WisconsinChristianNews.com
Volume 25, Issue 3
Page 9
The Salt & Light Briga d e
Does Everybody Go To Heaven?
By Coach Dave Daubenmire June 2024
dees on their own appointment with death and the necessary preparations that we all need to consider. “What happens to us when we die? Is hell real and do individu- als actually go there? Do people really ‘rest in peace’ simply be- cause we say so? Will you see your loved ones there? Does EVERYBODY go to Heaven?” Those questions, and many more, flood the mind when faced with the permanent reality of a loved one “passing on.” Passing on to where? To what? In what form? COVID has popularized a new
Our family lost a brother last week. Our brother Dan passed into eternity at the age of 73. It was unexpected, something mil- lions of Americans have experi- enced over the past four years. Somehow, the death of a loved one makes death seem so… well…final. We all have an ap- pointment with death and the Bible teaches that “to- morrow is promised to no man…” If you permit, just a brief tribute to our brother. Dan was a unique guy in that he lived his entire life with one arm. He lost it at the age of 7 months when our family was broadsided by a drunk driver. Everyone survived (I was not born yet) but little “Danny” never knew a life with two arms. Our baby brother, Bill, wrote Dan’s obituary and permit me to quote from it. Dan did many things that would seem impossible for a one-armed man, including driving a semi-truck for Funnie-Frite Industries, climbing telephone poles to repair lines for United Telephone and operating an overhead crane at Kaiser. He also had a passion for cutting and splitting firewood using a chain saw that he had modified with an attachment that allowed him to use his “stub” to work as his missing hand. In his younger years, his athletic prowess did not go unnoticed, as he participated in three sports from little league through high school. He could play any position in baseball, but found most success on the mound or as catcher. Many batters feared facing him, as did many pitchers when he was at the plate. In football he was a receiver, a barefoot punter, and a respected tackler. He could hold his own on the basketball court as well, with superb defensive and rebounding skills. Dan was a 1968 graduate of Lake- wood High School. He enjoyed hunting, many big bucks crossed his path when it was too late for them and ended up hanging on his wall. Rabbits and pheasants did not flush quick enough, only to become delicious meals prepared in a cast iron skillet. A legendary fisherman who could not only bait his hook, but could remove his catch with ease. Although his drives on the golf course weren’t legendary, his putting skills were top notch. Dan was a skilled poker player, although shuffling the cards proved to be a challenge, he usu- ally left the game with more than he came with. Try any of these activities with one arm and you will ap- preciate how difficult the things most people take for granted were for him. He was a remarkable guy. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Dan! This Saturday I will be officiating his Memorial service. Death is so unforgiving, irresistible, but a reality that we will all have to face. I have the chal- lenge of memorializing my brother in a way that is honoring, while at the same time focusing the atten-
LORD’ shall enter the Kingdom.” It is AVAILABLE to all…but not APPLICABLE to all. An individual must CHOOSE to be “saved.” After that, righteousness is IMPUTED by God. You do not EARN salvation…we are DECLARED Righteous…imputed…stamped… saved…by our Savior… Saved from what? The JUST penalty for the viola- tion of GOD’S LAW. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life! Eternal Death or Eter- nal LIFE! We will all stand before the Judge and we will ALL be found guilty! Death is the price (fine) that will have to be paid. Did you know God keeps the books? “And whoso- ever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Is your name written in the Book of Life? Have you received Christ as your Sav- ior? What have you done with HIS sacrifice? You can pay your own bill…or you can have Jesus pick up the tab. Your choice. You sinned…somebody must die. It is called JUSTICE. But God is merciful. Mercy fol- lows Justice.
phrase… “DIED SUDDENLY” …as if that was nor- mal. We expect “sick” people to die…but healthy ones…not so much. Millions of Americans have ex- perienced the shock of losing a loved one unexpect- edly over the past few years. I fear more to come. Do not get me started on that one… So let me get to the point. From my understanding of the Bible, EVERYONE is going to Heaven…but not everyone is going to STAY in HEAVEN. The Book of Revelation describes the Great White Throne Judge- ment when we will all stand before God and give an account of our lives. EVERYONE will stand before God. “All have sinned” the Bible teaches, so we will all be found guilty before the Judge. There are “NONE RIGHTEOUS…NO NOT ONE!” The verdict from the JUST JUDGE will be GUILTY. Death will be the sen- tence that He will pronounce because “the wages of sin is death.” Death is the penalty we pay for sin. You sin…you die. Except — God, in His mercy, made other plans. He sent His Son as a substitutionary sacrifice to die in our place. ALL have sinned…Christ died for all. But the sacrifice must be applied individually. Christ died… paid the fine…not for EVERYONE…but for WHOSOEVER. It is a choice. Sort of like getting on the reservation list at a great banquet. All are in- vited, but you must get your name on the reservation list for Christ to pick up your sin tab.
What will you do with Jesus? RUN in peace Brother Dan!
Web: www.CoachDaveLive.com E-Mail: Coach@CoachDaveLive.com
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and nar- row is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” The Bible also tells us that it is an exclusive list… “not everyone who says unto Me ‘LORD,
GREAT BIBLICAL INSIGHTS from
Random Thoughts From a Disciple of Jesus Christ (Commentaries on America’s ‘Hot Button Issues!) Make The Pulpit Great Again (12 Things Christians Can DO Right Now!) Matthew 1-9 (A Commentary for the Remnant of J esus Christ!) Mark 1-8 (A Commentary for the Remnant of J esus Christ!)
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