BED BUGS *
It’s common knowledge that a good night’s sleep is so refreshing & peaceful. And our beds should be a special & clean place to “rest in peace”. BUT it seems that these tiny insects can rob folks of sleep. And when we realize the bites and rash on our skin is due to hungry bugs eating us at night, some folks are rattled. In fact, some hotel/motel authorities say bed bugs are a serious national problem even in top-notch establishments.
Well, what about the final establishment we are all headed for – the “city of the horizontal” or “the last motel”? Many of the head stones clearly say, “rest in peace,” or “R.I.P.”. Are all of those souls really resting in peace, with nothing eating them? Or is there such a thing as bed bugs in eternity? Is the typical cemetery not really as peaceful a place as most folks wish to believe?? Does the liberal notion, “when you’re dead, your problems are over,” hold any truth? Does the Bible shed any light on this?
There is an interesting reference to the darker afterlife spoken by Christ Himself in Mark 9:48 “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” Also, Luke 16:24 mentions something less than peaceful sleep in that dreaded “last motel.” “Father Abraham, have mercy upon me . . . for I am in anguish in this flame.” I’m thinking the bed bugs of this life are a lot more likable than the worms & flames of the afterlife Christ mentioned above. And throughout the Book the doctrine of hell is consistent:
-- Psalms 9:17 “The wicked shall depart to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.” (For God’s definition of “wicked,” go to Malachi 3:18, that’s the last page of the Old Testament. My definition and yours may not count for much. . .)
-- Matthew 13:41-42 “The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers; and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.”
-- Revelation 20:15 “and if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
For a professional "word" on the subject of hell consider reading "Beyond Death's Door", 1978 by Dr. Maurice Rawlings. This guy was a cardiologist, and an original teacher of CPR. He wrote that book because some of his near-death patients came back via CPR begging him to save them from the literal hell, they had briefly experienced. His super-interesting book can be acquired thru Amazon.com.
Now of course today it is often NOT politically correct to believe there is a hell to shun or that God is any kind of harsh in judgment, if He exists at all. . . And people accumulate false notions on the subject of eternity without comparing them with the best standard on the subject – the Bible. What a shame when those folks have “rude surprises” and “bed bugs” too late. (See also link 79)
I totally believe all folks should do some homework to challenge their assumptions on the afterlife. A quality study Bible can often be had for about $2 at a thrift store. Of course, a Bible believing church will explain the case also. Gospel-notes should be last on anyone’s source list for eternal guidance & study, but they can be helpful too – especially links 43, 74, 86, & 105. My index comes up as link 0. Choose Jesus and his Word, they are Alive. And R.I.P. without “bed bugs” when it’s your time to go. . . Christian believers also get blessed while they live.
Other interesting Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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* This is my Tim Burton style “Gospel Note”.
