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Hope in Death and Judgment

2 Tim 1:12 & 2 Tim 4:6-8

Many people never think about their own death (Hebrews 2:15 describes the human race as being held in slavery by their fear of death).

As John Wesley approached his immanent death, he famously declared, "The best of all is God is with us". He was more aware of the nearness of God than physical pain. Whilst 1 Corinthians 15 calls death the last enemy, for the believer it brings a great deliverance, ushering them into the presence of God and the world for which they were made.

Paul talks about death as a departure (the Greek word was used with the sense of "loosening" - pulling up the pegs of a tent, removing a cart from a horse, untying a ship from the dock to allow it to sail). Consequently, death is also an arrival on eternity's shores, where loved ones and Jesus will welcome us with shouts of joy.

Paul looked forward to the new creation, especially his own resurrection body (2 Corinthians 5). He likens our earthly bodies to a tent, but our true longing is to have a permanent dwelling place (body). Jesus had the first resurrection body; He could be identified and touched, His voice was recognisable, and He could even eat food! We will enjoy a physical existence beyond death with resurrected bodies.

Paul also looked forward to Judgment! He was utterly confident that No Condemnation awaited him (Romans 8:1) because Jesus had taken his judgment for sin at the cross. Therefore, the judgment for Christians must be different than for the world in general. 1 Corinthians 3 describes an "awards ceremony" where Jesus will reward believers for their labours in Him and expose any wrong things we'd put our trust in.

Only two days really matter: TODAY and THAT DAY. We must live TODAY in the light of THAT DAY. It's never too late to start living that way. Even a thief with hours to live made that choice as he died alongside Jesus. He knew who he believed.

Questions

  • We live in a "now" world. How often do you think about death and eternity and what prompts you to do so?

  • Today and That Day. How does knowing that we will appear before Judge Jesus help us live today?

  • Paul didn't fear death or judgment. Do you share his confidence?

  • How do you reconcile God being all loving yet also judging? Is there any conflict in this for us?

  • How does the promise of a "new dwelling" (a resurrection body) help us in this life?