A Different Perspective of Death

Introduction

Hebrews 2:14–15 NASB95

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

The Hebrew writer is concerned about the faith of the brethren

He is concerned with how they are abandoning faith in Jesus for inferior things

One of those things are angels

From this point the writer makes a case:

Angels were not exalted, Jesus was

Angels were not the object of salvation, we were

And it is here we find something to encourage us about something we all must face; death.

Death is robber, it separates, it is not something that we welcome....but

Hebrews 9:27 “27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,”

Seeing that death is inescapable, we need to know how to face it/how to look at it. - A Different Perspective

What helps us with this perspective is Jesus

Revelation 14:13 “13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.””

#1 Death brings a void, but Jesus brings victory

This is a powerful reality, to know that Jesus has the power over death

The Heb writer presents a scenario where the devil has been weilding death as a tool to instill fear.

But Jesus having conquered the grave, means that the devil has no more power and death has no more power

Acts 2:24 “24 “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”

John 11:25–26 “25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?””

That’s why we can have comfort, peace, even joy at a time like this, because of what Jesus did with death.

#2 Death Hurts, but there is Help

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

The comfort is to “call to one’s side to aid/cause to stand”

Psalm 23:4 “4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Nahum 1:7 “7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.”

1 Peter 5:6 “6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,” - How do I do this?

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

There is help, in Jesus.

#3 Death brings a finality, but Jesus promises a future

“after this”. . .is the judgement.

Death is not the final act - There is life beyond the grave

Matthew 22:31–32 “31 “But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.””

What quality of life are heading for after death?

John 5:29 “29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”

There is a great future ahead, with Jesus

John 14:1–3 “1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

1 Peter 1:3–5 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 “16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”