Richard Hollerman

So often I have heard the theme of “coming to Christ” or “turning to Jesus” but whether this is right or correct is the question. Friends, we must come to Him, yes, but let us do so while there is time and while there is much time! Every day counts! In fact, every moment counts! We really don’t know when Christ will come “with a shout”—and we must be prepared for this climactic event. Further, this refers merely to preparation, but we need to do what we can to make ready for the Lord now and do something now­ while there is still time and opportunity!

We find so many who seem to be unconcerned about death—and what comes thereafter! Either they think that they will have the time to prepare. Or they have a “works righteousness” mentality, and think that what they do now will influence the future for them. Or, we are aware that some (even millions) think that they will just die and then will cease to exist. Perhaps they don’t even think of the future at all and assume that all will be well and they have nothing to fear.

Regardless of the reason or reasons, we believe most people have no interest in being right with God and think that they will be ushered into God’s blessed presence at death! This is so wrong and sad!

As Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

I had to think of the millions who have died in the past and whether they were right with the Lord. This is what I have come up with at present:

Political Figures

Donald Trump and Joe Biden—they surely have no knowledge of God and have no interest in Him. At least, they think that this is the case.

Then we think of those from the past but now living. We refer to such notables as

Barack Obama

George W. Bush

Bill Clinton

We also think of those in the far past, such as:

John Kennedy

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Dwight David Eisenhower

Even further than this, we have other leaders of this position:

Abraham Lincoln

Thomas Jefferson

John Adams

George Washington

Ulysses Grant

Think of entertainers (Actors and Actresses) who have now died:

Elizabeth Taylor

Roy Rogers

Dale Evans

Gene Autry

Robin Williams

Cary Grant

Randolph Scott

Jackie Gleason

Howard Hughes

Barbara Hutton

Grace Kelly

Ingrid Bergman

Alfred Hitchcock

William Holden

Jennifer Jones

Clint Walker

Ray Charles

“Fats” Domino

Mary Martin

Rudolph Valentino

Elvis Presley

Doris Day

Natalie Wood

James Stewart

Clark Gable

Humphrey Bogart

Shirley McClain

Audrey Hepburn

James Dean

Then we think of the preachers, authors, or theologians who have died:

James Kennedy

R. C Sproul

William MacDonald

Billy Graham

Oral Roberts

Chuck Smith

Pat Robertson

Amie Semple  McPherson

Pheobe Palmer

Marie Woodworth-Etter

Antione Brown Blackwell

Think also of people in the past who are now gone but surely they were unprepared to meet God!

Martin Luther

John Calvin

Philip Melanchthon

John Ulrich Zwingli

John Wesley

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

John Darby

Really, the list could be endless, we suppose. Whether we are speaking of politicians, entertainers, or authors/preachers, we know that they have all gone and will not return. Where are they now? We cannot reach them but we do wonder about what we could have done and what we can do now for those who remain.

We don’t mean that all of these are now cast off from God eternally—although this may be the case. But we just wanted you to think through now what these people (who once were alive but now are dead) would have done and what we could have done to reach any of them. What can we do today to “open the door” to Christ for them to come to Him and find the salvation that is available.

We know that from the grave, they can do nothing. From the dead, it is “too late” to reach them. But what can be done for those who remain to reach these people for Jesus and His salvation? And what can we do to assure of our own standing with the Lord before our End comes! This is the question—the very relevant question.