THE REALITY OF DEATH (PART 1) - THE COMFORT OF OUR ETERNAL HOPE

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

The reality of death (Part 1) - The comfort of our eternal hope   

As children of Adam, we must all accept the reality of death. That is unless we are raptured before our lives on Earth are over. And it must be acknowledged, losing a loved one is always a sad affair. This may be the loss of a friend, a relative, or a close family member. The psalmist expresses it so well when he wrote,

“What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.” Psalm 89:48

Except if the rapture occurs in one’s lifetime, physical death is an inescapable reality. However, as Christians, we possess faith in the resurrection of the dead, which is our eternal hope. Therefore, we read with much comfort and joy the Apostle Paul’s exhortation when he wrote to the Thessalonians,

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Firstly, we notice that the end of a believer’s earthly life is described by the Apostle Paul as a sleep. So, when he writes “concerning them which are asleep” he means those who have passed away from this earthly life. In our parlance, we say those who have returned to Lord. This ought to be the Christian perspective of the physical process of dying. It is not as observed a final, terminal act. Rather, it is as though one has gone asleep. We would expect those who go to sleep at night, under normal circumstances to wake in the morning. Therefore, the term sleep is meant to convey that believers who have died are in a temporary state.

A. The sorrow of parting with the loved ones

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that believers should not be in the dark about the subject of death. He writes, “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren”. Amongst the Thessalonians, some were grieving and sorrowing over the loss of their loved ones.

Sorrowing over departed loved ones is not an unusual expression of emotion. Neither should we stifle it as sorrow is indeed part of the grieving process. But what the Apostle Paul cautions the Thessalonians about is the kind of sorrowing which is, “even as others which have no hope.” This is the sorrow of those that are hopeless. These are the unbelievers in Thessalonica who are without the knowledge of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. So, when an unbeliever thinks of the death of a loved one, it is a case of total loss. It is a final separation with no hope of eternal life or a reunion. The Apostle Paul writes to them to remind them that Christians have this precious hope, the knowledge of salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.    

Beloved, let us have empathy towards those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. How can we express our sincere condolences? One way is to be present at the vigil or funeral services to offer comfort to the bereaved family. In such circumstances, it may be awkward and sometimes we are at a loss for words. Beloved, there is no need for many words to be spoken, for your very presence and prayers are comfort and assurance to the bereaved family that you are there for them.

B. The eternal hope and joy of believers

Moreover, if the family members are Christians, and the departed loved one is also a believer, we have assurance from the Apostle Paul that the “dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). So, it is the believer’s comfort that there shall be the resurrection of the dead. And if it is the case that the Lord Jesus is to return while we are still alive, we shall be raptured, and,

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The comfort for every believer is that there shall be the resurrection and the physical and bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ - an event in which those whose faith and trust is in the salvation of the Lord Jesus shall put on immortality. We shall have a glorified body like the Lord, and “shall we ever be with the Lord.” 

Brothers and sisters, in the past years, we know of some, in the Apostle’s words, “them which sleep” in the Lord. Just early this year, we have a brother who passed away, and more recently a sister who succumbed to cancer. How are we to make of these events?

Firstly, we acknowledge the psalmist’s words, “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?” Psalm 89:48. While the Lord tarries, physical death is a reality. However, we have the comfort in the promises of a faithful God. It is God in His Word that assures us that we have victory over death, and our loved ones who sleep in the Lord Jesus are not lost. But just as sleep is temporary, those dearly departed are separated from us just for the time being. One day, we shall be united, “and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” May these words comfort and reassure us that we may live to fervently serve our Lord and Saviour till we see Him again. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor