Editor: Many persons go to church without a Bible in their possession. At times, preachers preach without using a Bible, especially some televangelists. It is no surprise that many persons are now questioning some things taught by these preachers. For instance, some preachers directly teach or indicate that God takes persons’ lives, thus depriving surviving relatives and friends of their loved ones, leaving them to grieve. Can we imagine God using a terrible car crash to take a person, including even a baby’s life? Is that what the Bible really teaches? If it was God’s Will to take Lazarus’ life to be with him in heaven, why did Jesus resurrect Lazarus to life on earth? (John 11: 43, 44) Are we to imagine Jesus going against God’s Will to have Lazarus in heaven? Absolutely not! Furthermore, why did God put life and death as choices to the Israelites, encouraging them to choose life, if he already had appointed times for them to die? Would it make sense to tell them that they can live longer if they loved and obeyed him? (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20; see also Ephesians 6: 2, 3). This idea of God taking persons’ lives when he is ready for them is NOT Scriptural. Romans 5: 12 tells us that death came by sin, that “death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Sin is the major cause of death (Romans 6:23). Also, human cruelty, as in murder, and unexpected events are causes of death (Ecclesiastes 9:11). So it is wrong to believe in the idea of “When God say ready, you got to go”. God ALLOWS death to take place, but he does not CAUSE death. God views death as an ENEMY, not a friend. 1 Corinthians 15: 26. God will conquer that enemy at his appointed time.(Psalm 37:29; Revelation 21: 4) May we NEVER blame God for death. Rather, let us put on our OWN thinking cap, examine the Bible for ourselves and see what it REALLY teaches on the foregoing, and other matters as well.

Simeon