A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH
Author: Jilliana Baldwin
Like a vicious marry-go-round that you can't get off, are the headlines we see every day.
Over and over and over again:
"D E A T H"
Plastered across your screen in big, bold lettering, just to make sure they get their point across, perpetuating the deep, subconscious and impending fear many (if not all of us) cary:
"D E A T H"
But, why?
Why does this inevitability evoke such deep and overwhelming fear in us?
Why does this fear of death cause unassuming and loving people to operate in a constant state of manick and panick?
Why does the mere thought of death leave us in paralyzing sorts?
Perhaps, we over think the "how" of death: "Will it be painful? Will it be quick?"
Maybe, it's the "where & when" of it: "Will I be alone? Surrounded by loved ones? Will it be soon, or in the future?"
Lately for many, it's been the "what & why" of death: "Will it be cause I caught Covid? Will it be cause I took the vaccine?"
At the end of the day, all our fears, worry's, wonders and cares surrounding death make no difference, because the "who" of death will forever remain the same: Me & You.
Period. No question marks needed. Our fate of death awaits us, no matter the rhyme or reason behind it or the time and place it occurs. So, why the worry? Why the fuss?
Please hear me: When the human race was created in the garden of Eden, it was for the purpose of eternity- we are not made with the mental capacity to understand, comprehend or even fully heal from the tragedy of losing a loved one to the jaws of death. That's why scripture says "God comforts those who mourn," (Matt.5:4) because we were never meant to, nor are we equipped to heal and comfort those who are in mourning. Every life is worth "the fuss," including our own. But it does not warrant rent-free space that over powers our every thought, word or deed. Death is inevitable... but so is eternity.
Death was the enemies poker hand, but eternity is our destiny. Look at the way our bodies heal themselves. Imagine that untainted by sin and our age-limit, put there after the flood. An uninhibited union of choice between God and man, was always the original plan. We were (and still are) made by Him, in Him, through Him and FOR Him. Since such a state of being is hindered now, on this earth, He made a way for us to experience such a state of being in eternity through the sacrifice and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
So the question remains: Why does death carry such a grip on how we live our lives, and the choices we make while living them? Could it be that we have forgotten for what, and for whom we were made for to begin with? Yes, dear one, there is a fate worse than death, but not for those who believe in the one sent to redeem them.
In John 11:25-26 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Beloved, we MUST LIVE as though we believe this. For our eternal fate for not believing our Lord and Saviours words is far, far worse than the what, when, where, why and how of our physical one. And that is an eternity separated from the eternal light, love, mercy, grace, power, holiness, joy, beauty, acceptance and peace that we were MADE for.
What promises await us regarding our imperishable and eternal nature, for those who believe on the one sent to redeem our eternal state. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 reads, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; and it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."
We are perpetually bombarded with the fear drive to preserve the un-preservable.
We. Will. Die.
But....For those who choose to receive Christ at His word, they WILL (thats a promise) be raised to new life, and live forever in their original purpose and imperishable state of being.
Many of you are facing so many difficult choices right now, regarding these temporal temples. The truth is, irregardless of what those choices are, and how you make them, we are fallen creatures in a fallen world... there will always be some form of temporal consequence here on earth, no matter the choice we make. Yes, steward your bodies well, so to be useful to the kingdom while on this earth. But please, don't make this temple your "god." Death is inevitable, but so is eternity. Where will you spend yours?
Paul sums up all I have said, so well in 1 Corinthians 15:50-57. It reads,
"What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Maybe you are reading this today, and it's the first time you have ever heard of hope after death. Praise God, you can now understand that you have an opportunity to live life, and that more abundantly, here on earth, and on Heaven side. You can live without the Fear-Fed Narrative regarding death, playing on repeat in your mind and dictating your every thought and breath. Beloved, there is a lifetime of hope that God purposed to make a way for you to experience. You WILL die... but you CAN live again. Regardless of the narrative, the choice, here on earth IS yours. And there does not have to be a fate worse than death.
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,
so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone
who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever [chooses to] believe in him shall not
perish but have eternal life. For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him."
John 3:15-17
Over and over and over again:
"D E A T H"
Plastered across your screen in big, bold lettering, just to make sure they get their point across, perpetuating the deep, subconscious and impending fear many (if not all of us) cary:
"D E A T H"
But, why?
Why does this inevitability evoke such deep and overwhelming fear in us?
Why does this fear of death cause unassuming and loving people to operate in a constant state of manick and panick?
Why does the mere thought of death leave us in paralyzing sorts?
Perhaps, we over think the "how" of death: "Will it be painful? Will it be quick?"
Maybe, it's the "where & when" of it: "Will I be alone? Surrounded by loved ones? Will it be soon, or in the future?"
Lately for many, it's been the "what & why" of death: "Will it be cause I caught Covid? Will it be cause I took the vaccine?"
At the end of the day, all our fears, worry's, wonders and cares surrounding death make no difference, because the "who" of death will forever remain the same: Me & You.
Period. No question marks needed. Our fate of death awaits us, no matter the rhyme or reason behind it or the time and place it occurs. So, why the worry? Why the fuss?
Please hear me: When the human race was created in the garden of Eden, it was for the purpose of eternity- we are not made with the mental capacity to understand, comprehend or even fully heal from the tragedy of losing a loved one to the jaws of death. That's why scripture says "God comforts those who mourn," (Matt.5:4) because we were never meant to, nor are we equipped to heal and comfort those who are in mourning. Every life is worth "the fuss," including our own. But it does not warrant rent-free space that over powers our every thought, word or deed. Death is inevitable... but so is eternity.
Death was the enemies poker hand, but eternity is our destiny. Look at the way our bodies heal themselves. Imagine that untainted by sin and our age-limit, put there after the flood. An uninhibited union of choice between God and man, was always the original plan. We were (and still are) made by Him, in Him, through Him and FOR Him. Since such a state of being is hindered now, on this earth, He made a way for us to experience such a state of being in eternity through the sacrifice and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
So the question remains: Why does death carry such a grip on how we live our lives, and the choices we make while living them? Could it be that we have forgotten for what, and for whom we were made for to begin with? Yes, dear one, there is a fate worse than death, but not for those who believe in the one sent to redeem them.
In John 11:25-26 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Beloved, we MUST LIVE as though we believe this. For our eternal fate for not believing our Lord and Saviours words is far, far worse than the what, when, where, why and how of our physical one. And that is an eternity separated from the eternal light, love, mercy, grace, power, holiness, joy, beauty, acceptance and peace that we were MADE for.
What promises await us regarding our imperishable and eternal nature, for those who believe on the one sent to redeem our eternal state. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 reads, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; and it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."
We are perpetually bombarded with the fear drive to preserve the un-preservable.
We. Will. Die.
But....For those who choose to receive Christ at His word, they WILL (thats a promise) be raised to new life, and live forever in their original purpose and imperishable state of being.
Many of you are facing so many difficult choices right now, regarding these temporal temples. The truth is, irregardless of what those choices are, and how you make them, we are fallen creatures in a fallen world... there will always be some form of temporal consequence here on earth, no matter the choice we make. Yes, steward your bodies well, so to be useful to the kingdom while on this earth. But please, don't make this temple your "god." Death is inevitable, but so is eternity. Where will you spend yours?
Paul sums up all I have said, so well in 1 Corinthians 15:50-57. It reads,
"What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Maybe you are reading this today, and it's the first time you have ever heard of hope after death. Praise God, you can now understand that you have an opportunity to live life, and that more abundantly, here on earth, and on Heaven side. You can live without the Fear-Fed Narrative regarding death, playing on repeat in your mind and dictating your every thought and breath. Beloved, there is a lifetime of hope that God purposed to make a way for you to experience. You WILL die... but you CAN live again. Regardless of the narrative, the choice, here on earth IS yours. And there does not have to be a fate worse than death.
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,
so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone
who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever [chooses to] believe in him shall not
perish but have eternal life. For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him."
John 3:15-17
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