Published on 09/8/2006

As 9-11 will remind us on Monday and we have learned this week, death comes to us all so that God's children can step from this fallen world into his glorious presence. How does the process work? What happens when we die?

Commentary

Tony Blair, England's Prime Minister, announced yesterday that he will step down within the next 12 months. According to today's New York Times, the move is apparently a concession to a growing revolt within his own party. No politician can lead forever. No person can live forever. As 9-11 will remind us on Monday and we have learned this week, death comes to us all so that God's children can step from this fallen world into his glorious presence. How does the process work? What happens when we 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 you close our eyes here, you 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 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. 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.