“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a

These verses couldn’t say it more directly and it’s true of every human being: at some point each of us was born and at some point each of us that was born will die. We are mortal and if that were the end of the story things could get pretty discouraging. But we are not without hope and assurance. At the heart of Christianity is the promise of eternal life for all who place their faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Yes, there is a time to die, but Jesus promised that those who trust in him will pass through death into life eternal (John 5:24). And when her brother died, Jesus told Martha, “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25).

And consider this very encouraging passage from the Apostle Paul. “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Death is not the end; it’s merely the doorway to life eternal for all who trust in Jesus, for “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b) Place your trust in Jesus today!