Seven Biblical Lessons About Death

Editor’s note: While this does not directly link to a message, this is one of my Dad’s tracts which we printed and handed out at his funeral. It was adapted from a Facebook post he wrote.

People often sympathise with the dead. If we really understand the reality of death as highlighted in the Bible and prepare adequately for it, we should not sympathise with the dead. Instead, we should rejoice with them, because death has become a gain to them and not a loss — though it is indeed a loss to their loved ones, who will miss them and feel their absence.

There are seven things we should bear in mind according to God's word, so we can exit gloriously whenever the time comes to depart this world. Everyone who meets this condition will have no reason to fear death, because for them, death will simply become a transition to eternal life.

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." — 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NIV)

Christians don't die — they sleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Death, together with the grave, has no power over those who have new life in Christ Jesus. Like Jesus, who appeared to Cephas and then to the twelve after his resurrection, you live above death and the grave if you are in Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:5)

Death opens the door to eternity. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:1–3)

He who dies in Christ lives above sin, sorrow, fear, poverty, and sickness. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."(Revelation 21:4)

Death is rest. Everyone who dies in Christ has merely rested, ceasing their earthly labours. (Hebrews 4:9)

Death is victory. As many as die in Christ enter into everlasting victory. "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'" (1 Corinthians 15:54)

The dead in Christ shall rise again — and rise first. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."(1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Summary: Death is a necessary end for us all. Rather than fear the inevitability of something we cannot control, let us do something within our power: live in preparation for a glorious eternity with Jesus Christ.