DEATH
Death is a thief. Death steals people from us. It robs us of relationships we hold dear. It brings us grief, tears, heartache, and the hollowness of loss. We are often unsure about what happens when we die. We may be concerned about what lies ahead for us and about the state of loved ones after they have left us. While there are some insights in the Bible, we are not given the details of life beyond the veil. Even so, there are some things we can know.
1 ) The Bible tells us that we have a different kind of life than animals.
Genesis 2:7 tells us that, “the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (NIV) This breath of life sets us apart from the animals. God created us as spirit beings with souls that express us to others.
2) The Bible is clear that there is life beyond death.
13 Brothers and sisters, 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.
14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
Those who have died in Christ have simply slipped through the veil between temporal life and the life beyond time, outside time. There, they live in peace, comfort, and joy.
3) The Bible justifies our hope that we will be reunited with those death has stolen.
17 [Afterwards], 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.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 & 17–18 (NIV)
This passage echoes the Old Testament words of King David, who said of his infant son who had died, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
2 Samuel 12:23 (NIV)
4) In the Bible we also find evidence that we will recognize those we encounter.
Luke 16 recounts Jesus telling a story about two men who died. In this parable we gain some insights that can help us have peace. There we learn that the poor man, who represents those who are in Christ, was carried away, upon his death, by angels. He was taken to a place that the King James Bible calls “the bosom of Abraham.” This is ancient Jewish terminology for the place of the righteous dead, or heaven.
The rich man, who typifies those who reject Jesus, recognizes Abraham across the metaphorical chasm between heaven and hell.
In Matthew we find the account of the transfiguration of Jesus. In it, we read that, “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:2–4 (NIV)
In this we see that Peter recognized Moses and Elijah, two men he had never met. From such evidence we can find reassurance that when we pass through the veil ourselves, we will know those who have gone before us.
5) That those who die in Christ are immediately with God is clear as well. In Luke 23:43 speaking to the thief on the cross next to Him who had expressed faith in Him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (NIV)
Heaven is not just a sweet thought for someday. It is the instantaneous reality at death for all in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.
We live in a temporal environment governed by time. On the other side of the veil separating us from those who have gone before us time, if it exists at all, is not the same.
6) Some are concerned about judgement, and there will be judgement for those who reject Jesus as their hope of righteousness. For those who have believed however, John 5:24 makes it clear that no judgement awaits. There Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (NIV) Romans 8:1 echoes this in saying, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (NIV)
In 1 Thessalonians 5 we find these very comforting words. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 (NIV)
Father’s desire for all of us is that we simply trust that Jesus has done everything necessary for us to have eternal life. The future of all who trust in Jesus is guaranteed. It is assured. It is unchangeably certain. In life, we live together with Jesus and in death that does not change.
To be sure, death is painful, heartbreaking, and causes mourning and grief for us who remain here in the temporal realm. Nevertheless, we can rest peacefully, knowing that those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and who have gone through the veil before us are truly at peace in the arms of our lovely Lord Jesus and that we will one day join them there.
7) Even with these assurances, death is upsetting. It just seems wrong. When someone we love dies, it is natural for us to ask why such a wrenching thing can occur.
Death is a byproduct of life in the fallen world that is governed by that old snake from the garden of Eden. There is a reason the Psalmist calls this life “the valley of the shadow of death.” The Bible tells us that “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12 (NIV)
Our enemy, the devil, is called the prince of darkness and the god of this world. He is the author of evil and the temporal world is under his influence.
Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Death does not come from God. God does not bring calamity. On the contrary, the Bible says, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:16–17 (NIV)
Father is not in the business of snatching up our loved ones because He needs another angel. God is in need of nothing whatsoever. Neither does God cause people to die as punishment for the sins of those who live on.
It is true that the ultimate consequence of sin is death. But Jesus gave His life so that the consequence would be suffered by Him. He laid down His life on your behalf and that sacrifice is credited to your account and applied to you the moment you believe God that Jesus is your only hope of righteousness. From that moment on no further punishment of sin can be levied because Jesus dealt with sin at the cross. That’s why John the Baptizer called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Indeed, the Bible is clear about this. It tells us that, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV)
Rather than bringing calamity, God demonstrated His love in that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. Consequently, we can “know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” 1 John 4:16–18 (NIV)
Death is a thief. Death steals people from us. It robs us of relationships we hold dear. It brings us grief, tears, heartache, and the hollowness of loss. Nevertheless, we can rest confident in the knowledge that those we have lost are not lost to God.
All in Christ who pass through the veil remain alive and glorified with Jesus, the lover of our souls. As is true for all of us who have believed on Jesus, the future of our loved ones who have died in Christ is guaranteed. It is assured. It is unchangeably certain.
As the Bible enjoins us, let us rejoice with those who rejoice and grieve with those who grieve. We do both of those things today. We rejoice because we know that Jason is in the arms of Jesus. We grieve with Jason’s family and all those who have been affected by his passing.
May the God of all peace comfort you, encourage you, and give you deep peace.
