The joy of eternal life: reflections on death in Christ
The recent passing of Dr. Andrew Sunday Adebola at the University of Ilorin brought a profound realization to my heart, one that stirred a deep sense of joy and wonder. As I reflected on the message of his passing, I was struck by the eternal promise that believers experience instantaneously upon departing this life. For the first time in my life, I truly tasted the reality of eternal life, and it was a transformative experience.
The Reality of Death in Christ
The Bible makes it clear that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). This promise is a cornerstone of our faith, and it brings comfort and hope to those who have lost loved ones in Christ. When believers pass away, they do not cease to exist; instead, they enter into the presence of God, where there is an abundance of joy (Psalm 16:11).
The Power and Immediacy of Salvation
The realization that believers are instantly ushered into eternal life upon passing away is a powerful reminder of the immediacy of salvation. It’s a testament to the finished work of Christ on the cross, where He bore our sins and secured our place in eternity. When we put our faith in Christ, we are not just saved from the penalty of sin; we are also given the gift of eternal life, which begins the moment we depart this world.
A Life of Consistency and Faithfulness
Dr. Andrew Sunday Adebola’s life is a shining example of a believer who walked the narrow way to heaven. Despite the vicissitudes of life, including the agony of a wasting disease, he remained consistent, faithful, and authentic in his walk with God. His life was a testament to the power of faith and the sustaining grace of God.
Joy in the Face of Death
When I learned of Dr. Adebola’s passing, I was not overcome with sadness; instead, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. I realized that he was finally home, in the presence of the Lord, experiencing the abundance of joy that awaits believers in eternity. This experience was so profound that I felt compelled to revisit the Holy Scriptures, to remind myself of the reality of death in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion
The passing of Dr. Andrew Sunday Adebola has left an indelible mark on my heart, one that will continue to shape my understanding of eternal life and the power of salvation. As I reflect on his life and legacy, I am reminded of the importance of living a life of consistency and faithfulness, one that honors God in all aspects. May we all be inspired by his example, and may we too experience the joy of eternal life when our time on this earth comes to an end.
Death in Christ Leads to Eternal Presence with Jesus Christ
The Christian perspective on death is rooted in the understanding that physical death is not the end, but rather a transition to eternal life with Jesus Christ. When believers die, they are absent from the body and present with the Lord, experiencing a qualitatively different kind of presence than what is possible in temporal life.
Eternal Presence vs. Temporal Presence
The presence of God in our lives can be experienced in different ways. In temporal life, we can sense God’s presence through prayer, worship, and obedience. However, when we die and are absent from the body, we enter a direct, unmediated presence with the Lord. This eternal presence is characterized by:
Unbroken Communion: Believers experience uninterrupted fellowship with God, free from the limitations and distractions of earthly life.
Perfect Knowledge: In eternity, believers will have a complete understanding of God’s plan and purposes, and they will see clearly the significance of their lives and experiences.
Unending Worship: The redeemed will spend eternity praising and worshiping God, enjoying a deepening relationship with Him.
The Clarity of the Message
The Scriptures clearly teach that death in Christ leads to eternal presence with Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, the Apostle Paul writes, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” This confidence is rooted in the promise of eternal life, which is secured through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Christian hope of eternal life with Jesus Christ is a powerful motivator for living a life of faith and obedience. As believers, we can face death with confidence, knowing that we will be absent from the body and present with the Lord. This eternal presence is a qualitatively different experience from temporal life, characterized by unbroken communion, perfect knowledge, and unending worship.
Death in Christ Leads to Eternal Consciousness
From a Christian perspective, death marks a profound instantaneous transition for believers, ushering them into an eternal consciousness that is qualitatively different from human consciousness in this life. This eternal consciousness is characterized by a direct, unmediated relationship with God, free from the limitations and constraints of earthly existence.
The Nature of Eternal Consciousness
When a believer dies in Christ, they immediately enter into an eternal state of consciousness, where they experience
Unbroken Fellowship: A deepening relationship with God, unencumbered by sin or distractions.
Eternal Abundance: An overflowing of joy, peace, and worship, untainted by the sorrows and sufferings of this life.
Absence of Sin and Afflictions: Freedom from the presence and effects of sin, as well as the afflictions and hardships that accompany it.
The Immediate Experience of Eternal Life
According to this understanding, the experience of eternal life begins instantly upon death, with no intermediate state of sleep or absence of dynamic existence. Believers are ushered into the presence of God, where they enjoy a vibrant, conscious relationship with Him.
The Bodily Experience of Eternal Life
While the eternal consciousness of believers begins immediately upon death, the bodily experience of eternal life awaits the first resurrection. At that time, holy and sanctified believers will receive their resurrected bodies, perfectly suited for eternal life in the presence of God.
Conclusion
The promise of eternal consciousness in Christ offers believers a profound sense of hope and comfort in the face of death. As they transition from this life to the next, they can rest assured that they will enter a direct, unmediated relationship with God, experiencing an eternal abundance of joy, peace, and worship. This eternal consciousness is a reality that awaits all who put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Death Outside of Christ: Eternal Absence from God’s Presence.
The Bible teaches that death outside of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ leads to eternal absence from the presence of God. This reality is a solemn warning to those who have not put their trust in Christ, emphasizing the importance of making a choice for eternal life.
The Consequences of Rejecting Christ
When individuals die without Christ, they experience an eternal separation from God’s presence, characterized by:
Eternal Absence: A permanent and irreversible separation from God’s loving presence, resulting in spiritual darkness and isolation.
Hellish Experience: A reality of eternal suffering, described in Scripture as a place of darkness, fire, and torment, where the wicked will be punished for their rejection of God.
No Transition or Mercy: After death, there is no opportunity for repentance, negotiation, or second chances. The consequences of rejecting Christ are permanent and irreversible.
The Bodily Experience of Eternal Judgment
While the eternal absence from God’s presence begins immediately upon death, the bodily experience of eternal judgment awaits the second resurrection. At the White Throne Judgment, unbelievers will be raised from the dead and judged according to their deeds, resulting in eternal condemnation.
The Importance of Choice
The living has choices and opportunities to repent and choose eternal life with Christ. Scripture emphasizes the importance of making a decision for or against Christ, with eternal consequences:
Explicit Choice: The choice to accept or reject Christ is clear and explicit, with eternal life or eternal separation from God hanging in the balance.
Permanent Consequences: After death, the choice is permanent, and there is no opportunity for reversal or change.
Conclusion
The reality of eternal absence from God’s presence serves as a warning to those who have not put their trust in Christ. The living have choices and opportunities to repent and choose eternal life with Christ. It is essential to consider the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ and to make an informed decision about one’s spiritual future.
Death Outside of God in Christ: Eternal Consciousness in Separation
The Bible teaches that death outside of a saving relationship with God in Christ leads to an eternal consciousness that is qualitatively different from human consciousness in this life. While humanity benefits from God’s mercies, favors, patience, and offer of redemption in this life, those who reject Christ will experience a profound shift after death.
Comfort and Hope
The message of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 provides immense comfort and encouragement to believers, assuring them of a future reunion and dispelling anxieties about the fate of those who have passed away before the Lord’s return. This passage reminds believers that death is not the end, but rather a transition to eternal life with Christ.
“Fallen Asleep”
The phrase “fallen asleep” is a euphemism for death used in the New Testament, conveying that death for believers is a temporary state of rest before the resurrection. This concept is affirmed by Jesus’ own words concerning Lazarus, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go that I may wake him up” (John 11:11). This phrase emphasizes the temporary nature of death and the certainty of resurrection for believers [4].
Implications for Believers
The knowledge of the dead in Christ has significant implications for believers. It reminds us that:
Death is not the end: Believers will be raised from the dead and reunited with Christ.
Hope in the resurrection: The certainty of resurrection provides comfort and hope to believers.
Eternal life with Christ: Believers will be with Christ forever, free from suffering, pain, and sorrow.
In conclusion, the passage of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 provides profound insights into the concept of the “dead in Christ.” It assures believers of a future reunion with Christ, emphasizes the certainty of resurrection, and provides comfort and hope in the face of death. May this knowledge bring encouragement and hope to all who put their trust in Jesus Christ [5].
The Consequences of Rejecting the Knowledge of the Dead in Christ
The Bible teaches that rejecting the knowledge of the dead in Christ, particularly the resurrection, has several serious consequences. In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul outlines the importance of the resurrection and the devastating consequences of denying it.
Christ’s Resurrection is Denied
To deny a bodily resurrection is to deny the resurrection of Christ himself, who is the “firstfruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). This denial undermines the foundation of Christian faith and diminishes the significance of Christ’s sacrifice.
Preaching Becomes Pointless
If Christ has not been raised, then the Gospel message is “vain” and “futile,” according to 1 Corinthians 15:14. The preaching of the apostles would be meaningless, and their message would lack power and authority.
Faith is Useless
If the resurrection is not true, then Christian faith is meaningless and without profit, according to 1 Corinthians 15:17. Faith would be based on a false premise, and believers would be left without hope or assurance.
Apostles are False Witnesses
Denying the resurrection would mean that the apostles, who proclaimed Christ’s resurrection and testified to seeing him alive, were false witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:15). This would undermine the credibility of the apostles and the trustworthiness of their testimony.
Believers Remain in Their Sins
If Christ’s resurrection is not true, then our sins are not forgiven, and believers are still trapped in their sins, according to 1 Corinthians 15:17. The resurrection is essential to the doctrine of salvation, and denying it would nullify the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice.
The Dead in Christ Have Perished
Rejecting the resurrection means there’s no hope for those who have died in Christ; they are lost forever, according to 1 Corinthians 15:18. This would be a devastating consequence, leaving believers without hope for their loved ones who have passed away.
Those with Hope in Christ are to be Pitied
If hope in Christ is only for this life, then Christians are “of all men most to be pitied,” according to 1 Corinthians 15:19. This would mean that believers are deluded, and their hope is misplaced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rejecting the knowledge of the dead in Christ, especially the resurrection, undermines the very foundation of Christian faith and hope. It diminishes the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, invalidates the apostles’ testimony, and removes the assurance of future life and fellowship with God. The Bible emphasizes the importance of the resurrection and the consequences of denying it, and believers should be mindful of these warnings.
The Wisdom and Imperatives of Taking Seriously the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ presents a profound and life-changing message about temporal and eternal life. It emphasizes the importance of making a decision about Jesus Christ and the consequences of dying in Christ or not. Let’s explore the wisdom and imperatives of taking seriously the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel Message
The Gospel message is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. According to John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Temporal and Eternal Life
The Gospel presents two options for human existence: temporal life and eternal life. Temporal life is fleeting and fragile, while eternal life is enduring and glorious. According to John 10:27-28, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
Consequences of Dying in Christ or Not
The Gospel emphasizes the consequences of dying in Christ or not. Those who die in Christ will experience eternal life and fellowship with God, while those who do not die in Christ will face eternal separation from God. According to 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Imperatives of the Gospel
The Gospel presents several imperatives for believers, including:
Faith in Jesus Christ: Believers must have faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Repentance: Believers must repent of their sins and turn to God.
Obedience: Believers must obey God’s commands and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Evangelism: Believers must share the Gospel with others and make disciples of all nations.
Wisdom of Taking Seriously the Gospel
Taking seriously the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires wisdom and discernment. It involves understanding the consequences of dying in Christ or not and making a decision about Jesus Christ. According to Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Gospel of Jesus Christ presents a profound and life-changing message about temporal and eternal life. It emphasizes the importance of making a decision about Jesus Christ and the consequences of dying in Christ or not. Believers must take seriously the Gospel and live a life that is pleasing to God. By doing so, they will experience eternal life and fellowship with God and will be able to share the Gospel with others.
Isaac Megbolugbe, Director of GIVA Ministries International, retired professor at Johns Hopkins University, 2024 Marquis Organisation’s Class of Top Executives in the United States of America and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He is resident in the United States of America.
