Not Death

My family has suffered a great loss. My cousin has died at the ripe old age of 52.

He is survived by his parents, wife, children, and a grandchild, as well as an extended family who are very fond of him.

Correction: Christians do not die. He has fallen asleep.

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 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 own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till 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 each other with these words (1 Thess 4:13-18).

As always, we cling to the hope of a world to come. Because He lives, we will live. We will be with Jesus, and we will be like Jesus. Those who precede us are only partaking a little early.

But the separation is still painful, especially when it is so unexpected. Please pray for his wife, parents, and children.