“I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.” (Job 30:23)
I think one of the most challenging things we face in our lives is the death of a loved one! As the writer of Hebrews informs us:
“…just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…” (Heb. 9:27)
We all have or will suffer this loss, but we must remember that:
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.” (Psalms 116:15)
You see, from God’s point of view, He created us to live with Him, forever! When does that begin? When we are born again and become a brand-new creation in Christ and then we keep our appointment with the death of this mortal body and become “clothed” with immortality (eternal life)!
“…we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you DO NOT GRIEVE LIKE THE REST OF MANKIND, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again…God will bring with Jesus those who have FALLEN ASLEEP IN HIM…For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command…and the dead in Christ WILL RISE FIRST. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up TOGETHER with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord FOREVER. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:13-18)
I believe that is why Jesus made this statement: “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (John 8:51) because when a Christian “dies” they just “fall asleep” in Jesus!
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corin. 15:54-56)
Thank you, Lord, you will “wake up” our loved ones and we’ll be “caught up” together…Bill Stockham