Victory Over Death, or Victory Over the Fear of Death
The Apostle Paul expressed well both the life of the believer, and the physical death of the believer in Philippians 1:21: “For me, to live is Christ and to die (physically) is gain.”
Paul’s life after he was converted by Christ Himself on the road to Damascus was totally devoted to His Savior and Lord – Jesus Christ. Therefore, in our context, verse 21, Paul gave his exact reason for living: CHRIST.
But, in the same verse Paul also said that “dying would be profit (gain).” Think about this for a moment. Paul lived to serve his Master. He walked with the LORD. But he knew that in death he would be promoted and face to face with the Lord, and that would be so much better. “DYING” here refers to physical death. The soul and spirit of the believer passes to Glory. Victory over death, delivered from the flesh. Praise God The LORD.
So, in living we are to live for Christ. Then in physical death we gain an even better relationship — we join Christ our Savior in The Kingdom of Heaven … and so shall we ever be with the Lord. We will finally see His face. We will hear the Lord exclaim to us: “I Am He that lives and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:18). The word “awesome” cannot begin to express the experience. There are no words to describe the indescribable.
A Desire to Stay and a Desire to Depart
In Philippians 1:23 Paul follows up verse 21 of our context with these words: “For I am torn between the two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better.” Staying on earth with loved ones or leaving to be with the Lord is not an easy decision, but the decision is not ours! It is the Father who decides when we are called out in physical death.
In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul writes to the believers in Corinth: “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present (literally face to face in the original Greek) with the Lord.”
Physical Death is God’s Victory
The physical death of every believer in Jesus Christ is the sovereign decision of God (Job 1:21b). God decides when to call us home. The Lord gives (life) and the Lord takes away life, therefore the victory of life and death is the Lord’s. In John 10:28 Christ said, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.”
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death (physical) of His Saints (Psalm 116:15).
Note: Every believer in the Church Age of Grace (the time period we are in now) is a saint. Therefore, you have no need to fear physical death if you truly believe that Christ died for your sins.
Please turn to John 5:24 in your Study Bible. Notice exactly what happens to you when leave your body: “You are PASSED from death unto LIFE.” What did Christ say in John 14:6?
If you are at peace with God, you trust God completely, by faith in Christ, you have no need to fear dying—which is physical death.
The Death-Shadowed Valley
Most everyone is aware of Psalm 23:4-6. Truly these verses are three of the most beloved verses in all the Bible. Please turn in your Study Bible and read these wonderful verses.
A more literal translation of “the valley of the shadow of death” is provided here by a biblical scholar: “The Hebrew noun (tsal’mavet) is usually translated “shadow of death,” but it is one word compounded from two nouns. The first noun (tsal) is the word for shadow; (mavet), the second noun, is the word for death. Best translated “death-shadowed” actually refers to your very own ‘death-shadowed valley.'”
He goes on to state that: “A shadow is defined as a dark figure or image cast on a surface by a body intercepting light. In the analogy, the dark of the shadow refers to your dying phase. In your death-shadowed valley the light of Scripture will guide you through; it will ring in your soul with the assurance of the Holy Spirit. You will have your guardian angel as escort as well, once you depart you body. The Word of God stored in the memory-banks of your soul will be the light of unwavering assurance for your journey. The Holy Spirit will be there to give you peace as you begin your journey home through your own wonderful Spirit filled valley.”
In Psalms 23:4-6: “Thou art with me.” The Shepherd of your soul, the Lord Jesus Christ escorts you personally through your death-shadowed valley. The same Lord Jesus Christ who has guided you through your own Fields of Grace during your life, will now guide you with dying grace into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, you have nothing to fear. The Lord Himself takes the sting (fear) out of dying (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
Your passing to Glory is God’s last opportunity to bless you in this earthly life. God has always had a Grace Plan for every believer and His Grace Plan includes passing into Glory.
Ephesians 2:7, literal translation: “In order that in the ages to come (eternity) He might show the surpassing riches of His Grace Plan toward us In Christ Jesus.
Great believers have great fellowship with the Lord
Paul had such wonderful fellowship with Christ moment by moment, day by day, no matter in what circumstance, whether suffering, in prison or preaching. Paul lived his life filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Do you live daily in fellowship with Christ?
The great Apostle Paul was an “ambassador in chains” of his Master, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:20). We too, like Paul, are chosen by God to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We remain on earth after salvation to represent Christ during His absence in Heaven. Even in dying we can witness for Christ by dying in peace. Be at peace in the Lord. This is our victory over death: being at peace, trusting the Lord to carry us through to our victorious life in eternity. Christ is trustworthy! Be at peace with dying (leaving your body) — good riddance to it. You’ll love your new eternal, indestructible heavenly body. It will be like Christ’s. You are in perfect hands if you have trusted Christ as your Savior and Lord. But, if you have not trusted Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, why haven’t you?
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.”
Remember, dying is only physical dying. Dying means your soul and spirit leave your fleshly body and pass into glory. In your final exhale you are escorted to Glory. Jesus said to Martha in John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” Do you believe this?
In closing, if you believe in Christ, you are a child of God forever (John 1:12). Because you believe in Christ, you will see the Glory of God! Because you believe in Christ, you have an inheritance.
Please read for yourself the following Scriptures so you may better be at peace with both the Lord, and with physical death: Mathew 25:34; Ephesians 1:14; Colossians 1:12; 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4. See also: Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 3:6; 1 Peter 3:7.
May I recommend that you check out these related Bible Studies here on WOTM:
“40 Grace Gifts – A Numerical Summary“;
“Forty Absolutes For Every Believer“;
“Dying Grace;”
Be at peace through all your trials and circumstances, and even dying, for Christ has overcome the world and is seated at the Right Hand of the Throne of God (John 16:33; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3).
Be blessed by consistent daily Bible study as you walk your pathways through Fields of Grace with the Lord.
Happy Studying.