“There is a difference,” I have always heard, “between the way a Christian dies and the way a sinner dies.”
And even in this day of modern medicine, this maxim holds largely true. That’s because Christianity brings with it a “new” philosophy, a “new” theology of death!
Even death existentially!
Because of Jesus … the “grim reaper” is no longer an accident or a stroke of bad luck or mere fate … rather death is a God-ordained “appointment!” Hebrews 9:27 clearly proves my point: “It is APPOINTED unto men once to die.” Appointed by our loving Lord!
In fact, there is Bible evidence that God already knows exactly how long a person will live. (Of course God is omniscient, knowing everything, isn’t He?) Psalm 139:16, describing us when we were still in the womb … “Thine eyes (God’s Eyes) did see my substance, yet being unperfect (still developing, growing); and in thy book all my members were written, WHICH IN CONTINUANCE WERE FASHIONED, when as yet there was none of them.” The noun “continuance” is “yom” in Hebrew. It means “days!” God has “fashioned” the number of days we are going to live!
Plus this, if a person is saved (washed in the Blood of Jesus) … death is not a leap into the dark. But rather a step into the future, going to be with Jesus Who loved us so, loves us so! Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8 … “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be ABSENT from the body, and to be PRESENT with the Lord.”
Wow!
Death, because of Calvary, is not something I have to fear! Jesus conquered death, He being a RESURRECTED Saviour! “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
And even though death is the result of sin entering the earth a long time ago, in the Garden of Eden when Eve and Adam first sinned, God views it (for the Believer) in a unique way! “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:5
Wow again!
The great Evangelist Dwight L. Moody is reported to have said: “If you wake up one morning and read my obituary, do not believe a word of it! I will not really be dead, but more alive than ever!” He had that much confidence that Heaven would be his eternal Home!
Going to be with Jesus!
Now, can that be so bad?
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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