How Do You View Death?

1. Death is the result of sin

Genesis 2:17 — “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Romans 6:23a — ‘For the wages of sin is death”

2. Death is an evil intruder into the world

1 Corinthians 15:26 —“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

3. Death is followed by judgment

Hebrews 9:27 — “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”

Revelation 20:12 — “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”

4. Death for unbelievers is the entrance into eternal and terrible punishment

Matthew 25:41, 46 — “Then [the Son of Man] will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. … And these will go away into eternal punishment …”

Luke 13:28 — “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.”

5. Death for believers is the doorway to eternal life and joy with God

1 Corinthians 15:52, 54-55 — “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. … then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’”

Revelation 21:4 — “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.”

Philippians 1:21, 23 — “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. … My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”

Quote of the Day

“No person ever said, at the end of their days, ‘I have read my Bible too much, I have thought of God too much, I have prayed too much, I have been too careful with my soul.’”

– J. C. Ryle

Quote of the Day

“If we regularly beheld the glory of Christ our Christian walk with God would become more sweet and pleasant, our spiritual light and strength would grow daily stronger and our lives would more gloriously represent the glory of Christ. Death would be most welcome to us.”

— John Owen

The Glory of Christ

A Word Worth Its Weight in Gold

J. C. Ryle in Be Content —

Stick to that word "never." It is worth its weight in gold. Cling to it as a drowning man clings to a rope. Grasp it firmly, as a soldier attacked on all sides grasps his sword. God has said, and will stand to it, "I will never leave you!"

"Never!" Though your heart often faints, and you are sick of self, and your many failures and infirmities; even then the promise will not fail.

"Never!" Though the devil whispers, 'I shall have you at last! In little while, your faith will fail, and you will be mine!' Even then, God will keep his Word.

"Never!" Though waves of trouble go over your head, and all hope seems taken away. Even then the Word of God will stand.

"Never!" When the cold chill of death is creeping over you, and friends can do no more, and you are starting on that journey from which there is no return. Even then—Christ will not forsake you.

"Never!" When the Day of Judgment comes, and the books are opened, and the dead are rising from their graves, and eternity is beginning. Even then the promise will bear all your weight. Christ will not leave his hold on your soul.