Departure Lounge

We had relaxed with a cup of coffee as we chatted with happy expectancy about our long anticipated holiday. We were enjoying browsing through the great range of duty free goods and wondering what the various family members would appreciate as a little gift, when the announcement was made calling us to go to the departure lounge.

We made our way to the gate and found a seat where we would await instructions for boarding. I looked across the departure lounge and there were lots of people and from all walks of life. Babies were there as were senior citizens; the rich were there who were allowed to embark to first and business class at their leisure and the poorer were there also; there was a sports team of very fit young people and there were others who required walking aids and even wheelchair assistance.

I thought this is just an illustration of life. Dear reader, we are all in the departure lounge, soon to leave for eternity. Every one of us must take the journey from time to eternity sooner or later. Age, gender, riches or their lack, will make no difference; we must all die. A wise woman commented, "For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again", 2 Samuel 14v14. We may ask, "why?" and the answer is found in the Bible, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned", Romans 5v12. Every person is constituted a sinner by God because Adam sinned and because of sin we must die.

We were looking forward to arriving in a most pleasant place for a much-needed holiday, but do you look forward to eternity? Then there are only two places, heaven or hell. To which of these places are you going? I am so glad that I am going to heaven. Some will say that is just presumption, no one can know where they will be until the judgment day. Such reasoning must be brought to the Bible and there we find that God has said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him", John 3v36. This is very clear. If we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we shall have everlasting life and be in heaven but if we do not, the opposite is true and we will be in hell. The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" John 6v47. This tremendous truth is underscored in John 5v24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

We shall soon depart this life, but please ponder well the question, what is my final destination?

Written for FTMP by a Guest Blogger (Assembly Testimony)

Presented by Seek The Truth Bible Media. For more blogs, podcasts, videos or to contact STTBM please click on www.seekthetruth.org,uk

Liverpool Airport - Arrivals and Departures

There are many thousands of these daily, throughout the world. The population of this world is continually on the move; some journeys are short while others are ‘long-haul’. Some take us to a nearby village while others carry us to distant countries. Some are one-way while others are return journeys. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that, even now, as you are reading this article, there are scores, if not hundreds of travellers who will not arrive at their planned destination.

We are all travellers on the sea of life; carried by the restless tides of time inexorably to eternity, with but one of two destinations before us forever: heaven or hell. An interesting, two-part question was posed by King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2.6, "For how long shall thy journey be? And when wilt thou return?"

Annually, many celebrate the date they arrived in this world though none of us remembers that event. In Job 1.21 we read of that humble beginning, "Naked came I out of my mother’s womb …". We began to breathe the polluted air of this sullied environment and our journey on earth began.

In Luke 2.11 we read of the arrival of a unique Person on Planet Earth. "Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord." That day was planned from all eternity. His birth was neither premature nor postponed; at exactly the hour God had predetermined, Mary "brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger." Luke 2.7. The Saviour remembers it well and the subsequent days He spent so profitably here for the glory of His Father.

In Luke 23.33 we read of His arrival at another place; Calvary, the place of His crucifixion. It too had been planned so that He arrived on the very day and date ordained of God. It could not be delayed or derailed; it must be on the day of the Passover for Christ was the Paschal Lamb by God appointed. Have you ever considered, my friend, that He went there just for you, to bear the fearful penalty of your sins and by His death, provide an eternal salvation for your soul?

It was for me, yes, all for me;

O, love of God, so great, so free;

O, wondrous love, I’ll shout and sing,

He died for me. my Lord, the King.

(J. M. Whyte)

A few weeks after that dread experience, He arrived back in His Father’s home and we who have trusted Him, await His arrival in the air to take us to be eternally with Him in heaven.

In Genesis 35.18 we read an interesting statement, "It came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) …". This informs us that death is not the terminus, but a transition from here to eternity. In Luke 16.19-23 we read of two men, representatives of the entire human race, who left this world and arrived in eternity; one in heaven and the other in hell. Where they arrived, has become their endless and changeless abode. They cannot reverse the change and they cannot now opt for the other destination; their choice is irrevocable. In the past hour, thousands have arrived similarly in their chosen, eternal destination. We will all, without exception, arrive there one day.

Most of us will depart this life, suddenly and unexpectedly but our arrival in eternity is beyond all doubt. In love to your undying soul, I ask you, "Eternity, where?"

Trust Christ and enjoy the confidence of the apostle Paul, "… having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" Philippians 1.23.

Written by Assembly Testimony Publishing as a Guest Blogger

For more information visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

Arrivals and Departures

An Airport can be an exciting place, there are however times when for most of us it has been a depressing place. Saying 'goodbye' is not an enjoyable experience especially when you want to be with the person who is leaving and their absence leaves a void that you find hard to fill.

Maybe you are an upbeat type and all of this is a bit dismal. Pull yourself together you say! Everything will be all-right! It's not for long. I agree that it is good to be positive in your thinking and most of the time this attitude is the best way to deal with most situations in life. But let's be really frank and honest for a minute.

Life doesn't last for ever! Some things in life are not all-right! Some partings are for ever!

If you have read any of my blogs or listened to my podcasts you will understand when I say that I am now going to put my 'Christian' hat on. You see as a Christian I have the most amazing message to bring to you.

It is this: There is an eternal tomorrow, there is a place of no parting, no tears, no death, no sorrow, full justice etc.

Where is it you will be asking if you are taking me seriously. It is in the presence of the creator, the Almighty God. One of the writers of the Psalms in the Bible states that in God's presence there is 'fullness of joy', at His right hand there are 'pleasures for ever more'.

How can you discover if this is true. The only answer to that question is - Read the Bible, listen to God speak directly to you through His book. Start in the New Testament and keep reading. I am not going defend the Bible to you, read it for yourself. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (the book of Romans.10.17). If you do not have a Bible e-mail me with your name and address to stepcar61@gmail.com. I will put one in the post for you, free of charge. (This offer is only open to individuals).

As I finish remember this - we will all face our final departure from this world sooner or later. Be aware - there will be an arrival for each of us in the next life (it's all in the Bible - check it out!). There are only two destinies - heaven or hell! One is an arrival marked by joy - you depart in peace from this life to enter in the presence of the one who died on the cross to save you. The other is an arrival marked by grief - you refused to hear the voice of God (in your conscience, through His Son, Jesus Christ, through His word, the Bible). You are unforgiven because you refused to believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The simple solution is this. 'Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way and unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon' (Isaiah.55.6,7 - the Bible). You possibly don't feel wicked or unrighteous but believe me I am and we all are in God's eyes. May you know God's blessing today.