Where Do I Go From Here?

People don’t like to talk about death. Too many Christians fear the “unknown.” Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die to get there. We don’t have to fear death – not if we know what the Bible says about the subject – not if we have made our calling and election sure by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Hebrews 9:27a And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

1 Corinthians 15:20-22;26;54-55 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have died. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory?”

We have victory because of what Jesus did for us in becoming a man. (Flesh and blood)

Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Fear is not of God – not even the fear of dying. Death is simply a change of address.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Jesus defeated the thief so we could have eternal life and never face death again. That is the abundant life.

John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
One day, we all will leave this earthly tent you now see and become free from the bondage of this corruptible mortal body and be given a new incorruptible heavenly body. Aging is a reminder we are not destined to stay on this earth.

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, (we are clothed with righteousness Isaiah 61:10) we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

How can anyone threaten your life when you believe the Bible? How can someone threaten you with a new body, Heaven, and eternity with Christ? You can’t kill a dead man.

Proverbs 14:32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. (refuge = Hebrew = to flee for protection)
Eternity in Heaven is far better than anything this world could ever offer. The only way of going to and remaining in Heaven is by the gateway of death. Jesus referred to it as sleep.

John 11:11 “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

Philippians 1:21-24 Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Talking about death does not have to be awkward or uncomfortable. Now that we know the joy set before us, we can speak about it with a smile on our face and a skip in our step.

2 Peter 1:3-11 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue (morals and ethics), to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance (constantly cheerful and steadfast), to perseverance godliness (reverence; respect), 7 to godliness brotherly  kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Death is my final victory over this body and the world. My exit from here is my entrance into life-evermore. I shall not fear my own death nor be despairing about those who go before me.