We are all called by the Lord on a spiritual journey of faith.
Picture
a pin-point, and a line that proceeds from that point off into
the
distance, on to infinity. That line is an apt symbol of a
person's
life. Our life on earth is the size of that pin-point, the rest
of
our life is eternity.
"All the dead were judged according to
their
deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
Anyone
whose name is not written in the book of life was thrown into the
pool of fire." The "Devil who had led them astray was
thrown into
the pool of fire and sulfur, where...they will be tormented day
and
night forever and ever." (Rev. 20:13b-15; 20:10). Jesus
calls us
not to death, but to Life! "I AM the Way, the Truth and the
Life."
(Jn. 14:6). Jesus says: "Repent!...I will give each of you
what your
works deserve...Whoever has ears ought to listen to what the
Spirit
says to the churches." (Rev. 2:5, 23, 29). To the 'victor',
those
whose names are in the 'book of life', God promises a place of
endless
joys and splendor beyond imagination, a place where, "He
will wipe
away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death
or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed
away." (Rev. 21:4).
Noah was a very old man when God called him to build an ark, and
prepare
to move his family. When Abram was 75, "The Lord said to
Abram: 'Go
forth from the land of your kinfolks and from your father's house
to a land I will show you.'" (Gen. 12:1). No doubt Noah and
Abram
were set in their ways, as both were said to be past our modern
'retirement'
age when they heard The Lord's call. They could have used plenty
of different excuses, the same types of excuses we use today,
since:
"Nothing is new under the sun." (Eccl.1:9). But they
were "...Open!"
(Mk. 7:34) to the Lord, chose to listen to "the Lord, thy
God, to
walk in His Ways" (Dt. 5:33; 8:6 etc.). In return, God
abundantly
blessed them! Abram also received a new name, 'Abraham'. It's
interesting
that in Revelation, those whose names are found in the book of
life
will also receive "a new name." (Rev. 2:17).
Our life in this world, your life, is just a brief pilgrimage; a
journey
towards a new and eternal life. Your choices are important! If
you've
finished this section of the "The ABC's of Faith", your journey's begun.
"There is an
appointed time for everything, a time for every purpose under
heaven."
(Eccl. 3:1). Now is the 'appointed time' to heed the voice of the
Lord, and to respond to His call. If you nourish yourself on His
spiritual gifts, listen to His Voice and answer His call, you can
enjoy more inner peace on earth, and receive the eternal joys of
heaven!
May your spiritual journey be a fruitful one, and may you learn
to
"walk in His Ways" (Dt. 5:33). Amen! (So be it!)
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