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Facing death is daunting. Most people go through life trying not to think about it, and fewer speak of death, even with their own family. Except for two people (Enoch & Elijah), up to the present generation, every human being since Adam & Eve died, so let’s talk about it. 

God created us to live, death is an enemy brought on by sin, all sinned except for Christ, but He became sin in the place of all who believe. To the Christian, death loses it’s sting because of redemption and the promise of eternal life. The apostle Paul says, as a believer in Jesus, it’s better to die than to live because to be absent from this earthly body means we are with the Lord forever! The Apostle Paul understood to a fuller degree the eternal promises awaiting us, he also had a very difficult life as a pioneer of the early church. Do the challenges of your life cause you to long for your eternal home, or cause you to bitterly wish for a better or longer life here?

In Revelation chapters 17-22 we learn that at some point, we will all face the reality of death and judgement. Chapter 20 speaks of the 1000-year reign of Christ here on this earth. This is perhaps the most overlooked prophetic message to the church in our day, and gives us much to look forward to, and live for. It is certainly a study of great fascination and wonder. Life on this earth in our resurrected bodies, serving with King Jesus for 1000 years, wow, then in heaven for all of eternity, don’t miss out!

Jesus Himself experienced death, overcoming death by the power of God to resurrection. Because of His victory over death, He offers salvation from our deserved eternal separation in hell and offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe in and confess Him as Lord. May God give you the faith to believe in Christ today. Salvation completely changes how we view death, giving us hope for the other side of the grave. The story of redemption, as told in the pages of scripture, is the sweetest story ever told, may it be a reality to you!

Resurrection Sunday is just around the corner. Let’s all gather in churches around our community and celebrate the Risen Savior, and our incredible opportunity to be saved from hell and to experience heaven. Death has lost its sting, we no longer need to fear dying. Thanks be to God who rescues us from despair!

Marv Fisher is the pastor at Calvary Chapel Farmville. He can be reached at pastor@ccfarmville.org.