Friday, July 17, 2026
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. aged 71 years, died suddenly, unexpectedly, last Saturday evening. He was in public office over 3 decades and acquired both friends and enemies. Some loved him and some hated him. But right now, none of that matters. What matters is whether or not Lindsey Graham was a friend of God by true new birth faith in God’s Son Christ Jesus. This thing of life and death is something we must all seriously consider, because after one’s physical death comes eternity. If the Lord Jesus tarries, physical death is coming for us all. No do overs. No second chances. Because “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Death can be sudden, or by God’s grace given time to prepare for the end of life.
Life, death and then eternity. That’s the God-ordained order for mankind created in His image. Our social, educational, political and economic status is altogether immaterial. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:25). God said “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). That ought to move every person to make a personal introspection of our life and weigh it against the word of God in Christ. There’s an old but very worthy saying that’s stayed with me since childhood: “Only one life will soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last.” That’s so very true.
Each of us is given a set number of days on this earth. The psalmist said of God, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psa. 139:16). [My emphasis] Each of us live on borrowed time from God, every breath we take is a gift of God’s grace and we do well to make every day, month and year count for the glory and Kingdom of God in Christ. We will answer to no one else except God who created us in His image. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15–17). Also, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
After we pass from this life our names will soon be forgotten, but God in Christ doesn’t forget our life on earth. We will each one be accountable to the One who gave us life. Let’s be moved by true faith in God to agree with the testimony of Jesus and His Holy Spirit, especially for these evil deceptive end-times now upon us. As I’ve written for many years many professing believers live by traditions of men, Mark 7:13, making God’s word of no effect. That’s no way to prepare for meeting God upon one’s death. “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Eph. 5:1). That means we preach His word; we prophesy His word; we believe His word; and we teach to obey His word. We do not circumvent His word; we do not look for ways around His word; we dare not add to His word, nor dare we subtract from His word, but traditions do all those things.
This is one reason I warn readers about Christians finding solidarity and unity with unbelieving Jews of Israel, the rebellious people Jesus called “a synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9 and Rev. 3:9). Jesus said they “blaspheme” saying “they are Jews and are not, but lie”. It’s utter rebellion and unbelief for a professing Christian to oppose Christ’s words and join with the people He called “a synagogue of Satan”. It mocks God and the Devil promotes it. It’s equally evil for professing believers to claim that Christ gathers His elect before the 7-year tribulation when Jesus said the opposite, that He gathers His elect “Immediately after the tribulation” (Matt. 24:29–31). But that’s how deception works, one lie feeds another, then another, until there’s many lies about God and His Christ, lies that suit unbelieving hearts and spirits desirous of another gospel. It’s called Dispensationalism. And God’s apostle said, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8–9). [My emphasis] Few hear Jesus.
I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that being a patriot or a U.S. citizen can’t save you. Being respected in the community can’t save you. Having prestigious, social, academic and economic achievements to your credit can’t save you. Being a church-goer can’t save you. Being religious can’t save you. Infant baptism can’t save you. Praying to dead saints can’t save you. Confessing your sins to a priest can’t save you. Praying ritualistic prayers can’t save you. Praying to Mary the mother of Jesus can’t save you. Good works can’t save you. Being sincere but wrong in your beliefs can’t save you. Simply believing in God can’t save you; “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19). [My emphasis]
ONLY a personal relationship of true faith in Jesus Christ can save you. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). If a thousand celebrity preachers say otherwise, they deceive and lie. And believe me when I say, these end-times are rife with popular pastors teaching many falsehoods and other ways to God, but they are a wicked brood, and their destruction does not sleep. It was also that way in ancient Israel. This is why it’s vital to know what God’s word says, and that doesn’t mean finding some liberal version or commentary of the Bible that tells seekers what they want to hear. Some Bible versions are progressively liberal and argue against many of God’s gospel truths. God said “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8–9). [My emphasis] Jesus is the only way.
I would be remiss if I didn’t share another vital truth. Broadly speaking, the spiritual depravity of humanity is rapidly increasing because the influence of evil spirits is exponentially increasing as God removes His restraint on evil in these end-times, 2 Thess. 2:7. Spiritual discernment of that truth reveals the overarching anger, hostilities and distrust ravaging the world. Societal crimes of rebellion against authority, thefts, murders, wars and lawlessness are rampant. Nations are angry. Wars and rumors of war multiply. Threats of nuclear war are real. President Donald Trump and many in his administration are now specifically targeted for assassination by the nation of Iran.
This is the chaos into which Antichrist comes and makes a false 7-year peace covenant, Dan. 9:27. And spiritually bankrupt world leaders will welcome “the son of perdition” (2 Thess. 2:3). Unbelieving Jews of Israel will welcome him as their messiah! Muslims will welcome him as their 12th Imam! And many professing believers in unity with unbelieving Jews of Israel who Jesus called “a synagogue of Satan” will likely welcome him because they’ve been promised by false Dispensational teachers that they’d never see Antichrist, but would instead be raptured pre-tribulation! Few have the spiritual integrity to discern these end-time truths as Dispensationalism leads millions away from the truth. Remember, “all the world [meaning the unbelieving masses] marveled and followed the beast” (Rev. 13:3b) after he survives his deadly head wound. And it’s imperative to prepare now, because resisting Antichrist may very well cost us our earthly lives.
Life, death and then eternity. What plans have you made? Have you prepared according to the testimony of God in Christ, or have you been deceived by Dispensational ear-tickling traditions of men? The first order of a professing Christian is that he or she believes Jesus Christ, and not make excuses why His end-time teachings weren’t meant for believers. But that’s not the reality today. No, quite the opposite. Just like ancient Israel at Num. 13, 14, the majority of professing believers follow the cries of whoever is most popular without believing God’s word themselves.
Each of our lives will one day be snuffed out suddenly, or maybe over time. And what we have believed or disbelieved about the testimony of Jesus Christ will determine our eternity. We will either hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23) or “the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). This world demands choice and eternity is each one’s free will and choice. Jesus said few take the difficult road that leads to life while many take the broad road to destruction, Matt. 7:13–14.
“I can’t die now. I still need to do the Russia sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization.” (Source) Those may have been the last words spoken by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham before he died from an aortic dissection. God had different plans that didn’t allow for Mr. Graham to finish his schedule. I hope and pray Sen. Lindsey Graham was prepared to meet his Maker. In light of eternity, as believers, we must all be certain that our life and faith agrees with the testimony of God in Christ and His Holy Spirit, and not believe traditions of men that oppose it, because Jesus said “’All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matt. 28:18–20). Yes, amen!
Jesus told believers to teach “all things” that He taught, which includes the things I’ve been writing and teaching. Jesus said He’s been given “All authority … in heaven and on earth.” Yet, many disbelieve His authority because they are led by false teachers who they can see instead of God who is unseen. But God said that “whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23b). Many preachers rationalize traditions and cultural norms while their pew-sitters ignorantly nod in agreement because what they hear sounds good to their non-discerning and fallen flesh.
In my spirit I see the Russia/Ukraine war continuing until one of those two nations goes nuclear, and I see the U.S./Israel and Iran war going nuclear at some point. The U.S. now seized control of the Strait of Hormuz regardless of what Iran says. I said from the start of this U.S./Israel and Iran war that neither the U.S. nor Israel recognized the power of unseen demonic forces they’re dealing with. For millennia Iran has been controlled by very powerful demonic spirits far more effective than human efforts. I sincerely believe the wars that now rage will continue until the Antichrist establishes his wicked end-time kingdom. Life, death, and then eternity. Maranatha!
My second book “ON EAGLES’ WINGS” explains in detail how to know Christ and find God’s Bozrah sheepfold of safety and place of provision for the last 1,260 days of the great tribulation.
Marlin J. Yoder
