The Sunday Conversation | with Pastor Luke Okoro | 15. 05. 2022
Hebrews 9:27;10:31. Revelation 20:12-15.
Matthew 24: 38-39.
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” . Hebrews 10:31.
REMEMBER as an English word is an active verb which means to keep a picture or an idea in mind , of people, events and places, sometimes, of the past or things yet to happen but already discussed or motioned, as it were. This is mostly done to ensure that one doesn’t forget such things.
At sometimes too, remember can stand as a transit verb meant to transmit an information to a recipient or receiver to avoid forgetfulness. Or simply put to jog somebody’s memory over a matter that is considered important, or most likely going to be forgotten if such a reminder wasn’t made. To keep in mind, especially , out of concern and importance, as we are currently doing.
Either way, the word REMEMBER, serves to remind us about a matter– whatever it is — that we should not forget because it’s importance, or due to it’s likely negligence if care isn’t taken.
Enter our Conversation today on the concept of DEATH, and the consequent judgement thereafter.
The point must be made that death is one of the least issues of life and its existence that human beings hardly talk about. Yet, it’s the denouncement awaiting all of us in this drama of life. Indeed, the Bible is very clear on this matter, hence it notes that it is appointed unto men once to die, but after that the judgement. Hebrews 9:27. The same Bible also cautions man to avoid being on the wrong side of God’s judgement because it is a fearful thing to be so found. Hebrews 10:31. It can really be wrathful because our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29.
King Solomon was also right when he called man to remember this reality ahead of him, even if it seems as though it is still far away. Hear him:
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.
While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain,
In the days when the keepers …and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;…or the wheel be broken at the cistern.
Then shall dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.
Going by our opening remarks, King Solomon is only asking us not to forget these two basic things now,: death will happen to us one day, then judgement will also follow thereafter.
Yes, King Solomon is just making a reminder for us to be aware of these events that will eventually take place in our lives, willy nilly because it will happen whether man believes it or not. But I want to encourage you to believe it, so that you can be better prepared to face it with courage, faith and hope in the name of JESUS the Christ. Acts 4:12. John 3:3, 16; 6:36. By Him all who believe shall be saved. Then the judgement would be a day of reward and congratulations..
Solomon gave humanity the above charge, or perhaps a divine instruction , or counsel, to alert all flesh — regardless of who you are, what you are; how you are, and where you are? — that a day will come when all rejoicing and congratulations and instruments of music will cease to eternal demand for accountability. On that day, the once boisterous, agile, vigorous, and handsome and beautiful specie of a human being, would pass on to eternity ; and yield to the call of God: the spirit will return to the Creator, who gave it. The counsel of Solomon here is instructive because it came shortly after he had urged the youth in the preceding chapter to enjoy himself fully, though with a caveat.
“Rejoice O young man in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee, in the days of thy youth, and walk in ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes, but know, thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement” Ecclesiastes 11:9.
And given that judgement would come, Solomon makes this conclusion:
“Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity”. Ecclesiastes 11:10.
This caution must be taken seriously by all, but more importantly for the youth who today live as if they have their lives in their hands. Have you seen what happens at any concentration of young people, in the campuses? at weddings ? or at birthdays? You would think that you are in another world. Yet, some of us also passed through these processes, and still do, without the kind of confusion they NOW generate. So, the youth must be guided properly by what Solomon is saying because there will be a JUDGEMENT DAY after passage.
Sadly though, even with the understanding that death will come the way of all flesh, many people still live with the reckless wisdom that ‘ it’s man dies , and man goes’. No wonder Jesus’ reminded his hearers that as it was in the days of Noah,even so it shall be when the Son of man shall come.
“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.
And they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” Matthew 24:48-39.
Now that we know the inevitability of death, and judgement: the reasonable thing to do is to prepare for it NOW. We can make choices. We still have options. We can still set new goals and fresh target. In life, it’s only the insane that doesn’t have capacity to change their minds. That you have this conversation with you is a great privilege for a rethink , a choice with eternity in Christ Jesus.
Apostle Peter notes that the long suffering of God is for a purpose. Your salvation could be that purpose while Jesus’ has not come before NOW. Remember while Noah was building the ark the people of his time did not believe him. Just eight souls escaped the flood eventually.1 Peter 3:20.
Remember: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ..
And whosoever was not found written in the book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” Revelation 20:12-15. God bless.
Happy Sunday.
•Pastor Okoro, a revivalist, and marriage counselor,can be reached on:
08051000462.
May 15, 2022.
