One day, we will all die. There is no avoiding it; we will all face death. That is certain!
“Everyone will die someday. Death comes to godly and sinful people alike. It comes to good and bad people alike. It comes to “clean” and “unclean” people alike. Those who offer sacrifices and those who don’t offer them also die. A good person dies, and so does a sinner. Those who make promises die. So do those who are afraid to make them. Here’s what is so bad about everything that happens on this earth. Death catches up with all of us.” Ecclesiastes 9:2-3 (NIrV
Death is the great equalizer. All the money, status, or fame can’t keep you from dying. When you are dead, you are just as dead as the poorest person on earth. You are just as dead as the least known person on earth.
It is only natural to fear the unknown, but the Bible makes it clear that death is not something to be feared. It is not the end, but the beginning. Life is not the opposite of death. Birth is the opposite of death. Birth and death are merely entrance and exit points to our time on earth. Life continues.
Death only affects the physical body. At the point of death, the spiritual body, our soul is set free from all the limitations of our physical body. Think of it like the butterfly. It spends the first part of its life confined to crawling around on earth as a caterpillar, but after it metamorphs into a butterfly, it is released from the earth, and can fly to new heights.
Paul makes it clear, that while we are here on earth, we are absent from the Lord. How much better it will be, to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
Now the question becomes, where will we spend the rest of eternity. Will we fly away to glory to be with Jesus in heaven, a place with no more pain or suffering. A place of eternal joy. Or will we spend eternity in hell, a place of suffering, that knows no joy. We have a choice. But we must make that decision before death comes knocking on our door. By then it is too late.
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)
For the Christian, one that has surrendered one’s life to Christ, death is not something to be feared, but rather something to look forward to.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57, where Paul writes: “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting?” Hosea 13:14
Death has no sting for the believer, because there is no unforgiven sin. Our sin has been paid for by the blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary’s cross. It has been removed and atoned for. Sin has no power in our lives. Death has no sting. At death’s door, we will be set free to be with our Lord in Heaven. For believers, death is actually a type of graduation in which we leave this sin-cursed existence and enter into a glorious eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Paul said he would prefer to die and go be with Jesus, but his work on earth is not yet done: “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” Philippians 1:21
Are you prepared to face death? Have you decided where you will spend eternity? Do you know Jesus? You can. Just ask Him to come into your life. Maybe you don’t believe in Jesus, that He is the Son of God, that he died for you as a sacrifice for your sins, that He rose from the grave and conquered death. That’s okay. He still loves and knows everything about you. Just ask Him to reveal Himself to you. If you are sincere, He will.
Christ has conquered death; it is no longer something to fear. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ have no reason to fear death and the grave; on the contrary, the best is yet to come.
Books by Jerry, many of which you may read for free on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jerry-Blount/author/B06XK4GJT1
- Things You Probably Didn’t Learn in Church
- Basic Christianity: Living a Joy-Filled Life and Making a Difference
- The End Times: Signs and Prophecy
- Noah and the Great Flood: Proof and Effects
- Following Jesus and Fishing Along the Way: Stories of God’s Great Outdoors
- The Rapture: Coming Soon
- Delighting in the Lord: Enjoying a Close Walk with Jesus
- Evidence of God: Proof beyond Doubt
Sharing Jesus 