There are two kinds of death-the cessation of life here on earth, and the missed opportunity to live in heaven with God forever. To die physically is to leave our earthly body and our place in the earthly community. To die spiritually, eternally, is to miss eternal residence in heaven with God and his people, to be separated from God forever. When we die physically, we can be even more alive as we take up our residence in God’s eternal home with him and with his people. It is not pleasant to think of dying physically. But it is devastating to think of missing heaven forever.
Death is no respecter of persons. It is the great equalizer here on earth. Rich, poor, wise, foolish, great, simple-all will die. But there is a way to have something waiting for you when you get to heaven.
Psalm 49:10 . . . Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.
Matthew 6:19-20 . . . Store your treasures in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:10 . . . We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.
John 14:2 . . . There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.
You can’t take anything with you when you die, but there is a way to receive much when you arrive in heaven, for God rewards those who have been faithful to him and leave behind a legacy of goodness.
What happens when someone dies?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 . . . I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died.
1 Corinthians 15:52 . . . When the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies.
Revelation 14:9-12 . . . They will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.
Revelation 20:15 . . . Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:3 . . . Look, the home of God is now among his people!
A Christian who dies will meet God and live with him forever. A person who is not a Christian will be condemned to eternal punishment.
In what way does accepting Christ keep me from dying?
Romans 8:10 . . . Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God.
When we accept Christ, we are given eternal life. This does not prevent the death of our body, but it does assure true life with him in heaven forever and ever. And isn’t that the life that counts the most?
How do I keep a proper perspective about death? Why am I so afraid of it?
Colossians 3:1-3 . . . Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven . . . Let heaven fill your thoughts.
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 . . . We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life.
Fear of the unknown is natural, and fear of death can be healthy if it draws us to know more about God. It is helpful to think of death as a beginning, not an end. It is our entrance into eternal life with God.
Philippians 1:21 . . . To me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.
A fear of death may be an indication of a weak relationship with God. You must be ready to die (be at peace with yourself) in order to appreciate life fully.
In life after death, do we keep these bodies or get new ones, or do we have no bodies at all?
1 Corinthians 15:42 . . . Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die.
Promises from God:
Psalm 49:15 . . . As for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me form the power of death.
John 11:25 . . . I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.
Isaiah 25:8 . . . He will swallow up death forever!
Matthew 10:28 . . . “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.”
Romans 6:23 . . . The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.