It’s Just A Dash
It’s Just A Dash
By Dennis Huebshman
Going through a cemetery, one sees dates of birth and dates of death, and many times they are separated by a “-“(dash). This little mark seems insignificant until we realize it represents the entire life that person was on this earth.
Everything a person has thought, done and experienced is in that small symbol. Some birth and death dates are not very far apart, and some may show a hundred years or more. However, no matter what the time span, the dash represents everything we will be known for here.
Now, let’s compare that to eternity. We will be spending “FOREVER” in one of two places, and what we do in that little “dash” will determine which location we will be in. We can decide to just accept this earth and what we can gain in our lifetime here, or we can decide to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and have a wonderful forever!
To accept earth without the Savior is putting that person’s whole stock in that little “dash” between the birth/death dates. Whatever treasures they can build here; whatever power they can attain here and whatever relationships they can form here will be their total rewards for eternity. After the “dash” period is over, they will be put in line at the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20:11-15, and from there will learn what degree of punishment they will face – FOREVER.
No matter what any false prophet tells you, there is no reprieve if a person ends up in the Lake of Fire. The last breath on this earth determines our final location. Yes, the Heavenly Father is a “just” God, and wants no one to be lost. (2 Peter 3:9) However, because He is a just and righteous God, He allows us the choice to determine where we will spend our time after the dash.
For those who look ahead and seek Jesus as their Savior, the dash suddenly becomes insignificant. From the moment we call out to Him, confess our sins and believe He died for our sins and was raised from the dead by the Father, our “dash” suddenly stretches into infinity. (Romans 10:9 paraphrased) We accept that Jesus is the only Way, Truth and Life that will give us the privilege of coming to the Father (John 14:6). He will turn NO ONE away who truly seeks Him. (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13)
After the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52), it will still be possible for people to come to Jesus, but not if they had the opportunity before, but turned away and rejected Him. (Hebrews 6:4-6) Those who do accept Jesus during the Tribulation will be saved, but more than likely at the cost of being a martyr. Zechariah 13:8 tells that 2/3 of the people in Israel – Jerusalem in particular – will be cut off and die. All the survivors will accept Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah. World-wide, the survival rate will be about the same as Israel, but at the coming of the Lord to physically set foot on earth, and especially at the end of the Millennium, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10-11) This will include all that are heading to the Lake of Fire which means even satan and his demons will bow and confess. They more than likely will not choose to bow voluntarily, but the Father will compel them to do so.
I mentioned Hebrews 6:4-6 where those who were once enlightened but turned away will be counted among the evil one’s crowd. They are spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “Consequently, God sends them a deluding influence, so they will believe what’s false. (12) And so, all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.”
Believing Jesus exists and believing “IN” Jesus are two different things. Even satan and his demons know Jesus is real, however, they do not accept His sovereignty as their Lord God. Isaiah 14:12-14 tells about the fall of satan because of his pride. He said he would “Make myself like the Most High.” It should be noted he was probably the most beautiful angel God created, yet he allowed himself to defy the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and fell from grace, and will one day be a resident of the Lake of Fire right behind the antichrist and false prophet. (Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10).
Jesus knows who are His and who have accepted Him. (John 10:7,9,14-16) These are “EVERYONE”, Jew and Gentile alike who have asked the Savior to forgive them and have the Holy Spirit live within them, so they can be with Him forever. This is the “unending dash”.
Jesus also knew this would not be the majority, but few compared to the total world population from the beginning of time to the very end. He talks about the straight and narrow gate leading to life, and the wide and spacious gate leading to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14) The few believe “IN” Jesus and know His blood reaches all who will accept His Free Gift. They understand they can never earn this gift or pay for it at any price. To think otherwise is to insult the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Perfect Lamb Of God. The hardest part for many is believing it is real, and the only “effort” they can make is believe, have faith and trust that God’s Holy Word is true and real. (2 Timothy 3:16) Biggest stipulation is to accept Jesus before you take your last breath on this earth. After that, your eternity is set.
Finally, there is no 3rd. choice. Accept Jesus and live with Him forever. Don’t accept and be in punishment forever. To delay is rejection; to say you’ll think it over is rejection. His shed blood paid in full for all who accept Him.
Heaven or Lake of Fire. Where is your dash leading?
Shalom!