DEATH SEALS FATE Sunday 24 June 2012

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

Read: Luke 16:19-26

It is good to be talented and divinely gifted but the talents, gifts, abilities and anointing that go with you to the grave without being utilised could stand against you as exhibits of disobedience. Are you using your resources effectively? Colossians 4:5 says the time is short so try and redeem it. One reason people dread death is because after death one’s fate is sealed. The story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates this (Luke 16:19-26). Immediately Lazarus died, his soul was transported by angels to paradise whereas his body was buried without any ceremony. In fact, to many, including the rich man, it was good riddance to bad rubbish. His fate was immediately sealed. He was forever to be in Heaven. No more begging, no more sickness, no more ridicule, no more dogs to lick his wounds. He would forever enjoy the splendour, glory, comfort and abundance of the Most High God. That was a positive eternal seal.

As a believer, it is your duty to rely on God’s grace to live for Christ while you are alive and resist the devil’s advances, offers and temptations until your last breath. A second afterwards, your fate is forever sealed in Heaven. Beloved, are you going through tough times? Are the times even becoming tougher? Are you facing so much pressure to compromise your faith especially because some leaders you looked up to have fallen? Are you thinking of given up? Don’t! Hold on still. It will soon be over! You are at a very crucial stage of your faith, don’t give in to your flesh, the devil or external pressures! Just continue to ask for grace to live victoriously every day. On the other hand, the rich man died and was given a world-class burial but his soul found itself in hell. His fate was sealed. On earth, he did not have time to repent; now he had all the time but no opportunity to repent. If you have opportunity now to repent, by all means create time for it, because a time is coming when you may have all the time but no opportunity. Millions are regretting and acknowledging Christ in hell but all that is futile because their fate is forever sealed. Revelation 20:11-15 says all inhabitants of hell will eventually be moved into an eternal lake of fire!

ACTION POINT:

When death seals the fate of an individual, it is a point of no return. Consider yourself if your fate is positively sealed and take necessary action.

Bible in one year: Psalms 52:54