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It is not Death to Die....

As one gets older, you notice an obvious fact … one seems to be going to more and more funerals. In fact, when I stop and think about it … I now have more friends who have passed on than I have walking around down here ! And that's quite a sobering thought !
And, an equally sobering thought … that we are making more frequent visits to nursing homes, hospitals, and to those laid up than ever before !

As time passes, some of the funerals we have attended have been for those who have faith other than Christian, and some have exhibited no faith at all. To me there has been an obvious difference … the presence or absence of HOPE accordingly … a simple word with a colossal importance.

I recall the answer that John Wesley gave to someone who asked him about what difference the Methodists had found … he responded that “our people die well”

Then another experience … when I finished a Bible-in-School presentation with many visuals and a drawing on the subject of HEAVEN … I was surrounded by many children with their questions … what about ???? and it took me a long time to eventually get away … which reveals that children also think about death and beyond more than supposed.

Add to all of this the fact that with the increased frequency of funerals and occasions to speak at such, some notes for such occasions may be of interest ...
it is not death to die ! to die is not death !
one of my early thoughts growing up … that we have to face the truth some time or other, so I may as well get it over and done with … and face it NOW
like humans God has 2 arms ... one TRUTH
the other LOVE
(and He hugs us with both arms ) Psalm 89:13.14

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:7
we came in naked ... and basically we go out the same way
the last garment … the shroud …. has no pockets !
someone asked at a funeral “how much did he leave ?” the answer was ... EVERYTHING !

The truest saying is AND THIS TOO SHALL PASS AWAY

Everything is transitory what is visible will pass away only what is invisible will endure
the Spirit world is actually the real one your Spirit will never die only pass on to beyond !

There is a life to come what some call “an after-life” beyond the Grave

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment Hebrews 9:27
so much for reincarnation !

I well recall an occasion in my teenage years when my mother got me to attend a Catechism lesson with the local Presbyterian Minister.

I only learnt the first one, which absolutely flummoxed me at the time, but which has stayed in my memory ever since …

The WESTMINISTER SHORTER CATECHISM ...
Question 1. What is the chief end of man?
Answer Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

there is a BOOK of LIFE Phillipians 4:3 Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12,15, 21:27
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:12

our main mission on this earth is to be sure to get ones name written in that Book

notice that it is called the Lambs BOOK of LIFE !

Because JESUS Lamb of God … changed everything ...

our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel 2 Timothy 1:10

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9

now for a believer …
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

when Jesus was on earth …

Jesus said to Martha when Lazarus had died and was to be brought back to LIFE after 4 days in the tomb …
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25, 26

And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Luke 7:12- 15

on the Mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus
and the disciples recognised them both, though having been dead for centuries
again … so much for reincarnation !

the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52, 53
and yet again … so much for reincarnation !

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me John 14:6

this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Jesus said … I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Heaven starts right down here and now not just when we pass on

Every one dies but not everyone lives

death is but a simple step into His Presence

it is not death to die to die is not death

Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. (Born of Gods Spirit, born from above) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:7, 16

but for those who mourn and grieve at such a time ...

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; Psalm 88:5, 6

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38,39

The Comfort of Christ’s return / second coming … brings H O P E
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus … For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:4, 13

it is not death to die ! to die is not death !

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

postscript ...
Maggie was in tears at morning service
the Priest asks, "what's the trouble Maggie ?"
"Oh, Father, Paddy passed away last night, sudden, very sudden "
The priest says, "Oh, Maggie, that's terrible, did he have any last requests?"
"That he did, Father, that he did "
"Well, what did he ask, Maggie ?"
"He said, “Maggie, please put that damn gun down."