"Thou shalt die." It may be viewed either as the declaration of a
familiar truth or as the prediction of an immediate event. 1. _As the
declaration of a familiar truth._ Nothing is more familiar. The
universal reign of death over all the generations that have preceded
us necessitates the conclusion that, unless we are alive when the
Lord comes, we shall follow them. We are reminded of the truth by
obituary notices in newspapers, by the spectacle of funerals passing
quietly along the streets, by the silent departure of friends. "The
sentence of death has passed upon all men." However long life may be
protracted in individual instance, it never suggests the question
whether they will be exceptions to the general rule. It only suggests
the wonder that in any instance life is so far protracted. The only
uncertain thing is how much longer or shorter than the average our
own life will be. Death may come to us when in fullest health by the
unexpected accident, or by the illness which has been caught we know
not how, or by the subtle disease which silently undermines the
system, eating away the cord that has bound us to life (H. E. I.
1536-1546; P. D. 751, 752).
Nor is this event a mere departure from the present life. To our
friends it is chiefly that. It is their deprivation of all that makes
us interesting and valuable to them. To ourselves it is very much
more. It is the precursor of our appearance before the judgment-seat
of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. v. 10; Rom. xiv. 12; Matt. xxv. 34,
41; Rev. xx. 12). It is to us a much more serious matter than passing
into nothingness.
Is it, therefore, a subject to be studiously avoided? Is it not one
that should be often before us? Look it in the face; dwell on it.
Such thought will not produce indifference to the present. It will
invest it with a deeper seriousness. Its interests and duties will be
contemplated in their connection with the great future. The smallest
thing has such a connection. The attitude we assume towards God,
Christ, the Divine commands, His kingdom. Our conduct in business,
the family, among men. The influence of our words, acts, spirit,
character. All these come into this great account. Death closes the
account. Does not this attach dignity, solemnity, earnestness to the
whole of life? (H. E. I. 1557-1566).
2. _As the prediction of an immediate event._ Supposing, instead of
familiar truth, it were announced to us on good authority that
immediately, or within a given time, we should die, what would be the
effect? There are aged Christians, whose life-work is done, to whom
it would be welcome news. There are young Christians who have
recently found peace in Christ but have not yet realised the
privilege of working for Him, to whom it would be welcome. There are
others to whom it would be terrible, because they have not yet found
Christ nor surrendered to God. It would be to them like the knell of
doom (P. D. 684). And yet it may be the duty of some one to make that
announcement.[1]