We are continuing our questions of the faith with “What happens when I die?”  Yesterday we learned that death is inevitable and that it exists because of sin.   Now we come to our last question: what happens in the moment you die? 

First, you are with Christ, if Jesus is your Lord.  Jesus told the thief at his side, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).  "Paradise" was a Persian word for the walled garden of the king.  Not only would the thief receive eternal life, he would spend it with the King himself.  Jesus taught us that the moment we die, the angels carry us to God's side (Luke 16:22).  When we close our eyes here we open them there.  You will never die (John 11:26; Philippians 1:23).  You are forever and always with Jesus.

Second, you're home.  Paul said, "We would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).  Imagine a small boy who falls asleep in the back seat of the car.  When the family gets home, his father picks him up and carries him into the house.  When he wakes up, he's home.  That's exactly what happens for God's children.

Third, death is glory.  It is paradise, as Jesus said.  Paul said "to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21), for "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13).  We will gain imperishable, glorified, spiritual bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44), and be like Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:49).  We will know God and each other as we are known (1 Corinthians 13.12).  And we will eat of the tree of life and live forever (Revelation 22).

However, remember a fourth fact.  Death is eternal punishment for nonbelievers (We will discuss this more in coming days).  So be ready now.  The Lord said to King Hezekiah, "Put your house in order, because you are going to die" (2 Kings 20:1).  If you are prepared, there is nothing to fear in death, for it is but the next step to life.

Dwight Moody, on his deathbed, said, "If this is death, it is sweet.  There is no valley here.  Dwight!  Irene!  I see the children's faces.  God is calling me.  I must go.  Earth recedes.  Heaven opens before me."

If Jesus is your Lord, when you die you won't.  Instead, you'll see God.  And you'll be safely home.

Monday:  What is heaven like?

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