DEATH PREVENTED THEM

‘President John F. Kennedy is dead!’

This announcement, broadcast 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 that was evidenced in several nations around the world 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 Beyond the grave he could no longer represent them or mediate on their behalf. 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 relatives, Gurus, and ‘Holy’ men or women to make intercession for them.

In the Middle East many people depend upon the intercession of dead Prophets, like Abraham and Moses, who lived in Old Testament times. In the Western world millions look to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, or the twelve Apostles, who lived in New Testament times. In recent years St Martin de Porres and Padre Pio have been added to the list of Mediators. Multitudes firmly believe these people, though deceased, 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 - ‘And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death’. 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 these people, even if they were in Heaven, 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 sins. He was buried, but rose again, and ascended to His Father’s right hand, where He ministers 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. Maybe you have been unaware of what God says in His Word. Regardless of who they were, or what ministry they had while on earth, death has prevented them from continuing their work. 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

You may be of the opinion that if the dead person you are depending upon to Mediate for you is in Heaven then he or she can intercede on your behalf? But this is impossible! 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: ‘...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous’.6

( c ) There in only ONE who can save the sinner: ‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is NONE OTHER NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved ’. 7

So, dear Friend, instead of looking to those whom death has 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 – ‘Wherefore he (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them ’. 9

On the cross Jesus suffered and died as your substitute, paying in full the penalty for the guilt of your sins. He will forgive you and save you when you repent of your sins and put your faith in Him alone.

Why not invite Him 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

© Dick Keogh

Scripture References:

(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.