Some people are terrible at keeping appointments. There are certain members of our family that are always late to family dinners. It has been jokingly stated that if you want to have dinner at 12:00 you need to tell them you are going to start eating at 11:30, so they will be there on time. I have also known people who intentionally set their clocks and watches 15 minutes fast so that they will not be late.

Some people are late to everything: work, worship, etc., etc. I have heard it said, and have said it myself about some people, that they will be late to their own funeral. But, death is one appointment that no one will be late in keeping. Jesus said in Hebrews 9:27:--And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.

This verse says we are going to die. A lot of people try to avoid, and postpone it. They have yearly physicals, excercise daily, watch their diets, have their blood pressure, and cholesterol checked frequently. My grandparents probably wouldn't even known what cholesterol was, nor would most people their age, and they lived to the age of 92. There is nothing wrong with trying to keep yourself healthy. The Bible says there is profit in bodily excercise, but it says there is far more profit in godliness (I Timothy 4:8).

But, we can do all things: we can get physicals; excercise; watch our diets; etc.; but we will die. And, there is not promise that even if we do these things that we will reach old age. Look in the newspaper and you will see obituaries for young and old alike. Every year there are reports of seniors in high school dying. I even had a nephew who died only after living for a few short months. Which goes to show that there is no garauntee on how long we will live. James says:

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:14).

Many people do not like talking about death, and try to ignore the reality of it. We should not obsess with it, but we need to accept the reality of it. Probably the reason so many people do not want to talk, or think about death, is because they are afraid of dying. But, we do not need to fear it, for death is not the end. The bible is very clear about the fact that death is not the end.

For the lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).

Instead of fearing death we need to look forward to what we shall enjoy after this life, for there are a lot of things to look forward to. We shall have a new body (I Corinthians 15:51-53). There is a rest that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9). Those who have been born again have an inheritance to look forward to, which is: incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them (I Peter 1:4). In heaven we shall ever be with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (I Thess.4:17), and we shall be with the faithful of all time. We shall be able to be in the very presence of God, and sing praises unto Him. We shall also be able to walk the golden street, and eat from the tree of life. We shall never have to mourn, sorrow, or suffer again, for in heaven there will not be any more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).

With that picture of what is going to be like in heaven we need not fear death, but can be like Paul who said:

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you (Philippians 1:23-24).

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (II Timothy 4:6-8).

But, if we are going to have to that confidence, we need to be ready for death when it comes. Jesus taught the necessity of being ready in parable about 5 wise, and 5 foolish virgins in Matthew chapter 25. These 10 virgins were waiting for the bridegroom to come by so that they might join the procession that was going to the wedding feast. The 5 wise virgins took extra oil for their lamps (they were prepared in case the bridegroom delayed in coming), but the 5 foolish virgins did not take extra oil. The bridegroom did delay, and while the 5 foolish virgins ran out of oil, and had to go buy more (they were not prepared). While they were gone the bridegroom came, and they were not allowed into the wedding feast. Jesus gave the moral to the parable, He said: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 25:13).

In other words, Jesus is saying, be prepared! Jesus wants us to be able to enjoy all the blessings that are available after this life. He wanted us to enjoy it enough to die for us (I John 3:16). The Father wants us to be able to spend all eternity in heaven. He wanted it so much that He had an eternal plan to send His Son to die for us (Ephesians 3:10-11). The Holy Spirit wants us to walk that golden street, and eat from the tree of life, for He has given us the word, so that we can know what we must do to have all these blessings. The word, that the Holy Spirit has given us says:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enterinto the kingdom of heaven; but He that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).

Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).

As you can see, from both of these verses, if we want to enter into the kingdom of heaven, and have eternal life, we must do the Father's will, and obey the Son. Many religious groups teach that you do not have to do anything. Who are you going to believe God, or men? What would the Father, and the Son have us do to be saved, and have the hope of eternal life in heaven?

He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16).

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

With the mouth confession is made unto salvation Romans 10:10).

Whereunto even baptism doth also now save us(I Peter 3:21).

But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (I Peter 1:15).

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

You might say, "that's not what I have been taught all my life," or "that is not what I have heard others say." That is probably true! But, what does the word of God say? Did we read these things from the word of God, or did we make them up? If we must do the will of the Father, and obey the Son if we want to have eternal life in heaven...which the Bible says we must (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9), and the Father and Son say to do these things (which they do), doesn't it make sense that we need to do these things even if most people say otherwise?

If you do what God's word says you do not need to fear death, but instead you can confidently look forward to what lies beyond this life. Have you done what God's word says? Do you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? If not we would be glad to show you the evidence, so you can hopefully reach that conclusion. If you do believe, have you confessed, before men, that you believe? If not there is no better time than the present. But, you must also: be willing to repent of your sins (turn from them, not continuing in them), and be baptized (immersed in water).

One of these days you are going to die. That is an appointment you will keep! But, you do not know when that time will come. It could be today, so you need to make sure you are ready...right now! If you have obeyed the gospel, but have not been living according to word of God, you need to repent. If you should die before you repent, there won't be any second chances.