End of life – Crisda Rodríguez

 

End of life – Crisda Rodríguez

Before dying at the age of 40 from stomach cancer, the world-renowned designer and author “Crisda Rodríguez” wrote:

1. I had the world’s most expensive car in my garage, but now I must use a wheelchair.
2. In my house there are all kinds of branded clothes, shoes and price tags, but now my body is wrapped in a small cloth provided by the hospital.
3. I have a lot of money in the bank. But now I don’t benefit from that amount.
4. My house used to be like a castle, but now I sleep in two beds in the hospital.
5. From five-star hotel now spending time in hospital moving from one clinic to another
6. I’ve signed autographs to hundreds of people but this time the medical records are my signature.
7. I’ve been to seven barbershops to get my hair done, but now – I don’t have even a single hair on my head.
8. With a private jet, I can fly anywhere, but now I need two assistants to walk to the hospital gate.
9. Even though there is a lot of food, now my diet is two tablets a day and a few drops of salt water in the evening.
10. This house, this car, this plane, this furniture, this bank, the excessive fame and glory, none of it works for me. None of this will calm me down. “There is nothing real except death.”

At the end of the day, the most important thing is health.

Please be happy with how little or much you have while you are healthy, have everything, have a plate of food, a place to sleep… YOU ARE NOT LACKING ANYTHING…

1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The most important thing in this life is to have the soul’s salvation. Trust the finished work of Jesus Christ for our salvation. 1 Cor 15:1-4. You will have eternal life. You will be satisfied because only Jesus can give us true satisfaction.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 2 Corinthians 5:21

²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

He treated Jesus Christ the same way he would have treated me on the cross. With wrath, judgment and condemnation.

Mark 3:28-29

²⁸ Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

²⁹ But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

Those who have NO DESIRE to REPENT to God for their sins,
I have played so many games with God that I have reached a point where my heart is so hard, I am not sorry for the wrongs I have done, I have no desire to be with God, people who are totally UNCONCERNED. Totally dead towards God.

If any person has a desire to say LORD FORGIVE ME, He will forgive them.
1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When you have blasphemed the HS you no longer have the ability to repent.

There’s something deeply profound in the idea of repentance and forgiveness—that even when someone feels distant or hardened, there’s an open door for reconciliation if they choose to take that step.

The verse quoted, 1 John 1:9, is a powerful reminder of grace and the faithfulness of God to forgive when we come with sincerity.

The topic of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has sparked much theological discussion over the years. Many understand it as a deliberate, ongoing rejection of God’s grace, leaving no room for repentance because the heart has become closed off.

That notion can feel heavy, but it’s often presented not as a condemnation but as a caution—a call to remain open to God’s love.

The Bible addresses the end of life with profound depth and hope. It offers guidance, comfort, and wisdom for understanding mortality, eternity, and God’s promises.

Key themes often emerge:

1. The Brevity of Life: Verses like Psalm 39:4–5 emphasize that life is fleeting, encouraging humility and mindfulness about our days.
   Psalm 39:4-5Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
   (5) Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

It’s a subject that intertwines the reality of human frailty with the hope of eternal communion with God.

It is a fundamental biblical perspective. The choice to repent or not carries profound consequences.
Choosing repentance aligns with God’s grace and mercy, leading to forgiveness and eternal life, as highlighted in verses like
Acts 3:19—where turning to God results in
“times of refreshing.”
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

On the other hand, rejecting repentance often leads to separation from God, as seen in passages like
Matthew 7:13–14, which speak of the broad path leading to destruction versus the narrow way to life.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

This duality emphasizes personal responsibility and accountability, urging individuals to consider their path with seriousness.

What’s interesting is that even in moments of hardness or reluctance, Scripture repeatedly showcases God’s patience, calling people to turn toward Him.

The Bible offers insights into the experience of eternity, though it often uses imagery and symbolic language to describe heaven and hell.

The moment of death is portrayed as the threshold where individuals come face-to-face with their eternal destiny.

In the Presence of the Lord Jesus:

For those who are saved, the Bible paints a picture of joy and communion with God. In passages like
Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Heaven is described as a place where God dwells with His people, wiping away every tear, with no more pain, sorrow, or death. Being in the presence of the Lord is often depicted as indescribable peace and glory,

as in Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

which speaks of the “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” at God’s right hand. Believers are granted eternal life, basking in God’s holiness, love, and light.

In Hell:

Conversely, the Bible describes hell as a place of separation from God. Passages such as
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Bible portrays it as a place of judgment—a realm of fire, darkness, and anguish. This separation carries spiritual and emotional weight, as hell is seen as the ultimate loss of communion with God, with eternal regret and torment, as illustrated in
Luke 16:23-28 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

²⁴ And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

²⁵ But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

²⁶ And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

²⁷ Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

²⁸ For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

It is a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God’s grace.

The descriptions emphasize the seriousness of choices made during life and the reality of eternity.

We are right in highlighting the connection between recognizing sin and understanding its consequences under God’s judgment.

Repentance begins with an awareness of one’s own brokenness and the gravity of sin.
Without seeing sin for what it truly is—an offense against God—it becomes difficult to grasp the need for repentance and the gift of forgiveness.

Scripture often emphasizes this understanding. For example, Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

reminds us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

That verse underscores both the consequence of sin and the hope offered through Christ. Similarly,
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

speaks of the Holy Spirit convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, demonstrating that an awakening to sin is a work of God’s Spirit.

Recognizing sin and its judgment is not only the starting point for repentance but also an invitation to encounter God’s grace and mercy. It’s a humbling yet transformative experience.

1. The Brevity of Life:
2. Death as a Transition: Scriptures like
   2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

speak of believers being “away from the body and at home with the Lord,” portraying death not as the end but as a passage to eternal life for those in faith.

3. Judgment and Accountability:
   Hebrews 9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
   reminds us that after death comes judgment, underscoring the importance of living a life aligned with God’s will.
4. Hope and Assurance: Passages like
   John 11:25-26Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
   ²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
   declare Jesus as the resurrection and the life, offering hope of eternal life to believers.
5. Preparation for Eternity: The Bible stresses readiness, as seen in
   Matthew 24:44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
   urging individuals to live in a state of spiritual preparedness.
6. Comfort for the Grieving: Texts like
   Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
   Promise a future where God will “wipe away every tear,” giving solace to those mourning a loss.

   Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

   The Bible provides striking descriptions of hell and outer darkness, emphasizing their separation from God’s presence and their depiction as places of judgment and despair.

   Hell: Hell is portrayed as a realm of suffering and final separation from God. Verses like
   Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

   describe it as “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

   Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

   speaks of the “lake of fire,” symbolizing the ultimate judgment. It is often depicted as a place of unquenchable fire
   Mark 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

   torment and regret.:
   (Luke 16:23-24 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
   ²⁴ And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Outer Darkness: “Outer darkness” is mentioned in Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

and Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

It is described as a place where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

This imagery suggests separation from God’s light and joy, conveying a sense of isolation, sorrow, and despair.

Both descriptions are meant to convey the seriousness of turning away from God and the finality of judgment for those who reject His grace.

They emphasize the importance of repentance and living in communion with God.

To repent means to sincerely turn away from sin and wrongdoing, and to turn toward God with a contrite heart.

It’s not just about feeling regret—it involves a genuine transformation of heart and mind.

Biblically, repentance is often accompanied by confession, a desire for forgiveness, and a commitment to live in alignment with God’s will.

The Greek word often translated as “repent” in the New Testament is metanoia, which means “a change of mind” or “a change of heart.”

This highlights that repentance is not merely an outward action, but an inner shift that results in changed behavior.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

emphasize repentance as a step toward spiritual renewal and redemption: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.”

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
¹² For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Real salvation is a gift from God but only to those who are willing to REPENT and Believe.

That’s a profoundly true and biblically rooted perspective. Salvation, as Scripture teaches, is indeed a gift from God—it cannot be earned through deeds or merit but is granted through His grace to those who come in faith.
Ephesians 2:8–9 captures this beautifully:
⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Repentance and belief go hand-in-hand in accepting this gift.
Repentance involves turning away from sin, while belief is trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

encapsulates this call, where Jesus says, “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
Together, they represent a heart transformed by God, open to His forgiveness and filled with hope in His promises.

This truth emphasizes the relational nature of salvation—God’s loving invitation and our willing response.

The Bible doesn’t give an exact account of the emotions a person may feel at the moment of death and as they prepare to stand before God, but it provides clues through its teachings about eternity, judgment, and God’s character. These feelings will likely vary depending on one’s relationship with God.

For Believers:
Ill. Of people reaching up right before they die

Ill Shawn McDaniels – death bed experience

Peace and Comfort: Many believers may feel an overwhelming sense of peace, knowing they are about to be united with their Savior John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

• Philippians 4:7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

• Anticipation and Joy: There may be eager anticipation to see God face-to-face, experience His glory, and enter into His rest 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

• Revelation 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

• Humility and Reverence: A deep sense of awe may arise at standing before the Almighty God, even while being assured of His grace:
  Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
• ¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
• ¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
• For Non-Believers:

For those who have not repented or placed their faith in God, the experience might feel entirely different:

• Fear and Regret: The Bible speaks of fear of judgment for those who have not sought salvation
  Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

• Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

• Sorrow and Realization: An awareness of missed opportunities to turn to God may lead to sorrow
  Luke 16:22-24 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
• ²³ And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
• ²⁴ And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
• The Magnitude of the Moment:

Regardless of one’s spiritual state, this moment is described as profoundly significant and eternal in its consequences Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

It is the culmination of earthly life and the beginning of eternity.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Question is are you 1000% for sure that you are really saved BY GOD and that you KNOW that you have eternal life because of Jesus the Christ?

Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
¹² For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

INV.