So then, how shall I die?
The Spirit opened my heart and mind to look past common death experiences so that I could see what is available to me in the Word. I pray He will do the same for you as I share what I have learned.
Remember that physical death occurs when my spirit leaves my body. This can happen two ways:
- Eviction – This occurs when something happens to my body that shuts it down and forces my spirit to leave (terminal illness, tragic accident, murder, etc.).
- Move by choice – This can happen a couple of ways. First, it occurs when I decide that I have finished my assignment, I am satisfied that my life is complete, and I simply step out of my body (this is typically referred to as dying of “natural causes,” usually “old age.”). Second (and this is what I am believing for), it can occur when the Lord decides that the time has come for me to move in with Him so He “raptures” me, and I do not experience death (either individually or with the entire Body of Christ).
The best example of these two methods pertains to my housing.
If someone shows up at my door with an official notice of eviction then I will be given a certain amount of time to move out. If it is a “final notice,” and I refuse to vacate the premises, I may be forcibly removed. With death this occurs when something tragically steals my life.
The better option is when something positive happens in my life (relocating for a better job, buying a home, etc.) and I choose to move out of my current housing.
Eviction may be the more common experience in this fallen world, however it does not need to be my experience. It is NOT my Heavenly Father’s design or desire for me; and It is definitely NOT what I am going to build my expectation for.
The Bible gives numerous examples of individuals who lived until they finished the assignment for their life, and then by choice moved out of this life into the next. It also gives examples of those who missed death completely when the Lord “raptured” them (If the Lord “takes me home” I won’t experience death. He is a life giver, not a life taker. Satan kills, steals, and destroys.) Let’s Take a look:
Enoch: He missed death all together. He was out on a walk with God and they decided to go to God’s house instead of His. I can hope for that!
“And after he had become the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. So Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away.” (Genesis 5:22-24 NKJV)
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5 NKJV)
Abraham: He lived a strong, long life and died without sickness or calamity when he had finished his assignment at a “good old age.” If I am not raptured I am believing for 175 strong, long years just like my Father Abraham!
“This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25:7-8 NKJV)
Ishmael: He died without sickness or calamity.
“These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25:17 NKJV)
Isaac: Another example of living strong and long and dying free from sickness or calamity.
“Now the days of Isaac were one hundred and eighty years. So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” (Genesis 35:28-29 NKJV)
Jacob: While Jacob was ill before he died, he finished everything he was assigned to do and chose his actual timing of death (no evidence in Scripture that the sickness killed him).
“And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 49:33 NKJV)
Moses: Wow! Moses never got old! When his assignment ended, he simply moved on to his eternal reward.
“Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not diminished.” (Deuteronomy 34:7 NKJV)
Elijah: Like Enoch, Elijah never experienced death. God took him to Heaven on a whirlwind. What a way to go!
“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2 Kings 2:11 NKJV)
The Apostle John: The Bible does not give specifics about the method or timing of John’s death, however Jesus implied to Peter that John would live a long life. According to traditional records John lived well past 90 and either died naturally, or some records claim that he missed death just like Enoch.
“Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” (John 21:20-22 NKJV)
The Apostle Paul: The Bible does not say when, or how, Paul died. Tradition states that he was martyred. What I do know from scripture is that Paul knew that he had been given control of the timing of his death. He refused to leave this planet until he “finished the course” (even though having experienced Heaven he would have rather stayed there).
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.” (Philippians 1:21-26 NJKV)
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV)
Jesus: Even when hanging on the Cross to pay the eternal price for my redemption Jesus gave me an example of the control that has been delegated to me by the Father when it comes to my death. No one took his life from him (which gives me reason to believe that I have a say in whether or not someone takes mine) . He did not die until he decided that his assignment was completed: “It is finished!”
“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” (John 10:18 NLT)
“When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30 NLT)
I am going to live by these examples and choose to live, and not die, until I either see Jesus face to face, or have finished my course. I will feed my faith with the Written Word, and place my hope in the Living Word, looking forward to being raptured (either on my own or with the Church). You may ask, “What if it doesn”t happen that way?” To that my answer is, “What if it does?”
I am expecting (fully persuaded with hope and faith) to experience…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 101: “Removing Death’s Stinger.” Part 4