Present life experience has brought me face to face with the
fact that every one of us has an appointment with God! The last year or so has seen me in a doctor’s
surgery more often that in my whole adult life before then! Also, I have been visiting the dentist more
frequently. Appointments for my health’s
sake.
More significantly, my regular visits to see my mother have
changed to appointments to visit her in hospital. My mother has been an independent, dignified
person who, in the toughest times faced life well-dressed and ready for
whatever might come. I remember visiting
her after a serious operation about ten years ago. Only hours after the surgery, she was sitting
in a chair by the hospital bed, clothed in her best and dignified. Now, she is distressed that she cannot care
for herself and struggles with the indignity of it all. Yes, mother is 92 – a grand age but age has
its toll. As the wise man wrote:
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your
Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the
years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"
He goes on to describe the many discomforts of old age –
from failing eyesight to heart troubles.
My mother may very soon attend her appointment with the Lord.
Hebrews 9:27 … it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment … [KJV]
The Scripture makes it plain that physical death is not the
end but only a door through which we complete our appointment with the
Lord.
Now, as one saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus,
I (and my mother) have an appointment at the BEMA – a place where Jesus will
examine my life works and test them in his love. It is my obligation in life to see that my
works are spiritual and constructed from materials that endure the fire.
1Corinthians 3:11-15 For other
foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any
man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay,
stubble; Every man's work shall be made
manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he
shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
However, it is clear in Scripture that there is another door
and a different “room” where people who refuse to believe in and trust Jesus to
save them have their appointment. It is
called “The Great White Throne” [see Revelation chapter 20 verses 11-15]. At that appointment there is no rescue
through the fire! There is a trial and
it will reveal the secret life of each person there. In justice each one will see that the verdict
on them is just.
It is possible that some become confused about these
judgement things. The Word is clear –
believers in Jesus “fall asleep”. Their
death ism described as being asleep in Jesus!
The risen life of Jesus is theirs and even though they die – yet shall
they live! On the other hand, the
persons meeting God at the Great White Throne are described as “the dead”. So, we have two separate judgement thrones
and two very different objectives. I
wonder which appointment you will be keeping – through which door? It is a wonderful eternal truth that you can
be sure of entering into life with Christ if you first enter through the Door
which is Christ Jesus. This requires a
present judgement and confession that I am a sinner that should be condemned - but is given life and made right with God
through faith in Jesus and what he did for us at the Cross. Why not make that appointment with God now?
