The Bible says:
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
— 2 Timothy 4: 6
If we have done any flying through the commercial airlines we know that a departure time is when the passengers board the plane and the plane leaves the runway to meet its arrival time at another airport.
We all, as individuals, have a departure time for leaving this life, this planet and going to our final destination. We do not know our departure time. Only God knows that. We may however, because of our situation, know our departure time is drawing very near.
Sometimes people will miss the departure time for their flight at the airport. But they can book the next flight and be on their way.
We don’t miss our departure time for leaving this life and planet. We always leave according to schedule.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” — Hebrews 9: 27
Paul was ready for his departure time and he knew it was very near. He would soon die a martyr’s death for the cause of Christ. He would then depart from this life and planet, and go be with Jesus in Heaven.
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
— 2 Corinthians 5: 8
Paul longed for his time of departure: “Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”
(Philippians. 1: 23) And he labored for the Lord so that when he departed, he would not be ashamed when he stood in His presence.
We all have “departed loved ones.” We may have been told of their leaving and were at their bed side when they departed, or they may have left without saying goodbye.
We all when we depart this life and planet arrive in either Heaven or Hell, based on what we did with Jesus Christ; accepting Him as Lord and Savior or rejecting Him.
The Rapture is when the church departs from this life to go and live with Jesus in Heaven. (1 Thessalonians 416, 17; 1 Corinthians 15: 5158) We don’t know our departure time. We must watch and pray and labor and be ready for Christ when he appears.
James H. Cagle is a Ray City resident who pastored several churches for a total of 11 years. Email him at pastorjameshcagle@ yahoo.com
