LAST DAY ON EARTH

By Authorninjaearth

10-18-2006

INTRODUCTION

Greetings people of many nations, languages, and backgrounds!!! I am pleased that you decided to take some time in reading “Last Day on Earth,” a special story that will hopefully spark some serious though on one subject: eternal life. I know what you're probably thinking: “I don't believe in eternal life. It's just the here and now. It's just an imaginative thought. It's just a kid's fairy tale. Eternal life isn't real, nor is God.” As you read this story, you will notice that some characters may actually have this type of philosophy. As such, this story will be told by the characters themselves, only with a twist: they will be in their eternal states. What you need to determine is where each character has gone. While they are three characters, two of them will be pretty obvious, the last one I will leave up to you to determine where he/she is. Just remember that if this was your last day on earth, and you didn't know it, what would you do and how would you live it? Would you stop and recognize one simple truth: God loves you and desires to grant you eternal life! If not, then play close attention to the lifestyle of these characters and their story. This was their “Last Day on Earth.”

CHAPTER ONE – MEET DAVID V. PRICE

My name is David; David Victor Price. When I was on earth, I was a dedicated Christian who had a fire and a passion for God. Even though it was a tempting road, I endured as the Lord enabled me to and was able to share my faith with many people. I know some got saved while others remained undecided. One particular day, though, things happened that were quite surprising and unexpected. It was a day to remember, and it was day that I won't ever forget. I remember as far back as midnight on that blessed day...

It was a Saturday night and many are out partying the night away. In my case, I was studying for an important examine the next day. I was a student of B.W.C., Biblical Warfare Center, a school dedicated to learning scripture, promoting missions, and teaching Christians how to arm themselves spiritually in the Word of God and using to help endure each day in the world. That night, I remember studying for at least two hours before I had gone to bed. I was slaving over my notes on 1 Thessalonians 4. I was pretty knowledgeable in the scriptures, and one of my favorites was this one, in 4:13-18:

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say to you by th word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

“Indeed, this is a great promise that the Lord could have ever made!” I said to myself. Even though I generally understood most of the passage, this one I took very personal to me. Just knowing that one day the Lord would come and gather His children for a time in heaven was something I looked forward to, every single day. As I continued studying these notes, I swiftly glossed over the next chapter and jumped straight into the next book, 2 Thessalonians. After a few more minutes, I glazed over at the clock on the nightstand beside my bed. It displayed that it was two o'clock in the morning.

“Good grief! Is that the right time?” I said as I looked at my watch strapped to my right wrist. It sure enough was! “Well, if that's the case then I guess my study time is over.” I closed my notebook and my Bible, and slipped off my glasses and placed them on my notebook. I got out my cushy desk chair and went over to my bed. I have previous dressed in my PJ's when I came in from class earlier, just in case I got tired and wanted to turn in sooner than expected. Of course, once I start studying scripture, it's hard to stop. I set the alarm for 8:30 in the morning, and then turned out my shade lamp before kneeing by my bed to pray. As I closed my eyes, and had my hands tightened together I felt my mind waver a bit. I remember that much was needed to lift up in prayer that evening, besides studying. I remembered when I was down in the chapel during worship and heard a sermon that just left me thinking the entire day. I remember professor John giving a sermon about preparing for the last day of your life. His words rang clearly in my ears and in my head.

“...So you see, my students,” He said in a rough but smooth mid-tone voice that made your body upright when he spoke. Professor Johns usually had the voice for preaching, though sometimes it can be a bit overpowering, especially in a debate. Despite this, he was a well respected man who served as an associate pastor at a nearby church, about several minutes from campus. He served on the staff of BWC for three years and has been a popular professor both for the students and staff alike. That day, it was his turn to speak in chapel. It truly was an honor to hear him preach because it was often his challenges that I looked forward to. Pacing back and forth near the podium, he gestured with his hands and sometimes grabbed his tie smoothing it out as he tried to process his thoughts. In his clean, well-pressed, tan-brown suit and brown leather shoes. His eyes were a bit big for his face and you could tell that he was facing your direction as he spoke; good luck in trying to fall asleep in front of him and he catches you. It wouldn't be pretty. As professor John spoke, however, I felt my blood rushing through my system and to my body causing an adrenaline rush. I looked at my watch, curious about how long he was going to go on, and then set my attention back on him. He continued.

“The Lord isn't slow about keeping His promises, as Peter said. You all need to remember that as witnesses for Christ we all called to reach a soul every single day we get the opportunity. We have no clue which people are constantly being muled by the evil one, forcing them to do his will. If the Lord were to return now, then I'm sure there would be blood on our hands for not telling people about Him. I encourage you all to really take time and do something for Christ today. Whether that would be passing out tracks, open-air preaching, writing a sermon or a letter, or even singing praises to God in front of the unbelievers, do it all unto the Lord.

You know, many believers are going to enter the kingdom with little or no rewards to present to their master. This is not to say that we work getting souls saved or being faithful because we love it or we're trying to boast, but rather because God loves us. We can't do anything apart from Christ. Everything that we do is seen as Christ doing things through us, and not we ourselves. Otherwise, if I went to heaven and boasted about how I got Joe saved and Susie accepted Christ thanks to Joe, then I'd be gaining favor in God's eyes because of what I did. But remember what our Lord says through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4, starting at verse 6, 'And these things brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who makes you to differ from another? And what have you that you did not receive? Now if you receive it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it?' We are all servants of Christ and we will all be given that which the Lord apportions us according to if we have been faithful or unfaithful. It would be like my children doing the good things that I have taught them and being reward, not for “leading Joe to Christ” but for being a faithful witness which was being used to led Joe to Christ. It was the power of God that saved him and not the words or actions of my children. Remember, as in 1 Corinthians 3, starting at six says, 'I have planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters, but God that gives the increase.' Furthermore, both the one who plants and waters will receive their just due according. It's about building foundations for eternity. As he continues in verse 8, 'Now he that plants and he that waters are one and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God, you are God's husbandry, you are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given to me (Paul), as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another built therein, but let every man take heed how build thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.'

My students and friends and fellow teachers, we work together and labor for the Lord together. If this was the day that the Lord comes, then I would hope and pray that I have been faithful to water the seeds others have planted, as well as plant seeds that others would water, and building on Christ for their growth or reaching a decision for Christ. This day, as we conclude our chapel, be sure to examine your work. Remember that we know not when He is returning, but when He does will you be found faithful in this last day? Have a blessed day and I'll see you Monday.”

Surely, professor John had clearly given a challenge that certain was thought-provoking. Lay no other foundation than Christ and remember that God gives the increase. If that's true (and it certainly was) then my studying scripture and reaching the lost were vitally important. After all, I rejoiced at souls accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I let me thoughts disperse as I opened my mouth and lifted my voice to pray.

“Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for the inspirational words that were spoken earlier yesterday morning. Even now, though it's late and early in the next day, it still rings clear to me. Help me to lay a foundation that is Christ by watering or planting seeds to those who haven't heard your name or your wonderful Good News. As I sleep tonight, please watch over me and my fellow students, despite their studying or partying, and our campus and professors. Thank you for the guidance of your Holy Spirit in my life and one day I look forward to really meeting and being with you forevermore. Protect me as I sleep and if you should come before I wake, I know my body and soul, are yours that you have redeemed at Calvary, through your Son Jesus Christ, who shed His blood on the cross for the remission of sins for eternity and all who believe on Him and what He has done, can and will have eternal life. Praise be to your name. I love you Lord, and if you tarry one more day, I pray to be faithful until the very end of my journey. Good night, my Lord, and thank you again for everything. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

All scriptures are taken from the KJV version, from the Evidence Bible, edited by Ray Comfort.