Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– George Macdonald
Death Is Defeated
Jesus conquered the grave, and by His resurrection, we are assured to be raised to new life also; so, death is not final at all. The author of Hebrews writes, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Heb 2:14-16). The fact is that death has been defeated for all those who trust in Him, Who defeated death at its own game, because death has been swallowed up in victory, the victory that Jesus brought by His death (1 Cor. 15:54). Eventually, there will be no more death at all (Rev. 21:4), and that last enemy will vanish forever.
Death Is Not Final
Paul wrote that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). So, for us, death’s not final at all. It only brings us into the glorious presence of the Lord, and what we have to go through in this life can’t even be compared to the glory that’s coming (Rom. 8:18). Even those who have been martyred cannot be separated from God (Rom. 8:38). So, we don’t have to fear what anyone can do to us (Psalm 118:6), because God is for us and our trust is in Him, and there is no fear at all of what any man can do(Psalm 56:11).
Death Is the Beginning
For those who are now in their grave, they’re really not there if they’ve been born again (2 Cor. 5:8). Jesus tells us, “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice” (John 5:28) and “the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live” (John 5:25). Even Martha, talking about Lazarus, who was dead at the time, knew “he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (John 11:24) because “many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan. 12:2).
Conclusion
The Christian can rejoice because not even death can separate us from God’s love. Death is never final. Instead, it is a new beginning, and “those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens…like the stars for ever and ever” (Dan. 12:3). Doesn’t that make you want to shout for joy?
