4. What about death ?

During physical death, the true disciples of Christ do not die but they fall asleep while waiting for their resurrection for the upcoming eternal life with Jesus.  

It is written in 1 Thessalonians 4 : 13-18 

[13] 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. 
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 
[17] 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. 
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

 Thus, let us not fear death anymore but let us believe, by faith, that it has NO MORE power on us.  
Indeed, death has lost its strength when Christ died for us on the cross. 

Glory to God ! 

The passages in 1 Corinthians 15 : 20-27 and 51-54 are very encouraging in that sense : 

[20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 
[21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 
22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 
[23] But every man in his own order : Christ the firstfruits ; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 
[24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father ; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 
[25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 
[26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 
[27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 
[…] 
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

By the way, our Lord Jesus is reassuring us again with his word assuring us that he is holding the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1 : 18).  

Therefore, our Lord and Father Jesus-Christ is the only one who has the power of life and death on us. 

Matthew 10:28-33 

[28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 
[29] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 
[30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 
[31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 
[32] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 
[33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 

Thus we shall give account on our deeds to Jesus and it is important for us to become aware of the impact of our deeds on this earth.  
Let us not forget that we are just passing through. As a result, let us have the vision of Abraham who would say himself to be a « stranger and pilgrim on the earth».  
Our homeland is in heaven. We must not forget it ! 

 Hebrews 11:8-16 

[8] By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
[9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
[10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 
[11] Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
[12] Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 
[13] These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
[14] For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
[15] And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
[16] But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

On the other hand, those who live in sin are spiritually dead 

Some are temporarily dead, until Jesus delivers them from their sin and grant them life.  

But others are permanently dead : for instance, this is the case with blasphemers or those who have deliberately chosen to serve Satan and whose hearts are hardened. There is nothing more to be done for them. The Bible even tells us about those who are condemned in advance. It is about those who are born to be taken and destroyed.  

2 Peter 2:9-17 

[9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 
[10] But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 
[11] Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 
[12] But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
[13] And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 
[14] Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 
[15] Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 
[16] But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
[17] These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 

We therefore understand that death, according to men’s vision, has nothing to do with death according to God’s because it is not because someone breathes, which is the physical sign for man meaning that someone is alive, that that person is not dead spiritually. 

Thus, carnal death is nothing, but it is spiritual death that is worse, as it is final and decisive. Therefore, there are two deaths for those who are not in Christ.  
Rev. 2 : 11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 

Revelation 21 : 7-8 tells us more about this second death and especially about those who are concerned by it :  

 [7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 
[8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

 Thus, let us fight the good fight of faith, as would say Paul in 1 Timothy 6 :12, and let us never lose sight of our goal so that we may be found worthy for the Kingdom of Heaven where we can enjoy eternal life with our tender and beloved Father Jesus Christ! 

Alleluia !! 

Philippians 3 

[1] Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 
[2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 
[3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 
[4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 
[5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 
[6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 
[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 
[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
[10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 
[11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 
[12] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 
[13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
[14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
[15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 
[16] Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 
[17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 
[18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 
[19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 
[20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 
[21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

Heaven Cheering

All the glory belongs to Jesus, the King of kings, the Lord of lords ! 

Alleluia !!