- (Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
- (Hebrews 9:27-28) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Greetings, Friends!
Today’s exhortation concerns the living and the dead. Whatever you might have thought of over the years about the dead; whatever your family or friends might have told you about the dead; in case you do not know, now is the time to come into the knowledge of the truth. Please, don’t be surprised to hear—the dead do not know what the living are doing on earth, because they are no longer on earth (not even in spirit). The dead are gone—set for the judgment.
Let us begin….
We have learned by the word of God that we cannot speak to the dead—they will not hear to respond; they cannot speak to us—we will not hear to respond; they cannot watch over us—we cannot watch over them; they are gone from earth—we are still on earth. And one day, if the Lord tarry, we will die … as it is appointed….
The dead are ignorant of the living:
- (Job 14:20-21) Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
- (Isaiah 63:16) Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
- (Psalm 88:10-11) Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
- (Psalm 6:5) For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Special Notes: In Job 14:20, the word “passeth” means “to die” … it further confirms in verse 21, the dead do not “knoweth” or “perceiveth” what the living do on earth.
Remember, words in scripture with the “eth” suffix denotes continuity….
In Isaiah 63:16, the word “ignorant” is a compound Hebrew word, “without” and “knowledge” … it denotes Abraham is without the knowledge of his children’s actions and/or words after his death. The word “acknowledge” means, “discern” … combined with “not” it means, Israel (Jacob) is not able to discern his posterity after his death. Both Abraham and Jacob are dead—no longer on earth.
In Psalm 6:5, “there is no remembrance of thee” — This refers to the dead who do not remember or think of God. David‘s appeal was to remember God and praise Him, but he realized this could not be done if he were dead. Therefore, he prayed God would spare his life, and restore his health to praise Him in the land of the living.
This scripture (Psalm 6:5) suggest, if one cannot remember, think of, nor praise God in death they also cannot remember, think of, nor talk to the living.
Life and Death—
Let us take life and death seriously … to know and understand that, a very small group of survivors (who will be partakers of the first resurrection) will appear before the judgment seat of Christ; they will be either the dead in Christ to rise, first …or… the alive who remain faithful—they/we “…shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air…” We will reign with the Lord Jesus Christ a thousand years (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:6).
After a thousand year reign with the Lord for the partakers of the first resurrection, all other human beings will stand before God at the white throne of judgment; they will be judged according to their works; the book of life will be opened; whosoever’s name is not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-15)!
Since we are appointed to die once, please note that, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- suffered, once;
- died, once;
- was buried, once;
- rose from the dead, once;
- is ascended on high, once….
He ever liveth to make intercession for all who will be saved by Him to the uttermost. He hath borne the sins of many for their/our salvation … He did these things especially for the souls which believeth on Him unto eternal life. Selah.
Consider the relevance of Christ’s death and life:
- (Isaiah 53:6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- (Isaiah 53:11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
- (Galatians 3:13-14) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
- (John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
- (Hebrews 7:25) Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
A Thief in the Night—
Death will come upon some as a thief in the night. Even more than this, some will die untimely deaths out of foolishness or by a violation of protocol (Ecclesiastes 7:17).
Over and above these things, the Lord Jesus Christ will come without a moments notice to make up His jewels, rapture His beloved, and to exercise judgment:
- (Malachi 3:17) And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
- (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with 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.
- (1 Thessalonians 5:2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
- (2 Peter 3:10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Be Ready for Judgment—
In what group will you be—those of the first resurrection …or… those at the white throne of judgment? Better be absolutely sure you know before you go … death might come as a thief in the night.
Be very seriously advised … there is NO penitence after this life.
If you are not saved, now is the time to repent, and believe the gospel: for the kingdom of God, and of heaven, is at hand (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15).
If you are saved, continue to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If you are not pressing, repent, because it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed (Philippians 3:14; Romans 13:11).
He/She who hath an ear to hear, let them hear AND believe what God said in His word … and live!
In Christ We Do Remain