They had been born on the same day in the same
small town. They had not known each
other, but went through the same schools.
Both had married, been relatively successful in their occupations,
raised their families, loved their grandchildren, attended different but
similar churches - They had done all the normal proper things that people did
and were expected to do.
They had died on the same day in the same small
town. They had not know each other, but
passed into the death that comes to all men the same way. Both had married, been relatively successful
in their occupations, raised their families, loved their grandchildren,
attended different but similar churches - They had done all the normal proper
things that people did and were expected to do.
And, they each entered death alone.
They had entered Heaven's courtroom on the same
day to stand in the presence of the awesome and majestic creator and sustainer
of heaven and of earth, of all that is living and that is inanimate, of all
that is material and that is spiritual.
Both had married, been relatively successful in their occupations,
raised their families, loved their grandchildren, attended different but
similar churches - They had done all the normal proper things that people did
and were expected to do. And they each
stood before their maker alone.
They had stood with their souls naked, their
inner hearts open to His all-knowing scrutiny – their thoughts, their memories;
the visions of all their actions done, the unfettered awareness of all the
undone, ignored and wasted opportunities; all laid bare and open to His
eyes. Both had married, been relatively
successful in their occupations, raised their families, loved their
grandchildren, attended different but similar churches - They had done all the
normal proper things that people did and were expected to do. And they each in their turn heard the
question:
Son of Adam, resounded the Creator's
voice, as if coming from everywhere at once. Son of Adam . . . . . disobedient
rebellious guilty sinner, because of whom, BOOMED THE VOICE, My
glory has been defamed. Why
should I let you into My heaven?!
They each in their turn stood transfixed, knowing
that there was no escape, no place to hide, no way to delay or avoid responding
– The look was penetrating, knowing, loving, caring, but fearful and awesome
to behold.
_______________
The first had married, been relatively successful
in his occupation, raised his family, loved his grandchildren, attended church
- Done all the normal proper things that people did and were expected to
do. He appealed to all of this, his good
intentions, his earthly reputation, the understanding nature of this loving
God.[1]
Son of Adam, resounded the Creator's
voice, as if coming from everywhere at once. Son of Adam . . . . . disobedient rebellious guilty sinner, because of
whom, BOOMED THE VOICE, My glory has been defamed. You have been judged already, because you
have not believed in the Name of my only begotten Son.[2] Depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness![3]
The first had married, been relatively successful
in his occupation, raised his family, loved his grandchildren, attended church
- Done all the normal proper things that people did and were expected to
do. However, tragically he was cast into
the lake of fire because his name was not found in the book of life.[4]
_______________
The second had married, been relatively
successful in his occupation, raised his family, loved his grandchildren,
attended church - Done all the normal proper things that people did and were
expected to do. He hung his head,
dropped to his knees and confessed, "I
am a son of Adam. I am indeed a
disobedient rebellious guilty sinner, and because of me the glory of the
awesome and majestic creator and sustainer of heaven and of earth, of all that
is living and that is inanimate, of all that is material and that is spiritual
has been defamed." He then
humbly cried out, "I appeal to your
mercy and your justice – for I have placed my only hope in your sure promise of
salvation and blessing[5],
which one of your faithful servants shared with me. I have trusted in Your only begotten Son,
Messiah Jesus, and the payment of the penalty of death which You Yourself
completed through His sacrifice on the cross for me."[6]
I
have cast myself on your mercy, for you promised that whoever puts his trust in
you will certainly never be disappointed.[7] And I
know that you are not a man that you would lie.[8]
My child, come into my heaven.[9] I have a banquet prepared for you, and
eternal life, and unbroken fellowship with me and with my only begotten Son.[10] Come, I the Living God welcome you with open
arms into my heavenly city where my Son has prepared a wonderful place for you.[11] Welcome to the heavenly Jerusalem to live and
celebrate and worship along with myriads of angels, and the assembly of the
First Born who also are enrolled in heaven, and all the righteous who have been
made perfect.[12]
Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.[13]
Give
praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and
the great.[14] Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God, the
almighty who was and who is and who is to come.[15]
Worthy are You, our Lord and our God,
to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because
of Your will they existed, and were created.[16]
[1] Romans 3:10, 23; 1 John 1:10
[2] John 3:18
[3] Matthew 7:23; Hebrews 10:26-27
[4] Revelation 20:15; 21:8
[5] Hebrews 6:13-19
[6] John 3:16; 1 John 1:9
[7] Romans 10:11
[8] Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2
[9] Revelation 19:9
[10] Hebrews 12:24
[11] John 14:2
[12] Hebrews 12:22-23
[13] Revelation 19:1
[14] Revelation 19:5
[15] Revelation 4:8
[16] Revelation 4:11
