Today I want to share with you an excerpt from the final pages of the book “The Harbinger” by Jonathan Cahn.  The main character is Nouriel and the response to this question is from a prophet with whom he is involved throughout the book which, though fiction, is filled with facts and Biblical references.  In the closing pages the question is asked about eternity and how far away it was. The answer is powerful and as follows:

“How far away from eternity do you think you are, Nouriel?”                                                             “How could I possibly know that?” responded Nouriel.                                                                           “One heartbeat,” the prophet replied, “One heartbeat. That’s it. That’s all.  You’re only one heartbeat away from eternity.  Everything you have–your life, your breath, this moment, it’s all borrowed, it’s all a gift.  And at any moment it all ends with a heartbeat…just one heartbeat, and there’s no more time.  One heartbeat and the chance to be saved is gone. One heartbeat and there’s no more choosing–it’s all sealed for eternal life or eternal death.”   (Excerpt from “The Harbinger”)

These words had such an impact on me when I first read the book.  There it is…straightforward, to the point.  We are all one heartbeat away from our eternity.  This past weekend my husband’s family gathered for a family reunion. We had a blast–best one ever! We departed with smiles and hugs that afternoon which turned to tears of sadness over the loss of two extended family members that very evening.

Life is short and fragile.  With “one heartbeat” it is over. No more opportunities remain.  I pray that this is the day that you choose eternity in Heaven with Jesus and God, the Father.  God loved you enough to send His only son to die a horrific death on a cross so that you and I could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.  We were made flawless through the blood of Christ.  ALL WE MUST DO IS REPENT OF OUR SINS AND BELIEVE! And with that last heartbeat we are in the presence of our loving Heavenly Father to spend eternity in Heaven.

Open your heart and seek Him. “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered–how fleeting my life is.” (Psalm 39:4) Put aside any thoughts of procrastination, thinking you can take care of all this after you have sown your wild oats, that time is on your side.

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40) There will be a day when Jesus will return to take His children home, to heaven and you may still be here in this world. Don’t let your attachment to this earthly home outweigh and overshadow what awaits us in eternity if we choose Jesus. “It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” (I Corinthians 15:52)

I pray for all who read this to ready themselves as the message of this Casting Crowns song shared below states.  May another day not end without your choosing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And then spread the good news…”Until the Whole World Hears!” To God Be the glory!