die

I’ve always assumed and been totally convinced, that by now (2014) Christ would have returned to earth and taken His rightful place upon His glorious throne. It was somewhat inconceivable to me that our world would/could survive without Him beyond 1988, or for sure past 2000! However, today, here we are some 14.5 years into a new millennium, and while the signs of the time seem evident, our Lord’s magnificent appearing still lingers. Theologically and biblically speaking, we all know that no living human being actually knows the exact moment of our snatching away (I Thessalonians 4:16-17 – the rapture of His true church) or His imminent return. Unquestionably, in the framework of my former view, I would never see 60 years of age in this realm of my physical existence. Needless to say, while never a “date setter,” I was wrong on both accounts. Christ hasn’t called for His people, and I’m still on earth in this aging/decaying mortal body. Nonetheless, as long as we remain, four things are certain . . . definitely and unmistakably IMMINENT.

Random House Dictionary defines imminent as “likely to occur at any moment” and Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary states, “threatening to occur at any moment.” In consideration of these definitions ask yourself, “What four things are imminent?”

1^st – Aging, often spoken of as the process or processes of accumulating changes over time, is imminent. Obviously one develops recognizable changes like wrinkles, gray hair, bones that grow weary, and diminishing strength. On the other hand, aging is much more than “accumulated change over time” – it’s a spiritual journey! Yes, it is a full-out test of character that brings maturity, and provides understanding to the deeper meanings of life itself in preparation for a face-to-face encounter with one’s Saviour, Jesus Christ! Perhaps new considerations should be given to Romans 8:28-30 and 37-39 in the perspective of “aging” no matter where one may currently be in that on-going process:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2^nd – Death is another imminent event, something threatening, inevitable and ultimately unavoidable. Defined by many as, “the permanent cessation of all vital functions: the end of life,” it actually demands a better explanation. Physical death is not the end of life for believers, but rather the next step in the life of faith which one began through belief in Jesus Christ. While the Bible is abundantly clear — the soul that sins will surely die — it’s appointed unto man once to die — the wages of sin is death, etc., we must remember that the free gift of God is “ETERNAL LIFE” (Romans 6:23)! If physical death is the process by which one enters eternal life, then it is absolutely not the “end of life” nor of one’s existence! Additionally, may one never discount the unambiguous words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:46 :

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Apparently one’s physical death isn’t so final or so dead!

3^rd – The calling forth and snatching away of Christ’s true church (genuine believers) is imminent . . . “likely to occur at any moment!” Not that Christ could (having the ability) or might/may call forth His children, but that it’s extremely likely to occur momentarily as His Bride stands ready to be received by Him upon His indescribable appearing!

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. — I Thessalonians 4:15-18

4^th – The next consideration of those things undeniably imminent is the actual, literal, and physical return of Jesus Christ to the earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Remember, according to Jesus in Matthew 24:36, “of that day and hour no one knows.” Therefore, while one doesn’t know when, one assuredly knows! Christ carefully and clearly reminds us ….

For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah … and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. –From Matthew 24:36-39

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. — Matthew 24:42-44

Now that I’ve reached the age of 60, I’m even more certain of those things which are imminent, and fully recognize that every moment, every breath, every month and every year has a God-ordained purpose. Even though He should tarry in His return, I will be anxious in nothing – aging, death, or the snatching away, …

But giving thanks in all things and allowing God’s peace to guard my heart and mind. — From Philippians 4:6-7.

I sincerely hope you’ll join me in this faith journey through things imminent!

Blessings from our Lord above to you and yours always.

— Pastor Frank

Of all the fears that grip the hearts of modern humanity, one of the greatest seems to be the personal fear of one’s impending death. While genuine believers in Christ may not succumb as easily to these fears because of their faith, undoubtedly COVID-19, mass shootings, the regular flu, terrorism (of all sorts), and the progress of sophisticated warfare technology have contributed to the fact that many individuals are greatly troubled because death is constantly before their eyes. Even serious economic issues can stir up some of these unwelcomed feelings.

Just think, somewhere, somehow, a deadly virus has invaded the human population. While this is actually nothing new, social media, paganism, improper world view, and global news all contribute to the orchestration of unimpeded emotional and mental reactions! It’s almost as if someone in a remote underground bunker or from a weaponized cargo ship launched a deadly missile strike, killing thousands, right in the heart of population centers across the globe! Yes, death is everywhere, from many, many sources, yet II Timothy 1:10 declares that our Savior, Christ Jesus, has “abolished death” and “brought life and immortality to light” through His Gospel!

Hebrews 2:14-15 puts it this way,

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

The obvious question then is … If death has been “abolished” and is “powerless,” why do we still die? The answer, though unpopular and somewhat alarming, is that one dies because of sin according to Romans 5:12. Sin always leads to death — not sickness (viruses and cancer), old age, accidents, strokes, or heart attacks — as long as sin exists, death will never be very far away.

How sure is the fact of death? So certain that entire industries build upon the expectation of it. Life insurance and all funeral/burial related trades are based totally upon this undeniable truth: death reigns! (In reality, even with cryonics and cloning.) However, Jesus Christ dealt a fatal blow to death and its seemingly unescapable fears! When Christ rose from the dead, He resolutely broke the power of death itself – rendering it powerless! He died just like we die, like every human.

According to the recorded accounts, He was certainly dead (the eye witness account of John 19:31-42) – actually, really, fully, and completely dead, “as dead as door nail.” However, from that state, God raised Him to physical life. He got up, unwrapped the face cloth that was around His head (See John 20:1-9), and walked away victorious (See Luke 24:1-7)! As a result, physical death takes on new meaning for the believer! It’s simply a separation of our soul/spirit from the physical form/shell. At that point, one enters the presence of Christ where we await our own physical resurrection … walking out of our own grave in the type of Christ’s. While the process of death may bring about elements of fear, death itself has no hold on authentic Christians!

In John 11:25-27 our Lord declared,

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

Today, great news comes from a Garden Cemetery in Jerusalem, where there’s a rich man’s empty tomb! It’s the borrowed tomb of Jesus Christ, Who died and was buried (according to Hebrew tradition). However, on Sunday morning, this clearly marked, well known, guarded tomb was found vacant by the power of God Almighty! Death could not keep Him; the grave could not hold Him! He is the Lord of life, the King immortal and eternal (See I Timothy 1:17). He struck down death and its fear by actually entering into the realm of human death. Then, on Resurrection Sunday morning, He marched out – triumphantly victorious over both sin and death!

In Revelation 1:17-18, Jesus Himself declares to the Apostle John,

Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Therefore, as faithful Christians, when it concerns our own physical death, we come to align ourselves with the statement of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21-23:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better!

Consider I Corinthians 15:54-57:

DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us (all genuine believers) the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s come together and celebrate – the obituary of death and fear, because of Christ’s resurrection triumph — on Sunday morning, April 12, 2020! Yes, we’re still practicing social distancing guidelines. I’m looking forward to seeing you and yours, if you so choose, on Fear-Defeating, Death-Conquering, Resurrection Sunday 2020!

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

— Pastor Frank

Tag: die

IMMINENT

FEAR OF DEATH