BREVITY OF LIFE AND THE FLEETING TIME

Nelson Thomas Mumbai

A visit to a hospital or a graveyard brings before us certain realities of life we otherwise tend to neglect. Amid our busy schedule, such instances exceptionally touch our consciences. It is wise to use those rare occasions for our learning and transformation.

After attending half a dozen funerals within one month, this writer is deeply exercised to consider the brevity of human life afresh and ponder upon related truths. No wonder the wise man in the Bible suggested visiting the house of mourning rather than a house of feasting. For the living can think and learn from the depth of their hearts (Ecc. 7:2).

Startling Statistics

Look around and see the number of deaths that are taking place in India:

• Covid19 pandemic took away 5, 33,295 lives in India.
• In 2021, the number of suicides in India was 1, 64,000 and it rose to 1, 68, 491 in 2022.
• In 2021, the number of deaths due to road accidents in India was 1, 53, 972 but in 2022 this number also rose to 1, 68,000.

Now, add to these figures the number of demises caused by various other factors, like calamities, diseases, old age-related ailments, etc. You will see that it is innumerable indeed.

When countless lives are leaving this world every moment, never forget it is God’s grace and mercy that we are still alive and healthy. It’s not because we are better than others, but because God wants to continue to teach, mold, and use us for His glory.

Divine Sovereignty

Does this mean we should be worried over our death which can happen at any time? As far as born-again believers are concerned, we believe that nothing happens by chance. From the human point of view, certain incidents may look like accidents or unfortunate. Further, we may not have answers to many of the complex issues and events that man faces every day.

Nevertheless, we who believe in the sovereignty of God acknowledge with all humility that our God who is omnipotent and omniscient knows the best, and He never makes a mistake.

This is true even with the passing away of His people. It is in this sense that the psalmist wrote, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (Psa. 116:15). A believer’s death does not take place before God’s intended time, because He values the home call of His beloved child, and our times are in His hand (Psa. 31:15).

The Appointed Time

Notice the number of times the enemies tried to kill the Lord Jesus Christ, but the scripture says, “no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come” (John 7:30; 8:20). And when the hour had come, the Lord gave Himself to death despite the pain and agony involved (Matt. 26:42; John 19:30).

In connection with the apostle Paul also we find that several tried and even took an oath to kill Paul, but nothing happened till the Lord accomplished His purposes in and through His servant (Acts 14:19; 23: 11, 12, 33; 27: 23–25). When the time came for him to leave, he declared triumphantly, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2Tim. 4:7)

So, believers need not face death dreadfully. Definitely, death is inevitable and even painful; however, it is never a devastating and hopeless event for us. Primarily, we believe that only after the Lord accomplishes what He planned for us, does He call us home to be with Him.

An interesting thing for us to notice here is that certain Old Testament saints even desired to die, yet God did not allow them to leave this world before their appointed time! (cf. Num. 11:15; 2Kings 19:4; Job 3:21; 7: 15; Jer. 8:3; Jonah 4:3).

Death Not the End

Another factor that enables a believer to face death courageously and realistically is that death is not an end in itself. Of course, it’s universal and certain. As the scripture says, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12). “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27).

The Lord Jesus made it very clear that everyone who died will rise again one day. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5: 28, 29 cf. Rev. 20:13)

Far Better

A believer’s death has been described in several ways. A detailed study of the pictures associated reveals that a Christian’s death is not a loss but a gain. It’s a transition to a new phase of life, a promotion to a better place (Phil. 1: 21–23).

a. A Sleep, 1Cor. 15:6; 1The. 4:13

The most common imagery used for a saint’s death in the scripture is sleep, showing it’s a time to rest from all our labours and to wake up with a glorified body at a later time (Rev. 14:13; Phil. 3:21; 1Thess. 4: 13–17).

b. A departure, 2Tim. 4:6

Bible scholars find a wide range of implications for the Greek word Paul used here. The major truth here is that at death we conclude our earthly sojourn and depart for the heavenly abode. This means that our mission here is completed, so we return to our Home where we actually belong to. It’s a new turn in our pilgrim journey, for we depart from one location to another, where there will be no more pain, sorrow, and tears (Reve. 21:4).

c. A dismantling of a tent, 2Cor. 5:1

Paul compares this body in which we live today with a tent. At death, this earthly tent is dismantled for a heavenly building which is far better.

So, when a believer dies, the fact is that not only does he continue to exist, but also that he is in a far better place and position. This truth must inspire believers to face their death with hope and serenity.

Prepare for death

We have considered three main points:

•  The reality of death – unexpected and increasing.
•  Nothing happens for believers before the appointed time.
• The truth about a believer’s death – it’s a gain not a loss.

Because of these realities, is it not wise to prepare for this inevitable, sure event? Most people prefer to avoid it thinking such a preparation would speed up their death. But when death knocks at their doors in the most unexpected manner and time, they are shattered for they were unprepared for it. So wisdom demands, that we must be ready as if our turn will come at any moment, even as we make plans for the future anticipating long life in the will of God.

How do we prepare for death?   >>>>    HOW TO PREPARE FOR OUR DEPARTURE?   

NTK

05/12/2023