Topical Bible: Natural Death: Prepare For

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Natural death, as understood within the Christian tradition, is the end of earthly life that occurs through the natural processes of aging or illness, as opposed to death by violence or accident. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should prepare for this inevitable transition, emphasizing spiritual readiness, faith in God's promises, and the hope of eternal life.

Biblical Perspective on Death

The Bible acknowledges death as a part of the human condition due to the fall of man. In Genesis 3:19, God declares to Adam, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This verse underscores the inevitability of death and the return to the earth from which humanity was formed.

Spiritual Preparation

Believers are encouraged to live in a state of readiness for death, focusing on their relationship with God and the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ. In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, the Apostle Paul reflects on his own impending death with confidence, saying, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing."

Living a Life of Faith

The Bible encourages believers to live a life that reflects their faith and prepares them for the moment of death. In Ecclesiastes 12:1, it is written, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'" This verse calls for a life lived in remembrance of God, acknowledging Him in all seasons of life.

Hope in Eternal Life

For Christians, the preparation for natural death is deeply intertwined with the hope of eternal life. Jesus assures His followers in John 11:25-26, "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 offers comfort and assurance that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life with God.

Practical Considerations

While spiritual readiness is paramount, practical considerations are also important. Believers are encouraged to set their affairs in order, ensuring that their families are cared for and that their wishes are known. Proverbs 13:22 states, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous." This verse highlights the importance of responsible stewardship and planning for the future.

Facing Death with Peace

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who faced death with peace and assurance. Psalm 23:4 offers comfort, "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 passage reassures believers of God's presence and guidance, even in the face of death.

In summary, preparing for natural death involves a combination of spiritual readiness, faith in God's promises, and practical planning. Believers are called to live a life of faith, trust in the hope of eternal life, and face death with peace and assurance in God's eternal presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 20:1
In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus said the LORD, Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Natural and Innocent Passions .
... For the natural and innocent passions are those which are ... tears, the corruption,
the shrinking from death, the fear ... in order that He might prepare victory for ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xx concerning the natural and.htm

The Death of Cyrus.
... gives him liberty within the camp."Death of Spargapizes ... to strengthen his lines,
and to prepare for the ... a wild and savage foe, whose natural barbarity was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

To Olympias. Nothing Strange or Unnatural Has Befallen Your Piety ...
... has befallen your Piety, but only what is quite natural and consonant ... Or do they
threaten death? ... ready to suffer even worse things than they prepare for you. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/to olympias nothing strange or.htm

Christ's Glances at the Future Progress of his Kingdom, and at his ...
... then cometh harvest?' [302] So it is, indeed, in the natural, but not ... leave the earth
before the harvest-home; nay, his death itself is to prepare the way ...
/.../section 125 christs glances at.htm

Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks.
... other course remained for him but to prepare for a ... Diary unfolds his spiritual exercises
and his natural feelings in ... whether it end in life or death, his great ...
/.../chapter xxi last journey and.htm

The Emperor's Invasion of Persia, and Death.
... uselessness of them was constrained to prepare for conflict ... that the ardor of his
natural temperament rendered ... gives the familiar version of the death of Julian ...
/.../chapter xxi the emperors invasion of.htm

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... with women he had to endure the natural outcome of ... to recover a numerical superiority
and prepare for the ... The fourscore years succeeding the death of Basil the ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm

Of the Modes of Supplementing Satisfaction --viz. Indulgences and ...
... that death is not destruction, but a passages from ... of God, because they neglected
to prepare for that ... the test of Scripture, but from natural affection wished ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 of the modes.htm

The Death which Gives Life
... go hereafter; for He has gone to prepare a place ... unconvinced by the pathos and triumph
of such a death. ... The sight made its natural impression on him; and his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the death which gives life.htm

Even Now, as the Matter Refers to Thy Opinion on a Point the More ...
... Let us leave unnoted at this time that natural way of ... who afford us innumerable cases
of death despised for ... and with such amazing effort to prepare the things ...
/.../tertullian/the souls testimony/chapter iv even now as.htm