Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Billy Graham
Death Is Done
The Apostle Paul, knowing that Jesus has conquered the grave and defeated death, seems to be making fun of death as if it’s a person by writing, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting” (1 Corinthians 15:56)? Death stings, doesn’t it, because “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” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57).
Suffering Is History
I love history. The amazing fact about reading history is that we fail to learn from it and are, thus, doomed to repeat it. But God will change all of that someday when suffering, pain, sorrow, tears, and even death will only be found in the history books (Revelation 21:4). Can you imagine being in a place where there is no more hurt, sorrow, suffering, pain, mourning, anguish, grieving, or death? You don’t have to imagine it. If you’re born again, then you’re just traveling to such a place, on your way to your heavenly home because this world is not our home.
Being in God’s Presence
One of the things I most look forward to when Christ returns is being in the very presence of God, and that’s what His Word promises. The Apostle John wrote, “The dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:3); and the saints “will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads” (Revelation 21:4).
Conclusion
We are all sojourners, just traveling through this world because, as Mr. Graham said, this is not our home. But the home we await is a world where death is no more, suffering is history, and we are in the very presence of God Himself. And how great is that!?
