Just before death comes to people in natural ways, the body begins a deterioration, and the mind comprehends the possibility that the downhill decline is leading to death. Strong spiritual Christian leaders can often perceive the “preparation” of the soul for the death or resurrection process that occurs at the same time life begins to slow down and the body declines.
While always a sad part of life when we lose those we love and like, there is a joyous ending when we watch saved Christians pass away. We know we will see them again, and we know they are in the presence of Jesus and in the place of Heaven that heals, comforts, and restores them to their truest selves. But, sadly, we also mourn the loss of those that we think unsaved, because of the wasted life of things that might have been available to them if they had only made the choice of Christ.
My early Methodist upbringing often focused upon the Scripture verse that says the “last are first and the first last:”
“Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, pjudging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:28-30)
The Methodist unsaved, especially the men, took advantage of this declaration of Christ, by committing to themselves to ask for salvation from Christ at the very last moment of life. They resolved to live the life they chose until the very last minute of their lives on the earth. At that moment, they reasoned, they would give a shout out to the Lord Jesus Christ to save them, knowing that they were guaranteed a spot in Heaven. I kid you not; many men I knew that went to after church events with their wives, and I heard this claim to Methodist salvation at the last moment of life many, many times.
Sadly, I watched these same men in dying process and attended their funerals. I observed in almost all cases, by the time they should have been shouting out to the Lord for that hoped for salvation, they were instead in a coma, feeble, or mentally changed to the point they were unable to publicly declare or privately ask for the salvation to occur.
A few years back, I attended a big event with a great deal of people. I saw three, maybe four people that have begun the process of preparation to die. I do not know any of their faiths, do not know whether they follow Christ as their Savior, and do not know if they have accepted Him and received salvation in their private lives. However, just in case they have not done this, I thought it prudent to offer the steps to salvation:
Step 1: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
There are NO more steps. It is not very complicated. Of course, to make that statement, you must first believe that no matter how much good you have done on this earth, you still are sinful, and need the salvation of the Lord to go to Heaven. However, if you believe Scripture, then Romans 10:9 tells you exactly what you need to do.
Grab hold of your hope of Resurrection and surety of faith by claiming it before you die. Once you die, it is over, and you do not have any other opportunity for salvation.
The men and women I saw prepared by God for the beginning processes of dying were some of the neatest people I met that day. I hope that they already have a strong faith professed in Christ, and are fully participating in representing the Kingdom of God. However, I suspect a few remain unsaved.
It is time folks. Confess Christ and your sure belief in Him and the Father God who is your Creator.
God bless all believers in Him. When you soon stand in the presence of Christ, please remember me to Him, and speak good things of my behalf. That would be really cool!
