God Speaks about Death

As some of you may know, my family has recently suffered a death.  As the previous clip from "Pollyanna" relates, it was rather unexpected. My brother passed on Dec. 3, 2021, with no real warning. He was not in the best of health, but he had nothing that seemed immediately life-threatening. I knew it was about "time" for me to post another blog post and I have really not been on top of it. I actually have two others that I started that just didn't seem to flow, so they are on hold for another time. In preparing for his funeral, I spent time in the Scriptures trying to find the "right" one for his funeral card. I believe God wants to speak to you through some of the Scriptures I found during that search.

The first thing we need to realize is that for believers in God and in the work that Jesus did, we will not experience true death.  For those that believe, they have an earthly death where their bodies no longer work, but the spirit of those who believe goes to heaven after the earthly body is done. For those that are not believers, the Bible tells us that they WILL have a true death.  Not only an earthly death, but they will have a spiritual death as well and will suffer from pain and agony for eternity.

Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master. Romans 6:23                                                                                                                                                                Those who believe in the Son will bask in eternal life, but those who disobey the Son will never experience life. They will know only God’s lingering wrath. John 3:36

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

My family knows that my brother was a believer in God and in the work of Jesus; therefore, we know (although it is still very sad) that he is in heaven.  Those who knew my brother might know of some of his "less-than-honorable" shenanigans and wonder how God might accept him through the pearly gates. The truth is that God KNOWS we ALL commit "less-than-honorable" shenanigans, so His requirement for heaven is not difficult. He doesn't ask us to never do our bad things again because He made us and knows that we cannot keep from doing bad things occasionally. His requirement is that we BELIEVE in Him and that Jesus died for our bad things.  My brother believed this so we have perfect assurance that he is in Heaven right now.

Brothers and sisters, we want you to be fully informed about those who have fallen asleep in death so that you will not be overwhelmed with grief like those who live outside of the true hope.  Here’s what we believe: since Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, God will bring with Jesus all who have died through Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14  

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26

Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever.  2 Corinthians 5:1

For my life is about the Anointed and Him alone. And my death, when that comes, will mean great gain for me. Philippians 1:21

The Scripture we ultimately chose was: Therefore, we were buried with Him through this baptism into death so that just as God the Father, in all His glory, resurrected the Anointed One, we, too, might walk confidently out of the grave into a new life. Romans 6:4

God is not a distant ruler sitting up in Heaven with no regard to earth. God is aware of sorrows and through Jesus and because of Jesus knows what we are going through.  He tells us that He will be with us through our sorrows and through our pain. He will be near to the broken-hearted.

When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close and revives him in his pain. Psalm 34:18

Blessed are those who mourn—they will be comforted.  Matthew 5:4

God truly has care and concern for all people; afterall, He created each and everyone. It is His desire that all would come to know Him, and He makes it easy! Make 2022 a great new year by getting to know God better!  Allow Him to ease your pain and sorrows and come to know Him on a personal level!

The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost. 2 Peter 3:9