What does God tell us about dying and death? How should we look at it? What should be our attitude about our impending death?
It is important for Christians to know the perspective of God. Death and dying is not all about us. Death is also about God. God is our Creator, and His purposes need to be a part of the equation.
Which Scriptures give us insight into how God views death and dying today, for believers? What passages give us believers our biblical perspective on death and dying? For example:
Precious (important and no light matter)
in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints (His loving ones).
–Psalm 116:15 (AMPC version)
Fear not therefore:
ye are of more value
than many sparrows.
–Luke 12:7
To live on earth is a privilege God has given to everyone here. And He has a purpose for your life. God says to us through Peter, ¨you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing¨ (1 Peter 3:9). God wants to bless us. He is preparing an inheritance for us! He wants us to inherit huge blessings! Peter wrote:
8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 “He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” –1 Peter 3:8-12
God has chosen us to be His people.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; –1 Peter 2:9
While here on earth, all followers of Christ are representatives of God. That is what our life is all about – once we are born again. Each of us is an ambassador for His Kingdom.
we are ambassadors
for Christ,
as though God
were making an appeal
through us;
we beg you
on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20
In the Old Testament book of Judges, Sampson said to the Lord, ¨Let me die….¨ “O Lord God, please… strengthen me just this time….” Does this give us insight into how God views death and dying today, for believers? In Judges we read:
28 Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and braced himself against them, the one with his right hand and the other with his left. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he bent with all his might so that the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life. –Judges 16:28-30
Sampson was a man used of God, empowered by God, to accomplish His purposes during those days. And God answered Sampson’s prayer to give him back his strength, which he had lost due to sin. God enabled Sampson to kill himself along with all the Philistine enemies of Israel that were in the building.
God determines the number of our days. When it is His time, He takes us home. Our death date is already known by God.
When Sampson asked to die with the Philistines, God not only allowed it, He empowered Sampson to do so by giving him back the herculean strength of prior days. God did not rebuke Sampson for wanting to die. God answered Sampson’s prayer and, with God’s blessing of special strength, Sampson killed himself and all the Philistines.
It appears that Sampson was “at the end of his rope”, as they say. He was powerless, in prison, humiliated by his enemies. He had had enough. He was ready for the end. And apparently God was in agreement with Sampson. Sampson asked to die and be enabled once more with superhuman strength – and be able to kill his enemies. God answered his prayer.
In the Book. God has a plan for each of His followers. Before the foundation of the earth – He planned to give us birth and life here. Those who choose Him – have their name written in “the book of life of the Lamb”. And they will live forever with God in His Kingdom. (See: Revelation 20:12, Revelation 20:15, Philippians 4:3, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 21:27.)
“written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain”
NOT In the Book. God even knew who would not follow Him. Any whose name is not in “the book of life of the Lamb”. (See: Revelation 13:8, Revelation 17:8.) They refuse God on earth, but after death they will kneel at the judgement throne and worship Him – too late.
Revelation 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him [the beast], everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.
Only those who follow Christ – are in the Book. Only Christ followers have their name written in “the book of life of the Lamb”. Are you in the Book?
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