To Die Is Gain

To Die Is Gain

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Phil. 1:21-23.

Those who are God-fearing have no reason to view their departure from this earth with fear and horror. Death will be gain for us as truly as Christ is our life. However, if the world is our life, then it will be hard and terrible to face death. Paul knew that death for him would be an immediate entrance into an eternal and glorious fellowship with Christ, which was far, far better than everything else.

Concerning her brother who was dead, Martha said to Jesus: “‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:24-26.

We can be sure that Jesus spoke these words to bring comfort and blessing. Even though our body has to experience death, our spirit will not die in all eternity. We will never be in an inactive, dormant state, as some people believe. Not at all! The eternal and abundant life of which we have partaken can never lie dormant, and our physical death is only an entrance into all the glory in which we have rejoiced in the spirit of expectation. Death separates us from everything here on earth, and it is presumptuous to believe that death will separate us from a life-fellowship with Christ. If we die, we will nevertheless live! Stephen saw the heavens open. He saw God’s glory and Jesus standing at God’s right hand, and he said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7.

Life is activity. To be with Christ in heavenly places means that we are engaged in an eternal, glorious, and blessed activity. Among other things, it is written that Jesus intercedes for the saints. Since He, as the first and most excellent of brothers, has such a ministry, His fellow brothers will surely have their own ministries as well.

It seems those who are in heavenly places know—though not in detail—of the greater and more important events here on earth. Moses and Elijah could speak of Jesus’ departure which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. Even the disciples did not clearly understand these things. Luke 9:30-31. Abraham rejoiced to see the day of Christ, and he was glad. John 8:56. We also read in Luke 15 that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

When Assyria went down to hell, those who were in the kingdom of the dead were comforted. Ezek. 31:16. Sheol was excited when the king of Babylon was about to come down, because they knew who was coming. Isa. 14:9-15. Seeing that they know each other in the kingdom of the dead, it is obvious that those in heaven also know each other, and they are comforted and rejoice when they meet one another.

It appears that there are three different places where the spirits are kept. The ungodly descend to the kingdom of the dead; they will be raised in the second resurrection and will then receive their final judgment. Rev. 20:13.

The thief on the cross went with Jesus into Paradise, and it seems that this is the third heaven to which Paul was caught up and where he heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:1-4. Most believers are probably going to this place.

Jesus Himself ascended far above all the heavens. Eph. 4:10. We also read in Hebrews 12:22-24 about the spirits of just men made perfect who have come to Mount Zion where they are together with God, the Judge of all, and Jesus, who is the Mediator of a new covenant. In Revelation 14 we read about those who are on Mount Zion, who have been redeemed from the earth and from among men, being firstfruits to God and the Lamb. “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” The bride is gathered here on Mount Zion, the apex of God’s glory. They are the ones who not only have received forgiveness for their sins, but have also received grace and strength to overcome sin in their daily lives. They have been blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom they have shone as lights in the world. Phil. 2:15. They have overcome just as Jesus overcame and will sit on thrones together with Him. Rev. 3:21. However, the perfect glory will only appear once the trumpet has sounded at Christ’s second coming. Then the bodies of the saints will be raised up and will be transformed into glorified bodies that correspond to their spirits. Then they will always, with their incorruptible bodies, be with the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:51-55; 1 Thess. 4:13-18. This will be their great reward, because they—having been faithful and obedient to His commandments—gave their bodies as a sacrifice while they were on earth. They did not live for themselves, but they kept their earthly bodies under the dark cover of reproach; therefore the Lord will transform their lowly bodies to be conformed to His glorious body. Phil. 3:21.

The majority of people, even those who call themselves Christians, live a life according to their human understanding. Their great fear is death, because then they will be separated from everything they love and cling to here on this earth. However, if they are redeemed from the earth and from among people, and they love the things that are above, their dying day will be a glorious day of redemption.

Paul found only one sensible reason for remaining here on earth: that he might further the progress of the church and their joy of faith. Let us not live just to pass the time of day, but that we might find our life’s task that God has given to every person, and let us enter into it with great zeal and joy.

When the truths of God’s Word are presented in all purity, sharpness, and clarity, many people realize that living such a life is the only thing that is right and good to do—but they are reluctant to enter into it. They say, “If I were to live such a life, I would encounter great difficulties; I might even be in danger of dying.” Well, nothing better could happen to you than if you died doing God’s will. It would be worse if you died while you drew back from doing God’s will—and there is greater danger of that happening. No one can add an inch to his life, so let us not indulge in unnecessary anxieties, but let us live a deep, sincere, and true Christian life, whether it is short or long. Then, when the Lord fetches us home, we will know that it is the perfect moment according to His wise counsel. We will have nothing to look back to anymore, but we will enter into the glory that awaits us, with joy. There our family will be gathered (those who have done God’s will), and those who are left behind will soon follow. Do not be anxious for those who are left behind, even though they might be small children. You can rest assured that God has greater care for your children than you do. The promises belong to you and to your children.