It is common, in American society today, for people to talk about various things being “destiny.” They might be referencing a particular event or person with which they feel they were meant to interact. However, most reference destiny from a purely secular perspective without any thought for Biblical perspective or enlightenment of what true destiny is.
Webster defines “destiny” as, “Something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing: lot or fortune” or “The predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible course of events.” With both of these definitions the emphasis is upon events that are predetermined to occur in such a way that they cannot be avoided. The Bible speaks of two different areas of destiny for every person on the face of this earth, but they are often not the destinies most wish to consider.
It is the destiny of every person to die
From the time he is conceived, man moves steadily toward that destiny of death. In spite of all the medical advances of science, there is no way to avoid death. It comes to everyone, whether old or young. Solomon deals with the topic of death on a number of occasions in the book of Ecclesiastes. A couple of examples include, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die;” (3:1-2), and, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (12:7). The point of Solomon’s inspired musings on this topic is seen in his introduction of the book when he states, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (1:9). Death is a part of life. It is that toward which all men move every moment of life.
Understanding this destiny of man, it is difficult to comprehend why so many put off their preparations for this inevitable event. Not from the standpoint of physical preparations, but spiritual. Every day, the majority of the world goes through life with no treasures laid up in heaven (Mat. 6:19-21), and no hope for the future (Eph. 2:12). The importance of preparing for death could not be overstated.
It is the destiny of every person to stand before God in judgment
Though the number of people who seek in any way to prepare spiritually for death may be small, the number of people who are prepared to stand before God in judgment is even smaller. There are many who will stand before God on the day of judgment rejected by him for not fulfilling his commandments (Mat. 7:21-23).
Paul affirmed that all would appear before God to give an account of their deeds when he wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Solomon resolved, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecc. 12:13-14). We are all destined to stand before God in judgment of our actions, but many have not even begun to consider the ramifications of that truth.
There truly are destinies in place for every person. They cannot be altered or avoided and mankind must be prepared for them. They are not found in the ways many profess, nevertheless the question remains: are you prepared to meet your destiny?