Death is inevitable. It came as a consequence of Adam’s sin and has been passed down to all of us. None can escape it. And death won’t be destroyed until after the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:25-26, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
But you don’t have to face death with fear and uncertainty. Though death is our enemy, we have a guide who can take us to it and through it. Ps 48:14, “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” God is your guide unto death.
God guides you to accept death’s reality – Rom 5:12 – death passed upon all men. Heb 9:27 it is appointed unto men once to die. Ecc 8:8 – “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war…”. Everybody goes through death. You might as well face it and not deny it.
God guides you to prepare for your death – Rom 5:1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Haven’t you heard the expression, “Have you made peace with your maker?” You have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Rom 5:8-11, when you receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are prepared to die. 2 Cor 5:6-8 the moment you die your soul and spirit are immediately in the presence of the Lord. And your body rests in the grave or in cremation awaiting the return of the Lord at the rapture, when he will raise your dead body and fashion it like his glorious body [Phil 3:21]. You’ll rise because he rose. You have made every other preparation for your death. You have a will, you have life insurance, and you may have even arranged a pre-need funeral. Have you prepared for your soul? You must be saved.
God guides you to finish your work before you die – 2 Tim 4:6-7 – Paul said, “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand… I have finished my course.” In Jn 4:34, Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” When he was hanging on the cross, he said, “It is finished,” [Jn 19:30]. So, if you have any unfinished business to which you need to attend, get ‘er done. An elderly lady, who was saved in the hospital late in life, reconciled with every family member she ever offended before she died. A fellow, diagnosed with cancer, traveled around the country meeting up with old friends to tell them about Jesus. He witnessed to every one of them. The thief on the cross believed on Jesus just three hours before he died [Lk 23:39-45]. What unfinished business do you need to attend to?
God guides you to face your death with joy – Heb 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…”. Paul lived his life every day in anticipation of his death. He said, “I die daily,” [1 Cor 15:31]. He said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” [Phil 1:21]. Death is not a joyous occasion. There’s a lot of sorrow with it. But for you, it does not have to be a scary event or even a dreaded event. When you face death with the certainty of a victor [1 Cor 15:55-57], you can go out joyfully with the assurance that you will live for ever. Since Jesus has already been through death, he will guide you to it and through it the whole way. It’s not a mystery to him. He knows that the good stuff is on the other side. He wants you to have the assurance that things are going to be much better when you put off your earthly tabernacle.
Conclusion: Death is coming and you must be prepared. You can sincerely face death with bravery and joy when you are prepared. Christopher Chober, one of the martyrs, said as he stepped onto the scaffold, “I come in the name of God to die for His glory. I have fought a good fight and finished my course, so, executioner, do your office,” Last Words of Saints and Sinners, Herbert Lockyer, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, copyright 1969, p. 143.