Seeking the Lost

We are encouraged to plan for the future education of our children, a carefree retirement and our final resting place. Of much greater importance is the planning of where an individual and his loved ones will spend eternity. Death is not only the end of our moral lives, but the BEGINNING of our immoral spiritual lives, which will continue forever.

Planning for Eternity

This information is provided freely to ALL in the name of our

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

With or without Jesus Eternity is Forever

Introduction

People all have a natural ingrained fear of the unknown, however, as we grow, we learn to overcome, in large part, this and many other forms of fear.

Therefore the fear of death is natural, since it is the last great unknown, but logically it is really just last phase in the natural progression of all living things.

“While our society openly discusses sex, immorality, crime and violence, it does not usually speak of death openly or frankly. Most people do not want to think of death let alone discuss it. Comparing today’s attitudes to that of the Victorian era sees the extent of this aversion. Even in the Victorian era death was discussed more openly than today.

The taboos the Victorians placed on sex have been transferred to death in our culture. We simply, in our modern morality of sensual, materialistic, pleasure-mad existence, deny its existence, unless we see it in living color in our living room or local theater” (Rodney Miller, excerpt in an article entitled, “Death” The Pekin Bulletin, November 16, 1975).

In her book, On Death and Dying, Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, psychiatrist, listed five emotional stages of death.

1. Shock and denial: "No! Not me!" Denial is one way to ward off an overwhelming situation and give oneself time to develop other defenses. Denial pushes away shock but reality must be accepted.

2. Resentment, anger and rage: "Why me!" An emotional reality sets in which sometimes shakes a person to the very foundation of their being and even their faith.

3. A bargaining period: A promise to do something for a longer lease on life: "Yes, but..." These might be something like, "If you give me one more year to live, I'll go to worship every Sunday" or "I'll be a good Christian from now on." Bargaining is like a temporary truce.

4. Realistic depression: "Yes, me." To be depressed when you face your own death is normal. To grieve is to realize the enormity of what is happening.

5. Acceptance: "Yes, me, and I am ready!" This attitude does not imply resignation, which is giving up. It is a peaceful stage when the person realizes he or she has done what he can and the end is here. One has fully come to terms with reality.

We can substantially reduce our fear, by studying the Word of God. For example, in Hebrews 9:27, we learn that after we die, we will all face the Judgment. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."

Christ did not fear moral death, but was assured of being raised again. His words the thief on cross are recorded in Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. The moment of His moral death is recorded in Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

The followers of Christ have been given the same assurance.

PSALMS 23
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

ACTS 7
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [God], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Preparing for Eternal Life

Since death is unavoidable as our only exit from this world, we must prepare for it. Death is not the end but rather the beginning of eternity.

JOHN 5
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Since heaven has done all it possibly can do for us, we must now do our part and prepare for our inevitable demise. To properly prepare, one must:

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).

Live a life of self-denial to the glory of God (Luke 6:26,33).

Live in Christ. To die in Christ one must live in Him. Those who die in Him are blessed (Rev. 14:13).

To be found in Christ, one must be Baptized into Him (Gal. 3:26-27), and Abide in Him (John 15:7), His Word (John 8:32) and His Doctrine (2 John 9).

Let Christ have preeminence in all things (Col. 1:18).

One must live a life in humble submission to His will, the gospel (Rom. 1:16).

One must always seek to do His will (Matt. 7:21).

Conclusions
The rewards of living a righteous life that properly prepares one for death are many. They include receiving a hundred-fold in this life and in the age to come, eternal life (Mark 10:30); being carried away by angels (Luke 16:22); going to Paradise (Luke 23:43); going to a house with many mansions (John 14:2); being with Christ (Phil. 1:23), at home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8); and gaining (Phil. 1:21) an eternal inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4) as a joint-heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17), reigning with Him eternally (Rev. 22:5).” (Gene Taylor, excerpt in an article entitled, “Planning for Death”)

Questions to Consider:

These are two urgent questions, which every individual on Earth should seriously consider.

Is your Planning for Eternal Life complete and in order?

Which will You Choose?

There are millions of choices in this world, but in the HEREAFTER there will only be TWO ALTERNATIVES.

Choice Number One

Is to be among the few who have submitted to His Will, labored in the Lord’s work and accepted their redemption. Heaven is beyond our wildest imaginings or dreams. The beauty, wonders, splendor, majesty, grandeur, magnificence, brilliance and stately dignity of Heaven simply cannot be adequately described in the language of humans. Love and the Light of God will fill it and endless happiness, peace and joy will abound. Jesus promised in Revelation 2:7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. The only way to experience Heaven is to be among the souls that have been saved from everlasting damnation.

Choice Number Two

Is to be in the much larger group who failed to obey or did NOT worship in spirit and in truth in accordance with the teachings of the Bible. Will YOU be standing worst of humanity? The larger group will be punished in a second death in a never ending eternal Hell. Will you remember this commentary?

When you hear the Jesus say, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41), or “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8), or how will you answer the question of Jesus “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:33)

Many people do not even want to think about the concept of forever or everlasting. This concept is difficult for many to comprehend. Some like to think of forever as a circle or never ending. Others look at the night sky and try to imagine where it begins and ends. It is the opinion of many that the universe is like eternity or unending. The fact is that God has always been and will always be.

Please take a few minutes of quiet time and consider intensely the concepts of eternity and continuous creaseless retribution.

Life is too Short and time without end or eternity is simply too long and the everlasting punishment in the fires of Hell too terrifying to make any mistakes.

Then make a choice, before it is too late.

Once you pass away from this Life you have lost the Golden opportunity to have the Hope of Heaven. If you fail to accept God's Grace and Love, by becoming His faithful servant, you have selected Hell and to spend eternity as a angel of Satan, in everlasting Fire, by default.

The Pathway to Heaven

Hear the Gospel.

"How shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)

Believe.

"And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews 11:6)

Repent of Past Sins.

"The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent." (Acts 17:30)

Confess Jesus as Lord.

"Behold here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou believeth with all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37)

Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins.

"And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

Live a Christian Life.

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;" (1 Peter 2:9)

Sources of further immediate Assistance

Telephone the Minister of your local Church of Christ and tell him you have visited this website and as a result, that you realize that you need to make some changes. That you have decided to take personal control of your Spiritual Life and wish to meet with him as soon as possible.

The telephone number(s) are listed in the white pages under Church of Christ.

The Minister and the Elders of that Church of Christ stand ready to assist you in learning the TRUTH, in any way possible. You are invited to make a complete investigation of the doctrine of Christ or any part thereof and they would be delighted to personally discuss any point or answer any question.

In the event you live in an area not served by His One True Church or would prefer have your questions answered via e-mail, please feel free to forward your question(s) along with your name and e-mail address to answers@seekingthelost.org and we will address your questions and provide answers as soon as humanly possible.

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JOHN 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth
This web site is sponsored by
Diplomats for Christ
James W. Goddard, Ph.D.
A Diplomat at large for Christ and an active Member of the Eufaula Church of Christ
220 West Grand, Eufaula, Oklahoma 74432
e-mail jwgoddard@seekingthelost.org
Author’s Home Congregation, please visit Eufaula Church of Christ http://www.histruechurch.org/eufaulaokcfc.html
Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

This web site was written and designed by James W. Goddard, Ph.D., an active member of the

Eufaula Church of Christ