Online Bible Study - Foundations of Faith

The Last Things

The Word of God About the Last Things: Our Death
As we discussed in the introduction, all things that live will die. The reason for death is the result of sin. Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." Each of us, whether we realize it or not, waits for the hour of our death. We do not know exactly when our death will occur, just as we do not know the day and hour of the end of the world. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." It is therefore a fact that we do not, and should not, know when our "last day" will come. We must prepare for it now and be prepared at all times.

In the Bible God teaches us so much about our death. Listen to some of what God has said to us on this topic.

• Ecclesiastes 12:7 "The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
• St. John 5:28-29 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."
• St. John 12:48 "There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the Last Day."
• 2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

All four of these verses give us some important information about our death and what God has planned for that time. What is most important for you and for me is our faith. We must have Spirit-given faith, and that faith must grow stronger each day. In this way we can, by the Spirit's power, continue to live holy lives, always prepared for our end.

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