Death Prevented Them

DEATH PREVENTED THEM

"President John F. Kennedy is dead".
This announcement, in November, 1963, shocked and saddened not only the citizens of the United States of America, but also people from all over the world. The great mourning which was evident in several different nations bore testimony to the fact that many had grown to love, admire and respect him during his short term in office.

This man who, as President, had been the representative of the American people, and their Mediator in world affairs, could now do no more for them. While he held this office of power, authority and influence, they had greatly benefited as a result of his work on their behalf.
But now their beloved President's work was over. Beyond the grave he could no longer represent them or mediate on their behalf, for death prevented him from continuing in office.
Yet, when it comes to religion, many people believe that those who were their representatives, priests, ministers or mediators in this life can still continue to work on their behalf, even after death.
Many of those involved in Eastern religions still depend upon deceased Gurus, Prophets, and "Holy" men or women, ( including deceased relatives ), to make intercession for them.
Western religions include millions of people who depend upon the intercession of dead "Saints." Whether they were people like Abraham or Moses, who lived in Old Testament times, or others, like the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, or the twelve Apostles, or even St. Martin de Porres and Padre Pio who, in recent years have been added to the list of Mediators, multitudes of people firmly believe these deceased people can still work on their behalf.

But regardless of whether they be Gurus, Prophets, Priests or Saints, ALL have one thing in common: Death prevented them from continuing their ministry. None of them can Intercede or Mediate on anybody's behalf beyond the grave.

Even the Old Testament Priests, who ministered in the Tabernacle and the Temple, are included here. God says in His Word: "Now there have been many of those Priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office." 1

In the light of what the Scriptures teach, we must ask a very important question at this point! Is God saying in His Word that every man and woman who was a Mediator, Priest or Intercessor was, at the moment of death, prevented from continuing in office? Is He saying that in the next life, even if these people were in Heaven, they could not continue to represent, pray for, or mediate on behalf of others?

The answer to this question is YES, but with ONE exception! There is ONE who, though He died, still continues His Priestly ministry. Jesus said: "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death." 2
Through His sinless life and His death upon the cross, Jesus Christ paid in full the penalty for the guilt of our sin. He was buried, but rose again, and ascended to His Father's right hand, as our great High Priest. God tells us in His Word: "We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary..." 3
Dear Friend, perhaps you have been depending upon the ministry of some Mediator, Intercessor, Priest or Saint who is dead, and you have until now been unaware of what God says in His Word. Regardless of who they were, or what ministry they had while on earth, death prevented them from continuing in office. In other words, they cannot help you now. They cannot meet your needs.
BUT JESUS CAN!
"Such a High Priest meets our need -one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." 4
But, you might say; "Surely, if the dead person I am depending upon as my Mediator is in Heaven, he/she can intercede on my behalf"! But this is impossible for, according to the Scriptures:
( a ) There is only ONE Mediator in Heaven: "For there is one God, and ONE Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 5
(b) There is only ONE who can intercede for the sinner: " ..But if anybody does sin, we have ONE who speaks to the Father in our defence - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One"6
( c ) There in only ONE who can save the sinner: "Salvation is found in NO - ONE ELSE, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 7
So, dear Friend, instead of looking to those whom death prevented from continuing in office, why not look to the Lord, who said: "Look unto ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is NONE ELSE." 8

Nobody else can save you. God says in His Word: "Therefore He ( Jesus ), is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them." 9

On the cross Jesus suffered and died as your substitute, paying the penalty for your sins. He will forgive you and save you when you repent of your sins and put your faith in Him alone.
Why not ask Him into your heart today as Saviour and Lord? Jesus said: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." 10

DickKeogh.

ScriptureReferences:

(1) Hebrews Ch.7 v 23.: (2) Revelation Ch.1 v 18.
(3) Hebrews Ch.8 vs. 1, 2 : (4) Hebrews Ch.7 v 26.
(5) 1Timothy Ch.2 v 5 : (6) 1John Ch.2 v 1.
(7) Acts Ch.4 v 12. : (8) Isaiah Ch.45 v 22.
(9) Hebrews Ch.7 v 25.; (10) Revelation Ch.3 v 20.
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