I Cor. 15:55-57 – “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Death is the great leveler of mankind. It is the inevitable end which awaits us all, save those who live to see the Rapture. The great unknown! It is said of Voltaire, the famous agnostic, that as he lay dying, he exclaimed that he was about to take a fearful leap into the dark. What a dreadful thought! As if life itself did not contain enough uncertainties. As if a tear could appeal to a star.
The average poor soul who does not know Jesus might echo these thoughts, hoping that he will somehow make it to a “great reward” in “the great beyond,” wherever that is. He might lay claim to the hope of heaven simply by wishing that his “good works” will be sufficient to bring him to heaven’s shore, but this could never, will never be. So we must all come to grips with the grand, stark reality. What will we gain if we lose our own souls? What would we give in exchange for our souls?
We who are saved have helplessly placed our eternal welfare in the hands of the One who died for us. That is, after all, the only course of action that will bring us to heaven’s shore. How could He who spoke the stars into existence and flung them to a set, determined course in the heavens He created, be impressed with our puny works? No; He asks only that we believe on Him who died for us, trusting that His blood will safely see us home to where He is, as He promised (Jn. 14:1-6). This is our heart’s repose.
Sound theology often takes a simple explanation in conveying divine truth. Here is one way that someone expressed how the Christian need not fear death. It is said that a sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly, the doctor answered, “I don’t know.” The sick man pressed on, “You don’t know? You’re a Christian man and don’t know what’s on the other side?” The doctor was holding the handle of the door. From the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was inside, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough.”
And when we saints of God physically leave this world, we won’t be taking a fearful leap into the dark. We will but pass into a splendid realm of eternal glory where our Saviour, who loved us and gave Himself for us, will safely convey us to our eternal abode with Him forever. And this is the hope and rest of the saints of God.
