The Death Deception

 

The Truth about Death and The Next World

In the Western world, particularly in the United States of America, we are often insulated from the stark realities of death. Here, death is handled neatly and discreetly by our efficient funeral homes. However, I can assure you that this is not the standard practice for the rest of the world. 

This is why many young people in this country enjoy horror movies; for a large part of the world, life resembles a horror movie.

The purpose of this blog post is not to dwell on morbid thoughts. Bear with me, this writing gets hopeful. It's been a year this month since my mother passed away at the age of 82, and she frequently crosses my mind. I love my mother very much, even though she was a very flawed human being. This morning, my wife brought me the sad news that a former music student of mine had passed away in a bicycle accident yesterday. She was a tremendous musician. She exceled at many activities and loves God.  

We are well-acquainted with this young woman and her family, as they were fellow congregants at our local church. Our sorrow is not for her, but for her family, friends and students who mourn her absence. They are undoubtedly in a state of shock, yet they do not despair, sharing our faith and the support of a close-knit circle of friends during this difficult period. 

My emotional connection has diminished over the more than ten years of distance, which is a natural consequence of prolonged separation. Otherwise, processing what has happened would require considerable effort, and writing about this matter would be overly emotional. To the best of my knowledge, they reside in Missouri, while I am located in Northwest Montana.

I can empathize, as I too harbored fears that one of my daughters might succumb to SIDS. This fear was compounded by the tragedy of my nephew, Chance, who passed away from SIDS while in my mother's care. The anxiety would jolt me awake, compelling me to check if they were breathing. Over time, I grew weary of being ruled by this fear of death and entrusted the matter to our Savior.  This fear became a reality yesterday for these parents.

Moreover, we invest a lot of love time and energy into our children and grandchildren. When they are suddenly gone that fact just about emotionally destroys the best of us. I have experienced this kind of tragedy multiple times. I had to confront the death of two choir students right before their high school graduation. The students tried to sing through their tears. By maintaining my composure, I inadvertently gave them the impression that I was unfeeling.  

My student, the choir's accompanist who had won numerous prestigious national awards, succumbed to leukemia in her sophomore year of college. Her funeral was almost too much to bear. I possess digital recordings of her performing complex classical pieces on the forte-piano by composers such as Debussy, Liszt, Beethoven, and Chopin. When I received the news of her passing, it was difficult for my mind to process the information.

So, I want to share some information about this enemy that causes sudden physical and spiritual separation between loved ones. .........Death. My favorite book is the Bible because it brings comfort in these sad times. 

Death is a defeated enemy for people of faith.  This young woman did not cease to exist.  She has three parts, body soul, and spirit.  Her body was so damaged that Jesus decided to go ahead and take her to His Father's house.  Yes, we can't see this event in the spiritual world, but this beautiful young woman received a personal rapture with Jesus.  Everybody in church debates a future group Rapture (Harpazo) of all church members around the world which could happen any moment. When will this take place? No one knows; they only speculate and debate. Jesus just said, "Always be ready to leave".

I can tell you exactly where Jesus was yesterday.  He visited Missouri. If someone witnessed the accident they can tell you the very moment of God's visitation. 

Furthermore, Jesus made this personal rapture clear just before He resurrected Lazarus.  Jesus was speaking to us today as He spoke to Mary and Martha. "I am the resurrection and the life."  "Those that believe in me will never, ever die". He validated His claim be calling Lazarus out of the grave.  

The word we use for a motel or hotel comes from the ancient word we use for cemetery. Just like Lazarus, this young woman's body will temporarily go into a motel but will leave when Jesus returns.  

Jesus doubles down on this view with His disciples.  "In my Father's House are many rooms, I'm going ahead to prepare a place for you, and I will come receive you to myself." When each disciple was executed for their faith in the first century, just as their body was destroyed, Jesus snatched them to the Father's House to a spot or nest He prepared. 

Most theologians believe angels escort us before God.  Holding a literal interpretation of the Bible, I am of the belief that Jesus personally welcomes each individual who belongs to Him.

That's not the end, Jesus will return and restore physical bodies, too.  He revealed the abilities of His resurrected body to the disciples. We will need a body like this to see God. Why were the disciples so bold to still share the message about Jesus not fearing the pain and mutilation of their physical bodies?   They understood what I am musing about.  Paul got kind of morbid penning death is better for me. What?  How can that be?  A personal rapture with Jesus, that's how. 

Don't get any weird ideas.  God hates suicide.  It is costly to Him and building the Kingdom of God.  He wouldn't want our last act to be a selfish one.

So why are we so sad!  Where's the great faith, Ted? This is how my simple mind processes this issue. We love people and hate being separated from them for extended periods of time.  That's why I moved to Northwest Montana.  To be near my children and grandchildren. Envision a loved one unexpectedly moving to a far-off country to live for some time. It's natural to miss them, unless one has an unusual disposition. Even though we can see them on our devices daily, you want them physically around.

The painful reality is the parents could be separated from their daughter for 20-30 years.  The left behind husband even longer if the Lord tarries.  

What brings me comfort is I see Biblical prophecy unfolding right in front of my eyes on television right this moment. In other words, this old world is due for a reset. This young woman went ahead for a short time.  That's why we do not lose hope like pagans do.  That's why I call the sudden return of Jesus for me my "Blessed Hope".

We miss our Grandparents but know exactly where they are.  We miss Aunts and Uncles that have passed on.  According to scriptures there is going to be a huge family reunion one of these days.  

Today marks her coronation day, and she certainly deserves a shout out from me. 

This Christian young woman accomplished more in her short lifetime than most accomplish in a century.  She utilized her time effectively, winning a Supreme Court case against the school district where I taught for 25 years. She was awarded $70,000, pretty sure. 

The district had denied her the opportunity to deliver her Valedictorian speech. These political activists in educator's clothing objected to the words God and Christ. Indeed, this school district is known for its 'brilliant' administrators and teachers.  The snarky light is on. Ok, it's off.  Because of her victory my daughter and other students had the freedom to credit God for help.

She went on to be an adjunct professor of theology at the collegiate level.  She has traveled to Moldova and Russia as a teacher and missionary. She was deeply engaged in working with children with disabilities.

She was training as a triathlete when struck by the SUV.

Just thought of this. Here you go.................

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/springfield-woman-dies-after-crash-involving-a-bicycle-and-suv/ar-BB1lGF6q

I'm sad and tired. More later.