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"Since this calling out by the use of the name definately implies public worship, we here have the first record of regular public worship. .... This act bears eloquent testimony to the courage of this group, who wanted to be known as such whose hope was placed only in Yahweh. It is not enough to say that 'Yahweh's religion began with Enoch.' It began with Adam and developed into regular public worship in three generations." - Leupold, Commentary on Genesis, vol. 1, p.228. |
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Too often folks believe something just because someone or a majority
says it is so; however, without really thinking for ouselves, we are
left to believe what is known as a "sterotype". A sterotype is
something that is or can be true to a point, but something that we
also cannot use on an individual basis or standard of discernment.
Fortunately, as believers things such as sterotypes and forgiving
others are, as we grow in grace, things we rise above with eagles wings!:
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they
shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31).
One subject that mankind often sterotypes the wrong way is the
subject of death. In the world, it is generally thought of
as "morbid" or "the end" of things. This is because the unsaved
world does not want Christ, therefore they cannot truly understand
spiritual subjects such as death.
Do you fear death? If so dear friend, you should not because Christ
is there do deliver His children from the fear of death:
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he
might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of
angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all
things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he
might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews
2:14-17).
This is why it is so important to have Jesus as a Saviour. Death
without Christ is a death without hope for eternity future (1
Thessalonians 4:13). Christ however gives us a new life in which
death is transformed from a state of being without hope to one so
glorious that we will recognize and understand the spiritual things
that we cannot comprehend now in the flesh; the truth will come to
be known by all both good and evil and our knowledge will be so much
greater in heaven:
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine
linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain
beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's
table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to
pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into
Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell
he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off,
and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham,
have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his
finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this
flame." (Luke 16:19-24).
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know
in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully
known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the
greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:12,13) nas.
Before going on and examining some of the more beautiful aspects
concerning the death of saints, let's briefly look at the death of
the wicked. Notice I say briefly. While it is true that we must
always present the gospel in balance giving the sweet points as well
as the bitter ones. I think when we study subjects we should only
briefly touch upon the topics of satan and hell. It is not good for
a true believer to pay too much attention to these things because
the forces of evil dwell on attention. Any attention given evil
could be attention given to Jesus. So I think balance is just to
cover what is required about evil, but not go too far. Likewise, the
same is true about heavenly things such as angels; we must realize
that they exist and what they do but we don't spend alot of time
focusing on them which could be used to focus on Christ. In light of
this, we realize the Bible says that the death of the wicked is
unpleasant to God:
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in
the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and
live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O
house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 33:11).
But one thing I feel must be kept in view here carefully. While it
is true that we can judge the living in righteous judgement to a
degree (John 7:24); I think we must be extremely, extremely careful
when judging the soul of a dead individual.
While some people like Judas and Hitler were so evil it is a pretty
safe hypothesis to say one can be about 99.99% sure that they were
not saved. I do not feel we can pass the same judgement on others in
general even if they have shown no evidence of being a true believer
or have lived there life in a false gospel. Why do I say this? I say
this because that's what I believe the Bible teaches. Romans 10:17
tells us faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God.
A person can live their entire life apparently in sin, but even if
they heard the most wee bit of the gospel such as "Jesus Wept" they
have come under the hearing of the Word and although it may not seem
likely, God can still save them 1/1,000,000 of a second before death
if He so chooses to do so and we would never imagine it. This gives
us hope as well for any loved one who has passed away. But the
bottom line is regardless if you accept this type of reasoning or
not, God is God and He will save whosoever He will; not only that,
it will all be done according to His infinitely good will and
purpose! So either way we can take huge comfort in knowing that our
compassionate Father's will is being done in goodness. Of course we
cannot say for sure, but, there just may be a few more samaritans
than "priests and levites" than some think in heaven. But again,
let's not concentrate on speculation, but the importance of
salvation by grace through Christ:
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace,
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2
Timothy 1:9).
How wonderful is that? Keeping this in mind, let's look at the
description of the death of a saint in a few places in the Bible.
First, let's start in the Old Testament in Isaiah where we read of
the death of a saint being described as "peace":
"The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and
merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is
taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they
shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness."
(Isaiah 57:1,2).
Nothing morbid about that; neither is there about this:
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians
1:21).
So for a saint, death is not only peace, but it is also described as
a gain. But that's not all by any means. In Revelation, the death of
a true believer is described as "blessed":
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are
the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the
Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do
follow them. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the
cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden
crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of
the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud,
Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to
reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the
cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also
having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar,
which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had
the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the
clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the
vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath
of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood
came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space
of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." (Revelation 14:13-20).
So far it was noted that the death of a true believer is peace, a
blessing and a gain. Again, that's not all, the death of a saint is
also described as precious in the sight of our LORD:
"I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: I
said in my haste, All men are liars. What shall I render unto the
LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of
salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows
unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the
sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, truly I am thy
servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast
loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the
LORD now in the presence of all his people, In the courts of the
LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the
LORD." (Psalm 116:10-19).
As we go further and further into these last days, God also tells us
that wickedness will increase on the earth. This is sad when you
think of all the wickedness there is now and that it will only
increase. So when you really ponder it, with all the evils and ills
of the world, these days in light of history aren't really such a
bad time to die in after all should the LORD take our life. Dear
reader, do you fear death? You shouldn't. Those who have come to
know Jesus should also realize that death is but rest and sleep in
our LORD Jesus:
"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by
reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength
labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (Psalm
90:10).
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto
you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto
the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For
the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in
Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one
another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18).
"Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the
wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are
fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and
horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a
dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. " (Psalm 55:3-6).
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