You Shall Never Die!

You Shall Never Die!

“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 11:25-26.

We can compare death with being put out of action. As long as we are in the body, we can be along in everything that goes on; but when we die—when we have to leave the body—we cannot be along in anything anymore. You can often hear people say, “It would be interesting to keep on living to see how things are going to develop.” But Jesus says, “Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” He will never be put out of action but will be part of everything God intends to do, including the new heaven and the new earth.

Almost everyone will believe in Jesus when they are about to die, but when they are well again, they want to live for the world and for themselves. Thus they are led along by the spirit of the times in the race of this world. However, living and believing in Jesus is victory. Then you are in Christ and overcome the spirit of the world. All those who have victory present their bodies as an acceptable offering in service to God as instruments of righteousness. Rom. 6:13; 12:1. When these people die—when they leave their body—they actually do not die. They are not put out of action. They exit from the visible battle, but they are just as much engaged in an invisible battle. They are just as well informed about what God intends to do. When they leave the body, they are with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8. They are on Mount Zion with God who is the Judge of all, with the Mediator and an innumerable company of angels. All of these have not been put out of action, have they? There are also the spirits of just men made perfect. Heb. 12:22-24. All of them are active. Moses and Elijah were together with Jesus on the mountain, and they spoke together about Jesus’ departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30-31. We realize that they were well informed.

“He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” Rev. 2:11. “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Rev. 20:5-6. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Vs. 14-15.

Here we can see that the second death can hurt people; it can take the entire person. To be hurt by the second death means that you are put out of action for a time. To be affected by the second death means that you will never again be part of what God is doing or establishing.

“He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” John 8:51.

These people have been on Jesus’ side throughout their lifetime in the battle against the spiritual hosts of wickedness. They have had their senses exercised to discern between good and evil. Heb. 5:14. When they leave their bodies, they have exited the visible battle, but they are just as much along with the Lord in the invisible battle. They continue to be active according to the wisdom they have gained during the time they were in the body, and they are along in everything God intends to do.

When the time of the rapture comes, they will receive their bodies back, and they will be along in the wedding. Afterwards, they will again be active in the visible battle. They will take part in the invasion of the earth from heaven when the earth will be liberated from the beast and the false prophet and all the ungodly. Rev. 19. They will be along in establishing the Millennium, and they will be partakers of this blessed time. Then they will take part in the final battle against the devil when he is cast into the lake of fire, and they will also be on the new earth and in the new heaven. They will never see death! Do you believe that?

Should we not joyfully and thankfully walk on the narrow way that leads to life? Have you found it? The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18.