Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
May 14, 2023

It Is Appointed Unto Men To Die
by Bob Waldron
Note: The following is a portion of a tract written by Bob Waldron on the subject of human suffering. This article deals especially with the subject of death. Read carefully.
It is God's will that all men eventually die, but He does not single out each individual for personal attention. In this world there are diseases, forces that can snuff out life, and the inevitable corruption and decay that are all woven into the warp and woof of life. Eventually, each one of us is going to fall victim to one of these things. By being careful, we may avoid some accidents. But even if we escape accidental death, or serious disease, one day our heart will fail, or some other vital organ will fail, and we will die. It is appointed to man once to die, and after this comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Whether death comes soon or late, when it comes, man meets only his inevitable future. The only exceptions will be those who are alive when Christ returns.
Why death?
A question then comes to mind—why did God appoint that man should die? It is because man was offered endless life and he forfeited it through sin. Adam and Eve demonstrated the course of humanity. Each of us does what they did. We were born innocent; and we sinned (Rom. 3:23).
God made plans for the redemption of mankind even before Adam and Eve sinned, because He foreknew they would sin (2 Tim. 1:9). Yet how could God redeem man and forgive him without making it seem that forgiveness was cheap and sin of no consequence? God's answer was to set a price for forgiveness. That price was life, the life of Jesus Christ.
Think, however, if no one had ever died before Jesus, what would death have meant? Life was made valuable by death. Just as I prize life because I know it will end in death, so I can know a little of the price Jesus paid when He died for me. It is a price each individual who has ever lived can appreciate, no matter what his social standing or his geographical location may be.
Death is also an ever-present reminder to us of the corruptibility of man. An awareness of death makes us keep an ear turned toward heaven. It keeps us from getting too attached to this world from which we soon shall leave. We must remind ourselves that death is not, as we view it, the end, a closed door. In reality, it is a passageway from one existence to another.
God does not look at death as we do. To God, death is not the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing is to be separated from Him. Physical death is a flippant subject compared to sin and eternal death. Sin and spiritual death are the most important things to avoid. If a person is saved, it matters little if he dies. Sooner or later he must. There is shock, sorrow, and dismay to those left behind—and then life goes on. If that person is saved, he has entered a life of never-ending bliss. Therefore, mourn not for the dead, but for the spiritually dead.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.