Between death and resurrection

Today we will look at what happen to a believer when he/she dies.

Even if we die we will live

When we listen to the message of Jesus Christ, and believe in him, then we have already passed from death into life (John 5:24). Everyone who believes in Christ has eternal life (John 3:16, 36). Death has lost its ability to separate us from God (Romans 8:38-39) for we have been made alive in Christ to live in a continual fellowship with God. Jesus Christ explained it this way:

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. (John 11:25-26)

Because we are still in this world we will suffer from aging and death like everyone else. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

The believer’s death

Our life and death are precious to God. Everyone has a great value in the sight of God as created in his image and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. God has compassion for those who suffer and die. Death is not a punishment for Christians but rather the final outcome of living in a fallen world. God uses the experience of death to complete our sanctification and our union with Christ.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. (Ps 116:15)

And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13)

Our obedience to God is more important than preserving our own lives. That is why Paul was not afraid of dying: “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love” (Acts 20:23-24). This conviction gave him the courage to return to Lystra after he had just been stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:20-22). He endured many sufferings and dangers (2 Corinthians 11:23-27), often risking his life, in order to obey Christ. Therefore, at the end of his life he could say, with a note of great triumph:

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. (2 Tim 4:6-8)

The death of a believer must be seen in light of the plan and purpose of God. Then we will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. When Christian friends and relatives die, our sorrow will show genuine grief at our felt loss of fellowship with the loved ones. Like the godly men who buried Stephen with loud weeping (Acts 8:2) we may express our sorrow in great emotions, sorrow mixed with joy because of our Christian hope. Actually the death of someone will help us to look at life in a new light, with a greater perspective.

It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time.Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now. (Ec 7:1-4)

What happen when we die?

In the Bible we find many different expressions used to describe what is taking place when we die. Since we have already passed from death to life (John 5:24), dying is like leaving one room and entering another room. Here are some of the expressions we find in the Bible:

After I am gone (2 Peter 1:15)

You will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)

He will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death (Isaiah 25:7-8;)

Those who have fallen asleep in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

There is a special rest waiting for the people of God (Hebrew 4:3, 9)

The apostle Paul says that he is torn between two desires: to be here in this world or to go to be with the Lord. Even though he describes dying as being naked, that is being without a body (see 2 Corinthians 5:2-4), it is still a much better way of existence while he is waiting for the new spiritual body he will receive at the resurrection at the return of Christ.

I’m torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, 24but it is better for you that I live. (Phil. 1:22-24)

When a believer dies he goes to be with the Lord, he leaves the corruptible world and enters the presence of God. When we die we leave this world and enter a new existence that is far better than anything we have experienced here on this side of death. Still this is not the final destiny of the believers but only an intermediate state while we are waiting for the resurrection of the body and eternal glory. Tomorrow we will look at that.

Exercise:

What has been most comforting to you in today’s teaching? Why?

What has been most challenging to you in today’s teaching?

Continue to memorise the previous Bible verses, and add this one to your list:

All honour to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).