No one today would say that death is “precious.” Certainly the testimony of most of the human is the opposite—death is terrible and greatly to be feared. Most fear death for the wrong reasons. They fear the pain and agony that might be faced in death, or perhaps they fear the separation from loved ones, or maybe they fear the loss of the things of this world. But the greatest fear should not be death itself, but what happens after death. Jesus told his disciples, “Do not fear those that can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both the body and soul in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Death for the non-believer ought to be feared, not because of death itself, but because of the eternal consequences of dying apart from a savior.
But the testimony of Scripture regarding the death of believers is wonderfully different—it is considered “precious in the sight of the Lord!” Why is this so different? There are many reasons, only of few of which can be explored in this short issue. Their death is precious because they are precious to the Lord, because they will have sweet reunion and fellowship with the saints who have gone before them, and because they will rest from the toil of their labors and be free from their pains and sorrows. Most of all, death is precious for believers because “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” For those whose hearts desire the Lord more than anything or anyone, death becomes “precious” though it still includes deep waters to pass through.
We hope this issue may help you to have a Biblical view of the death of believers and be able to “grieve, but not as those who have no hope” when a dear brother or sister dies in the Lord. We also hope that our next issue on “Heaven” will serve as a companion to this one in helping believers see death as glory for those who know Him. To God be the Glory, alone and forever!
By His Grace, Jim & Debbie
Teaching Resources International 