How does it feel to die? Does it hurt? What emotion do you have as you are dying?
I know someone who sends me NDE videos. Do you know what that is? They are “Near Death Experiences”.
I watched a documentary on the subject (“After Death”) from Angel Studios. It was interesting, no one complained of pain or suffering.
The commonalities were seeing themselves above the incident, looking down on the event, having either horrible or beautiful experiences that we do not have the vocabulary to clearly describe.
In the Revelation by John, he said to the church in Smyrna:
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 NCV)
We are never promised that we will not suffer - even Christ suffered in death.
When John said “But be faithful”; what does that mean? I believe it means to pray while suffering. Somehow, God gives us grace in suffering. Meaning it’s endurable and possible.
The bottom line is that the death rate is 100%. That doesn’t mean it’s all positive and enjoyable. I believe God sees death much different than us and there is grace in the event.
Many see it as an end. I believe God sees it as a beginning of eternity.
The Apostle Peter reminded us: “To the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8 NCV)
The Apostle Paul describe dying: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55 NIV) Meaning, Christ conquered death.
Our bodies will die, but we don’t. Our souls recieve a new body and one day we will live on a new earth and in a new heaven. (I Corinthians 15, Revelation 21) That’s very exciting!
The great theologian Charles Spurgeon once said “Expiring saints have often said that their last beds have been the best they have ever slept upon.”
Somehow, God gives us grace to die. Maybe our souls leave prior to the end. Maybe His grace gives us endurance to experience death. We already know most traumas are never felt - somehow God built our bodies to avoid the pain on impact.
Either way, we should live like we are dying, because we are. Somehow, some way, sometime soon, we will die.
Are you ready?
God gave us a way to live and transition into perfection for eternity. It’s through believing that Christ died for our sins and accepting that truth, living as if we believe and sharing it with others. What Amazing Grace.
This is what Christ meant as he said “Even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 NCV)
LORD, thank you for death. We would never reach heaven or perfection or complete healing unless we first die from this old earth. Please give us grace in dying. Please help us be strong, faithful, and face death with peace. IJNIP amen ♥️
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