Death - The Last Enemy

Death -- The Last Enemy

What can strike fear in the heart of man like the prospect of death? In every living organism there is the desire to survive, to maintain life in a way that is satisfying, pleasant and rewarding. The simplest one cell animal is endowed with the will to survive and the more complex the organism, the greater is the survival instinct. Man, being the crowning glory of God's creation, goes to great lengths in his desire and search for long life and prosperity. The 'fountain of youth', though but a fantasy, has been sought by many down through the ages as a possible source of eternal life.

Death as cessation of life only applies to the animal and plant world. Man, being made in the image of God has been endowed with the ability to live forever either in the presence of God, which is termed in God's word as eternal life, or an existence separated from God for ever which is referred to in scripture as the second death. Death is spoken of as The grim sarcasm of human life. The book of Job refers to it as A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness. (Job 10:22)

Hell, as described in the book of Revelation, is the place prepared by God to contain death and everything that pertains to death. Rev 20:14&15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. It is truly shocking to watch television programming and Hollywood movies that portray death as an insignificant occurrence with no serious ramifications and no consequence. Human life has been cheapened for the sake of convenience and for the sale of media portraying wholesale death and destruction. The scripture calls Satan the king of terrors and speaks of him as having the power of death in Hebrews 2:14. However, in the same verse we are told that when Christ died, he destroyed him that hath the power of death, that is the devil.

I have read the testimonies of morticians that stated that people often die with such expressions of horror on their faces that it is very hard for them to do the job that they must do in making the person look good for the viewing. For an unbeliever death does hold terror, which makes it so much more important that we as God's people spread the word that Heaven is real and Hell is real. The evidence for the existence of both of these places is abundant in scripture and in nature. Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Hell is spoken of many times throughout the old and new testaments and described as a place of fire and brimstone (sulfur), a place of darkness, a bottomless pit, and a place of eternal torment. Heaven is spoken of as a country, and a city composed of pure gold so pure that it is like transparent glass.

Since the death of our Saviour, death for the believer is now only an episode, not an end. The testimony of caregivers attending the death of God's people speak of the peace and joy expressed by those leaving this life to be joined with loved ones and the Saviour. Even though death holds a certain fear of the unknown, even to the believer, we can say with the apostle Paul, "I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand." Paul knew where he was going and that it was a place where the suffering and afflictions of this world would all be ended and that he would receive the reward that had long been his motivation for all that he had endured. His motivation was the Saviour; expressed in his words in 2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; and 1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Every person on earth must experience either two births or two deaths. The man, woman, boy or girl who receives the truth of the word of God and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ has everlasting life according to John 5:24. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 Ye must be born again. The person who is born again will only die once, but the person who is not born again will die a physical death and be cast into hell and then after the Great White Throne judgment spoken of in Revelation 20:15 will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Of the born again person, it is said, "...to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." II Cor. 5:8. Receive Christ today just by praying a simple prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I know that Jesus Christ died to pay for my sins. I believe that He rose from the dead on the third day victorious over death and hell and I now receive Jesus as my Saviour.