A Waiting Game, Part 2

Let's return to that 75-year-old man at the poker table who admitted he's still trying to figure out what to do about God.

Dawdle too long with a big decision in a hand at a tournament, and another player can ask the director to put you "on the clock."  Sooner or later, the choice must be made: call, raise or fold.  In the same way, all humans are on a clock.... God's clock:

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. - I Corinthians  15:23

The odds of people dying are as high as a royal flush winning a poker hand - 100 percent.  But the good news from the Bible is that "all" will be made alive after that.  Even you.


But hold on, you might be asking - what if I don't "belong" to Christ?  That's an important question....

And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment.... - Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

Everyone will be judged.  Who will do that?

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. - II Corinthians 5:10

Jesus Christ will have much more power than those judges on TV shows:

If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:15

Do you see how important it is to "belong" to Christ?  Being part of Him is important for escaping the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:14). It's necessary for being part of a "first resurrection" to eternal life (Revelation 20:4-6).

If you wait for the clock of this life to run out, we think you take a big risk.  Christ might show mercy in a resurrection, and grant you extra time to learn about His ways and understand Him.  We think some people will receive that -- especially those unable to know about God and Jesus at this time, such as people with mental disabilities.

But if you've heard and read messages and warnings about God and Jesus (maybe even this blog), we think it's also possible that Christ will find you guilty of rejecting Him.  That's an ultimate "showdown" you won't win.

So as we said to the man at the table, don't wait until it's too late to make a decision. After all, you don't really know when the clock of life will run out.