Shalom! Let us study the Word of God together, especially since the end is drawing near. We must always remember that salvation is a precious treasure which we must hold on to at all costs. Receiving salvation may appear simple, but keeping it to the very end is not easy. This is because there is another kingdom—the kingdom of darkness—whose sole purpose is to make people lose their salvation, even after they have already received it. This is why preachers and teachers of the Word must continually emphasize perseverance in the faith. The apostles, our fathers in the faith, made this the central theme of their teaching. They urged believers to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted to the saints once for all. “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”—Jude 1:3 The apostles saw the dangers and battles facing believers. They were not ignorant of the opportunities, wealth, or business ventures surrounding them in their time. But they knew where the real battle of human life was: the battle for faith. When one is transformed into a new creation, things cannot remain the same. Satan will rise up to hunt down that salvation. His hatred is not directed at your business success, your wealth, or your education—it is directed at your faith. The moment you begin to grow spiritually, the enemy takes notice. And when do you meet him face to face? It is exactly when you begin your new life in Christ. If you are not taught this truth and are simply told, “Now that you are saved, you are automatically bound for heaven,” without preparation for spiritual warfare, your faith is in great danger of collapsing. This is why we see so many Christians falling away today. Jesus Himself warned that Satan would use two main weapons against the believer: tribulation and persecution. “The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.”—Matthew 13:20–21 Tribulation refers to the hardships and trials you endure for the sake of your faith. Persecution refers to rejection, mockery, and opposition from people because of what you believe. At such times, you may be misunderstood by family members, rejected by friends, or even opposed by religious leaders. Like the early church, you may face imprisonment or suffer for your stand on the Word of God. Yet, we must remember: these things happen under God’s sovereign allowance. They are temporary and cannot last forever. As Paul said: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”—2 Corinthians 4:17 Sadly, many believers do not endure this season of testing. Instead of pressing forward, they give up and turn back. This is the reason behind the large number of Christians who have fallen away in our generation. But God has promised that if we hold fast, He will give us victory. The key is patience and perseverance. “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”—Luke 8:15 Therefore, let us fight the good fight of faith, endure to the end, and never let go of the treasure of salvation. The Lord is faithful to sustain us if we continue to abide in Him. “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”—Hebrews 10:36 May the Lord help us to overcome and remain steadfast until the end. Shalom.
Death is something no one is truly prepared for, yet it is a certainty we all must face. It is a moment of grief, but for those who trust in Jesus Christ, it is also a moment of hope. The apostle Peter, in his letters, encourages believers not to be surprised by trials and suffering, reminding them that these hardships are temporary and that hope lies beyond death. Jesus Christ promises resurrection and eternal life for all who believe, so we can look forward to a future where we will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV):“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” Peter’s words point to the theology of suffering as part of Christian discipleship. In sharing in Christ’s sufferings, believers are also promised to share in His glory, which culminates in the resurrection. Ecclesiastes and the Wisdom of Death The Bible speaks about the inevitability of death and its significance in shaping our perspective on life. Ecclesiastes, known for its wisdom literature, encourages reflection on death, stating that it helps us recognize the brevity of life and the importance of living wisely in light of our mortality. Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 (NIV):“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every person; the living should take this to heart. Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.” Theologically, this passage speaks to the value of reflecting on death to lead us into deeper contemplation of our purpose. Mourning helps to humble us and reminds us that life is transient and that we should live in reverence of God. Comfort in Christ: The Promise of Resurrection Death is not the end for believers. The New Testament provides comforting words, especially through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles, about the hope of resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV):“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.” This passage offers profound theological comfort, emphasizing the Christian hope in the resurrection. The doctrine of the resurrection, central to Christian faith, assures believers that death is not the final word. The return of Christ will bring about the resurrection of the dead, and those who are in Christ will be united with Him forever. Jesus’ Comfort and the Promise of Eternal Life Jesus frequently spoke about the comfort and peace He offers in the face of death, providing hope to those who follow Him. John 11:25-26 (NIV):“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'” This is a central teaching in Christian theology: through faith in Jesus, believers are promised eternal life. Even though physical death comes, spiritual death is defeated, and eternal life with Christ is secured. The Hope of Heaven The Christian hope goes beyond mere existence after death—it is a promise of eternal fellowship with God in heaven. This assurance is grounded in the teachings of Jesus about His preparation of a place for believers. John 14:1-4 (NIV):“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Theologically, this speaks to the Christian doctrine of heaven—an eternal home prepared for believers, where they will experience perfect communion with God, free from pain and sorrow. Death’s Defeat and the Final Victory The Bible teaches that death is an enemy, but through Christ’s death and resurrection, that enemy is defeated. The victory over death is final and eternal, promised to all who are in Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:26 (NIV):“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” Through Christ’s victory, believers no longer fear death because it has been swallowed up in the victory of Jesus. The Reality of Life After Death: The Second Death While believers have hope in eternal life, the Bible also teaches that there is a second death awaiting those who reject Christ. This second death represents eternal separation from God. Revelation 21:8 (NIV):“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” This passage serves as a warning about the eternal consequences of sin and the need for repentance and faith in Christ to avoid the second death. The Christian Perspective on Death and Hope Beyond As believers, we do not grieve as those without hope. We understand that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with God. Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, has secured victory over death, offering us eternal life. Romans 6:23 (NIV):“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This verse encapsulates the gospel message: sin leads to death, but God’s gift through Christ is eternal life, freely offered to all who believe. Living with Eternity in Mind The Bible constantly reminds us that life is short and death inevitable, urging us to live with a focus on eternal realities. James 4:14 (NIV):“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Theologically, this verse challenges us to live with a sense of urgency and wisdom, recognizing the fleeting nature of life and the importance of securing our eternal future through faith in Christ. As you reflect on these verses, consider where you stand in your relationship with Christ. Are you prepared for the certainty of death with the hope of eternal life, or are you uncertain about your future? Jesus offers eternal hope and peace to all who trust in Him. If you’re ready to make that decision, open your heart to Him today and embrace the hope He offers through His salvation. Matthew 11:28 (NIV):“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” John 3:16 (NIV):“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” If you feel moved to give your life to Christ today, don’t wait. Reach out for guidance, and let us help you in this step of faith. God bless you.