Death comes for all men. It does not matter what kind of lifestyle was lived, what religion you ascribed to, or even what god you bowed your heart to. The truth is that death comes for all, but what transpires after death is something that we can know today.
"The wicked is overthrown through his wrong doing and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence even in his death." Proverbs 14:32, Amplified
There is a hope for the righteous, but for the wicked there is no hope at all. Even here in this life, there is hope for the righteous. By the context of the verse, it seems that Solomon is speaking about the present concerning the wicked. In this lifetime they shall be overthrown because of their wickedness. And if the here and now offers no hope for the wicked, they what of the future, life beyond death? Do not misunderstand me, there is always hope for everyone in Jesus. The wicked being referred to here are those who refuse to turn from their wickedness.
The book of Hebrews is a wonderful book full of the meat of theology. In it we can find this verse, "And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27, KJV) Death and judgment will come for all men. If death and judgment come for all men, then where is the hope for the righteous?
The hope the the righteous has is not having to endure the Great White Throne Judgement. "But why to you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." (Romans 14:10, NKJV) Remember that Paul is writing to other believers, not sinners. He states that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, or the "Bema Seat". Though the word translated has nothing in its definition concerning judgment, it still has the connotation of coming before an elevated throne. This is the judgment where our deeds are burned with fire. All the hay wood and straw will burn leaving only the gold, silver and precious stones. It is a judgment of fire concerning how we presented the name of Jesus in this lifetime. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hat and straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet as though by fire." (I Corinthians 3:11-15, NKJV)
The difference between this judgment and the Great White Throne Judgment is salvation. The Bema Seat offers passage into heaven whereas the other only opens the door to Hell.
Where is your hope?
I would appreciate it if postings would only be in English so that everyone might benefit from the comments.
ReplyDeleteIt is with a heavy heart that I am contemplating removing the comment section of my blog since someone posted a comment that led to an adult website. The comment was posted in an Asiatic language, therefore, anyone could have gone to that post. I do not wish to be associated with that.
Thank you for you compliance.