By: Rodney Nulph, Associate Editor
“It is appointed unto man, once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). No one likes to talk about death. It makes us uncomfortable and often raises questions we simply cannot answer. God has not revealed everything to us in the realm of death and the afterlife. The truth is that anyone who has passed from this life is not able to come back and tell us about what adventures lie ahead. Therefore, we often wonder, question and even sometimes worry about leaving this earth. Although God has not revealed everything about death and the afterlife, He has revealed enough for the faithful to have peace and confidence regarding the appointment we cannot escape.
Death is a surety! Often just understanding that we are not meant to live in this earthly tent (2 Corinthians 5:1–2) forever helps us to better cope with death. Our physical bodies are only designed to last for so many years (Psalm 90:10). The wise man, by inspiration, affirmed:
All things come alike to all: One event happens to the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:2–3)
Sadly, there are often two extremes when it comes to the surety of death. Some choose not to ever think about it and live like they will be here forever. Others choose to become distraught and discouraged by the surety of death. “What’s the use of even being born” is their attitude. Neither of these extremes are biblically correct! After Moses’ acknowledgment of the surety of death, he continued, “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Death’s surety helps us to make the most of each day and gain the understanding and wisdom that can only come from God’s Word and life’s experiences. The truth is, “As in Adam, all die…” (1 Corinthians 15:22a); death is a surety!
Death is a separation! Death is not the end! The biblical concept of death means “separation.” James attested, “For as the body without the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26a). So, at our last breath upon earth, “the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7; 2 Corinthians 5:8). The body and the spirit separated equals death, but not a cessation of existence! When God gives a human being an eternal soul at conception, that soul will never cease to exist! Therefore, when we surround the casket or the ash-filled urn of a departed person, that he or she is still quite alive in the Hadean realm. When death came, the body and the soul simply and methodically separated. While we miss those who have been separated from their physical body, we know that one day they will be raised again (John 5:28–29).
Death is a settlement! Of all the facts regarding death, this one is surely the most sobering. Our actions and attitudes while in this physical tent will determine our destination in eternity. We may not be able to determine when we will go, but we certainly can determine where we will go! It will not a matter of who says what about us, once our spirit and body are separated; it only matters how God viewed us. Paul reminded that, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). The truth must be faced that “God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). While we are still in this earthly body, we must prepare for the appointment we cannot escape. So often we are good at procrastinating until the “last minute” to do certain things. Not too many send their tax payments before April 15th! However, since life on earth is so fragile (James 4:14), it behooves us to make preparation now! We are never guaranteed anything beyond the current breath on our lips. I often wonder how many folks are like the rich man of Luke 16 and are currently in the Hadean realm, filled with regret because they did not prepare properly. They forgot about the “account” we must all give! The fact that death is a settlement is not meant to scare us but rather to sober us!
I certainly do not want to spend the majority of my time on earth talking about my departure. However, I also do not want to cast the facts aside either. Death is a surety and therefore no matter what, one day my body and my soul will be separated. Because of this fact, I must recognize that one day, I will have to settle the account of how I have lived and whether or not I have been faithful in Christ. Today, right now, is the preparation time! We must plan accordingly because death is truly the appointment we cannot escape. Am I ready? Are you?
