5 Truths about Death for a Christian

  Death is certain. We do not have to live long on this earth to realize that death is a part of life. If we are going to be born, the day will come when we will also die. What happens then? What does the Bible say about what occurs when we die?The answer is very different for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and those who do not. For those who do not know Christ in a personal way, death will bring the ultimate, eternal separation from God. But, for those who have experienced the grace of God given through salvation in Christ, God promises a wonderful experience through our death. Here are five facts that Christians should know about death:
  

1. For a Christian, it is not death that comes but life.

Jesus described the death process for a believer in Him to be the process of stepping from this world into the next life. Jesus goes on to say that in fact the Christian never really dies but ceases to live here and starts to live the eternal life in heaven. Though from the perspective of earth, which is the only perspective we can see now, it looks like the person dies.

From the perspective of heaven, the person really has not died but started to live the most incredible life there. (See John 11:24-26.)

 2. For a Christian, we step into God’s presence.

God’s word is very clear that when a follower of Christ breathes the last breath here, the very next instant he or she steps into the presence of Jesus. When we are absent from this world, we are seeing Jesus face to face.

Being away from this body through death means being at home with the Lord through life eternal. For a Christian, leaving this life instantly puts us with Jesus
(See 2 Corinthians 5:8.) 

3. For a Christian, the bad of this world is left behind.

For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our death here brings with it the opportunity to leave the things that we don’t like here as well. When we step into the presence of the Lord, we will no longer experience
tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain.

There will be no more disease, temptation, sin, struggle, or worry. We leave these things behind because they will not be in heaven. Those things are gone…forever. (See Revelation 21:4.) 

4. For a Christian, this new life in a new place is forever.

Though this life is temporary as we are born, grow old, then die, the next world will never have an end. Our minds cannot fathom the fullness of the truth, but the next life will be an eternal life. It never ends. The awesomeness of heaven lasts forever.
(See John 3:16.)

 5. For a Christian, Jesus may come back while we are still alive.

The Bible also describes the fact that one day Jesus will come and claim those who belong to Him and take them instantly to heaven. So, some Christians will not have to face death at all but will be raptured into heaven when Jesus comes back.

Of course, we do not know when Jesus is coming, and we need to be ready for that to happen at any time, but on that day when Jesus comes back, all those who have experienced Him through faith will be escorted straight to heaven without having to go through the doorway of death to get there.

For those Christians, their forever will start on that day when Jesus comes to take us home. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:17.)

The world looks at death and thinks that death has the final say. Thankfully, this is not true. The day will come when Jesus will call to those in the grave and the dead will be raised to experience the eternal life that they have in Christ or in eternal condemnation that they have apart from Christ. Ultimately, Jesus, not death, speaks the final word. (See John 5:25-29.) Death can be scary. But, for a Christian, it should not be. Death is the pathway through which we enter the true life and the forever life that we will experience in heaven. Since death is coming to us all, we need to be sure we are ready.

Plus, for Christians, we must be sharing Christ so that others can experience the salvation He offers and go to heaven when they die as well. For Christians, because of Jesus we experience victory over death.

Jesus Bless us!
Novena Prayer Family