DEATH… IS NOT THE END!

DEATH…IS NOT THE END!

Now the days of Isaac were 180 years.  And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. —Genesis 35:28-29

            Sobering words— “breathed his last… he died… buried him.” This is the fate of all who are born! From the time Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden to the present time— “you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground— because out of it were you taken.   For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). Pretty humbling— dirt you are and to the dirt we will return.

            From the time of Adam and Eve think of the billions of times a person “breathed his last… he died… buried him.” Mourning, sorrow, grief, pain and tears have filled the hearts and eyes of loved ones burying their loved ones and in turn there will be those who do the same for them one day when they breathe their last, die and are buried. It is sombering to ponder our last actions and the last act that will be done for us.

            About Jesus we are told that “Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15).   We need not fear death because “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:20-22). Hallelujah!

       Yes, these bodies will return to dust one day, but the best is yet to come—

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” —Revelation 21:1-5

            Death is just a step into glory. Death is the last enemy that will be defeated and “thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:26, 56-58).

Thank You Dear Father for the victory You have given us through Jesus. Now may I finish the race well in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c