Those who mourn shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:18)! “For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)!” Paul says that this is a personal statement for him. Is this a true statement for you? The last part of our purpose here on earth as described in Revelation 12:11 is to live courageously! Why? Because to die is gain! Heaven is better! And we have a choice!

Comfort One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)

Death is horrible! Death is not, and never was, God’s will or plan, physical or spiritual (Matthew 18:12-14, 2 Peter 3:9). He warned Adam that if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that he would surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). Adam did not heed God’s warning just like so many are ignoring and rejecting Him today (Genesis 3:4-5, 17, 5:5). Instead, we listen to that old serpent!

Christians should not be afraid or affected by physical death like the world is (1 Thessalonians 5:4)!

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14 KJV)
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:15 KJV)
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16 KJV)
Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV)
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18 KJV)

To Die is Gain

Romans 8:18 tells us that the sufferings here on earth are nothing in comparison with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Revelation 21-22 is a short description of the eternity of every believer.

For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain. (Philippians 1:21 KJV)

Heaven is Better

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. (Revelation 7:16 KJV)
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17 KJV)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4 KJV)

The Father

Do you want to see God the Father? Look at Jesus (John 14:7)!

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1 KJV)
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 KJV)
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (John 14:7 KJV)

Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:11). Jesus is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, Colossians 1:27).

Coochie-coochie-coo

Talk about getting to enjoy a petting zoo! Animals will no longer hurt or kill humans either. Because the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD (Isaiah 11:9, John 17:3)! Can you even imagine a nursing child playing by the hole of a venomous snake? How about walking right up to the face of a mighty lion, putting your hands in his thick main, and saying “coochie-coochie-coo!” I can!

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6 KJV)
And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. (Isaiah 11:7 KJV)
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. (Isaiah 11:8 KJV)
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9 KJV)

We Have A Choice

After Paul says to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21), he goes on to explain that we have a choice! What shall I choose? I don’t know! I want to depart and be with Christ which is far better! But, it is better for you that I continue with you all. What?

But if I live in the flesh, this [is] the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. (Philippians 1:22 KJV)
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23 KJV)
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh [is] more needful for you. (Philippians 1:24 KJV)
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; (Philippians 1:25 KJV)

Tree of Life

Why should we have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).

The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise. (Proverbs 11:30 KJV)

Why Defer Hope?

If faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1), and faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), why would you allow the enemy to convince you not to get your hopes up (2 Corinthians 4:4)?

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12 KJV)

Desire Comes From God (Philippians 2:13)!

Hebrews 11:1 goes on to boldly say that faith is the evidence of things NOT seen! Is that why we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)? Yes, it is! Faith in what? A real and true and powerful God (Hebrews 11:6) who loves to reward His children.

Proverbs 3 mentions several times how to have a longer and healthier life by receiving wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to obey God’s commands! You will want to (Psalms 37:4)! That is how we “let our hearts keep His commands!” We intentionally delight ourselves in the Lord.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: (Proverbs 3:1 KJV)
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. (Proverbs 3:2 KJV)
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. (Proverbs 3:8 KJV)
Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour. (Proverbs 3:16 KJV)
She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her. (Proverbs 3:18 KJV)
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. (Proverbs 3:22 KJV)

To Die is Gain!

2 Corinthians 5:6 says that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord! To die is gain! That is how we can love not our lives unto the death (Revelation 12:11). Because no matter how good life is here on earth for the sole purpose of soul-winning, heaven is better than anything we can ever even think or imagine!

The only reason for a Christian to mourn now is the same reason we will have the tears wiped away when we get to heaven (Matthew 5:4, Revelation 21:4)! Are you allowing the lies of the enemy to forfeit God’s abundance in your life (John 10:10)? God wants to use your good, good testimony to draw the lost and dying world to Himself and His goodness which leads to repentance (Romans 2:4)! We all have heaven to gain (1 Corinthians 15:53-55)!