In Belfast, Ireland, in the Spring of 1909, approximately 20000 workers began construction on a ship for the White Star Company of which U.S. mogul J.P. Morgan was a major stockholder. This vessel was designed to be bigger and better than anything currently out there on the market. When completed three years later, it would measure an impressive 10 decks high and three football fields long.
This ship was named the RMS Titanic and was lauded worldwide for its grandeur. Superlatives such as opulent, luxurious, elegant, lavish, grand, and elegant were used to describe it. Ticket prices ranged from $35-$4300. It could accommodate 1500 passengers and 750 crew members.
On April 10, 1912, it set out on its maiden voyage from England to New York. Within three hours, the bow was submerged and chaos ensued as people were scrambling to get on one of the 16 lifeboats or four collapsible boats. Only one ship, The Carpathia, responded to distress signals in those early morning hours and it picked up as many Titanic passengers as possible. The rough waters and frigid temps made survival difficult.
By daybreak on April 15, 1912, the world was waking up to news of the worst maritime disaster in history. The New York Times headline read: “Saved–866 Probably Drowned–1254.” In the days that followed, final estimates recorded 32% survivors and 68% fatalities.
I would imagine that 99% of the 2200 souls onboard the Titanic thought they were totally safe before the iceberg pierced the right side of the hull just below the waterline. How many of the 2200 were spiritually prepared for possible death? How many of us are?
If there were to be a newspaper headline following Judgment Day, which column do you want your name? Saved or lost? I think of the Book of Life somewhat as a headline. Revelation 20:12-13 says that those whose name is not written there are cast into a lake of fire. Matthew 7:13-14 tells us about the broad gate that leads to destruction or the narrow gate that leads to life.
Later, in Matthew 7:21, it tells us that not everyone who thinks they are going to heaven will enter the kingdom, but those who do the will of the Father. Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We are not promised tomorrow, but we do have the here and now.
God offers each of us a “lifeboat” like no other with His Holy Word. It is up to us and our free will if we will accept His invitation and desire for us to be part of His heavenly home. The good news is each of us, as long as we have breath, have the ability to “write” our final headline of lost or saved. 2 Peter 1:10 tells us to make our calling and election sure, whether the need is to get into our heavenly lifeboat or adjust our life vest.
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