Death is Not the End
Evangelist D.L. Moody said, “One of these days you will read in the newspaper that D.L. Moody is dead. Don’t you believe it. I will be more alive than I have ever been before.” Death is not the end of life; it is really the beginning of it.
That’s why John declared, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13) Death is for God’s people the doorway to a wonderful new life. First, it is a doorway to rest. That word “rest” is such a wonderful word. It means to take it easy, to be refreshed. It speaks of ending the labor and problems of this life. Jesus promised us rest in this present world when He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He also promised us full and complete rest in eternity. We need to thank God for death. There are times when a sick person needs to die just like a tired person needs to sleep. Second, it is a doorway to reward. We think of death as destroying all we have worked for and hoped for on earth. But our works continue to follow us. Our destiny in eternity is determined by what we do with Jesus Christ. Our reward in that destiny is determined by the works we do as Christians. Third, it is a doorway to reunion. The Bible teaches more than the survival of man’s spirit. It also teaches the resurrection of the body. In that resurrected life we will know and be reunited with our Lord and our loved ones in Christ who have gone before us. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) It will be a great reunion for us and for them. No, death is not the end of life.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
