PASTOR T. O. BANSO
âIf they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world. But they didnât want to. They were living for heaven. And now God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has made a heavenly city for themâ (Heb 11:15-16 TLB).
Many human beings donât like to talk or hear about death but whatever your attitude to it is, it will come one day. But my focus in this message is not the reality of death. There is life before death, and there is life after death â eternity. What many people prepare for is life before death. They labour to save money, build houses, make investments that they can live on and make life reasonably comfortable for themselves after retirement before death eventually comes. And there is nothing bad about that. For some people, death comes earlier than they expect while some live longer than they expect. But surely death will come whether you prepare for it or not.
You must not prepare for life before death alone. In other words, you must only prepare for how to live comfortably before death comes. You must prepare today for life after death. Not because you expect to die soon, but because this second is the only time youâre sure of. You certainly know those whoâre close to you or those you know who died suddenly when nobody expected. My prayer is that youâll live long, but you must live ready for eternity. I pray that you wonât be a victim of sudden death syndrome, but the truth is: for man, death can come, or the rapture can take place any time (1 Thess 4:13-17). But it will be more than tragic to enjoy a comfortable life before death but spend life after death (eternity) in agony.
Life is short
No matter how long you live here on earth, in this dispensation, it will be infinitesimally small compared to eternity. Life here on earth is temporary; it is transient. David understood the transient or temporary nature of life when he prayed, âLord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life isâ (Psalm 39:4 NLT). It doesnât matter whether it is 80 or 1,000 years, your time on earth is brief. David said again in Psalm 144:3-4, âO LORD, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadowâ (NLT). How long does a breath of air or shadow last? Very brief!
Listen to David again: âI am fading like a shadow at dusk; I am falling like a grasshopper that is brushed asideâ (Psalm 109:23 NLT). Job 8:9 also talks about human life being like a shadow: âFor we were born but yesterday and know so little. Our days on earth are as fleeting or transient as a shadowâ (NLT). Life is short compared to eternity. Psalm 119:19 says, âI am here on earth for just a little whileâ (TEV). Eternity is endless. Where will you spend your eternity? Are you preparing for life after death?
It would have been a different thing if death is the end of everything. Unfortunately, it is not. There is life after death. That is why it is not wise to prepare for life before death while neglecting preparation for life after death. According to Billy Graham, âLife is just a schoolroom with a glorious opportunity to prepare us for eternity.â Are you preparing for eternity? The right time to prepare for life after death â eternity â is now, not after youâve finished preparing for life before death. Nobody knows when death will come. I hope youâre not one of those who say they donât care whatever happens after death â they only care about here and now. That wonât be a wise way to live. You may wish to learn from the regret of that rich man in Luke 16:19-31.
Eternity in Hell
In Luke 16:19-31, the Bible tells us the story of a man who lived but didnât prepare for eternity. He lived such a comfortable life, lived in great wealth, probably thinking it would continue like that forever. He never believed that there was life after death, and he therefore did not prepare for it.
That story is often called the story of the rich man and Lazarus; but as it has been rightly said, it can also be called the story of two beggars. The first beggar was Lazarus â a beggar here on earth. The other beggar was the rich man â a beggar in Hades, the place of the dead. The rich man only prepared for life before death and lived like a king on earth. He failed to make the most important preparation â preparation for life after death. Alas, he became a beggar in the place of the dead! He wasnât begging for any of those sumptuous meals, special delicacies or choice wine he was used to during his life before death. He was rather seriously begging for a drop of water (not a cup of water) to cool his tongue. That shows the intensity of the torments in Hades, and how seriously thirsty he was in anguish.
The man suddenly remembered his brothers who were still on earth. He pleaded that Lazarus be sent to his father’s home to warn five brothers about the place of torment he was so that they wouldnât have to come there when they died (verses 27-28). His request was turned down once more.
The rich man and his five brothers didnât believe all that the prophets preached about eternity, heaven and hell, Godâs judgment on the sinner, and so forth. The rich man experienced torments in Hades not because of his wealth, but because he didnât prepare for eternity with God. Anyone who is not preparing to spend eternity with God is invariably preparing to spend eternity with the devil â there is no other place.
Heb 9:27 says, âIt is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgmentâ (NLT). In Luke 13:3, Jesus said, âAnd you will also perish unless you turn from your evil ways and turn to Godâ (NLT). Jesus said a similar thing in Luke 13:5: âNo, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will also perishâ (NLT). May you not perish in hell.
Donât be deceived by whatever youâre enjoying now. Solomon said, âEverything is meaninglessâŠutterly meaningless!â (Eccl 1:2 NLT) He said a similar thing again in Eccl 12:8: âAll is meaninglessâŠutterly meaningless” (NLT). Solomon was talking about life without God. God has prepared for those who will spend eternity with Him something better than whatever anyone can enjoy here on earth (Heb 10:34).
Eternity with God
Godâs plan has always been that youâll spend your eternity with Him. That was why He sent Jesus to die for you. âFor God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. He died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his returnâ (1 Thess 5:9-10 NLT). And before He finished his earthly ministry, Jesus told his disciples: âDon’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get thereâ (John 14:1-4 NLT). Do you want to spend your eternity with God?
What you need to do?
1. Accept Jesus as your Saviour and Lord and continue to obey his teachings. This is how to secure today a place for yourself in eternity with God. âYou can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find itâ (Matt 7:13-14 NLT). Be part of those entering through the small gateway and walking the narrow road. Quit the broad highway to hell and wide gate to eternity with the devil, which many have chosen. Donât live in a mansion here on earth and spend your eternity in hell fire. Prepare for your eternal home, too. Hell is a place where the worm never dies and the fire never goes out (Mark 9:48). God didnât design it for you. People only go there when they reject Godâs Gift to the world, Jesus Christ.
Rev 21:8 says, âBut cowards who turn away from me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars â their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second deathâ (NLT). If youâre born twice (born naturally and born again spiritually) youâll die once and resurrect to live in eternity with God. But if youâre born once (naturally without being born again spiritually) youâll die twice (die physically and be cast into the lake that burns with fire and sulfur which is the second death). Anyone whose name is not found recorded in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). To insist that youâll believe there is hell only after youâve seen it will be foolish because it will be too late then. Get your name registered in the Book of Life today by committing your heart to Jesus. âIf you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen insteadâ (William Law).
2. Be heavenly-minded. That means you must live with heaven in your mind. The implication is that your choices and decisions will be influenced by heaven. You will live for heaven and will avoid worldly things. The Bible says of the patriarchs, âIf they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world. But they didnât want to. They were living for heaven. And now God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has made a heavenly city for themâ (Heb 11:15-16, TLB). You canât love the world and love the Lord at the same time (1 John 2:15). You canât serve two masters (Matt 6:24, Luke 16:13).
Donât be concerned about the things of this world alone. Think about the things in heaven. Col 3:2-4 says, âLet heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his gloryâ (NLT).
3. Donât be entangled with the things of this world. Donât become a slave to your money, wealth, career or business. Donât let your possession go to your head. Hold to it lightly, not tightly. You are a stranger and pilgrim here on earth (Heb 11:13; 1Peter 2:11). âBut we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviorâ (Phil 3:20 NLT).
Hear what 1 Cor 7:31 says: âThose in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass awayâ (NLT). This world is fading away, along with everything it craves, but if you do the will of God, youâll live forever (1 John 2:17). That means youâll spend your eternity with God. Eternity for sinners means eternal damnation. âHe will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power when he comes to receive glory and praise from his holy people. And you will be among those praising him on that day, for you believed what we testified about himâ (2 Thess 1:7-10 NLT). Donât live for this temporary world; live for eternity.
4. Donât be selfish. Though this is associated with the things of this world, Iâve decided to address it separately. Donât be like that rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 who was selfish making plans for himself without plans of sharing his bountiful harvest from his farm with anyone â he wasnât rich towards God. He stored up the harvest for himself alone. Donât amass wealth for yourself here on earth. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12:34). Be generous to God, Kingdom projects, others, especially the poor and the needy. Donât be stingy. âThe generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshedâ (Prov 11:25 NLT). God is the one who gives you power to get wealth (Deut 8:18). Therefore, be a good steward. âGain all you can, save all you can, give all you canâ (John Wesley).
5. Be controlled by the Spirit of God. Listen to and follow the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. Remember that you were born by the Spirit â if youâre born again (John 3:5-8) âFor all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of Godâ (Rom 8:14 NLT). Rom 8:6-7 says, âIf your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peaceâ (NLT). If youâre controlled by the Spirit of God, youâll live a holy life; and without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14).
6. Remain faithful to Jesus. As a blood-bought child of God, donât become complacent or lukewarm like the church at Laodicea. Jesus said to that church, âBut since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!â (Rev 3:16 NLT) Only those who endure to the end shall be saved (Matt 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13). Donât let your âenjoymentâ of your temporary stay here on earth make you lose eternity with God.
Conclusion: Do you know there are âbetter things waiting for you in eternityâ? (Heb 10:34 NLT) If you do, you should not allow anything that will make you forfeit them. John Wesley said, âI judge all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity.â That should be a guiding principle for you too.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus. I urge you to take the following steps:*Admit youâre a sinner and you canât save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start to attend a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church. There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. Iâll be glad to hear from you.
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
  
  
  
  
