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NASB | Philippians 1:23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Philippians 1:23 But I am hard-pressed between the two. I have the desire to leave [this world] and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; |
Subject: Christians ambivalent about death? |
Bible Note: Greetings Aixen7z4, How should the believer view death? Daniel looked into the future and saw hope in the midst of death. He described the state of the dead in terms of "those who sleep" (Dan. 12:2), which is a metaphor. The "sleep" of death means that the dead will someday "wake up" from their temporary condition and go on to an eternal state- "some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2). Other Old Testament writers reflect this same view that death is not the end of existence. Some describe it like a reunion with your ancestors (Gen. 15:15; 35:29; 1 Kings 2:10). Others refer to death in a way that shows that they expected to meet God when they died (Ps. 17:15; 73:23-24). In the New Testament, Paul used similar language when describing the 'sleep' of death (Eph. 5:14; 1 Thess. 4:13-14). Likewise, believers are invited into eternal life with Him through His Son, who died and came back to life so that we could escape the condemnation of death. God does not let death have the final say over those who believe. Hosea promised that God would ransom His faithful people from the power of the grave: "I will redeem them from death," vows the Lord (Hosea 13:14). The prophet's message is actually a taunt towards death's power. Isaiah promised that God will "swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces" (Is. 25:8). Also, we actually see death's own end in Revelation 21:1,4! Therefore, we can be assured that death will not have the final say over those who believe in Him, and that we will even see the end of death itself. But life is short. Job saw life as a fleeting thing (Job 7:6; 14:1-2; 16:22). But the key to life is to "seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6) By doing so, we can honor the truth of the psalmist who wrote, "My times are in Your hand" (Psalm 31:15). We will live the years of our lives many times over in the presence of God in heaven! "When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first begun!" - Amazing Grace Blessings to you, Makarios |