Death and Judgment!

George Burder, (1752–1832)
 

"It is appointed unto men once to die — and after this the judgment!" Hebrews 9:27

It is recorded of Philip, King of Macedon, that he ordered one of his pages to come every morning to his chamber door, and cry aloud, "Philip, remember you are mortal!" How much the conduct of this heathen prince shames numbers of people called Christians, who, instead of keeping their mortality in mind, do all in their power to forget it.

This discourse is intended to call your serious attention to what so much concerns you. Like Moses therefore we say, "O that you were wise, that you understood this — that you would consider your latter end!" May you be led to pray, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Our first business at this time is with DEATH. There is something solemn in the very name! But, O, who can tell what death is! None of our relations or neighbors return from the grave to inform us; we must learn its nature, its cause, and its consequences from the faithful word of God. We may indeed see something of it in our dying friends. We may see the hasty progress of some fatal disease. The pains, the groans, the agonies of the dying, we have observed. We have seen many a man cut down in the midst of life: hearty, strong, and cheerful, one week — the next week a pale, cold, lifeless corpse, lying in his coffin, and carried to the churchyard.

Others we have seen or heard of, cut off without a moment's warning — perfectly well one moment, the next in eternity. How true is the Scripture: "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass!" How frail is man! At "his best estate he is altogether vanity!" He is crushed sooner than the moth.

What awful separations does death make! It removes us at once from our nearest relations and dearest friends. We shut our eyes to all the world; "we shall see man no more in the land of the living." Death puts a sudden end to all our projects, good or bad; "in that very day our thoughts perish." It deprives the great of all their pomp and power; and the rich of all their possessions, for man "brings nothing with him into this world, and it is certain that he can carry nothing out."

Death is universal. Other evils are partial. But all men die; "for what man is he who lives — and shall not see death?"

Death has reigned in all AGES; and though in early times, some men lived many hundred years, yet they all died at last.

Death reigns in all COUNTRIES: as certainly as the tide ebbs and flows, so "one generation passes away, and another comes."
This is "the way of all flesh."
"The grave is the house appointed for all living."
"There is no discharge in this war."
"We must all die."

Death is in itself dreadful!
The fear of death;
the agonies of death;
the ghastly appearance of the dead;
the sad change that takes place in the body, which renders it offensive, and obliges us to bury it out of our sight;
the coffin, the shroud, the cold grave, the crawling worms, the sordid dust — all these are dreadful things to human nature.

But what makes death a thousand times more terrible, is that it is the effect of God's anger. Had there been no sin — there would have been no death.

To keep Adam from sin, God threatened him with death; but Satan, the father of lies, said he would not die. Adam ventured on the forbidden fruit, and, so by his sin, "death came into the world and has passed upon all" his children every succeeding age.

Death, then, is "the wages of sin;" and carries with it the most awful marks of God's anger. Sin is justly called by Paul the sting of death: "the sting of death is sin." It is the consciousness of guilt, and the just dread of future misery — which makes death so very dreadful. Poor thoughtless mortals, neglecting to regard the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings a sovereign remedy, and antidote to death — are unwilling to think of death. They put off as much as possible the evil day — but did they know the love of Christ in dying to disarm death of its sting; did they consider, that, by faith in Jesus, all the danger of death may he avoided — then they would sit down and look death in the face; and wisely consider, how they may meet, with safety and pleasure, what they can never avoid.

For let it be remembered, that the death of each of us, here present, is absolutely certain. Our text says, "it is appointed" — it is the firm decree of God, which cannot be reversed. It is the unalterable law of God, a law which no sinner can transgress; other laws of God are trampled under feet, but this must be obeyed. We know not when, or how we shall die — but we are sure that we must die. Whether we are high or low; rich or poor; male or female; young or old; "it is appointed for us once to die."

Possibly, when death comes, we may be very unfit to die; very unwilling to die — but death will not delay on that account. Ready or not, when the moment comes — we must submit. It is said of the wicked, that "he is driven away in his wickedness" — suddenly perhaps; at least unexpectedly.

It was "when the rich fool" talked of many years to come, that God said to him, "You fool! This night shall your soul be required of you" — often violently dragged to the grave like a malefactor to the gallows.

O what would some great and rich sinners have given for a few weeks, or a few hours of life, if money could have bought them! But death will not be bribed. The sinner must go, "although the physicians help, friends groan, the wife and children weep, and the man himself use his utmost endeavors to retain his life — his soul is required of him, yield he must, and go, where he shall never more see the light."

Here let us stop a moment, and APPLY to ourselves what has already been said.

Is life so short? Then why should we waste it? Why should we make it shorter by our sin and folly? How much of our precious time is entirely lost! What shall we think of their sports and pastimes, cards, and plays, and dancing, which are expressly intended to kill time? To kill time! Shocking expressions to the ears of a Christian! O had you heard what some dying sinners have said of their murdered time, when time with them was nearly over — you would dread the thought of killing time! Rather would you study how to "redeem time," and obey the direction of the wise man in Ecclesiastes 9:10. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave where you are going."

Is death certain? Will it surely come — and you know not how soon? Then let it be your first business to prepare for it. This is our Lord's advice; "Be ready! For you know not when the Son of Man will come."

It is appointed unto men once to die — only once! Now that which can be done but once, should be well done — especially as our eternal all depends upon it. As the tree falls — so it lies. As death leaves us — judgment finds us. If we are wrong here, it can never be remedied. Surely then it is the highest wisdom of man to prepare for this great change.

Do you ask what it is to be prepared? I answer, it is to have your sins pardoned and your soul sanctified — for "sin is the sting of death." If your sins are pardoned, then you need not fear to die; and if your soul is sanctified by grace, death will be your gain. This then is your great concern, your immediate business.

Fly, instantly fly to the Savior's cross. He died that we might live. His blood cleanses from all sin. He will wash away every sin from the soul who applies to him for that purpose. And, at the same time bestow his Holy Spirit to sanctify the soul, and make it fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. Happy for those who are in this blessed state; they may say, "Whether we live — we live unto the Lord; or whether we die — we die unto the Lord; so that living and dying we are the Lord's." God grant this may be the happy condition of us all.

Let us now proceed to the second part of this great subject, namely, ETERNAL JUDGMENT — "after death the judgment."

Immediately after death the soul, separated from the body, appears before God; and by a private, particular, and personal judgment, receives the sentence of eternal life — or eternal death. The Scripture abundantly shows, that the soul exists in a separate state from the body. Our Lord promised the dying thief that he would be with him, on the very day of his death, in paradise; and Paul longed to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord; accounting it far better than the highest state of privilege or usefulness in the church.

But the accounts we have in the Scripture of the judgment, refer to the great day when the dead shall be raised from their graves, when small and great shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The glory and grandeur of this day will be far beyond the power of language to express. "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised!" "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven in flaming fire, with his mighty angels!" "The son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him. Then he shall sit upon his glorious throne; and before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats!"

Reason itself must allow the necessity of a future judgment. At present, we often see the wicked prosper, while good men are much afflicted. How many murderers, oppressors, and persecutors, escape punishment. But it is inconsistent with the justice of God that it should always be so. "He has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness, when all men shall give an account of what they have done in the body, whether it is good or bad."

Even now conscience testifies to the future judgment, by passing a private sentence on all our actions; and summoning us to appear at the bar of God, to answer for them.

To show how justly and righteously everything will be done on that occasion, it is said in Revelation 20:12. "The books were opened, and the dead were judged out of those things, which were written in the books, according to their works."

The LAW will be opened. The commandments of God are the rule of men's actions. Do men seek righteousness by their doings? Let them now appeal to the Searcher of hearts, if they ever broke this law in thought, word, or deed — but loved and served God perfectly, without sin, all their lives. Only then may they claim life by the law — but this is impossible. No man living will be justified in this manner; but the law will forever condemn all who have broken it, yet have neglected the great salvation revealed in the gospel. In this blessed book "the law of faith" is revealed; "the righteousness of God by faith, is revealed to faith." It is declared, that he who believes in Jesus shall be saved; and happy will it be for those who are found true believers, who, having known their ruined and helpless state by the law, have fled for refuge to the grace of the gospel, and believing in Jesus for righteousness, are "found in him."

Besides these, the book of God's REMEMBRANCE will be opened. God, who knows all our actions, and all our secret thoughts, records them in his book. Nothing done by man, whether good or bad, is forgotten; for it is written, that "he will bring every secret thing into judgment," and "that for every idle word that men speak, they shall render an account."

Exactly agreeing with this, will be the book of CONSCIENCE, which also shall be opened. Or, in plainer words, every man shall stand convicted in his own conscience, that he is guilty of every charge brought against him by the law.

At present sinners take little notice of their sins; and if they feel a little remorse of conscience soon forget it — but at the great day, their sins will all rush upon the memory. Conscience shall serve instead of a thousand witnesses; and, as the Scripture speaks, "every mouth shall be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God!"

But, blessed be God, there will be one more book opened, and that is, the Book of LIFE, containing a list of all the names of the people of God — even of those who were chosen by the Father to salvation; redeemed by the blood of Christ; and who were called, renewed, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Here will be found the names of those people who were convinced of their sin and misery, humbled on account of their abominations, and who, being enlightened in the knowledge of Christ — came to him by precious faith, for life and salvation; and who proved the truth of their faith by the holiness of their lives and conversation.

Now hear, from the word of God, what will be the sentences pronounced on the assembled world, at that solemn period. When a poor criminal at the assizes is tried for his life, what a solemn moment is that, when silence being demanded by an officer of the court, every voice is hushed, and every eye is fixed on the judge! Just so, each of us shall then become, not a spectator of another's trial, but an expectant of our own sentence — that sentence which shall fix, beyond the possibility of an alteration, our eternally happy state — or our eternally miserable doom!

Now, hearken! "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:34-36

Let us take care, my friends, to understand this aright; for many have sadly mistaken it. We are not to imagine, that such good works as here are mentioned merit Heaven — this is not only contrary to the whole gospel, but contrary also to the meaning of these verses. You are to observe, that the judgment here represented is of professors of the gospel — all the persons here spoken of, both at the right and left hand of Christ, are such as were called by his name, and professed to be believers in him. When it is said they are judged according to their works, it means, according to the evidence of their works — that is, whether the faith they pretended to have, brought forth good works or not. The sentence passed is not for their works, nor for their faith neither. The kingdom they receive is not their wages, but their inheritance; not merited, but "prepared for them before the foundation of the world." They were prepared for it, not by their works, but by the grace of God, which united them to Christ, led them to believe, and enabled them to bring forth the fruits here mentioned, namely, works of love to the saints; not mere works of humanity — but of love to the poor despised saints of God, because they belonged to Jesus. These happy persons you see had no proud thoughts of the merit of their actions, for they humbly cry, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and gave you food," etc.

But O how awful is the other sentence, "Then he shall say unto those on the left hand: Depart you who are cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels!"

O what a word is that, "Depart." What! depart from Christ? Depart from the fountain of all happiness? It will be to the condemned sinner, the most dreadful word that ever sounded in his ears — and yet how dreadfully just! For it will be said to that sinner, who, in his heart has said a thousand times to Christ, "Depart from me, for I desire not the knowledge of your ways."

This sentence will be pronounced against those professors of religion, whose pretended faith did not produce the fruits of love to the saints. Only sins of omission are here mentioned — neglecting to help and relieve the poor and afflicted members of Christ. And if this will be sufficient ground of condemnation, what do you think will be the lot of persecutors, who, instead of feeding, clothing, and visiting the members of Christ — robbed them of their food, clothing, liberty, and life? What will be the portion of drunkards, swearers, and the whole herd of profane and wicked sinners? Such, we are elsewhere assured, shall not inherit the kingdom of Heaven — but must have their portion with devils and damned spirits, unless they are brought to repentance by faith in Christ.
 

APPLICATION.
When Paul reasoned "of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled." Did a heathen judge tremble — and shall a Christian be stupid and unaffected? "Behold he comes with clouds! Every eye shall see him!" Your eyes shall see him. You have received the solemn summons this day. What will you do? If wise, you will act like Noah, "who being warned of God of things not seen as yet — moved with fear, built an ark to the saving of his house." If unwise, you will be like his infidel neighbors, who laughed him to scorn, and perished in the flood.

If ever you would wish then to be numbered with the saints, now lay to heart the solemn truths you have heard. Retire a little from the hustle and bustle of the world, and from the company of the mirthful. Endeavor to realize the important scene! O think of the tremendous day, and the poor miserable state of poor Christless sinners. Those who are then found Christless — will also be speechless, helpless, and hopeless! How will their heads hang down, and their knees knock together! O what pale faces, quivering lips, and fainting hearts! O dreadful day, when the earth shall be trembling, the stars falling, the trumpet sounding, the dead rising, the elements melting, and the world on fire!

This scene which is so tremendous to a lost sinner — will be the most happy and joyful that ever was known to the humble believer in Jesus. The second coming of Christ is spoken of in Scripture as a most desirable event. True Christians are described as "loving his appearance, "and saying, "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly!" And would you not wish to call this great and glorious Judge your friend, and to be owned by him at the great day? Well then, know, my friends, that he is now set before you in the gospel, as an all-sufficient and most gracious Savior. He is now as gracious as he will then be glorious. Why would you keep at a distance from him? His blood can cleanse you from all your past sins, though deeply dyed as scarlet or crimson! He came to seek and save such sinners as you. Look then to him and he saved. Only come to him — he will not cast you out. Believe in him, and he will be your friend. Your first business in religion is to fly to your Savior, and find salvation in his blood. He will then give you his Holy Spirit to soften your heart, subdue your iniquities, and enable you to bring forth those works of love, which he will graciously own and reward in the great day.

Let the thoughts of "appointed death and judgment" be duly improved by the believer. "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." What watchfulness, what seriousness, befits us! Let us be concerned to be always ready — daily walking humbly and closely with God — sitting loose to all created objects, from which death may so suddenly separate us — and having our affections set on heavenly things, to which death will so readily transmit us.

Look on death as a disarmed foe — a serpent which may hiss, but cannot sting. Look on judgment as a most desirable event; when soul and body being united, and made perfect in holiness, shall be forever made happy in the full enjoyment of Christ to all eternity!

Blessed be God, for Jesus Christ!