8th June 2023
The last enemy – death!
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 (NKJV)
… that through death, He [Jesus] might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bon dage. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NKJV)
Our Lord Jesus Christ is risen and alive for evermore. He is our hope of glory and has given us eternal life as we read in John 5:24: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” However, the moment the word death is mentioned, it generates fear in the hearts of people. Death is unavoidable. It is a reality. Most of us have experienced the loss of loved ones. It brings pain, sorrow and grief because it creates a vacuum no one can fill.
Job asked the question: “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). He answers, “…I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself…” (Job 19:25-27).
In the Old Testament God gave Israel a choice: to choose life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19). When did death originate? Death entered the world through Adam who sinned as recorded in Romans 5:12: ‘Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—’. Verse 15 goes on to explain that Christ is the answer: ‘But the free gift [of God] is not like the trespass… For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the gift [that comes] by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many. (v.15 Amplified Bible).
No one can escape death; it is inevitable. But it is very encouraging to know that, ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.’ (Psalm 116:15 NKJV). The good news is that God has purposed to give us eternal life, having adopted us as sons and daughters in Christ. There is, therefore, absolute assurance of our resurrection: ‘Now this I say, brethren… we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye… the dead shall be raised incorruptible… then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’ (1 Corinthians 15:50-55 KJV).
There is a time coming when there will be no more death, sorrow, pain or crying (Revelation 21:4), for ‘the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 6:23 ESV). To God be the glory for evermore.
Prayer
Abba Father, I thank you for this assurance of everlasting life through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Master, who died for us that we may live forever in His Kingdom. In His name I praise and give you the glory. Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church