Open Heavens October 14, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 79-81

DEATH NOTICE

MEMORIZE: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6)

READ: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

It is possible to know when you will die or leave this world. This is a special benefit of the favorites of God. Satan does not know when you will die. He can fight to take your life, yet as long as you remain in Christ, you will not die before your time. In Genesis 15:15, God gave Abraham the idea of how long he would live. Jacob also had an inkling of when he would go: so he gathered his children and blessed some, cursed some and left others without a blessing or curse (Genesis 49:1-33). Immediately after addressing them, he died. After living a fulfilled life, Joseph-last but one of 12 brethren, knew his time was up. Having received the double-portion blessing that pertained only to first borns, he became the spiritual head of the family. He gathered his sons and brothers and told them his time was up. He prophesied concerning God’s visitation to the children of Israel and instructed that his bones be removed during the Exodus. Not long afterwards he died (Genesis 50:23-26).

The Lord will notify you ahead of time when your time will be up. This is why you must ensure that you are God’s favorite. Apart from knowing when you will die, you can also know how you will die. When it was time for Elijah to go, the Holy Spirit not only informed him, but also informed the sons of the prophets in the different prophetic schools in Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal, etc. They knew he would not die, but go to Heaven by a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1). Jesus knew He was about to die by crucifixion and informed the disciples accordingly. In John 21:18-19, the Lord told Peter by what means he would die during old age. According to today’s reading, Paul not only knew the time of his death, but also how he would die. May the Lord notify you of how and when you will go. In any case, why a pre-knowledge of time of death? To prevent being taken unawares. To enable you set your house in order.

For instance, many believers have not written their will and some die without doing this, and plunge their families into serious problems, particularly with regards to property and the interest of the extended family. Seek advice from a lawyer and ensure that you take care of the interest of your wife and children in your will. Knowing when to die, will help you hasten up whatever you are doing for the Kingdom of God. It will prevent you from living in sin, and prepare you for your eternal abode. God will inform you before hand if you work your way into His inner circle. Are you prepared for death or the rapture?

ACTIONPOINT: Ask that your last day on earth will not come on you unawares.Also pray that your final moment should meet you steadfast in Christ.