Prepare to meet The Lord – Part 2

There is nothing like the so-called waiting lounge for the departed or dead. And praying for the soul of the dead is a waste of time. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” On the resurrection day, the bodies of those who died in sin will be raised to join their souls and spirits and thereafter, be cast into the lake of fire. Eternal suffering in hell is the final state of unrepentant sinners and backsliders.

Believers, who want to make heaven at death or by rapture, must be holy and steadfast in resisting every temptation or pressure to sin. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour…For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

The moment a believer in Christ dies, his spirit goes to heaven. Having acknowledged Christ as Saviour and obtained forgiveness and justification, the soul and spirit of the penitent thief on the cross went to be with the Lord in Paradise, when he died. We must ask God for grace to be steadfast in godliness, moderation, sobriety and holy living, which qualify us to enter His kingdom.

There are many things, which are good to have in life, but which are not of absolute necessity. They are optional: having them will make us happy for a few years on earth, but not having them will not stop us from getting to heaven. Thus, we must not allow riches, houses, land, honour, praise of men, political or traditional position, breakthrough, fashionable clothing, healing, inheritance, foreign contacts, friends, business, etc., to take away holiness from us.

Holiness is an essential, compulsory and absolute necessity for every heaven-bound pilgrim. Everyone who is holy forgives others. To harbour hatred or anger – psychological, diplomatic, philosophical, scientific, historic, traditional, normal or abnormal anger – in the heart is to disqualify oneself from the kingdom of God. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The soul of the righteous goes to heaven to be with the Lord immediately after death. It is not the service of songs or funeral ceremony that ushers him to heaven. The angels of God always carry the righteous, who dies to heaven, where he is received by our Lord, Saviour and Sanctifier.

Everyone, who desires to be happy after death, must be born again and prompt in making restitution before it is too late. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” God can give you the grace to lead a consistent holy life till the end, if you ask Him.

Further Reading (King James Version): 1 Thessalonians 4:13; 1 Peter 4:7; James 5:8; Amos 4:12; Luke 1:17; Hebrews 11:7; Matthew 24:36-39; Luke 17:26-29; 12:46-48; 2 Kings 20:1; 2 Samuel 17:23; 3:33; Luke 12:15-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13,17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; Ephesians 2:12; Job 27:8; Matthew 23:25-28; Proverbs 11:7; Matthew 7:21-23; Ecclesiastes 5:15-17; 12:7; Luke 16:19-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4,7,15-17; Luke 16:22; 23:42,43; Acts 7:55-59; Luke 1:75; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 12:14; Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Corinthians 5:1,2,6,8; Revelation 14:13.