The topic of death need not be avoided. The victory has been won. Christ has come and accomplished what no man could ever do. The fear of death lays a snare much like the fear of man. But Christ has conquered death and the grave, and the Christian must learn to stand triumphantly over it, much like David did Goliath. But mere words will never quench the fear of death and the grave. Instead, the Christian needs to be reminded of God’s Word.
God’s Word is an anchor amid each and every storm. His Word proves true, and it cannot fail. The more that the Christian learns to build his house upon the rock of God’s Word, the more He will experience the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding.
Easter is about more than the simple thought of Christ being raised from the dead. Yes, that is the primary focus, but then the Christian needs to ask Himself, “But what does His resurrection mean?” Jesus did not rise from the dead without a purpose behind it. However, the Christian may not have gotten beyond the simple thought that Jesus has risen.
The church is living during a time of surface religion. There is little depth to the Christian’s faith and understanding of the Word, which must change. Jesus rose for a reason. In actuality, He rose for many reasons. But to seek to deal with them all in the present moment is to deal with none well.
Therefore, the Christian must know that Jesus rose from the dead because He had defeated death. Death could not hold Jesus, nor can it hold the Christian who is in Christ.
The prophetic promise
A Scripture that continues to arise during Easter is found in the book of Isaiah. Scripture says, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it” (KJV, Is. 25:8). Many of the prophecies in the Old Testament were written with varying periods in mind. In other words, some prophecies have found partial fulfillment in Christ’s first coming and will be ultimately fulfilled in Jesus’ second coming.
When someone reads the prophecies, he can get a glimpse of what God spoke of, much like a mountainous landscape from far away. When someone looks at mountains on the horizon, they all look close together. However, if that same person were to get into a helicopter and fly over them, he would see the distance between the mountains properly. Some Old Testament prophecies can be understood much like the mountains on the horizon.
The prophecy of Isaiah found partial fulfillment in Christ’s resurrection. Jesus died and rose from the dead, but He did so triumphantly when He rose. He rose with intention. Scripture says, “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will by thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes” (Hos. 13:14). But how would God destroy the grave and ransom the Christian from the power of the grave? He would do so through Christ being the first fruits of what is to come and by uniting the believer with Him.
The last enemy
At the same time, death is the last enemy to be destroyed. Paul said, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:26). It is important to realize that death was not necessarily a part of God’s plan. The original intent of creation was for man to live forever. Death came through sin.
In the Garden, God told Adam that if he were to eat from the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he would die. Death comes in three forms. First, death is physical. The Bible speaks of death coming first, then the judgment. When someone dies physically, he no longer lives on the earth. Second, death is spiritual. When someone dies spiritually, he lacks life toward God. The unbeliever is said to be dead in sins and trespasses. This means that the unbeliever lacks spiritual life. Third, death is enteral. To be judged and condemned for all eternity is synonymous with death. Death is also an eternal state in the Bible where man is separated from God for all eternity.
When Adam ate from the fruit of the tree, death came upon him and the human race in all capacities. However, God’s grace and mercy triumphed over death as they did during the resurrection. Adam was separated from God and thrown out of the Garden; he deserved punishment and was told that he would return to the dust. However, God atoned for his sin and allowed him to live a long life.
God is not a friend of death. Instead, Jesus was the friend of sinners. He overpowered death and will one day destroy death entirely.
The incorruptible
Isaiah told of a day when death would be swallowed up in victory. But the question remains, “How?” How is death going to lose the final battle? Paul has said, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54). Death is not swallowed up in victory because the Christian dies. When the Christian dies, he is laid in a tomb, and his spirit goes to be with God. This is not victory over the grave.
Jesus had victory over the grave because he rose from the dead. He did not just go to be with the Father in spirit. Instead, Jesus rose bodily. His corruptible body put on the incorruptible, and mortality put on immortality. This is the victory where death is swallowed up.
The abolishing of death
In Christ’s first coming, He did not destroy death, but He did abolish it. To abolish death is to render death inoperative. Death should not have a controlling influence over the Christian. Scripture says, “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). Jesus brought life and immortality to light through His resurrection.
He abolished death by destroying the one who had power over death. Scripture says, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power over death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14). Jesus has dealt a fatal blow to the enemy. While Satan bruised Christ’s heal, Jesus has bruised Satan’s head.
Jesus now holds the keys to death and hades.
The perfect fulfillment
Finally, there will be a day when the Scriptures find their ultimate fulfillment. Jesus will return as surely as He came the first time. The prophets foretold of His coming, and in the fullness of time, Jesus arrived on the earth. While it may seem like God is slack in keeping His promises, it is important to know that God does not want anyone to perish but for all to repent of their sin. When Christ returns, the story is over. There will be no more room for repentance.
Jesus came the first time in peace. His second coming will be to wage war. He is patient and compassionate. He is humble and approachable. But the time will come when He must usher in the new heavens and new earth. But of that day it is said, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:24).
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the resurrection of Christ. Thank You for the promise of eternity. You have told me several times in Your Word that Christ rose from the dead, and I believe it. You have also told me that I will rise with Him at the end of the age. Teach me to have an eternal perspective. In Jesus’ name, Amen.