? The Other Side of The Grave ?
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Our Culture’s Intrigue with Death’s Deceptions
MONDAY MOURNING: In general, people agree that forces of good and evil are evident on this planet. We commonly hear phrases that support “a dark side” or living in the light.” I think most would agree that Halloween is associated with the “dark side.” On this dark side, mysteries of the grave are toyed with – costumes and decorations portray grotesque scenes of the dead. Incorporated in this magnetism towards the macabre are doors that open to the occult – a curiosity of what is on the other side of death, and a dangerous playfulness with deception.For those who believe and trust in a living, loving God ~ The Creator of good ~ we have a different perspective of the state of death for all people. Jesus clearly taught that death was sleep. Why? because He was the Resurrector and Life-Restorer! It is no more difficult for him to bring back to life a person who has died than it is for a parent to wake up their sleeping child. When did He say this would happen? At his return. “They came to life and reigned with Christ for 1000 years . . . this is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection.” Rev. 20:4,5 Our understanding keeps us far from this culture’s intrigue with the deceptions of death.As a safeguard from confusion about the state of death for our loved ones, God’s word reveals that the elements of dirt and breath return to their original locations. (Psalms 104:29) There is no thought or even praising God in this sleep of death. (Psalms 6:5) “The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered. Whatever they did in their lifetime – loving, hating, envying – is all long gone. They no longer play a part in anything here on earth. . . . For when you go to the grave there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.” Eccl. 9:5,6,10. May the wisdom of God bring us comfort and assurance to live as stars in the universe, holding onto the word of life. (Phil. 2:14-16)
