FACING DEATH

The fact is that each one of is going to die. (Hebrews 9:27) The only thing that will prevent us from dying is the return of Jesus Christ. The day of His return is not known. (Matthew 24:36) Should He not return within the next one hundred years it is probable that all who are reading this article shall be dead. Some of us may die much sooner than we think. Should a person be able to live to his old age his body will eventually just wear out and quit working. Of course, many folks don't even make it to old age. Accidents, war, crime, and disease can take a person at any age. Sooner or later each of us must face our own death.
Some people are extremely afraid of dying. Doctors and scientists who are afraid of dying are working to make man immortal. It will never happen. God intends for each of us to die. (Hebrews 9:27) Man cannot live forever. Those who try to live forever only find themselves deeply disappointed. All men die.
Why are some folks afraid of death? Some are afraid because they don't know what will happen to them after death. Others are afraid because they believe that they simply cease to exist when they die. Others may fear death because they know they are not prepared to die.
Though many fear death, we don't have to. We don't have to fear death because we have hope in death. (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Paul understood this hope very well. As he faced the possibility of his own death he said, "to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) How could death be a gain for Paul? He was a faithful Christian and he was ready to die. Because he was spiritually ready to die he knew that he would go to be with Christ, and that being with Christ in the after life is far better than living in this sin soaked, agony filled world. (Philippians 1:23) Paul didn't advocate suicide but he did advocate having hope in death by being prepared for death. Consider the words Paul wrote to Timothy as he faced death. (2 Timothy 4:6-8) Paul was ready to die. He was ready to die because he had fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. He was ready to die because he knew that a great reward was awaiting him. Paul had hope in death. You can too.
In Luke 16:20-31 a very sad picture is painted. A rich man unwilling to use his wealth to help the poor died. When he died he found himself in Hades, which is the realm of the dead. In Hades there are two places. One is a place of torment and that is where the rich man found himself. In this same passage a very happy story is also told. Lazarus died in a saved condition. He was prepared to meet His Lord. Consequently the angels came and carried him to Abraham's bosom. This is the same place to which Christ went when He died. (Luke 23:43) Jesus referred to it as paradise. Faithful Christian, when you die the angels shall carry you to paradise. There is hope in death.
John the apostle had been exiled to the island of Patmos when he was elderly. A voice from heaven came to this old man while he was on this desert island. The voice told him to write, "blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." (Revelation 14:13) Christians are blessed when it comes to death, for when we die we shall rest from all the hard work, troubles, trials, pains, sorrows, and etc of this life. We will rest in paradise with other faithful servants of God who have gone on before.
David said, "yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4) God is with the faithful Christian. God is with us in life and in death. Trust that God will send His angels to take you to a place of extreme joy, pleasure, peace, and tranquility. Paradise is a place with such joys as we cannot imagine here on earth. When your time comes you can be ready. There is hope in death. Have no fear.
~Kevin V. Rutherford