Be Prepared

Be Prepared,
“Anyone can stop a man’s life, but no one his death: a thousand doors open onto it.”
                                                                               Senica the Younger 65AD
Is there life after death, I am certain there is. I do not believe that what we Christians call the soul vanishes into oblivion after this mortal body expires.
Cultures from ancient times have believed in life after death. They have had elaborate rituals for the dead. The idea of an after life almost seems to be ingrained in our DNA.
The Bronze age ‘Beaker’ people would bury their dead in a crouched position accompanied with elaborate grave goods. These goods included food, drinking vessels, body ornaments. In richer burials gold sheet work was also placed. Women would have fine jewellery place with them.
All of these thought necessary for an afterlife that they seem to believe was similar to this life.
The ancient Romans believed after death the soul of the departed would have to give account to three judges. From there they would be sent to either the Fields of Asphodel, the pit of Tartarus or in exceptional cases to Elysium the Isle of the Blessed a place reserved for heros and gods.
En-route to Hades, one had to be ferried across the infernal River Styx by the demonic boatman Charon. To pay for the fair a coin was place in the mouth of the deceased.
The Egyptians built the pyramids. They believed ‘Ka” an entity associated with the physical body could eat drink smell and generally enjoy the afterlife.
‘Ba’ what they called the soul could not survive without the body. Ba could recognize its body and was able to return to it. Thus they persevered the body through mummification.
An inscription on a linen wrapping of on the mummy of Thothemes II 1493-1479BC read,
Hail to thee, O my father Osiris, I have come and I have embalmed this my flesh so that my body may not decay.
Sadly many for a myriad of reasons today deny there is life after death.
I believe as I said in an after life. I believe we must prepare in this life for it. Jesus told this parable,
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  
The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 
“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 
“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 
 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 
                                                                                  Matthew 25:1-13.
Simply put it is up to the individual to be prepared for not only Christ’s return but our death. The time when God will call us into His presence.
No one can prepare for us. We must do it alone.
For me preparation for my death has been simple.
I believe the words of Jesus who said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 
John 14:6
I believe the words of the Apostle Paul who said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                       Ephesians 2:8,9
I believe the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Hebrews 11:6
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." 
                                                                                                                Hebrews 11:1
And the words of Jesus who said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                      Matthew 11:28-30.
Today as I write this it is June 10th 2014AD. Should I die my family are secure in the belief that I will pass into the arms of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I have left a request that they celebrate and not mourn. Throw a party for I most certainly will be celebrating with my Saviour Jesus Christ.
Are you prepared to enter eternity?
Think about it.