WHEN THE END IS NOT THE END

Victor M. Eskew

 

          There are some things in life that we might refer to as the end.  Graduation is the end of high school.  Incarceration is the end of freedom.  Retirement is the end of work.  And, death is the end of life.

          Calling something “the end” might be somewhat deceptive.  Sometimes, the end is not the end.  The end is really the beginning.  It is interesting that high school ends with commencement exercises.  The word “commence” means “to begin or start.”  The end of high school is really just the beginning of education and life to come. Some will continue learning in a college or university.  Some will learn by going to a trade school.  Others will learn by getting education “on the job.”  There might be others who will simply marry and have children.  

          The same can be said of other things in life.  The end of one job is usually the beginning of another, perhaps another that is more fulfilling.  The end of a relationship might be the beginning of another relationship that is healthier emotionally and one that challenges you to be a better person.

          In our spiritual lives, there are times when what might seem like the end is not the end.  There have been many people who have been so lost in sin that they believed they were at the end of anything positive in their lives.  Their sins have been many.  Their sins have been serious.  Their sins have brought negative consequences to their lives.  They often sit in their rooms very lonely, perhaps thinking about ending their life.  Or, they continue in their riotous lifestyle, but they are simply going through the motions.  They feel that life is unfulfilling and hopeless.

          This is the very reason Jesus came to earth.  When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, He said:  “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).  This confused the Jewish leader.  “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?  can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4).  Jesus, however, was not talking about a physical birth.  He was referring to a spiritual birth.  “Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).  Aren’t the words of Jesus exciting to hear?  All can be born again.  The old man of sin can be discarded, and we can live a new life in Christ Jesus.  This new birth involves obedience to the Word of God according to Peter (1 Pet. 22-23).  It also involves the burial of the old man of sin in the waters of baptism and rising to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4).  Yes, it is baptism that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:27).  Those who are in Christ are new creatures Paul told the Corinthians.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).  Dear readers, the end of a life of sin is the beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus.  It is a life of purity, purpose, service, and hope.  A sinful lifestyle does not have to be the end.

          Another end that many contemplate as being rather final is death.  The Hebrew penman was clear about man’s appointment with death.  “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).  When a person dies, he certainly ceases to exist in this world.  The deceased is often laid to rest in a quiet graveyard.  As the living depart from that resting place, death certainly seems like the end.  However, the living are not able to see what transpires on the other side of death.  Luke records a lesson from the lips of the Christ about the death of two men.  One is named Lazarus.  The other is only known as “a certain rich man.”  Here are the opening verses of Jesus’ teaching:  “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed from the rich man’s table:  moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom:  the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:19-23). 

Some classify this as a parable.  They do so attempting to negate what is taught in the text about the afterlife.  The definition of a parable begins with these words:  “An earthly story…”  The earthly stories told by Jesus were never mythical in nature.  They all involved events that transpired regularly in the lives of His listeners.  This teaching, on the other hand, does not have the marks of a parable.  Jesus begins with the words:  “There was a certain rich man…”  Too, the story is the story.  There is not a heavenly meaning to be attached to the earthly story, which is the full definition of a parable.  In essence, Jesus lets us know that death is not all there is.  Yes, it is the end of life here, but it is the beginning of life in the hereafter.  Both the righteous and the unrighteous will continue to exist beyond the grave.  This is because only the body becomes dust (Eccl. 12:7).  The spirit of man continues to live in the unseen realm of the dead.  All men, however, will face one of two alternatives, comfort or torments.  This is why it is essential to prepare for the day of one’s death right now.  The grim reaper could come knocking on our door at any time.

As we come to the end of something in our lives, we do not need to focus solely on the end.  We need to ask ourselves a question:  “Is this the beginning of something else?”  Many times it is the beginning of something surprisingly fulfilling and enjoyable.  The end often seems to cloud the future.  Try to look beyond the clouds.  Beyond them, there is sunshine.  For those lost in sin, it can be a new life in Christ Jesus.  For all who contemplate death, it is a place in the world to come.  If prepared for properly, that place can be one of eternal joy (See Matt. 25:21, 23).