A cynical sage muses, "Nothing is sure but death and taxes." We all nod and smile wisely, but is that true?

Well, even certain death seems distant and unreal — at least for me. Not even a host of funerals have changed it. It is other folk who die. I just cannot visualize myself as guest of honor instead of guest speaker at a funeral. Yet. "...it is appointed unto men once to die —" (Heb. 9:27). Only two men in all history have been excepted — Enoch and Elijah. I will join ranks with the dying. Oh yes, I will!

"There is nothing after death. At death, everything will be finished. I will never return from the grave." Oh yes, you will! "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" (Jno. 5:28). The empty tomb of Jesus guarantees his power and promise. You may not believe it nor understand it. You may wish it were not so. Resurrection offers no consolation to the wicked but alas, you will return — yes, you will! Resurrection is as sure as dying!

"I will never believe a man will be lost just because he does not believe in Jesus and do exactly as the Bible says." Oh yes, you will! You should already know it. Jesus plainly said, "If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins" and "whither I go ye cannot come" (Jn. 8:21-). He also said, "Not everyone… but he that doeth the will of my Father" will enter the kingdom (Mt. 7:21). You will believe it at the judgment. Oh yes, you will! It will be too late then.

"Listen: Nobody tells me what to do. I will bow to none." Oh yes, you will: God seeks by persuasion and by incentive to get you willingly to submit to him (Phil. 2:13). You can rebel and defy him today, but you will eventually submit. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord (Phil. 2:9-). That includes you! When he calls you to judgment, you will come. When he says, "Depart into everlasting fire," you will surely obey. Oh yes, you will!

"Nobody will ever know." You are wrong. "...be sure your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23). "...all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4: 13). Every word, every deed, even the most private thought must be accounted for. Oh yes, you will face them!

God does not forget the righteous nor their labor of love (Heb. 6:10). The "exceeding great and precious promises" will be kept (2 Pet. 1:4). When he comes again we will receive our crown (2 Tim. 4:8). Oh yes we will! 

JOE FITCH,  San Antonio, TX.