Our Time On Earth Is Almost Over

James 4:14, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

1st Corinthians 7:29-31, “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.”

I enjoy watching astronomy documentaries, learning about the grand scale of God's magnificent creation. Sometimes I cry, when I am overwhelmed with the truth that God, who created trillions upon trillions of galaxies, could even love a clump of clay like me. Psalms 144:3, “LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!” What an awesome God!

It's been cleverly said that life is short, Hell is hot and eternity is a long time. Never truer words were spoken! In comparison to the billions of years that our universe has existed, what is man's threescore and ten years on earth? Just to be clear, I am not an evolutionist. I do not agree with Theistic Evolution (i.e., the idea that God created the universe and then it evolved). I reject those type of claims. That being said, I think it is scientifically and biblically accurate that our earth is very old indeed. Psalms 102:25, “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.”

Let me be clearer still. I reject the absurd idea of Young Earth Creationism (YEC). One big reason why I reject such nonsense is because if it is true, it would mean dinosaurs roamed the earth with humans 5,000 years ago; and if you know anything about science, that is preposterous! Scientists tell us that dinosaurs lived from 60 to 220 million years ago. I accept that fact. Neither do I reject the literal 6-days of creation in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. In this 6-day time frame, God REMODELED His creation which was made in Genesis 1:1. There is MUCH more evidence in support of an old earth, than a young earth.

Dear Christian reader, I encourage you to continue “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2a). Our time on earth remaining is short. Remember, we are Pilgrims just passing through, not Settlers!

This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

This World Is Not My Home (Jim Reeves)

I love that song and think about it often! Jesus, “Beam me Up!” Sorry, I'm a big Star Trek fan. It won't be much longer now, I can hear those angels singing on Heaven's golden streets. Even so, come, lord Jesus! We are surrounded by the wicked on every side. Here is an excellent quote from Pastor E.M. Bounds (1835-1913)...

'The world' includes the mass of humanity that is alienated from God and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ. It involves worldly affairs, earthly things, riches, pleasures, and pursuits that are shallow, frail, and fleeting. These things stir desire, draw us away from God, and are obstacles to the cause of Christ. The divorced or torn relationships between heaven and earth, between God and His creatures, finds its expression in the term 'the world.'” —Pastor Edward M. Bounds, a quote from chapter 7 - 'Overcoming The Enemy Of God,' from the classic book titled: “GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE”

When President Trump leaves office and a Democrat eventually returns to power, I sadly expect to see this country descend into the abyss of darkness like never before. God-fearing saints are still sickened and numb over the plethora of wickedness that President Joe Biden unleashed upon our nation (from open borders to ungodly D.E.I. movement). But dear reader, read what the Bible says in Job 20:5, “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” We are already on THE WINNING SIDE through faith in Jesus Christ! Romans 8:37, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

I don't know about you dear friend, but I just can't feel at home in this world anymore. I want to go home to be with Jesus! Read the beautiful inspired words which the Apostle Paul wrote...

Philippians 1:21-27a, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ...”

As God's redeemed children, we should always season our words with grace, redeeming the time by sharing the Gospel with others. I don't know how much time I have remaining on earth, but by God's grace I have committed the rest of my earthly life to preaching the truth of the Gospel, contending for the faith and helping to feed Jesus' sheep. Psalms 90:12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

As I mentioned earlier, I enjoy watching astronomy videos. I saw this one today...

What Is Nothing? Exploring The Void Of Space.

The video's narrator opens by making an astounding comparison between our solar system's sun, which is as the size of a single grain of sand on a large beach when compared to the entire universe. So far, hard-working astronomers have estimated that there are at least 20 TRILLION galaxies in the known universe, and each galaxy contains hundreds of billions of stars (suns just like our own in the Milky Way galaxy, and even 1,700 times larger). These are just stars they've discovered thus far! And to think, God has a specific name for each and every star. Psalms 147:4, “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.” I am speechless!

Dear reader, we serve an omnipotent Creator. Thankfully He is a good God, who pardons iniquities (sins) or else we'd all hopelessly burn in Hell forever! Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” Oh needy sinner, I don't care what evil thing you may have done, God delighteth in mercy. The Lutheran minister cannot forgive your sins. The Catholic priest cannot absolve your sins. Mark 2:7, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” Oh, but Jesus who has the nail-scared hands and feet, CAN forgive men's sins!!!

There are FOUR philosophical questions that science cannot answer, and never will be able to give a plausible answer:

1. When did the universe begin?
2. When will the universe end?
3. How big is the universe?
4. How small is the universe?

These are impossible questions. No matter how far you go to their extremes, you can still go farther. It is IMPOSSIBLE for the universe to have an end. If it did, what lies beyond that end? There cannot be nothing. The universe simply cannot be unlimited in size. The only logical answer is God.

It is IMPOSSIBLE that time just began at some point. If so, then what existed before time? Likewise, how can the future end? It cannot go on forever without end! It would makes no sense that the future will never end.

And as scientists develop more powerful atomic microscopes, they are peering closer and closer into the molecules and atoms which comprise the universe. Yet, there is always more to see! Can there be an end to how small our universe is? I think not. These are perplexing philosophical questions, which only ungodly arrogant men like Steven Hawking (1942-2018) attempt to answer without including God.

I heard Dr. Hawking say that the universe came from nothing. That only makes plausible sense if you believe in God, which he sadly didn't. The Laws of Thermodynamics state that neither matter nor energy can be destroyed, they can only be converted to different forms. Yet, it is IMPOSSIBLE for matter and energy to have always existed. So where did they come from? 

Stephen Hawking was a lying hypocrite to make such arrogant bold statements, while wickedly denying the existence of an omnipotent divine Creator. The fact that God created and maintains the universe makes perfect sense! We are the Lord's handiwork. God spoke the universe into existence by the Word of His mouth (2nd Peter 3:5), but He lovingly formed man from the dust with His magnificent Potter's hands. Only mankind was made with God's hands.

Our time here on earth is winding down dear friend. People die unexpectedly every day all around the world. If you ever visit a cemetery, I encourage you to walk around and look at the gravestone markings for the year people were born and died. You'll be surprised as I was to see the vast array of ages that people died. I visited a small cemetery in 2013 in Hilo, Hawaii. I like to visit cemeteries as a Baptist preacher, which reminds me of how short life is, and the dire need to preach the Gospel of free grace to as many people as possible while we still can.