Bible asks such a question. In lieu of everything happening remember that the world over two millennia ago has been prophesized to fulfill its destiny of destruction and renewal. Christians are called to prepare then and now to face their eternity through preparation, watchfulness, and expediency.
All the biblical prophets agreed with the Apostle Peter who said, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (II Peter 3:10a). Indeed, the day of the Lord will happen in the twinkling of an eye. But what will happen? “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth will be laid bare” (II Peter 3:10b). There will be no more sky but just the open vastness of space as the atmosphere is siphoned off or instantly burnt up. And in another place it says, the sky is rolled up like a scroll. These elements destroyed by fire are the heavenly bodies such as the sun, the moon, and the stars. Clearly other biblical prophets indicated that the heavenly bodies would be shaken as the stars fall from the heavens. Then immediately the earth and everything in it will be laid bare; and in another place it says, every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. It is essential to understand that this all happens together instantly in a nanosecond after Christ returns in the clouds for His faithful Bride the Church. So the Bible asks, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? (Then it answers the question) You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (II Peter 3:12a).
So the answer to our question: are you prepared to face eternity, is to respond to His Word, that says we should live holy lives, which means we should live separated lives unto Christ Jesus our Lord. We must come out from the world and focus all of our attention on the risen Christ and the heavenly kingdom that awaits us in the new heavens and the new earth. We should live godly lives allowing His Spirit to transform us into the perfect image of His Son, Jesus Christ, walking in all manner of righteousness. The Bible continues, “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God” (II Peter 3:14). If we make every effort to get rid of that hidden sin that’s so easily entangles making ourselves spotless and removing the blame that others have cast upon us, then we will experience the peace of God, as we wait in eagerness for His glorious return. But that’s not all, in so doing we can actually speed His coming – the day of the Lord. Are you ready to face eternity?
Copyright © 2012 Rev. Daniel W. Blair – All content (blog articles) have been published in my new book: “Revelation Truth” available in our bookstore or at a bookstore near you.