We were asked the question during the weekend service, “Are we ready for death?” This is an important question to answer. While many avoid thinking about death, the truth is that those who are followers of Christ have nothing to fear when it comes to death. Why? Jesus has conquered death, and, as a result, we can hold on to the hope of eternal life with Him forever, free of condemnation.
During His ministry on earth, Jesus made it clear that His followers have nothing to fear, not even death. As He taught one day, He said in John 5, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (verse 24). The truth in this passage of Scripture should give every Christ follower hope when it comes to life after death. Those who believe in Him, Jesus said, will experience eternal life with Him forever. Even more, Jesus made it clear that we will not be “condemned” for the sins and wrongdoings we have committed. Why? We have been forgiven. That means that God does not hold our sin against us. What a remarkable promise that we have to claim.
If you are like me, you may be wondering what eternal life with Christ will be like. John also wrote the final book of the Bible, Revelation, and recounted a vision from Christ of what eternal life will be like with Him. In this vision, John wrote, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (verse 1). In the following verses, he described what he saw in this new heaven and new earth. He wrote, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will lie with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (verses 3-4). Can you even imagine how remarkable this new heaven and earth will be? There will be no pain, sadness, tears, or anything else that sin has caused here on this earth. Even more, God will be with us. As he described his vision, John saw Jesus seated on a throne, saying, “Look, I am making everything new!” (verse 5).
While thinking about death may be daunting, there is nothing for followers of Christ to fear when it comes to death. After all, we will dwell with God forever, where there will be no more pain, sadness, or anything else that sin destroyed. Praise God for the hope we have of eternal life with Him forever!
Write out John 5:24 three times today. As you write this verse, focus on the remarkable truth found in these words from Jesus. We have nothing to fear, not even death, if we have followers of Christ. This is the great hope for followers of Christ.
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).
18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
