Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– George Macdonald
Death’s Defeated
If we understand that death has been defeated by Christ’s victory over the grave, we shouldn’t fear death anymore because death is not an ending, but the beginning of our eternity, at least for those who have repented and trusted in Christ, but for those not saved, there is a judgment after death, and it is inevitable (Heb 9:27), and it is a most horrific eternity (Rev 20:12-15; 21:8), so that’s all the more reason to witness to the lost and pray that God might save them.
The Enemy’s Crushed
The first introduction to the gospel may surprise some people because it goes way back to just after the fall in the Garden of Eden. God said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen 3:15), and of course that “crushing” of Satan’s head came after Satan bruised Christ’s heel at the cross. Jesus was hurt, but Satan was crushed….defeated, and declawed and defanged. Yes, he can still harass us but nothing he can do can separate us from God (Rom 8:35).
Harmless Shadows
David wrote about the valley of the shadow of death in Psalm 23, but think about this; would you rather get hit by a train or by the shadow of a train? Obviously the shadow because a shadow might seem ominous but in reality, it’s harmless…shadows might seem imposing, but there’s also a shadow under a tree but that doesn’t mean the tree’s fallen on us. Shadows might get our attention, but they should never frighten us.
History in Reverse
If we look to the Book of Revelation and some of the prophets, like Isaiah, we can see that what has been prophesied will surely come to pass because biblical prophecy is history written in advance. The only thing we’re waiting for is for it to be fulfilled. Revelation 21:4 is one I can’t wait for because it says God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” It’s not happened yet…but it most certainly will!
Conclusion
I am not exactly sure why some Christians fear death so much because it’s simply a door we walk through to enter eternity. Death is not final…it is just the beginning, so we have no need to fear death. Besides, what’s the worst thing that could happen? We’d die and “bam,” we’d be with the Lord in the next moment, and so should we really dread that?
