Consider Your Latter End

Deut 32:1-43 is the song of Moses.  In the middle of this song, in verse 29, he wrote, “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end”.  He knew that if Israel would consider their latter end, they would change their ways.  When you consider your latter end, you can make adjustments and change the outcome, too.  

For instance, imagine that you’re driving through San Antonio on your way to El Paso, and you need to be there tonight.  Instead of taking I-10, you inadvertently continue north on I-35.  When you consider the end, you realize that, if you keep going the direction you’re going, you’ll be in Dallas instead of El Paso.  But you can change direction and get back on the right path and still make it to El Paso tonight.  If you wait till you get to Dallas, you’ve waited too long.  This is where the expression, “Hindsight is 20/20”, applies.

You must consider your latter end so you can make adjustments now.  You must look beyond your present situation.  However, you may be reluctant to do this. 

When You Consider Your Latter End You Face:

The Uncertainty of the Future

This is like the uncertainty of the outcome of a ballgame.  For some of us, there is an anxiety or nervousness that accompanies these thoughts.  And most of us don’t like to feel this way.  So, you just put off thinking about it.  

We can dispel the uncertainty of your future in eternity.  You’ll either be in heaven or hell.  It’s not uncertain.  If you have trusted Jesus Christ, you’ll certainly be in heaven.  If you haven’t, you’ll certainly be in hell.  Avoiding thinking about your latter end isn’t going to change the outcome.  You must trust Jesus Christ if you want to go to heaven.

The Fear of the Future

This like the fear of the outcome of a medical test for something severe.  Ps 39:4, “Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am”.  You are going to die, most certainly, unless Jesus returns soon.  Yet many are afraid to die.  Those of us who are saved shouldn’t be afraid of death.  We might be afraid of dying, but we shouldn’t be afraid to die.  However, if you aren’t saved, you should consider your latter end.  You don’t know the time of your death. And you aren’t yet prepared to die, if you haven’t believed in Jesus for your salvation.

The Sadness of the Future

This is like the sadness we feel for the future of the USA after legalizing all these terrible kinds of sin.  Likewise, the future for Israel is terribly sad before the 2nd Coming.  Jeremiah felt very sad for Israel and so he wept.  In Jer 9:1 he said, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people”! 

There is great sadness if you’re going to hell.  We also feel great sadness when young Christians backslide.  2 Pet 2:20 says, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning”. For more on this see The Latter End is Worse.

Listen, if you are backslidden today, your end is going to be worse than the beginning.  Turn now, don’t delay.  

If You’re Saved and Consider Your Latter End, You See:

The Joy of the Future

This is the joy we have because we know we’re going to heaven.  There will be peace, joy, rest, and eternal happiness in the presence of Jesus Christ.  The devil will be chained in the bottomless pit for a thousand years and then he’ll be cast into the lake of fire.  We will have no more suffering, no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more death.  Hallelujah!

A boy reading a murder mystery was anxious whether the heroine was going to live.  So, he read the last chapter and found out that she lives.  Then when he went back and read that the villain was plotting to kill her, he laughed and said to himself, “If you knew what I know, you wouldn’t be so cocky”.  We know that we’re not going to hell and we’re going to have eternal joy with Jesus.

Conclusion to Consider Your Latter End

If you aren’t saved, then now is the time to consider your latter end and receive Jesus Christ.  If you are backslidden, now is the time to consider your latter end and turn around and get back on track.  Don’t wait till you get to the end.  Then it will be too late.