Many great men of God have died in questionable circumstances over the years. Hence the church seemed to take this phenomenon as normal just because those involved in such death were acclaimed men of God, even when they died unprepared. Very many people take solace in the fact that their man of God spoke indirectly about death before they died. But I am saying here that speaking about death doesn't make the sudden death of any man of God normal. From the examples of Paul, Peter, Moses, Isaac, Jacob, etc, it is crystal clear that the norm is awareness, then preparing both the church and immediate family; and then divulging same to the congregation. Anything outside this is abnormal. It must be that the said man of God derailed. And at such the members of such a congregation ought to prayerfully find out what happened. It is dangerous for such a congregation not to ask God to know if their pastor's death has any thing to do with doctrinal issue, because some doctrines attract premature death, and may sway such church permanently away from God, except it is discovered. The only way, therefore is to ask God why.
In my recent post, I made it clear why God would not kill false prophets readily as stated in the parable of the wheat and tares. That even though Christ knew the damage the tares would cause to the wheat, he chose to leave it to avoid a greater damage- the discouragement of the believers in that said false prophet (Matt 13:27-30). Now tell me, if God did not kill the false prophet just for those who are Christians because of that man, why then would he kill or allow a genuine servant of his to die premature?
One very problem with the church today is that it takes the experiences of her G.Os as truth instead of God's word. the Bible says of Moses that his eyes didn't grow dim at the age of 120 (deut 34:7). That is the norm. If you don't have it so as a pastor, still make your people know that that is the norm. Your partial blindness at 50 notwithstanding. It could be that your eating habits was wrong at childhood.
Sometimes also you hear some pastors extole short life span. They even give examples of great people who died young. The promise of the Bible is long life. So I don't want to know that G.O. who died young (Ex 20:12). I know someone would argue and say 'what about the apostles. Did they all live long'? Now you must understand the position of the apostles in the Christian faith. The Bible calls them the pillars of the church. Even at Judgement, they would join Christ. Their experience were ordained to be similar to Christ's. Besides they were clearly aware of their deaths. That for another time.
Now, what cut short, most times, the life of a man of God is doctrinal deviations- heresies. I was not aware of this until I listened to the last messages of some men of God who died in such circumstances, particularly, the pastor who died in plane crash. He preached that Christians ought not to concentrate their preaching on Christ but the kingdom. He said Christ is just the way, not the kingdom, so should not be the focus of Christian messages. That preaching is damning, and any people who believe that would surely miss heaven.
What is the kingdom of God? Is it not Christ? The Bible says Christ is the end of all things. Christians are not praying for the kingdom; they are already in the kingdom. Jesus says, he that believeth in him has (not Will have) eternal life (Jn 3:15-18). The old testament is simply a shadow of Christ. Every thing promised in the old testament is fulfilled in Christ including the kingdom. So Christ is the only message of the church. Every other ones are simply specifics.
Popularity is good but dangerous. God may not be so concerned when you preach in a local church. But when you are using gadgets that makes you reach greater people, be careful what you preach. Many pastors would surely do restitution before they die because of many errors they have spread due to arrogance. Be wise.
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