"No Escaping This Place"

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelation 20:12

A few days ago, I was in a store and the music was playing pretty loudly. I didn't know the song because I don't listen to that type of music. But because it was so loud and the group kept repeating the same words over and over, it caught my attention. (Actually, it turned out to be an old song.) The repeated words were: We gotta get out of this place. 

When I heard the words, not knowing what the artist was referring to, the thought occurred to me that one day there would be a multitude of people chanting these same words to themselves. That day will be the day when they stand before the Lord-- Judgment Day. They will want to get out of that place because they know that the words they will hear will be, "Depart from Me." They won't want to be there. But there is no escaping "that place". We will all stand before the Lord one day and give an account of our lives-- whether we want to be standing before Him or not. 

Since there is no getting out of standing before the Lord at the Judgment, the question is: What will He say to you? Will you be among those who will weep and gnash their teeth because you know what judgment will be passed on you? Will He tell you to depart because you have chosen to reject His way of salvation and follow your own path in life? 

There is another group who will stand before Him on that day and not desire to get away from that place. It will be the ones who have received His gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus, followed Him in loving obedience and surrendered their lives to Him. They look forward to that day and hearing the words-- "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Which group you will be in is up to you. That day will either be a terror or a joy to you. If it is a terror, then turn your life over to Jesus. He loves you, died for you, and wants to give you eternal life. 

Have a great day. Many will want to escape the day of Judgment, but we all must stand before God. What will you hear Him say on that day?

For further reading: Matthew 7:23; Matthew 25:23; Luke 13:23-28