I am still being reflective due to the passing of my grandmother last Friday night. This has led me to consider again the encouragement from Scripture about what the Christian’s Biblical perspective on death is. Thus the title of this post. Thus my own personal thoughts about what death means for Christians.
When Christians die, at least two angels carry them into the presence of God. My own personal thought/belief is that one of them is their guardian angel who has followed the believer their whole life.
The angel’s presence means that the Christian has no fear as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
When the believer enters heaven, they are met by God who is rejoicing that they have made it home safely. They are then comforted as the hardship of this life is over and they are with Christ in heaven.
There are no babies crawling around in heaven or laying in cribs. There are no old people using walkers or canes to get around either. Instead, my personal belief is that every person is an adult of approximately 33 years of human age. That is because in heaven everyone is just like Jesus. In my theology, part of that means we are the age of Jesus upon his resurrection (Thus no babies crawling or old people with walkers).
In glory, every believer is given several things that are unique. They are given a white stone, with a new name, that no one else has. They are given a crown of righteousness. Then they are rewarded for all they did while on earth to glorify God.
Since all that happens to believers who die, what that means for those who are left behind are these things…
First, we are to be happy for them!
Second, we are selfish to want them to be back with us!
Third, we will see them again!
Fourth, we have hopeful sorrow!
Fifth, we can comfort ourselves, and one another, with these truths!
Sixth, we are to be ready when our time comes.
Seventh, we are to glorify God every day till we draw our last breath.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18…
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
I was so sorry to learn of the death of your Grandmother. I know you will miss her even though you are joyful for her. She sounds like a great lady with lots of love to give and gave it freely. God bless you for your insights.
My sympathy to you and your family.
One thing that you didn’t mention is the new body.
1 Corinthians 15:42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.
Amen!