The End Of The Day

I will never forget the moment my Father took his last breath and entered into eternity on June 28, 2017. He had been in the Grand Rapids [Michigan] Home for Veterans for two years, struggling with the effects of Parkinson’s on his mind and body. The last week of his life he neither ate nor drank. During that time, various family members rotated spending the night at the facility. I just happened to be there with him his last night.

By the morning, his breathing had changed. Dad was laying on his back, mouth open, with a blank stare through eyes that were somewhat closed. With each breath he would raise his shoulders, laboring to get oxygen into a body that was shutting down. I was praying that the Lord would keep him until Mom could get there.

At his death, about noon, my Mother stood on his right side and I was kneeling on his left. My son and daughter, were also there, as well as a hospice worker. That morning many workers from the Veterans Home had been in and out of the room, checking to see how Dad was doing.

My daughter, being a nurse, recognized that death was close at hand. We read Scripture, prayed with him, played praise music, and spoke with him about those who would be waiting for him as he entered into heaven. During his last few weeks, many of us talked with him about the Lord, encouraging him to make sure he was ready to enter His presence.

The time the Lord gave my Father at the end was not only for his sake, but also for everyone else near him, including the workers. It gave everyone time to check their hearts, reminding us of the end of all mankind and our need to be in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, nothing else matters.

With my Father’s last breath, his eyes opened up wide and his mouth closed as he looked upward, and then he was gone. It wasn’t a frightful look, but one of great surprise, causing all of us who were there to wonder what, or who, he saw.

The peace of God filled the room afterwards. We were all filled with sorrow, but at the same time sure that we would see him again one day if Jesus Christ was our Lord and Savior.

The Day Is Done

Because Dad was a Korean War veteran, my parents were eligible for burial in the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. It is one of two national cemeteries in the state of Michigan. A military funeral was held at the Veterans Home, and a committal service the next day at the National Cemetery.

At both services, per military tradition, “Taps” was played. The origin of this well-known melody played at American military funerals, and as a “lights out” signal to soldiers at night, dates back to the Civil War.

In July 1862, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield and his brigade were camped at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia. They were recuperating after the Seven Days Battles near Richmond. Dissatisfied with the standard bugle call employed by the Army to indicate to troops it was time to go to sleep, Butterfield reworked an existing bugle call used to signal the end of the day. After he had his brigade bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton, play it for the men, buglers from other units became interested in the 24-note tune and it quickly spread throughout the Army, and even caught on with the Confederates.

Not long after Butterfield created “Taps,” it was played for the first time at a military funeral, for a Union cannoneer killed in action. His commanding officer decided the bugle call would be safer than the traditional firing of three rifle volleys over the soldier’s grave which could have been confused by the nearby enemy as an attack.

As for the name “Taps,” the most likely explanation is that it comes from the fact that prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, dubbed the “Drum Taps,” as well as “The Taps,” and then simply “Taps.”

When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers referred to it as “Taps.” Historian and bugle expert Jari Villanueva notes that Butterfield’s bugle call was officially known as “Extinguish Lights” in American military manuals until 1891. Since that time, “Taps” also has been a formally recognized part of U.S. military funerals.[1]

Several later lyrics were created, but this is the original set of lyrics of “Taps” meant to accompany the music, written by Horace Lorenzo Trim;

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

 

Fading light, dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.

From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

 

Thanks and praise, for our days,

'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;

As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

 

Sun has set, shadows come,

Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds

Always true to the promise that they made.

 

While the light fades from sight,

And the stars gleaming rays softly send,

To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Fading Light

Interestingly enough, as I write this the “Great American Eclipse” on August 21, 2017, is occurring across our nation. We are, in fact, the only place on earth that this phenomenon can be seen. It will be the first total eclipse visible only in the United States since our nation was founded in 1776.

In seven years, on April 8, 2024, another solar eclipse will occur, starting in Mexico on a northeast path from Texas up through northern New England. They appear to cross each other in, approximately, southern Illinois.

In Jewish tradition, lunar eclipses, known as “blood moons,” are omens for Israel whereas solar eclipses are omens for Gentiles. Presently, the United States is the wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential Gentile nation on earth. We are in fact a melting pot representing all Gentiles.

The Bible refers to a seven year period at the end of this age known as the Tribulation and “the Day of the Lord” when God enters into judgment with the Gentile nations. Are these solar eclipses a sign of what is coming during this seven year period? We will soon find out.

It is an undeniable fact that the light of God in America has been fading for a few years now. The light of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has been blocked from the world because of the sin of God’s people. We are His light bearers and been given the following exhortation from Jesus;

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.(Matthew 5:14-16/NIV)

A life lived for self rather than the will of God, after turning to Christ, causes His light to be hidden from view of those living in the ever-increasing darkness. Without repentance, many of those who began the race and were followers of Jesus will soon perish in the great apostasy of these final moments before His wrath is poured out (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). They will perish because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved. Instead, they presumed they would be delivered even though they chose to rebel against the lordship of Jesus Christ over them by continuing in the passing pleasures of unrighteousness.

The Path Of Totality

For this solar eclipse many people have traveled great distances, even from other countries, to be in what is called the “path of totality.” I find it interesting that they will do this, in some cases with great sacrifice, just to be in a place of total darkness. There is great spiritual significance in all of this.

At the end of the day for every human being, the light of this world will fade away and we will enter into eternity. The Bible tells us that man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus, the true Light which came into the world to enlighten every person, has come in order to set us free from the evil powers of darkness that will lead us into hell. He said;

I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. (John 12:46/NAS)

This verse is crucial for the time in which we live.

We are nearing the end of the day for this age. This means that darkness will, like the natural world, descend upon us. Evil will increase and those without Christ will find it harder to see, or understand, what is coming upon them. The increase of darkness, a darkness (evil) that can be felt (Exodus 10:21-23), will cause great fear among most.

Because of this dark, increasing wicked presence across the entire earth, the light of Christ within His faithful servants will become more evident while simultaneously causing the light within His unfaithful servants to become darkened. The true condition of our hearts will be manifested before all. Jesus warned His followers of this eclipse of the heart, saying;

The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters… (Matthew 6:22-24/NAS)

Again, Jesus warned us, saying;

Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going [a lack of assurance]. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. (John 12:35-36/NIV)

In the end, you will be able to easily distinguish between those who have faithfully served Christ, and those who have not. The light of Christ will shine brightly in and through His “good and faithful” servants to a world that will be cast into great darkness.

Isaiah prophesied of the light of God’s glory coming upon His chosen people who hear and rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit during a time of “deep darkness” on earth. He said;

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3/NAS)

Unfortunately, not all in the church will respond to the call of the Holy Spirit at the end of this age to arise by separating themselves from all that is not of God. Instead, because of their choice to remain in known sin without repentance, they will shrink back in shame at His coming to their destruction (Hebrews 10:37-39).

Awake, O Sleeper!

Spiritual drowsiness, like that which naturally occurs at the end of the day, will come upon all who dwell on earth, even God’s people. This is pictured in the parable of the ten virgins who Jesus said were all sleeping while He, the Bridegroom, was delaying His return. In the end, half were foolish in their actions and half were wise.

At midnight, during a dark time period, there was a shout, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him” (Matthew 25:6). “Come out” from what? From Babylon the religious harlot in the Body of Christ that has been participating in spiritual fornication with the world while being betrothed, and in covenant, with the Lord.

In the Revelation of God given to John he heard a voice coming from heaven with regards to Babylon, saying;

Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, “I sit as queen [I’m Jesus Bride]; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.” Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. (Revelation 18:4-8/NIV)

The call to God’s people to separate from the world and to walk in purity and holiness before Him in preparation of what is to come is now upon us.

Why would God say this to His own people, His own children? The answer is because of love. We, especially in the United States, have become lazy in our walks with Him, as if we are sleep walking. The sound of a “carefree multitude” is heard across our land (Ezekiel 23:42) We must be aroused by those whom God has called to raise their voice like a trumpet and cry out against the sin in the church that has dimmed His light in and through us. If we will listen and repent, we will be spared. If not, we will perish.

The last day watchmen on the wall have been mercifully ordered by God to wake up His sleeping Bride in America. He cries out to us in order to wake us up and prepare our hearts so as to be made ready for His return, and His judgments.

While answering questions from His disciples regarding the sign of His coming and of the end of the age, Jesus made the following statement concerning the need to stay alert by guarding our hearts;

But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. (Matthew 24:43/NAS)

Jesus, again using the picture of a thief, made this final exhortation through John’s Revelation about Himself;

So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you… Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame. (Revelation 3:2, 16:15/NAS)

Per Jesus’ instructions, to be alert and watchful is to guard our hearts in purity, not allowing sin and the world to contaminate us. It’s comparable to keeping your clothes, or protective covering on. To continue in disobedience is to lose our covering and be like a naked person who walks about shamefully exposed.

The Lord’s wise virgins will hear this final warning and awaken and repent, thereby gaining the oil of the Holy Spirit within them that is necessary to keep their lamps burning. The wicked and lazy virgins will continue in disobedience, presuming the light of God will never go out within them to show the way of salvation (as the false doctrines of so-called “eternal security” has taught them). To their horror it will be too late to gain the oil of the Spirit and they will not be allowed entrance into the wedding feast of the Lamb. May the fear of the Lord and His coming judgments compel us to do what the Spirit is saying to the church in these final moments.

The Light Of Life

As the end of the day nears for all who live on earth, may those who still have ears to hear rise up through obedience and draw near to the Lord before He pours out His wrath on all the earth. He alone will cover and protect us. Jesus said;

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12/NIV)

May our response be like that of the disciples on the road to Emmaus when Jesus was explaining to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Because their hearts burned within them as He spoke, they urged Him, saying;

Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over. (Luke 24:29/NAS)

Our “day” is also nearly over. If we will simply humble ourselves and invite Him in, the eyes of our hearts will be opened and the light of God will fill us, saving us from the darkness that would cause us to stumble and lose our way.

Paul said the following to those in the church in Rome who were sleeping in a state of spiritual lethargy towards Christ;

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Romans 13:11-14/NIV)

The armor of light is the armor of obedience. It is through obedience to God’s commands, putting aside the deeds of darkness, that we clothe ourselves, or “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ and His protective covering from the powers of darkness.

When we first believed in Jesus as our Messiah, we were given the right to put on His clothes of righteousness (John 1:11-12). The unbeliever doesn’t have this right. He mercifully laid out the garments we will need to be covered in to joyfully enter into His presence and live. Obedience to His commands, as Paul clearly mentions in the Scriptures above, are what cause us to be dressed in readiness. Otherwise, as previously discussed, we are described as being “naked” before God.

Get Ready!

In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, John describes the final terrifying events when evil is judged and the Kingdom of God begins to rule on earth. He says that he heard a voice like that of a great multitude that was shouting;

Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:6-8/NIV)

Many Christians, through neglect and disobedience at the end of this age will find themselves unprepared, in a naked state before God. Presuming they are covered in the garments of Christ’s righteousness, while walking in known sin without any intention of repenting, they will soon find themselves on the outside of God’s ark of deliverance in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is why the Bible tells us to encourage one another, and all the more when we see the Day [of the Lord] approaching! (Hebrews 10:25).

In fact, the next verses say;

If we deliberately keep on sinning after [don’t miss this key word!] we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrew 10:26-27/NIV)

Laid To Rest

When someone passes away and is buried, we say that they have been “laid to rest.” In like manner there is a final rest in Christ that we dare not miss. Through the example of the children of Israel and their rebellion against the leading of God in their wilderness journey, the writer of Hebrews, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, strongly warns all of us who are following Jesus today, saying;

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first [or, when we first believed]. (Hebrews 3:12-14/NIV)

He goes on to say that if we hear the Lord’s voice “today,” which only those who have turned to Him can, then we must not harden our hearts through rebellion as the children of Israel did and were not allowed to enter into His rest.

He continues to warn us by saying;

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us [“brothers”] be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. (Hebrews 4:1-2/NIV)

I pray that if you are currently walking in a state of compromise with the Lord that He would stir you up by way of reminder to draw near through repentance while the door of His ark of salvation is still open. He loves us very much and is shouting to get our attention. Will we listen by faith and do what He says, thereby being allowed access into His rest and live, or will we be the foolish virgins with whom it will be too late?

As Solomon so wisely wrote;

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14/NIV)

The end of the day draws near. Knowing the darkness is quickly approaching when the Door-Way of Christ’s deliverance and protection from the coming storm of His wrath will be shut, may we willingly allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and repent if necessary.

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary, the Way for us to see Him has mercifully been revealed. May the light of the Lord be exalted in our lives so that others may see Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for all those who would accept Him as their Lord and Savior. To God be the glory for that which He accomplished through Jesus on the cross for our salvation. Turn to Him, and live. Amen.

 

[1](https://www.history.com/news/ask-history/how-did-taps-originate)