GOD'S COMFORT REGARDING LIFE AND DEATH
 

How many people seek comfort in times of life and death?

Would that be everyone?

While speculation can provide some comfort, even more comfort comes from knowing the truth that only an all loving God can give.

The only reliable authority on this topic is found in the Bible, rightly divided.

We must be willing to put aside everything not aligning with scripture.

We must allow the Bible to speak for itself.

God always has the best answer on this and every topic. 

Let's start here. I Thessalonians 4: 16 &  17

vs 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

The reason they will need to rise first is because they are dead.

They are awaiting the return of Christ when the dead shall rise, and those remaining will meet the Lord in the air. 

vs 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Two events will occur. The dead in Christ shall rise first, and second, we who are alive and remain will meet the Lord in the air.

Prevalent Christian teaching is contrary to this.

Common teaching would have us believe that we go directly to heaven upon death. 

Either those teachings are wrong or the Bible.

Here's more. Acts 1:10 & 11

vs 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

vs 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

This will be the return of Christ.

I Corinthians 15: 20 - 23

vs 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

vs 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

vs 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (That's a future event.)

There is no consciousness in the grave, just like when we sleep.

verse 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

When the dead die, they sleep until the return of Christ.

This is when they will be raised from the dead. 

Until they rise, they sleep just like we sleep every night.

Every morning is a new day.

Isaiah 65;17 - 19

vs 17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

vs 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

vs 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

From the time a person dies, they have no consciousness in the grave, but for them, the next waking moment is the return of Christ.

For the living, we still have time and memory.

We miss our loved ones.

For the dead in Christ, the next waking moment is the return.

At the great gathering when Christ returns, all loved ones in Christ will gather in him, friends, family, and all born of God's spirit. 

1 Corinthians 15:55

vs 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

At this time, it will be pure victory, and celebration, and no sadness.

Our relationship with God, His son, and all members of the body of Christ will live on for all eternity.

I Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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