The foolish king

The king and his fool

In ancient times, kings were so powerful that they more, or, less held the power of life and death over their subjects. For this reason, they did not have many people around them. Therefore, to keep the king entertained and in good spirits, so he would not arbitrarily misuse his power against his subjects due to boredom, the king’s men engaged the services of a court jester. The palace jester or the king’s fool, as they were better known in those days, was essentially a clown who was gifted enough to keep the king constantly happy and amused, so he would not abuse his power by sentencing his subjects to various hardships or even death at every whim.

This was a regular practice in many kingdoms of Ancient times

In one of such kingdoms

A certain king’s fool had kept his king amused and happy for many years, then the king began to wonder if there was anyone else who could be a bigger ‘fool’ than his jester. To answer his question, the king decided to send his jester on a mission. It was for the jester to search out someone who was more ‘foolish’ than himself. The king also gave his ‘fool’ a scepter to hand over to anyone he would find, who was more foolish than himself. And where he was unable to find a more foolish person than himself, the king’s fool was to keep the scepter for himself.

Searching for a greater fool

So, the king’s ‘fool’ made his preparations, and embarked on his search, traversing land and sea, seeking anyone who was more foolish than himself.

Many years passed by and he still had not found someone more foolish than himself.

Then, one day, he got an urgent message from the king that he should return home. So, he hastened to return. On his arrival in the palace, he found the king seriously ill and at the point of death.

The greater fool found!

The king was happy to see him, braved a smile, despite the obvious pain he was in. The king’s fool asked the king what the urgent matter was about, and the king told him that he was about to embark on a journey that he would never return from. The jester asked the king if he knew where he was going, but the king replied that he did not know. The jester then asked the king how prepared he was for the journey, but the king said he had not made any preparations whatsoever.

But before the jester could say anything further, the king asked him if he was able to find someone more foolish than himself, and the palace jester replied, “Yes, my king”;

and, handing the scepter to the king, he said, “You are that man!”

The journey to the great beyond

The palace jester could not imagine that someone who was to go on a journey as significant as the one his king was about to embark upon; neither knew where he was going nor was he at all prepared for the journey!

There are so many people who are unprepared for that last journey that all who live on earth must make.

What is most amazing is the fact that all around us, we see people die: the old, the young, the good, the evil, the rich, the poor, the philanthropist, the miserly, the over-achievers, the under-achievers, world leaders, unknown servants, Christians, Moslems, Buddhists, Krishnas, Atheists, occultists, native doctors, and so on. But not for one minute do people consider that it could be their turn the next day, or even the very next moment!

How prepared are you?

Dear friend, death is the end of all men on the earth, and only a fool will be unprepared for the inevitable. King Solomon, who is considered the wisest man to have ever lived, tells us this.

“Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies, so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2–4, NLT).

This wise man advises us to spend more time considering where we would end up after we die, rather than engage in frivolous partying. He suggests that we attend funerals, not for merriment, but for the refining influence the sorrow of the passing away of someone you once knew, would have on your soul.

In this world of uncertainty, it is amazing how people continue to live as though they will never die.

They engage in acts and conduct that leave one dumbfounded. For example, one wonders what a seventy-something-year old man is still looking for chasing after money and marrying more wives at that age! Could it be that he has been deceived into thinking that he is invincible and that he can be a husband to a woman who is probably the same age as his granddaughter? Or, is it that he is deceived into believing that he has more time to live?

Also, there are those who have the most curious preparation.

It is a preparation against death

They travel all around the world seeking charms that would keep them alive forever. I sometimes wonder how foolish, people one believes ought to know better can be. Those who engage the services of charmers to prepare for them, charms against death, are educated and influential men, who have attended the funerals of others, yet, their response to life’s inevitable call is to fight against it with charms? Unfortunately, they always lose the battle against death. A musician once sang a song in praise of a socialite many years ago; to the effect that death would not kill the socialite. No doubt, this socialite is long dead and buried for decades now!

Then, there are others who prepare for the journey of the end of life in a most amusing way.

For some, it is like making travel arrangements for a trip

Their preparations include buying the clothes they should be worn when they die; the casket in which they would be buried; the celebration that should take place after their burial; and, the reading of their will; but they give no thought to prepare for their destination after death! It is like making travel arrangements for a trip to a very cold country but never packing any warm clothing for use in the cold country. As good as it is to make arrangements for the welfare of those we leave behind after we die, it is even more important to prepare for your eternal destination!

Remember that your life’s journey does not end in the grave. No! There is a destination beyond the grave for everyone. Have you prepared yourself for your destination?

The end of life destinations

There are indeed two possible destinations for a soul after death, and it is neither the grave nor purgatory! Purgatory is the invention of man. It does not exist!

The two possible destinations for a departed soul are Hell and Heaven.

When a person dies, he goes to one or the other!

Hell is the place originally prepared for the devil and his demons; which has now been expanded to include all human beings who choose to go along with the devil, in this life. Hell is a place of great torment; a place of utter darkness, pain, and suffering. It is not a place that you would want to be in. It is the abode of evil personified. Everyone who desires to truly rest in peace after-life on earth should make every effort to avoid this place.

On the other hand, Heaven is the place where God lives

He has prepared it for all who live according to His standards. For sure, the standard of God is very high, but when a man repents through Jesus Christ, the Son of God; He will be there to help you to achieve God’s standards. Heaven is a place of beauty, peace, and eternal joy. It is a place of constant light from God; with the tree of life providing healing for the nations and individuals alike. Heaven has been built to accommodate all who desire to be there.

To get to destination hell, you do not need any preparations whatsoever, for hell is the default destination for all human beings, because of the sin of Adam and Eve.

God has made provision

However, through Jesus Christ, God has made a provision for all human beings to avoid hell. And this is where the matter of preparation becomes necessary. To be in heaven, the necessary preparation is that you must first repent of your sins, and, receive God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Thereafter, you are to live your life according to God’s word, and this is accomplished only through His Spirit, which He will put in you after you have repented of sin.

A quick illustration of what we are saying is apt at this point

In every nation, there are prisons built for the undesirables in society. These are usually citizens who go against the law of the land. And, as it is practiced in nations ruled by dictators, prisons are also designed to hold men who are considered by these dictators to be in opposition to their rule. To ensure that you do not spend your time in any prison therefore, you must be careful to avoid doing anything that can land you in one. Also, if you live in a nation ruled by a dictator, your preparations to avoid prison will include making sure that the dictator is pleased with you.

Are you prepared for your end of life journey?

Dear friend, are you preparing for heaven? Or, are you just living life without a care? Are you like the king in our story who knew about the inevitable journey he must embark upon, but made no preparations whatsoever?

Today, we plead with anyone reading this article;

if you have not been making preparations for the journey after death; choose heaven for your destination and begin to make your necessary preparations now.

It starts with the repentance of your sins. And as numerous as your sins are, God’s forgiveness is greater! Begin today to ask God for forgiveness. Turn your back on sin, make up your mind to live for God, and you will be well on the way to heaven.