When Death Comes

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:50 KJV)

To most people, the discussion of death is uncomfortable and is a discussion that is avoided at all cost. To some that have reached a certain age or those who are dealing with certain illnesses the thought of death is one that is pleasant and appealing. The Bible is filled with passages that teach and warn about death. God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and death pertains to life, as death is as much a part of life as birth is. God has given us His Word in order for us to study it and have the knowledge that we need in order to be prepared for death when it comes. What does the Bible tell us to prepare us for death?

First of all, we know that we shall die. We cannot deny the fact that one day, unless the Lord returns, we will die. This fact is emphasized throughout Scripture. It is appointed unto man once to die (Heb. 9:27). Paul wrote that he was ready to be offered and the time of his departure was at hand (2 Tim. 4:6). Job said that man is of few days (Job 14:1), and also stated his days were swifter than a weaver’s shuttle (Job 7:6). James wrote that life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14). 1 Corinthians 15:50 reminds us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Our mortal bodies will not be able to enter into the eternal home of the soul. As we study the Bible we read of the lives of many great men and women, but from Adam until this present hour men and women live and then they die. Death is no respecter of person as both young and old, male and female, rich and poor, race, social standing, nor any other classification of person will be exempt from death.

What is death? Is death an end as some teach that at the point of death an annihilation takes place and there is nothing that remains after this life is over? Is there something that takes place after death when this life has ended? The only possible way for anyone to know the answer to this question is to consult and trust God’s Word. Trust what is written for our learning and comfort (Romans 15:4). Death is called a “sleep” (1 Cor. 15:51). Moses was told that he would sleep with his fathers (Deut. 31:16) meaning that he was going to die. The church at Thessalonica was not to be ignorant concerning those that were asleep (those that had passed away; 1 Thess. 4:13). Death is also a separation. Paul had a desire to depart and be with Christ, being separated from those here on the earth (Phil. 1:20-23), and also stated he was ready to depart (2 Tim. 4:6). In the time of death, those that are left here try to comfort one another, but if we are honest with each other, death is a separation; it has separated us from our loved ones and although we try to be comforted in the fact that they may be in Paradise, we are still left here and now feel alone. Death is a change. It is the changing of corruptible to incorruptible and mortal to immortal (1 Cor. 15:52-53). Death is the transition from one to another, from life to eternity.

Understanding that we will all die and understanding that there is something after death it should be the desire of every person that in death, we gain the victory (1 Cor. 15:54). It should not be the desire of anyone to leave this life and hope to be tormented in the eternal destruction in the place that is prepared for the devil and his angels, the place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm dieth not, and where there is unquenchable fire (Matt. 8:12; Luke 13:28; Mark 9:44-48). Every person should desire to have victory over death, but this does not mean that we will beat death. Many have searched for the fountain of youth, some look to science to preserve their bodies through medicines, and some have a misguided idea that no matter how they live their lives they will achieve the victory over death. These are not only false but will lead one to definite defeat and destruction in hellfire if they do not understand what the Scriptures teach concerning life and death, and God’s will for everyone to obey Him in order to be victorious over death.

Knowing that death is coming, we must be prepared. When death comes, and when we are all facing the Judgment, we cannot claim ignorance, expecting to enter into heaven simply because we “did not know better.” We must be prepared to meet our God (Amos 4:12). Like Jesus, we must be about the Father’s business (Luke 2:49). We must be doing the work of the Lord right now while we have the opportunity (Gal. 6:9-10). If we have never obeyed the commands of the Lord, we must do so as quickly as possible, believing in Jesus (John 8:24), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30), confessing Jesus before men (Matt. 10:32), putting Christ on in baptism (Gal. 3:27), being added to the church (Acts 2:47), and being faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10), doing all of these in order that we might receive the crown of life when death comes (Rev. 2:10). We must prepare ourselves and be “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

If we have prepared ourselves for death, there is nothing to fear, death will not have victory over us. God gives the victory over death through obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55–57 KJV)