First in Line

The other day I had to pick up something at the post office.  As I entered the main lobby, I took my place in line waiting patiently as there were several people in front of me, mailing and picking up packages.  Soon the line behind me stretched all the way to the door and as more people started to approach some became frustrated and stated that they would have to come back later.

 

That day the line was long and slow.  It seemed to take nearly 20 minutes for me to finally get to the counter to conduct business, but alas it happened.  On my way home I was pondering how many of those who were waiting would have liked to have been able to cut to the front, to be first in line.  I thought of this in regards to the final Judgment where each individual man and woman stand before God Almighty, one at a time, waiting for their turn.

 

“And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away. And there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God. And books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, out of the things which were written in the books.  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one, according to their works.  And Death and Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death.  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.”  Revelation 20:11-15

 

“So then each of us shall give account concerning himself to God.”  Romans 14:12

 

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, without sin, unto salvation.”  Hebrews 9:27-28

 

“Though hand join to hand, the wicked shall not be held innocent, but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”  Proverbs 11:21

 

“Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judges, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth upon those who practice such things.  And do you think this, O man, you who judges those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  But according to your hardness and impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to his works: eternal life to those who steadfastly doing good, seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; anger and wrath, trouble and anguish, on every soul of man who produces evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For there is no partiality with God.”  Romans 2:1-11

 

This is serious stuff, while it might not be popular amongst those who are your friends, family or acquaintances, when a man dies without having repented of his sins and believed into Jesus Christ, they will undoubtedly be waiting at the Great White Throne Judgment and who then will want to be first in line.  For once, the eagerness of people to be pleasant and allow others to go first before them would be unprecedented.  What man would want to be next, knowing their fate?

 

At that time there will be no more debate about whether or not there is a God.  The debate will be well done and over with.  There will be no more debate on whether or not repentance is necessary or if Jesus is the only Way (John 14:6).  When that time comes there will only be sorrow, no hope, for it is too late.  There is no more time to go back, there is no more time to warn, there is no more time to rethink, there is no more time period.  Then and at that time if it took a million years to wait until you stood before the Most High, you would gladly do so, for the realization of an eternity in Hell, a lifetime blown by sin and refusal to repent of sin and accept God’s gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, will be far spent.  At that time only sadness, guilt, regret and hopelessness will be felt as your time to meet God, whom you rejected, will be at hand. 

 

If only you would stop, just stop and consider for a moment the goodness of God Almighty who has provided a clear process to rectify yourself before Him through His Son.  Will you continue on a stubborn path to destruction?  Will you continue to make up excuses?  Will you continue to refuse to repent or will you consider before such a scenario becomes reality, for surely as God created the heavens and the earth, it will happen.   I plead for you to reconsider before it is too late, to simply ask yourself why you refuse to repent, why you refuse to accept Salvation.  For what are you trying to gain by rebelling against your Creator?

 

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”  Jeremiah 8:20

 

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”  Romans 13:12

 

“For He says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  2nd Corinthians 6:2

 

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Mark 8:36-37

 

“And he showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, going forth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.  And they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.  And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.  And he said to me, These Words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must quickly come to pass.  Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the Words of the Prophecy of this Book.  Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to do homage before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.  And he said to me, Now see here! No! For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the Words of this Book. Do homage to God.  And he said to me, Do not seal the Words of the Prophecy of this Book, for the time is at hand.  He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.  And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to what his work shall be.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last.  Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter through the gates into the city.  But outside are dogs and sorcerers and prostitutes and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and produces a lie.  I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify these things to you, to the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him who hears say, Come. And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take of the Water of Life freely.”  Revelation 22:1-17

 

Amen!