Death

For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise mans too must die! – Ecclesiastes 2:16

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

We can do so with joy! While some view death as ending all, the Word of God does not agree—eternal pain awaits the fool; unending joy the wise will see.

Those who are prepared to die are prepared to live. Death is the last chapter of time, but the first chapter of eternity. What will the next chapter be for you?  It will be written sooner or later, either in heaven or hell. Remember, when your time comes to die, that is not the end your story is “to be continued”—but where? We will see Him.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”…Revelation 22:1-4

As Christians, we know little of what is on the other side of death, but we do know little of what is on the side of death, but we do know one thing—our Master and Savior is there, and that is  enough! When the door opens, we shall pass through the gladness, for we shall see Him.

Yes, if we know Jesus as our Savior, when we consider our death, it is enough to know that we shall see Him.

Ready to go home: as life’s shadows lengthen, thoughts of God should deepen. Praying should come more easily. Communion with the Father in heaven should be as natural as breathing. Thoughts of seeing Jesus and going home should increasingly occupy our minds. That’s how we’ll know we’re ready to go home.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”…Philippians 1:21. For the Christian, the real story is heaven—endless life and joy with Jesus! “To live is Christ”, which means joyful service, as well as suffering and grief. But “to die is gain”. Then, the real story begins! When a Christian dies, he has just begun to live.

Friends, at death you won’t leave home—you’ll go home.