Topical Encyclopedia
Natural death, as understood within the Christian tradition, is the cessation of physical life, a consequence of the Fall of Man as described in Genesis. It is a universal experience that all humans face, yet through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, believers are delivered from the fear associated with it.
The fear of death is a profound and pervasive human experience, often linked to the unknown and the finality it represents. However, Scripture provides assurance that through Christ, this fear is overcome.
Hebrews 2:14-15 states, "Therefore, since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." This passage highlights the victory of Christ over death and the liberation of believers from its bondage.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently addresses the theme of death and the believer's relationship to it. In
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 , Paul writes, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of Christ's resurrection, which assures believers of their own resurrection and eternal life, thus nullifying the fear of death.
Furthermore, Jesus Himself provides comfort regarding death in
John 11:25-26 , where He declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" This promise assures believers that physical death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with Christ.
The Psalms also offer solace, portraying God as a shepherd who guides His people through the valley of the shadow of death.
Psalm 23:4 states, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." This imagery reinforces the presence and protection of God, alleviating the fear associated with death.
In
Philippians 1:21-23 , Paul expresses a personal conviction that reflects the Christian perspective on death: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed." This passage reveals the apostle's confidence in the afterlife and his lack of fear regarding death, viewing it as a gateway to being with Christ.
The Christian doctrine of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ fundamentally alters the believer's perception of death. By trusting in Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection, believers are assured of their own resurrection and eternal communion with God, thus dispelling the fear of death. This assurance is a cornerstone of Christian hope, providing peace and confidence in the face of mortality.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Hebrews 2:15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Death of the Master and the Death of the Servant
... what more natural, and even if they were not, what more natural, than that ... is never
in a single instance employed in reference to the death of Jesus Christ. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the death of the master.htm
Christ's Work of Destruction and Deliverance. Rev. John H. James.
... raised in glory; it is sown a natural body, it ... a spiritual body." This is what Christ's
death has done ... As to their souls, death delivers them from the burden ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/christs work of destruction and.htm
Life in Christ
... not keep your hold on Christ, but Christ shall keep ... around you ten thousand elements
of death, think ye ... is this all, for when the natural death comes, which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/life in christ.htm
The Son and the Angels.
... It would be the natural boast of the Jews that ... For as Priest Christ delivers men
from guilt of conscience and ... delivers them from their fear of death; as King He ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ii the son and.htm
That Rome Made Its Founder Romulus a God Because it Loved Him; but ...
... The city of Christ, which, although as yet a stranger upon ... And thus death is not
natural to a republic as ... For death, as he says, is no punishment to individuals ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 6 that rome made its.htm
Fear and Faith
... Foolish confidence opposes to natural fear a groundless ... unless I have this faith
in Christ. ... losses, partings, disappointments, sicknesses, death, may any of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/fear and faith.htm
Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... Can you, with all the strength of natural reason, find out a ... Why then will you not
come to Christ for sanctification? Do you not desire to die the death of the ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm
The End of Christ's Coming
... This seems to be the natural meaning of the word ... with God, through our Lord Jesus
Christ;" " that peace ... and in particular, from that "fear of death whereby we ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 62 the end of.htm
Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... The disposition to injure is a natural result of ... But the righteousness of Christ
inspires with power ... destruction, but delivers from sin, death and condemnation ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm
Christ's Summary of his Work
... here which in any other man would be repulsive, but in Him is supremely natural. ...
Christ, the historical fact of the life and death of Jesus Christ, is the ...
/.../christs summary of his work.htm
Resources
What is the second death? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about death? | GotQuestions.orgIs there an angel of death? | GotQuestions.orgDeath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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