Remember the Latter Is 47:7 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
In architecture a building is designed with the end in mind and in construction a building is built with the end in mind. In recipes the ingredients and steps are listed with the end in mind. Modern art, on the other hand, seems to have no end. Modern philosophy is based upon living for today.
With God we are to always remember the latter end. When Jesus chose his disciples in Matt 10 he warned them about the end. When Jesus went to the Temple in Matt 24 before his crucifixion he told his disciples about the end. When Jesus restored Peter to his discipleship in Jn 21 he told him about his end.
How many of us can look back from here to our younger days and say, “I sure would have done THAT differently?” We need to look forward so we don’t have to look back. Today you need to remember the latter end of:
Your frame – Ps 103:14 says, “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Your body isn’t going to hold up. So, you’d better learn to take care of it now. Learn wisdom, proper nutrition, moderate exercise, stress reduction and management and proper rest.
Your family – Bro. Dickman used to say, “Your family is your first congregation; make sure they are your last.” Consider the sacrifices that you must make for your children today so that they may turn out like you desire in the future. Make sure they are getting real training, nurture and admonition and not just discipline. And children, consider the latter end of all your disobedience, rebellion, stubbornness, and attitude toward your parents. Furthermore, consider the strife among your siblings and do what you can to minimize this sibling rivalry.
Your friends – a deceased preacher friend of mine said shortly before his long anticipated death, “If I had it to do over again, I would have spent more time with my family and I would have tried to lead more souls to Jesus.” In witnessing, you have more influence with your friends than with anyone else. Consider their latter end without Christ. They will end up in hell without him and you cannot let them go there without making a sincere attempt to lead them to Christ. And when they get saved, edify them and maintain lasting friendships which you will cherish to the latter end.
Your finances – while it is true that you cannot take your money with you when you die, it is possible to send your treasure on ahead. Consider Matt 6:19-21; Lk 18:22. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath and riches heaped up for the last days are corrupted [Prov 11:4; Jas 5:1-3]. So establish a proper balance that will work through your latter end. Don’t spend all of your money. Save some for your retirement years when your body is too weak to work, give generously to the Lord and above all live in contentment [1 Tim 6:5-10].
Your faith – remember the latter end of your faith. How is what you are doing by faith today going to fare at the judgment seat of Christ? Secondly, have you the proper faith to get by an eternity in hell? If your faith is in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary you do. But if your faith is merely in your belief in God and your adherence to his commandments by your works, you don’t. You need to be saved.
Your frailty – you think that your latter end in still years in the future. But there is no guarantee of that. We just lost another missionary to a sudden and unexpected death. He was in his early forties. Teenage friends of ours many years ago died in a head on collision on the way to church. One of the boys who died that day replied to a soul conscious first responder when asked about his eternity, “You have nothing to worry about with me. I’m saved.” Could you answer so assuredly if you were to suddenly face death? If not, you need to get saved now.
Conclusion: Remember the latter end of your life and make the changes today that are necessary to improve the latter end of your frame, family, friends, finances and most of all your faith.