The Last Enemy

As Christians we spend our lives rejoicing over what Jesus has done for those who believe.

Specifically we rejoice over the defeat of sin.

Sin has separated humanity from God and Jesus Christ made it possible for all our sins to be forgiven.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen!

-

However we must remember that Jesus did not “just” by his blood wash our sins away.

He also defeated a very, very powerful enemy.

Now you may say “He defeated Satan!” and yes, He did!

Colossians 2:15 NKJV

15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Now we might ask: “If Satan is defeated (which he is) how is he still able to roam around like a lion seeking who he may devour?

Whilst Satan’s ultimate defeated is guaranteed when he is ask into the Lake of fire, for now he is still allowed to roam “free”.

The defeated of Satan is seen in the disarming of Satan of his most powerful weapon.

The disarming of Satan is a mighty victory!

-

This weapon of the enemy is one that every single human being in the history of planet earth has living their whole lives in fear of.

The Gentile heathen did not fear sin - they celebrated it.

The heathen pagans did not fear Satan - they were in league with him.

However every human from kings to beggars, from Pharaohs to slaves, from billionaires to Umbilonairs - every human being has lived their life in fear of what the bible calls The Last Enemy.

Jesus Christ came to deliver us from that fear.

Hebrews 2:14–15 NKJV

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Notice what God says: The fear of Death put all in a state of bondage for their whole lifetime.

And understandably so. Death is awful!

Death breaks all things. Death breaks a lifetime of loving marriages.

Death breaks the hearts of every single parent who loses a child.

Death severs a person forever from all that they have worked for.

1 Timothy 6:7 NKJV

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

-

There can be a person who is full of life, full of love. Joy surrounds them, encouragement follows them.

But if they were to die - in an instant all of that is gone.

-

It is not surprising that death is such a huge part of life that humanity has personified it into its own existence.

South America: Satna Morte

Asia: King Yang

India: Mirt-u

Western Asia: Mot

Europe: The Grim Reaper.

-

Jesus completely changed all of this to those who believe!

Romans 6:23 NKJV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:26 NKJV

26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

Romans 8:38–39 NKJV

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When Jesus comforted His friends when they were dealing with death look at what He said:

John 11:25–26 NKJV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

The death Jesus is talking about is the death that through sin has power to break, death that through sin has power to separate.

Jesus disarmed death of all its power.

Death can no longer break nor separate.

In fact, through Jesus Christ, death can only do one thing:

Release us of our earthly anchor, our frail bodies, and thus free us to go home to glory in the presence of almighty God!

2 Corinthians 5:6–8 NKJV

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

-

One of the most historically striking characteristics of Christians throughout History, especially in places where persecution and execution of Christians is common - is that unlike everyone else who actively seeks to avoid death at all costs - Christians have always been noted as having a very almost relaxed relationship with death.

As Athanasius of Alexandria said in 240AD

“When faced with death the Christians do not arm themselves with swords like normal men but extend their hands in prayer”.

This is precisely why scripture says:

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NKJV

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

We are to comfort each other and indeed comfort ourselves with this wonderful victory!

What victory?

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 NKJV

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise God!

-

Here is the reality of this victory:

Death for those outside of Christ is always hopeless.

But to those who believe death has a new adjective:

Psalm 116:15 NKJV

Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.

From hopeless to Precious.

Why?

Because they go to glory, to peace, to the very Presence of God Himself.

To play where God’s finger will wipe away every tear, where sadness, sorrow, loss and pain will never ever ever be experienced again.

That is truly precious!

My sin is forgiven.

Satan is conquered.

Death is defeated.

what was once a weapon of the enemy has become a door to peace.

Do you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?