“The Last Enemy”      1 Corinthians 15: 26

I have journeyed out of the book of Deuteronomy in my daily reading through the Bible and into the book of Joshua.  Moses has taken God’s people as far as he could, but could not take them to the promised land -  only to the edges ‘door.’

In a way, we are all like Moses, we can only go so far with our loved ones and friends in this life - all the way to the edges door (death), but we can’t cross over with them, we have to let them go, to continue the journey without us.

“Jesus wept” is the shortest verse in the Bible (cf. Jn 11:35).  Jesus wept due to the grief death had caused the family of a loved one.  Death is an awful thing, in fact, the Bible calls death “the last enemy that will be destroyed” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:26).

For those of us left behind, death seems to be winning. But for those in Christ death is only the entrance into heaven.  It is well said that “our last breath on earth will be our first breath in heaven!”  Someday, God will call the end of time as we know it and He will usher in eternity for all eternity.  He will bring judgement and reward.  You and I are preparing for heaven now.  God has given us the great commission (Matt.28:19).  We each have a part in helping others realize their desperate need for Jesus Christ as their personal savior and Lord.  I am so thankful for the many godly women and men in my life that have influenced me to live my life for Christ, most of whom have now gone on to be with Christ and one another.  They have passed that baton on to you and I!  You and I are saved for an earthly purpose.  We are saved for heaven and earth.  We are to point people to Jesus Christ in word and life.  When that great ‘roll is called up yonder’ I not only want to be on it but I want all my family, friends and those within my sphere of influence to be on it as well! But each one must come to Christ by their own accord, you and I can only encourage and lead them to Jesus. 

“When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, and the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; when the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.  When the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.” - J.M. Black, 1856-1938

The bible says, “And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” - 1 Thess.4:16-18

Yes, praise God, “the last enemy that will be destroyed is death!” (1 Cor.15:26) 

Pastor Rodney