Destination Preparation

Destination Preparation

Proper Preparation for Your Parting from This World

The Bible holds a sobering truth of which no one can dispute and according to the Word of God a date no one is going to miss. There is an appointed time for each person on this earth, a date known by God of which is sure to come. The Bible says, “Just as people are destined to die once and then face judgement…” (Hebrews 9:27) It has been well said, “There will always be taxes and death.” You may figure out how to cheat on taxes, you will not miss the river of physical death. Prepared or not – death is sure to come, it is best to be prepared physically and spiritually. As we look at the truths found Hebrews 9:27, we must grasp the solemn facts: 1.) Mankind has an appointed date. 2.) Mankind will only die once. 3.) They will face judgement. 4.) Your Last Testimonial.

People have a tendency to look at death as an end, according to Scripture it is the entrance into eternity, forever in hell or heaven. The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches there will be a day “people go to their eternal homes while mourners go about the streets.” (Ecclesiastes 12:5) Jesus teaches of eternal life and eternal hell. (Matthew 25:46)

Death is the entrance, like the doorway is an entrance into the place mankind will stay forever. With death being the experience to eternity, it is imperative we make Destination Preparation.

Mankind has an Appointed Date

Mankind has an appointed date, it is physical death. Physical death is a curse given to all mankind because Adam, the first man failed in the first dispensation of mankind, which was obedience to God’s spoken word. The Genesis account says, “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:18) Another Old Testament passage of Scripture says, “All go to the same place, all come from dust and to dust all return.” (Ecclesiastes 3:20) There is a New Testament Scripture, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men…” (Romans 5:12)

In proper preparation Proverbs 6:6 gives wise advise, “Go to the ant… consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares…” Just like taxes cost, the preparing our bodies for burial and expenses left behind will cost our families a lot. Just as the ant has foresight to prepare her food for the months to come, without anyone but her Creator moving her, wise people start as soon as possible, preparing physically, financially and spiritually for their date with physical death. Ignoring or denying what our Creator has informed us about physical death will not prevent or delay the date He has destined for us all. The Psalmist writes, “What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol?” (Psalm 89:84) “Sheol” (?????? še?ol) is a noun meaning the world of the dead, the grave. (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 1083). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.)

A Biblical answer holds a truth about the psalmist question. Hosea writes about the Lord, “I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from death.” (Hosea 13:14) All human flesh will be called forth from the grave, either the resurrection of Christian or the resurrection of those who died without Christ as Savior and Lord. The Book of Daniel tells us, “…those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2) The Bible says Jesus was made lower than the angles so He may taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9) His victory over death by being raised from grave by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11) shows His authority over death. Christians put their trust in Him and they will join in the resurrection of those who died in Christ.

It Cost to Bury Someone

After Jesus gave Himself unto death for the sins of mankind, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus laid Jesus in the tomb. In preparation for Jesus’ body, they placed Him in an empty tomb, one in which no one had been laid. They wrapped His body with strips of linen mixed with myrrh and aloes, an amount of seventy-five pounds in weight in accordance to the Jewish burial customs. (John 19:38-40) Just as the servants of the Lord made sure Jesus got a proper burial, we must do our duty in burying our loved ones in accordance of the times we live in. (Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2048). Peabody: Hendrickson.)