Listening to people talk lately about death can be amusing. When you listen to what is really being said at the funeral home or during the funeral, it also can be heartbreaking because it is not scriptural. Just this morning, as I was reading on social media, the discussion was about those dying becoming 'angels' or 'guardian angels' and what scripture has to say about those things. One comment was 'nor do they look down on us from heaven, because there will be no more tears there.'
We know the scriptures tells us we are created beings and so are the angels. We are created with souls, the angels were not. In Rev. 5 it tells the elders sang the great song of redemption. The angels cannot sing a song of redemption because they do not need to be redeemed. The angels who rebelled with Satan will be judged and cast into Hell. The angels which stayed in heaven are called the Elect angels.
In Hebrews 2 it tells us man is a little lower than the angels. It is only in our resurrected body do we become pure enough to even be equal with the angels. "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Luke 20:34-36(Emphasis added) Please note that it does not say we become angels or guardian angels. Let's not twist the scripture.
What we do know about dying, unless you have done it (which I don't think you have if you are reading this), is that it is the passing from life as we know it here on earth to another realm. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus the scripture say " And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" John 11:26. Yes, our fleshly, earthly bodies will die, but the soul He created for eternity!
When someone dies, we on earth mourn....it is traditional. But the scriptures say the saints are welcomed to their heavenly home, it is precious in His sight to see His children!
Arthur W. Pink puts it this way:
"While we are sorrowing over the removal of a saint, Christ is rejoicing. His prayer was "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory" (John 17:24), and in the entrance into Heaven of each one of His own people, He sees an answer to that prayer and is glad. He beholds in each one that is freed from "this body of death" another portion of the reward for His travail of soul, and He is satisfied with it. Therefore the death of His saints is precious to the Lord, for it occasions Him ground for rejoicing."
Most of us know several saints who have gone on to be with the Lord and many who are nearing the end of their earthly journey. Should we not rejoice with the Lord upon their meeting Him face to face? How blessed are those that get to look on the face of Jesus!
When I was growing up, the funeral homes of today did not exist. The people 'sat up' at the homes with the bodies for several days. I am not sure why they guarded the bodies, but it was the way it was done. It was also a time of families coming together, eating and reuniting. In some ways it was a time for sorrow, but in other ways it was a blessed time for celebration. That is something we have lost in our recent years, family time for celebration, time for remembering and gathering together to celebrate life itself.
There is coming a day, when life on this earth will end for each of us (and we will not be turned into angels!) It will be a time of sorrow for some, but for others, a time of celebration. Not only in heaven, but I pray on earth that friends and family will gather around and celebrate the memories of the good times. That each will have the hope of the reunion in Jesus. The tears will be gone, we can look forward to no more separation, no pain and no sorrow, and the hope found in Him will be far greater than the sorrow of loss.
Makes me remember the song "When the Saints go marching in, when saints go marching in, Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in." Just to stand on the curb of the golden streets and watch this parade would truly be one of grandeur!!
Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain"
I would love to have your comments posted here about this blog. Where will you be at the end of this life's journey? Are you ready to meet Him? Are you ready to march with the saints? Strike up the band!!
Blessings,
gs
It is a blessing to know that one day we will march in that heavenly band that will proceed to the Throne of God and we will lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. The angels will cry Holy Holy Holy and we will bow before Him, the One Who is worthy!
ReplyDeleteHe is Lord!! We are His children, not His angels! We are Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!! Amen!!
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