Steve Nearman A sinner saved by grace. Fredericksburg, VA

In some instances, men are used by God to speak on God's authority, for example the apostle Paul.

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." 1 Cor. 14:37

In other cases, man is recorded as speaking on his own authority, such as Solomon as recorded in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Note he was commissioned by God to record man’s observation (under heaven and under the sun) rather than God's revelation.

"I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind." Eccl. 1:12-14

In Eccl. 7:15-19, Solomon is asks several rhetorical questions. 

VS. 17 "Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?"
VS. 18 "Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?"

What he is trying to impart, vs.18 "It is good that you grasp this", is have a balanced life. Extremes in any direction will cause you problems.

Heb. 9:27 is often used to say each has an appointed time to die and then comes our judgement. The KJV reads; "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" In the NKJV it reads; "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment". It is not saying that each has an appointed time to die, but rather that each dies once, physically. There are no multiple reincarnations, coming back to life in a different form or as a different person.

In Gal. 6:8 we read "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." From this we can understand that the more one sows to his flesh the more damage he is doing to his "earthen tabernacle", thereby shortening his life. On the other hand if he sows to the Spirit he gains life forever, spiritual not physical.

God is all knowing. He knows when each one is going to die and the circumstances which bring it to happen. If a person smokes cigarets, for example, sowing to his flesh, it has been proven that it will shorten his normal life span, reaping the corruption of his flesh. Those who eat healthy and exercise usually last longer than those who do not. Which is in keeping with Psa. 90:10 "The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years" We will last a little longer if we take care of ourselves.

One thing is for sure, we will all die and come face to face with our maker. What you have done with Jesus Christ will determine if you have a second death, being cast into the lake of fire.

Accept Christ as your savior and you are born twice and die once. Reject Christ and you are born once and die twice.

Its your choice! What will it be?

June 01 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Joseph Ben Hur Evangelist, Chaplain at Elderly Care Centre

There are many ways that one can shorten their lifespan. Yes, it is written that man has an allotted time to live. This is if we live according to scriptural concepts as outlined. If someone dies young perhaps the christian response is that it's the will of Hashem (G'd)

But, there are ways that life can be shortened like, Drugs, Cigarettes,
Liquor, Sex, abortions, Murderers, Liar, doing those things that are against Gods law. For that we can pay the price, sometimes death. 

When we are young we do foolish things and we can pay for it later. Reaping what we sow. People so often blame things on God. Mother/Father, Sister/Brothers, past. 

There are such things as generational curses that can bring sickness, etc on future generations. Because of their disobedience the old generation of Jews that came out of Egypt didn't enter into the promised land, and wandered in the Wilderness for 40 years till that generation were all dead.

Had they being obedient they would've all entered the promised land. Lived.

June 02 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report