The Reality of Death: Warning, Anticipation and Hope

By Dr. Chad Wiles

Death is a curious servant. On one hand it is the constant reminder of the curse and a warning of judgement, but on the other hand it is the passageway into eternal glory through Christ (2 Cor 5:6-10). Because of Adam’s disobedience, humans are faced with the reality of death from the point of conception to the last breath they take on the earth. Tragically, babies in the womb are not exempt from the curse of death, nor the young with bright futures, nor the old who hope to have a few more days. The one constant is that everyone dies and no one knows the day or the hour that death may show itself. This is why Moses in Psalm 90:12 prays, “so teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” We get wisdom from anticipating the brevity of life because death serves as a warning and anticipation of what happens beyond the grave. 

Deaths Grim Warning

Death serves as a warning of judgement. Man is created in the image of God. Although the image is marred by sin, man has a destiny beyond this life. Jesus explains, “and do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt 10:28).” Death should cause a measure of fear and sobriety to our lives. Especially, for those who are suppressing the truth and explaining away their fear with human philosophy and empty platitudes (Rom 1:18). George Swinnock writes, “Sin is finite in regard of its subject, because it is the act of a limited creature. However, it is infinite in regard of its object, because it is committed against a boundless Creator…The infernal pit is the place of those punishments, into which men descend by the ladder of death (Matt 7:23; 25:41; Mark 9:49).” (1)

God’s perfect justice requires a payment for breaking His holy law. The payment of sin is death physically and eternally (Rom 6:23a). All begin our journey in this life on the path to destruction because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s holy requirement (Rom 3:10-12; 23). For those who reject God, or seek to replace the God of the Bible with a counterfeit god, there is no hope in death. Wrath and punishment is waiting on the other side of the grave. 

1. How often do you contemplate the reality of death?
2. In whom do you place your hope for your eternal future?

Death’s Joyful Anticipation

I do not mean this article to be a message of doom and gloom. For the Christian, death serves as a reminder of the glorious path to paradise. When God put Adam and Eve out of the garden in Genesis 3:22-24, it was a punishment but also a means of His grace. There was an outcome worse than death and that was eating of the tree of life after their fall into sin. If they would have eaten from the tree of life, all humans would have lived in a perpetual state of sin and separation from God (Gen 3:22-23). Although God closed the passage way back into the garden, he sent them out with a promise of the one who would provide the pathway back into paradise (Gen 3:15). He also clothed them as a symbol of the sacrifice that their sin would require (Gen 3:12; Isa 61:10). Warren Wiersbe writes, “Innocent animals had to die so that the man and woman might have a new beginning and be back in fellowship with the Lord. It’s a picture of what Jesus did for sinners on the cross when He died for a sinful world (2 Cor 5:21).” (2)

Adam and Eve would never be able to reenter the garden and enjoy the fellowship with God that they had once enjoyed. However, God in His mercy made a new way to paradise through His son Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6). For those who have put their trust in Jesus by repenting of their sin and following Him as Lord have a guaranteed home in God’s holy presence (John 14:2-3; Eph 1:11-14; 1 Pet 1:3-4). This is why Paul says to die is gain because there is an eternal home waiting for all of God’s children on the other side of death’s door (Phil 1:21-24). 

Death urges the Christian to meditate on Christ and the hope that is assuredly promised. Meditating on heaven and the eternal realities helps to strengthen the soul for the short journey through death’s dark path. Contemplating the rich truths of heaven that scripture provides gives the Christian a healthy anticipation of the home that awaits us and allows us to live through the trials of this life with a humble courage (2 Cor 5:1; John 14:2-3; Isa 6:1-7). George Swinnock writes, “God has also determined to bestow an incomparable and unchangeable crown on the members of Christ. It is their Father’s pleasure to give them a kingdom…The soul must be delivered from the prison of the body, so that it may enjoy the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” (3)

1. How often do you meditate on the gospel and the reality of heaven?
2. In what ways are you clinging tightly to this life? How do you need to repent?

Hope in Grief

For the Christian grieving the death of a loved one who is saved by grace through Christ is a blessed sorrow. On one hand it is a cause for celebration because they have run the race and are now with Christ. Only the Christian can truly grieve with hope (1 Thess 4:13-14). However, grief is a reality nonetheless. What are we grieving? The temporary loss of fellowship. The love and fellowship that Christians enjoy with one another in this life is a picture of heaven and a mercy from the father (Col 3:12-16; Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:42). It is hard to lose a family member, a friend, a mentor, a spouse or a child, even if that loss is only temporary. My encouragement is to grieve, weep and rejoice. Allow the promises of God to be the comfort in your sorrow. Embrace the love and kindness of the saints around you to bear the burden with you (Rom 12:15; Gal 6:2). 

For those who are marching toward death’s door as a sinner apart from Christ are most to be pitied. Let those of us who are in Christ be motivated by death to preach life to all who will hear. As Paul writes, “So then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20).” 

1. Have you lost a loved one recently? What has the grieving process looked like for you?
2. What is your level of urgency to share the gospel with others?