Perceptions for December 2011
What Is Death?
~Roger Johnson
In recent years there has been the spawning of a new academic specialty – thanatology, a study about death. Some invaluable work has been done in this field
that has been of great help to those whose loved ones have died.
No one knows the circumstances under which he will die. One may die peacefully having reached old age. He may die tragically or in much pain. Regardless,
unless Jesus returns before we die, all of us are going to die (Hebrews 9:27).
What is death? Some, like the Sadducees, teach that it is annihilation or cessation of existence (Acts 28:8; Matthew 22:23). Jesus told them they were
ignorant of the scriptures and of the power of God (Matthew 22:29).
Death is a consequence of sin. It was introduced to the world as a result of Adam and Eve's sin and is experienced by man to this day (Romans 5:12).
Death is a power that is stronger than woman's charm and beauty. It is more powerful than position and prestige. It is stronger than earthly might or
money. It invades all cultures, all social strata, every race and language, the good as well as the evil.
Death is a mystery from the viewpoint of our nature. None want to die. We take preventive measures to delay it, though it will occur some day.
Death is an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:25-26). Yet, there is a sense in which it is a blessing for the child of God. "Precious in the
sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones" (Psalms 116:15). Heaven even announces, "Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord…" (Revelation 14:13).
Death is a tragedy for the unprepared for they will be consigned to hell "…where their worm does not die, and the fire is
not quenched" (Mark 9:48).
Enoch and Elijah are the only two people who have escaped the throes of death. Unless Jesus comes first, we shall all die. When or under what
circumstances we shall die is unknown. How long one lives is unimportant, but it does matter for whom one lives. This world is not a playground but a
schoolroom. A person cannot live wrong and die right. Time is the stuff of which life is made…use your time wisely
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