This past week, many have been saddened by the passing of loved ones or good friends. So it is natural for us to consider the oft repeated question- “If a man or woman dies, shall they live again?” As we grieve for the the one taken from us, the question is often, “will I ever see her, or him again?” It was Job, who first asked that riveting question. But later he gave us the happy answer with the words, “I know that my Redeemer lives and He shall stand at last on the earth….that in my flesh shall I see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold…” Jesus later explained the connection.- saying, “I am the Resurrection and the life, He who believes in Me thought he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. “

While mourning for loved ones, it is impossible not to become acutely aware of the fact that we too will one day pass from this life.Death comes to us all- whatever our rank, position, or age. The amazing phenomenon is that we are living, breathing one moment, then gone from this life the next.

At such times it is important to remember that death is not the end of our existence. It is only the end of this life. Unfortunately some of us convince ourselves that the grave ends all. But this is merely wishful thinking, and it is a very bad gamble. As someone well said, “we are going to live somewhere forever we had better learn how to live.”

As we come to grips with this solemn truth, it is important, for us to also realize God, in the Bible assures us that it is possible to know, here and now where we will spend eternity.

This assurance is based on a personal relationship, because John 5:11-13 says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”

This assurance is also based on an inner confirmation. We know this because Paul was inspired to write in Romans 8:16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” From the moment we invite Christ into our lives, God, takes up residency. Our bodies become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. From that time on we are convicted, prompted, and comforted.

And finally, this assurance is based on the truthfulness of the Bible. We know that because John 5:24 assures us, “He who hears my Word and believes in Him who has sent me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life.”

If I refuse to believe that the Bible is God’s inspired Word and therefore true, I am betting my eternal destiny on the premise that it is not true, and that all those believers who have gone before have been misled and have based their lives on a fairy tale, a gigantic hoax. I am not willing to do that. I believe the Bible is completely true Archaeology, history, prophecy and the life experience of billions of believers support that view. The answer to the question, “If a man or woman die, shall they live again?” is a resounding “YES.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell