Death; what many fail to understand

I know at the mention of death, most of you are suddenly engulfed by the fear of uncertainty. In fact, it is a topic most of us dread and often times would do anything to shrug off. Because it is generally thought you could be welcoming a misfortune.

Yet the more I think about death, the more I get peace in my soul. The more I am rejuvenated to attend to my purpose. The more I understand why I am here. For behold, whether you think about it or not, it shall surely come. Yes I just said; you shall die some day. We all shall and I need not to persuade you on this. Actually, when my father died in late 2011, I found myself at crossroads. I thought a lot about him and would fantasize at times wondering where he might have gone. So my journey to know the truth about death began.

[Ec 3:1-2]  To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; (KJV)

As real as death is, so ought we to be factual about it.  What actually happens when we die? Perhaps this may be mistaken for a rhetoric question just because no one has gone and come back. Nevertheless, as one who esteems the bible as a true witness of the word of God, I believe the bible has all the answers we need to know.

What actually is death? Death is simply a separation of the body and the inner person who is the real you. It is the coming to an end of the life of the body. It is the passage from earth to glory for those who believe in Jesus Christ. It is a necessary step, I would say.

That is still not enough a definition! It is important I mention that death is twofold. There is physical death and spiritual death. How do I know this? Well let’s read Ephesians 2:5;

Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). Amplified Version

The kind of death referred above is a spiritual death. Spiritual death is separation from God. It derives its power from sin. Though the physical death has not occurred, the scripture says we were dead as long as we were in sin. Yet we received life through salvation but still not immune to physical death! Look at the next scripture in 1 Cor 15: 55-57;

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. [Amplified Version]

When Jesus Christ came he declared he was the way, the truth and the life  [John 14:6]. This life being talked about here is the God kind of life which is eternal and spiritual. This means anyone without this kind of life is dead.

 And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. [1John 5:11-12]

In fact look at what Jesus tells Martha, the sister of Lazarus who had died:-

Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this? [John 11:25-26, Amplified] 

In the scripture above, we need to establish the kind of death Lazarus was in. It was a physical death. That is why Jesus referred his disciples to the death of Lazarus as falling asleep. Lazarus needed to be woken up! Hallelujah! He was not in spiritual death. Resurrection shall happen to all who are not in spiritual death. Resurrection means the body coming back to life. For our case the physical body shall be raised a spiritual body [1Cor. 15: 44].

The death of Jesus Christ was in twofold. He died both a physical and spiritual death. Since He bore our sins, He was separated from God for 3 days – spiritual death. His body had no life – physical death.

But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. [Acts 2:24, New Living Translation]

The power of God raised Him from the dead and so He defeated the power of death. Friends; death has pain and is horrific. Certainly, it does not torment the physical body as the body lies at rest here on earth. Death is able to hold the soul in its grip for anyone choosing to face it alone without Christ.

But for all those who put their hope on Him, there is the assurance just as He said He is the resurrection, that they can have another life after death. There is therefore no doubt that there is no death for them that are in Christ (who have life and are not dead spiritually). Why? Because even though they die (physically), they shall rise again. HALLELUJAH

It therefore leaves us with much to be desired just like Balaam said, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” [Numbers 23:10]

In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death [Proverbs 12:28]

Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (His loving ones). [Psalms 116:15, Amplified Version] 

The Holy Spirit helps me to say that in death there is victory. There is no pain. No sorrow. No uncertainty for the man whose trust is in Jesus Christ. All but there is, is eternal light that shines upon the soul, completion, perfection and the joy of being united eternally with God in Holiness and Purity. How I long to set my foot on that city whose streets are of pure gold and whose tabernacle God dwells.

What therefore should make you afraid? Physical death or Spiritual death? I am afraid that most people are spiritually dead yet in great fear of physical death. So paradoxical! 

Please see more here April, 20th Morning Devotion