PHYSICAL DEATH OF CHRISTIANS

 

"For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]." (Matthew 16:25 AMP)

Physical death or demise is not the worse thing that can happen to a Christian. In fact, it is not even a bad thing for a Child of God. Not at all. 

Truth is, it is the beginning of limitless life in the realm of timelessness where Reality resides. 

Where the spirit is set free from the limitations and degradation of the natural, earthly and perishable body and awaits the resurrection unto everlasting life and reception of the glorified, heavenly and eternal body.

Death means "without life or cut off from life" but ultimately means "separation from God". 

Death is a result of sin, which is falling short of God's glory, holiness, mark or standard.

"The wages of sin is death."

But there are essentially three kinds of deaths: spiritual death, physical death and eternal death.

Everyone is spiritually dead until they are born again. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God". Thereafter, there are two deaths pending: physical death for everyone if Christ tarries, and eternal death for those who are not "saved" from the wrath of God (those who are not born again).

"This is the second death, the lake of fire [the eternal separation from God]. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire." (Revelations 20:14-15)

Those who are in Christ have been made spiritually alive and will not really die in the truest sense of death. They have escaped the second death (eternal separation from God).

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11: 25-26)

It is not a problem but a most glorious blessing.

As John MacArthur's pointedly puts it: "Death is a welcome friend." 

In the deeply inspiring words of Paul the apostle: "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."

A Christian does not need to be afraid of death, or of anything for that matter. 

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (darkest valley), I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

“If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to God.” (Romans 14:8)

A Christian is a child of God saved and redeemed from eternal damnation, with eternal inheritance reserved for them in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Man was not supposed to die but after the Fall as a result of his disobedience or sin, death entered into the whole creation of Nature. 

That is why all physical living creatures physically degenerate. That is why the physical human body gets old, dies, decays and disintegrates. 

But there will be a resurrection of the bodies, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting death. Those who are born again (spiritually regenerated) will be given heavenly or spiritual bodies and will live forever. This is the glorification of the saints. 

Therefore, the entire creation is waiting for that glorious manifestation of the sons of God.

We as God's people look forward with eager anticipation and blessed hope to the redemption of our bodies and perfection of our salvation. 

"For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! 

For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. 

For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope 

that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay [and gain entrance] into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 

For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. 

And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons--the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. 

For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? 

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure" (Romans 8:19-25 AMP)

It is a thing of great joy full of glory to finally leave this earth, after all the stress and sufferings, and to ascend into eternal glory with Christ, the Eternal Lord and King! It is the beginning of the best life!

Hallelujah! All the glory be to The LORD!

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Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

[born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 

who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. 

In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 

so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, 

receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

(1Peter 1:3-9 AMP)