Avoiding Death

Introduction

The world as we know it appears to have changed dramatically with the advent of the corona virus. From wearing masks to quarantine, people’s lives have changed. Some have taken this in stride, however, some are experiencing great anxiety over this pandemic. For some, the thought of catching this virus brings overwhelming fear of death. The greatest fear of man is death. The fear of the unknown. Is there really a heaven, is there really a hell? What will happen to me when I die? Now I promised my wife this would not be a morbid sermon, but one cannot raise the issue of resurrection without the dealing with death. For death is what we resurrect from.

It’s been said there are two things man can not avoid—taxes and death! But I would propose to you today that there is an “escape clause” in life’s contract. There is a way to avoid death. We know this as grace , but the world sees it as folly.

Belief in Christ

The difference between these two extremes is hope, and the Apostle Paul wrote more in the New Testament on this subject than any other NT writer. It was a topic of great concern to a young church. The believers in Thessalonica had raised this issue and so responded with this . . . But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13) . The question the Apostle is dealing with is this, “What will happen to believers if they die before the Lord returns?” The reason for the question was certainly understandable when you considered the three main groups Paul is dealing with:

The beliefs regarding afterlife by the pagans in the time before Christ were numerous. For example, In Iranian thought, the dead had to pass over the Chinvat Bridge in order to reach paradise; demons lurked below the bridge and caused sinners to fall into a pit of torment (Russell, The Devil, 255).

The Jews believed in a bodily resurrection, but it was based on one’s obedience to the Law of Moses. This was basically salvation by deed, as opposed to salvation by grace.

Finally, the believers of the day understood that they would be raised up at the Second Coming of Christ, but only if they were still alive?

But you see, in this world, sin reigns supreme and sin brings with it death. But Paul is writing to a group of persons who believed that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus (1 Thess 4:14) Most people in this world have put their trust in government, or in their occupation, or their retirement savings to see them through each of life’s events, until that day when life ends and there is no more. . . . For them, life consists of flesh and blood. Fate determines how long life lasts. Ecc 9:3 says, This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Today, especially among non-believers, there appears to be two dominate groups: Those who deny any concept of afterlife and those who believe all good people will become angels when they die. But neither of these positions is true. You see, there is the escape clause

Escape Clause

And the escape clause reads, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 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, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep (1 Thess 4:14-15).

This is Paul’s answer to the Church at Thessalonica, and it shows us today that we can avoid death by belief in Jesus Christ’s death burial, and resurrection. When we accept Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and we are baptised in His name, we ourselves are resurrected to a new life in Christ! This new life begins immediately. It doesn't wait for something else to happen. Therefore, when this body reaches it’s final state, it is as if we are merely asleep and when Christ returns, those who are asleep, will rise up to meet Him, even before those who are still alive! It should be noted that a multitude of books have been written on the subject of what happens to the soul between when we die and Christ returns, but Paul clearly states in verses 16 an 17 how that event will play out.

The Process

Here, the Apostle Paul gives this detail regarding the second coming of Christ . . . For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 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 (1 Thess 4:16-17). You may remember the book/movie series “Left Behind.” from back in the late 90’s/early 2000. It depicted people suddenly, quietly, disappearing. But Paul says, the Lord will return with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and a trumpet blaring! That sounds to me like everyone will know when we are called up to meet the Lord in the air. This will be no secret! Something as important as this will not go by unnoticed.

Note that Paul does not mention anything about a change in the temporal body or the transformation to our celestial body. That detail is left to our imaginations. We should remember that Jesus, after His resurrection, had a body that was capable of going through closed doors and yet, solid to the to of Thomas.

But he does make two important points: first, the believers who have died will rise first and those who are still alive will then rise up. The second point he makes is that this is the final life event. Once we are reunited with the Lord, we shall remain with the Him throughout all eternity.

Comforting Words

Paul’s last instruction is that we are to comfort one another with these words (1 Thess 4:18). No matter how bad things might become. whether pain, or emotional trauma, or financial troubles, or persecution, we who are part of the family of God, know what God has in store for us. Life on this earth ins not even a speck in all of eternity. We need to make sure that all our families and friends, everyone, knows that one day, when we lest expect it, Jesus will open His arms to welcome us home.

Conclusion

Let me close with a story . . .

AMG Bible Illustrations I’m Not Discouraged!

’m Not Discouraged! (Matthew 16:18)

A man stood to watch a ball game between two young teams. As he walked toward the bleachers, he asked one of the players, “What’s the score?” The young fellow replied, “We’re behind 18 to nothing.” “Well,” the man said, “I must say you don’t look discouraged.” “Discouraged,” the player said with a puzzled look, “Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t had our turn to bat yet.” The army of Israel faced a giant, but a young man named David thought, “I haven’t had my turn,” and he won! The twelve disciples saw 5,000 hungry people and said, “Send the crowds away, so they can buy some food.” But Jesus thought, “I haven’t had my turn yet!” The angry mob had Pilate seal the tomb where Jesus was buried, but God knew, “I haven’t had my turn yet!” The church is ready to “go to bat” and, like others who have placed their trust in God, we will win! Remember these words of Jesus; “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt. 16:18).

When all of life seems to be going against us, remember, “We haven’t had our turn yet!”

Pray with me . . .