Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHEN THE TIME COMES

 WHEN THE TIME COMES

Most people are interested in the future. We listen to forecasts for the weather, the economy, what’s going to happen after this pandemic, and almost everything else of which you could possibly think . The future interests us on a daily basis, and in some ways life might be easier if we knew what would happen in the next short period of time. But this has not been given to us to know.

In Ecclesiastes 8:5, Solomon states that: “…a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgement…” But few seem to have that wisdom - wisdom to prepare for unexpected and sudden changes and for that reason many turn to those who claim they can foretell the future by means of the stars, cards, crystals, etc. But God has apparently not allowed this, so that we might and should always be prepared for changes. Although it might be possible to avoid some of the pitfalls and problems in our future by such knowledge, it might also cause considerable anxiety and distress being aware of the ultimate fate that might befall us.

And one fate that awaits us all is our eventual death. The Bible states that: “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement…” (Hebrews 9:27).  Now, many people when anxiety and stress appear to be too great take their own lives, perhaps forgetting that afterward there is a judgement. Others wish for assistance in dying, not wishing 

(usually due to illness) to endure living any longer. But with these exceptions a person has no alternative but to live until the soul is required, and then he has no ability to alter the situation. When a person’s spirit is ultimately summoned, then that person has no further say in the matter. We can no more prevent our ultimate demise than we can voluntarily will our own death.

And this, in fact, gives us one more piece of the reality that Christ was really who He said He was. You see, Christ really did have power over His own Spirit. In John 10:18 we read: “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Then when on the cross “…He said ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit,” (John 19:30).  In Luke 23:46, Jesus said: “…'into thy hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said thus, He breathed his last.”  Again in Matthew 27:50 it states that: “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”

When the time comes, humans cannot voluntarily retain or give up their own spirit but Jesus did; another example of His divinity over His humanity. And just something else for us to think about.