The Proper View of Death

The Proper View of Death

By Beverly Brunner

Our Lord said, "Watch," "be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Mt. 24:42-44). There is not one person who has ever lived or who is living now that can predict the time of their death or departure from this earthly body. The flesh never wants to leave this earth because it is rooted and grounded in it. But I confess with all the dear and precious brethren who have gone on before and, as well, to those whom I may meet while sojourning in this hostile land, that I am a stranger and a pilgrim. My citizenship is in Heaven, and when my Lord calls me, I shall be ready to go.

As we walk down the path that leads to Heaven we will have sorrow, but we "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (I Th. 4:13-14).

We are not of those who are under the delusion that the body and the spirit lie in the grave until Christ returns. Our life, that is, the life we now have in Christ, does not stop at the grave. Death is but a door that opens into the very Presence of God. What a blessing this is for all those whose "life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). What great peace and joy this brings within our hearts to know that in God's time we shall be reunited with all those who have died in Christ. --The End--

A Bit of Wax and a Bit of Clay

"As it was in the Lord’s first coming, ‘He is set for the rise and the fall of many in Israel.’ The same heat softens some substances and bakes others into hardness. A bit of wax and a bit of clay put into the same fire--one becomes liquefied and the other solidified. The same light is joy to one eye and torture to another. The same pillar of cloud was light to the hosts of Israel, and darkness and dismay to the armies of Egypt. The same Gospel is ‘a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death,’ by the giving forth of the same influences killing the one and reviving the other; the same Christ is a Stone to build upon or a Stone of stumbling; and when He cometh at the last, Prince, King, Judge, to you and me, His coming shall be prepared as the morning; and ye ‘shall have a song as when one cometh with a pipe to the mountain of the Lord’; or else it shall be a day of darkness and not of light. He comes to me, to you; He comes to smite or He comes to glorify." --Alexander MacLaren 

Two Views of Redemptive Order

The Works of God are Precise in Every Detail!

 

Two Views of Redemptive Order 

By Fred O. Blakely 

From an overall view of the situation, two contrasting orders of the unfolding of redemption’s plan are apparent. These, of course, are in no sense contradictory of each other. They simply portray the case as regarded from different perspectives. It is a good exercise of the spirit to consider them.

The Priority of the Natural. The first presents what might be termed the priority of the natural creation in the scheme of things, and is set forth by Paul in First Corinthians 15:42-47. He points out the order of the development of God’s purpose, as shown in the respective federal heads of the race—Adam and Christ. “That was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual,” he observes.

His reference is to the fact that the “first Adam” came before the “last Adam” [Christ]. Hence, the natural body which came from Adam the first is our first tabernacle, but, after it is cast off by death, comes the “spiritual body,” which Adam the last gives. He concludes with the blessed assurance that “as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly,” i.e., Christ, our resurrected body being “fashioned according to His glorious body” (v. 49; cf. Phil. 3:21). 

The Grand Scope Envisaged. The Apostle here envisages the grand outworking of God’s eternal purpose in Christ. Insofar as bodily salvation is concerned, that purpose will ultimate in the complete undoing of the curse of corruption and mortality brought by Adam’s sin, as Romans 5:12-21 develops more fully. 

This is what was declared earlier in First Corinthians 15:20-22: “Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the Firstfruits of them that slept [not only of the justified, but also of the unjustified; see John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15]. For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” “But every man in his own order,” it is added: “Christ the Firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming” (v. 23). 

The Two Orders of Resurrection. Only two orders of resurrection are here mentioned—that of our Lord’s and that of the general resurrection “at His coming.” The term, “they that are Christ’s,” must, in its broader sense, refer, not to His church exclusively (though by it the Apostle for the moment may have specifically meant that), but to all mankind. This is because Christ, as we have seen, is here generally contemplated as the federal Head of humanity (as regards bodily resurrection), just as the first Adam was so in the old creation. 

This must be the inclusive scope intended by “they that are Christ’s”; otherwise, the Apostle contradicts himself by saying that Christ is “the Firstfruits of them that slept,” and that resurrection by Christ is as certain and extensive as death was by Adam. Such a contradiction, of course, is unthinkable, as it is impossible that it should exist. 

The First Place of the Spiritual. It is noteworthy that, in one view of the situation, there is a reversal of the redemptive order set forth above. From this aspect, “that which is spiritual” is first, then “that which” is bodily, not the other way round, as regarded in First Corinthians 15:46. 

The Edenic “transgression” (I Tim. 2:14) was essentially spiritual, although physical activity was involved in the taking and eating of the proscribed tree’s fruit (Gen. 3:6). Accordingly, the immediately-effective part of God’s punishment of death for the sin was also spiritual. He had warned Adam that the day in which he should eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” he should “surely die” (ch. 2:15-16). And “it was so” (ch. 1:11), he being that day alienated from his Creator, with whom he apparently had previously enjoyed close communion, which spiritual separation is death. It was 930 years later that he paid the penalty of physical death. 

The Parallel in Redemption. And so it is, when contemplated from this angle, with “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). Man is first redeemed spiritually through his acceptance by faith and baptism of God’s saving grace. He, thus, lives unto God in his spirit before his bodily redemption becomes effective. The latter will take place “in the resurrection” (Mt. 22:30), at Jesus’ second coming. Not until then shall he experience “the redemption” of the body (Rom. 8:23-25; Eph. 1:13-14), realizing the consummate salvation from the condemnation and death into which the first Adam, by sin against God, plunged the human race. 

Meanwhile, those who have now “received the atonement” for sin wrought by Christ (Rom. 5:11) live unto God through Him, and “rejoice in hope” of the bodily salvation “ready to be revealed” when Jesus appears (Rom. 5:2; I Pet. 1:5). As the first Adam sinned, experienced the spiritual phase of his death sentence, so they who have obeyed Christ now have spiritual life in Him. And as Adam later tasted of the physical part of the death penalty, so they, too, shall, by and by, have their corruptible bodies replaced by incorruptible ones, and be given to live forever in full fellowship with and service of the gracious Father, as completely redeemed beings. 

So does the order of redemption, as thus viewed, parallel that of the curse’s application as a result of the fall. First the spiritual is experienced, then comes the bodily, of which the former is an earnest and pledge. Great and marvelous, of a truth, are the works of our God, and precise in every detail as to their correspondence. —The End—

Blessed are the Dead which Die in the Lord

Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

The Context. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

“And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:6-13).

The Witness of the Psalmists and Prophets.  “Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people” (Gen. 25:8). “And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him” (Gen. 35:29).

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15). 

Job, when he cursed his day, made a startling utterance with regard to what he knew of the state of the righteous dead. “There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master” (Job 3:17-19).

The Testimony of Isaiah.  “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness” (Isa. 57:1-2). 

Resting in their beds and walking. This speaks of a rest that is associated with activity on the part of the departed dead. 

None considering, these were taken away from the evil to come.  These are no longer in jeopardies, as the domain to which they have been blessedly removed is one of security and safety.

The Words of the Savior. “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Lk. 16:22-23).

The Witness of Paul. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit” (II Cor. 5:1-5).

That of Peter.  “For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (I Pet. 4:6).

A Voice from Heaven. A voice from Heaven, speaking in the behalf of Heaven, with Heaven’s authority.

Write! At the beginning of the Revelation, John was commanded, “What thou seest, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches.” And several times throughout the Revelation John was commanded to write, or even not to write, specific things that he was given to behold.

The Dead which Die in the Lord.  Those who are faithful unto death.  Those in whom is demonstrated “the patience of the saints”, who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” unto the time of their departure from this present world.

From Henceforth. Most of the translations read “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth”, or “from now own”.  But a few of the translations attach the “from henceforth” to the following clause.  “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours. For their works follow them” (DRB).

The Dead which Die in the Lord from Henceforth.  The sufferings of Christ, and the glory which has followed has introduced a blessed change of condition for both the living and the dead.  For the righteous dead, any gloominess that may have been associated with the unseen realm of the departed dead, has now been completely expelled.  Now this domain is one of triumphant anticipation and expectation for what is next on the Divine agenda.

From Henceforth, that they May Rest from their Labors. Those individuals who have made their departure to be with Christ have entered into a state of blessedness where they

Yea, Saith the Spirit. The Spirit affirms the blessedness of the state of the dead in Christ, as a double confirmation, similar to God swearing with an oath.

They Rest from their Labors.  They are resting from the toil associated with the work of faith, and labor of love, which they had shown towards Christ’s Name when they were yet here with us.  They are resting from the burdensomeness of life, in general, here in the realm of the curse. 

Their Works Do Follow Them.  Their works, which were done in faith while yet in this world continue to be a living example.  Their works live on and continue to minister to those who are yet in this present realm, attesting to the fact that the ones who did the works, while they were yet here, are still alive, though promoted of God to another realm.

 

“There is no death”

J. L. McCreery

 

THERE is no death! the stars go down   To rise upon some other shore, And bright in heaven’s jewelled crown   They shine forever more.   There is no death! the forest leaves         5   Convert to life the viewless air; The rocks disgorge to feed   The hungry moss they bear.   There is no death! the dust we tread   Shall change, beneath the summer showers,         10 To golden grain, or mellow fruit,   Or rainbow-tinted flowers.   There is no death! the leaves may fall,   The flowers may fade and pass away— They only wait, through wintry hours,         15   The warm sweet breath of May.   There is no death! the choicest gifts   That heaven hath kindly lent to earth Are ever first to seek again   The country of their birth.         20   And all things that for growth of joy   Are worthy of our love or care, Whose loss has left us desolate,   Are safely garnered there.   Though life become a dreary waste,         25   We know its fairest, sweetest flowers, Transplanted into paradise,   Adorn immortal bowers.   The voice of bird-like melody   That we have missed and mourned so long         30 Now mingles with the angel choir   In everlasting song.   There is no death! although we grieve   When beautiful, familiar forms That we have learned to love are torn         35   From our embracing arms;   Although with bowed and breaking heart,   With sable garb and silent tread, We bear their senseless dust to rest,   And say that they are “dead.”         40   They are not dead! they have but passed   Beyond the mists that blind us here Into the new and larger life   Of that serener sphere.   They have but dropped their robe of clay         45   To put their shining raiment on; They have not wandered far away—   They are not “lost” or “gone.”   Though disenthralled and glorified,   They still are here and love us yet;         50 The dear ones they have left behind   They never can forget.   And sometimes, when our hearts grow faint   Amid temptations fierce and deep, Or when the wildly raging waves         55   Of grief or passion sweep,   We feel upon our fevered brow   Their gentle touch, their breath of balm; Their arms enfold us, and our hearts   Grow comforted and calm.         60   And ever near us, though unseen,   The dear, immortal spirits tread; For all the boundless universe   Is life—there are no dead. 1863.

                                        

 

 

 

Death has Received a Mortal Blow

Death has Received a Mortal Blow

"In His resurrection Christ gave death a mortal blow, from which it was not able to recover. 'O death, where is thy sting?' Even death bows before Jesus. All enemies must bow before Jesus.'" --Michael Zaucha, in a recent Communion meditation