Recently, a young man, still a boy, really, collapsed and died immediately following his throwing a touchdown pass in a high school football game. Whenever a young person dies it is extremely difficult to understand how this could happen. But the fact of the matter is that we do not get to choose when we will die or how we will die. But we can choose how we will live our lives. And how we live can make all the difference when we die and where we will live eternally. The Hebrews writer states, “And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 [RSV]).
We, as Christians who have been immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) and clothed with the garments of our Savior, Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27) need fear no man. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 [RSV], "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." Before He left His disciples Jesus promised that He would not leave them as orphans, but instead He would send them the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort them: 16. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, 17. even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; you know Him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you. 26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:16-17 [RSV]; John 14:26 [RSV])
So what awaits those who are in Christ when death calls or the Lord returns to gather His saints with Him? Indescribable joy! 15. “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night within His Temple; and He Who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His presence. 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 3. and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them; 4. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 7:15-17 [RSV]; Revelation 21:3-4 [RSV])
Because our God is such a great God of comfort we, too, can join with David of old in declaring, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 [RSV]).
We, as Christians who have been immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) and clothed with the garments of our Savior, Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27) need fear no man. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 [RSV], "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear Him Who can destroy both soul and body in Hell." Before He left His disciples Jesus promised that He would not leave them as orphans, but instead He would send them the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort them: 16. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, 17. even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; you know Him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you. 26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (John 14:16-17 [RSV]; John 14:26 [RSV])
So what awaits those who are in Christ when death calls or the Lord returns to gather His saints with Him? Indescribable joy! 15. “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night within His Temple; and He Who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His presence. 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 3. and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them; 4. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 7:15-17 [RSV]; Revelation 21:3-4 [RSV])
Because our God is such a great God of comfort we, too, can join with David of old in declaring, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 [RSV]).
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