Daily Bible Lessons for You #2 ~ Fate
Some have asked: [b]"Is it true that our time to die, is pre-determined?"[/b]
Here's the answer to that question coming direct from the Bible. [b]No![/b] We do not have a predetermined time to die. Rather than supporting the belief in fate, the Bible says that death is often due to [b]"unexpected events."[/b] [b](Ecclesiastes 9:11) [/b][quote]"I have observed something else under the sun. The fasted runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, the skillful are not necessarily wealthy and those who are educated don't always lead successful lives because time and unexpected events overtake them all."[/quote]
Some have responded back with: [b]"Doesn't the Bible say that there is "a time to die"?[/b]
Yes, [b](Ecclesiastes 3:2)[/b] indeed says that there is [quote]"a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."[/quote] [b](KJV)[/b] However, the context of this verse shows that the Bible is discussing the continuing cycles that are common to life. [b](Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)[/b] God has not set our personal time to die any more than he forces a farmer to plant at a particular moment. Instead, the point is that we should avoid being so preoccupied with mundane matters that we neglect our Creator. [b](Ecclesiastes 3:11 | 12:1, and 13)[/b]
[b]Life can be extended![/b]
Despite life's uncertainties, we can often live longer if we make wise decisions. The Bible says: [quote]"The teaching of the wise one is a source of life to turn one away from the snares of death."[/quote] (Proverbs 13:14) Likewise, Moses told the Israelites that they could [b]"live a long time"[/b] if they obeyed God's commands. [b](Deuteronomy 6:2)[/b] In contrast, we can carelessly shorten our life by bad or foolish actions too. [b](Ecclesiastes 7:17)[/b]
No matter how wise or careful we are, though, we cannot escape death. [b](Romans 5:12)[/b] [quote]"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned."[/quote] Yet, this situation will change, for the Bible promises a time when [b]"death will be no more."[/b] [b](Revelation 21:4)[/b] [quote]"He [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. The former things have passed away."[/quote]
Here's the answer to that question coming direct from the Bible. [b]No![/b] We do not have a predetermined time to die. Rather than supporting the belief in fate, the Bible says that death is often due to [b]"unexpected events."[/b] [b](Ecclesiastes 9:11) [/b][quote]"I have observed something else under the sun. The fasted runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, the skillful are not necessarily wealthy and those who are educated don't always lead successful lives because time and unexpected events overtake them all."[/quote]
Some have responded back with: [b]"Doesn't the Bible say that there is "a time to die"?[/b]
Yes, [b](Ecclesiastes 3:2)[/b] indeed says that there is [quote]"a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."[/quote] [b](KJV)[/b] However, the context of this verse shows that the Bible is discussing the continuing cycles that are common to life. [b](Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)[/b] God has not set our personal time to die any more than he forces a farmer to plant at a particular moment. Instead, the point is that we should avoid being so preoccupied with mundane matters that we neglect our Creator. [b](Ecclesiastes 3:11 | 12:1, and 13)[/b]
[b]Life can be extended![/b]
Despite life's uncertainties, we can often live longer if we make wise decisions. The Bible says: [quote]"The teaching of the wise one is a source of life to turn one away from the snares of death."[/quote] (Proverbs 13:14) Likewise, Moses told the Israelites that they could [b]"live a long time"[/b] if they obeyed God's commands. [b](Deuteronomy 6:2)[/b] In contrast, we can carelessly shorten our life by bad or foolish actions too. [b](Ecclesiastes 7:17)[/b]
No matter how wise or careful we are, though, we cannot escape death. [b](Romans 5:12)[/b] [quote]"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned."[/quote] Yet, this situation will change, for the Bible promises a time when [b]"death will be no more."[/b] [b](Revelation 21:4)[/b] [quote]"He [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. The former things have passed away."[/quote]
22-25, M
