Finality of death. Reality of Christ.

In 2010 I would like people to be aware of the finality of death. I remember a little over 50 years ago when my grandfather died. We had what is called a wake in the living room of my grandfathers house. That is where family and friends came to say their goodbyes. There it was, right there in the living room of his home, the casket where his body lay. Then his buriel at a church on a hill in the rolling hills of Maryland. You see there was time, not that long ago, in this country, when churches were where people buried there loved ones. And every time people came to church they could see the graves and contemplate the finality of death. Today death is hidden from us. Behind walls of tree lined grounds and manicured lawns. We try our best to spruce death up to take away its sting. But the beautiful cemeteries only placate the living. Yes in 2010 I would like people to understand the finality of death. "It is appointed for men to died once, and then the judgement." (Hebrews 9:27) Judgement! Something not talked about much today in or out of the church. Not very PC in this overly sensative world. Why would a good God judge anyone? Because He is the only being that is truly good. As Jesus said no one is good but God alone. The kind of good people think they might be doesn't cut it for heavenly habitation. For James tells us, "whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law." God expects perfection. And only one person ever was perfect. (Hebrew 4:15; 2Cor.5:21) So, in addition to my wanting people to understand the finality of death in 2010, that is, that it is settled. All will die. I want them to see the reality of Jesus Christ. That Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. That He was buried and rose again the 3rd day according to the Scriptures. And whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That's the Gospel, the good news. For the Father judges no one but has committed all judgement to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." (John 5:22-23) You honor the Son when you believe and obey. "Salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name by which we can be saved." (Acts 4:12) Saved from what you might ask? From God's flaming fire of vengence, on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, when He is revealed from heaven. Those who do not come to God through faith in His only begotten Son will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of His power. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) For it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31) Yes, in 2010 I want people to to be aware of the finality of death and the reality of Jesus Christ. "The Word who was in the beginning with God and was God. Of whom God the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased....."For He came down from heaven itself in the likeness of sinful men, to puriify for Himself His own special people..." (John 1:1; Phil. 2:5; Titus 2:14). And if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) God gave...Jesus saves...The Holy Spirit fills us to obey. For without holiness, no one will see God. The finality of death takes on new meaning in the reality of Jesus Christ. That He truly is the blessed and only hope for us all. Then and only then can a person truly say "O Death where is your sting? For in Him Death is swallowed up in victory!