If They Only Had One More Moment in Time….

The number of celebrities and famous people that passed away in 2016 is astounding. Nearly every news site I open contains at least one article detailing the tragic deaths of so many “famous people” this past year. Social media is ablaze with people posting comments as well as their own personal feelings of loss because of those that passed on.

As I was sitting at my desk contemplating one of the postings earlier, I found myself wondering, if any of these individuals had one more moment in time, one more moment to come back from the dead for just a few shorts moments, what would they say to those around them, to the media, to their fans?

Now, before I go any further, let me establish the fact that the Word of God clearly indicates that “unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 HCSB). To add credence to this thought, Jesus spoke clearly about Himself saying: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Therefore, based upon the teachings of Christ, substantiated by His personal resurrection from the dead and His having been seen by a multitude of eyewitnesses following His resurrection, we can ascertain that anyone who passes on without having gone through a personal conversion experience through Jesus Christ is eternally lost and condemned to hell.

Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. As the story goes, they both died and the rich man was confined to torment in Hades while Lazarus, a devout follower of Christ, advanced to Abraham’s side.

The rich man cried out for Abraham to give him a bit of water to cool his hot tongue. Abraham told him that was impossible. The rich man then asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to his family and to warn them of the terror that awaits those who die without Christ.

Based upon their own personal lifestyles and their lack of a personal conversion experience through Jesus Christ, the life-markers indicate that many of the famous persons who passed on last year were eternally lost.

Based upon the evidence, I firmly believe that if any one of them were given a moment to return, they would immediately begin encouraging everyone around them to seek after Jesus Christ. Their motive would be directed at leading others to find Christ before it is too late.

They would not be concerned with who got their wealth after they passed, or who ended up with the mansion or the cars or anything else they left behind. Their only concern would be to point people to the only true means of eternal salvation, Jesus Christ.

Truth is, this would be the path anyone who dies without Christ would follow, if they were only given an extra moment in time to run back and warn everyone of what truly awaits those who have denied the Living Christ.

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you be doing today? Sad fact is, many will die tomorrow and they continue living today as though they have forever to go on living for themselves, living to please only themselves.

Maybe, just maybe, that someone is you today? Who has promised you another day? What proof do you have that you will survive another 24 hours on this earth? And then what? The Bible clearly indicates that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Death is inevitable. And as the Bible clearly indicates, the judgement that follows thereafter is also. You may be struggling to push away from the knowledge of such inevitabilities but the consequences remain.

A life lived without Christ as Lord and Savior is a life condemned to eternal destruction. The rich man and Lazarus clarify that death of the body is not death of the soul—the real you will go on living forever and ever, in the kingdom of God or in the kingdom of darkness.

The Bible tells us we are all sinners which leaves us all condemned to eternal death (Romans 3:23; 6:23) But, God in His great love for all of us, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the ultimate price—the shedding of His life blood that we may have eternal life.

If you will surrender your heart and life to Jesus Christ, give Him complete Lordship over your entire being, you are promised the free gift of salvation (Romans 10:9,10,13). Trust me, if any of those who passed away last year could return for just a moment in time, their only concern would be the salvation of every lost person on earth—including you!

Consider these words of the Psalmist:

Scripture Reading: “Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation. Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, You are God. You return mankind to the dust, saying, ‘Return, descendants of Adam.’ For in Your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that passes by, like a few hours of the night. You end their life; they sleep. They are like grass that grows in the morning- in the morning it sprouts and grows; by evening it withers and dries up. For we are consumed by Your anger; we are terrified by Your wrath. You have set our unjust ways before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. For all our days ebb away under Your wrath; we end our years like a sigh. Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away. Who understands the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear that is due You. Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” (Psalm 90:1-12 HCSB)

If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, please pray this prayer from the bottom of your heart today:

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I confess I am a sinner. I have walked my walk; lived my own way; done my own thing—and I realize I have displeased You in doing so. I realize Jesus died for me as the Bible tells me. I realize He gave His lifeblood that I may live with You for all eternity. I also realize the great love shown You have shown towards me in all that You have done to make salvation available to me. Lord, I thank You for saving me. I love You and I pray all of this in Jesus’ name…AMEN!