March 25, 2006
Newsletter Archives

The recent death of former Yugoslav leader, Slobadon Milosevic, has caused disappointment and dismay of the part of families who blame him for the slaughter of thousands in the war in the Balkans. More than one report said the families feel that justice will never be carried out now.
On hearing this, my mind immediately turned to the future judgment of the Great White Throne spoken of in the book of Revelation. The apostle John records: “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Revelation 20: 11,12. And considering this, I know justice will be served by a greater court than Milosevic has ever faced on earth.
It appeared that Milosevic, by his constant harangues and outbursts, held the court hostage in the Hague and delayed proceedings and has made a mockery of justice. But the Bible speaks of “the Lord, the Righteous Judge” 2 Timothy 4:8, and no-one will delay proceedings in His court. Accordingly “the butcher of Belgrade” will have another day in court and there will be no arguing with the Judge.
But he is not the only one who will be there. We all have a court date. John records that he saw all the dead small and great standing before God. This means that every person in the world will attend and no-one will ever be charged with failing to appear. The apostle said, “…we must all appear” 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Without question, we can protest that we have never committed the horrific crimes that Milosevic had been charged with. True enough! Yet we have sinned and the Bible states that “every transgression and disobedience will receive a just recompense of reward” Hebrews 2:2. Every sin must be faced.
The simple solution to this formidable experience is that we settle out of court now, so that we don’t face eternal punishment then. The Lord Jesus has already made provision for our sins and the only way to escape judgment is to accept His payment for our sins.

Jim Beattie submitted by Russ Nesbit

*NOTE* From March 26th through March 31st we will have our annual children’s meetings in the Dunkerton Gospel Hall each night @ 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be Ed Miller. All are invited.