The Bible On Trial

It is difficult when anyone you know dies, but it is especially bittersweet when it is a family member; in this case, my wife's mother, Mary, died this past Monday at the ripe old age of 100 1/2 years. Even though my wife (and me for that matter) know that this was the right outcome, that Mary was not really 'there', and that it was her 'time', it still hurts. The hurt will become less painful as time goes by, but the hurting will not be contained until that time when our Master returns to earth, and we all see Them coming in the clouds. This particular death was gentle. Friends were there at the transition, praying with her and singing favorite hymns. And it is reported that when Mary took her final deep breath she smiled; and it would not surpise me to learn (after we are all translated) that Mary was seeing the coming in the clouds as she let out that final breath here on earth.

In the 'where' and 'when' that we now live death is part of life. But those of us that love the truth can rely on the words of Jesus; 

The Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.' John 8:52.

There is no discernible passage of time for those that have the Words of Jesus in them. Those that "Keep the Commandments of God, and hold to the testimony of Jesus" will never "taste of death", the death that is forever. Yet most of the world (including Christians) have been deceived by the idea that it doesn't matter 'what' you believe, as long as you simply 'believe that you are saved by grace through faith'. Unless these people come to understand that the way to eternal life is not in 'The Power of the Blood' of Jesus, but in His Words, and in obedience to His Commandments, they will taste the death that is forever.