Death is the opposite of life and human beings naturally fear it. Because the subject of death is often covered with mystery, it causes dread, uncertainty, and hopelessness to people. Therefore, let’s allow the Bible to shed light on this topic that we may no longer be scared:
God will eradicate death
Jesus declared that He is coming back to this earth to save His followers from eternal death. He promised to take His children to the beautiful home He has prepared for them where there is no death. He declared, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). And He affirmed, “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3 also Acts 3:20, 21; Hebrews 9:28).
The resurrection of the righteous
Those who accepted Christ and have been obedient to His Word but have died will be raised from their graves, given perfect and immortal bodies, and will be caught up into the clouds to meet the Lord at His second coming. The righteous living will also be given new bodies and will join resurrected saints to meet the Lord in the air. Jesus will then take all the saved to heaven.
The Bible states: “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven … and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). For “We shall all be changed … and the dead will be raised incorruptible. For … this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).
Death, sorrow, crying, and tragedy will never enter into God’s new kingdom. “‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:54). The redeemed will have glorious bodies not subject to death: “We also eagerly wait for… the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20, 21).
The destruction of the wicked
But those who have rejected Christ and His Word and rebelliously clung to sin, will perish when Christ appears in glory. Then, “With the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked” (Isaiah 11:4). And “At that day the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth” (Jeremiah 25:33).
Death defeated
Therefore, Christians need not be afraid of death nor dread it. Instead, they should have great hope, that Christ who overcome death (1 John 4:4) will grant them the final victory over death as well. For He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. They will shout, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Even though death stings as a scorpion (Romans 6:23), the redeemed in the New Earth will never again experience its deadly sting (Nahum 1:9).
Then, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). And “Those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead … nor can they die anymore” (Luke 20:35, 36).
Take heed
There is great danger that we may get too busy with the worries of this life and get taken by the pleasures of sin that the coming of the Lord could destroy us as the Flood did to the world in Noah’s day. Therefore, Jesus said, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly” (Luke 21:34 also Matthew 24:37). And He added, “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
