Topical Bible: The Death of Saints: Leads to Comfort

Bible > Topical > The Death of Saints

◄ The Death of Saints: Leads to Comfort ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The death of saints, or believers in Christ, is a profound event that, while marked by sorrow, also brings a unique comfort rooted in the promises of Scripture. The Bible provides numerous assurances that the passing of a believer is not an end, but a transition into eternal life with God. This perspective offers solace to those who mourn, affirming that death is a gateway to a greater existence.

Precious in the Sight of the Lord

Psalm 116:15 states, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." This verse underscores the value God places on the lives of His faithful ones, even in death. The term "precious" indicates that the death of a saint is significant and honored by God, suggesting that He is intimately involved in the transition of His people from earthly life to eternal glory.

Eternal Life and Resurrection

The New Testament provides further comfort through the promise of eternal life and resurrection. In John 11:25-26, Jesus 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." This assurance from Christ Himself offers profound comfort, affirming that physical death is not the end for believers but the beginning of a new, everlasting life.

Presence with the Lord

The Apostle Paul speaks to the comfort found in the believer's immediate presence with the Lord upon death. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, he writes, "We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." This confidence reflects the belief that death brings the soul into the direct presence of God, a state far superior to earthly existence.

The Hope of Glory

Colossians 1:27 speaks of "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This hope is a source of comfort, as it points to the future glory that awaits believers. The death of a saint is not a loss but a gain, as Paul articulates in Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." The gain is the fulfillment of the hope of glory, the ultimate realization of eternal life with Christ.

Comfort in Mourning

While the death of a saint is a time of mourning, Scripture provides comfort to those who grieve. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, Paul writes, "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." This passage reassures believers that their grief is tempered by hope, as they anticipate a future reunion with their loved ones in Christ.

The Comfort of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, referred to as the Comforter, plays a vital role in providing solace to those who mourn the death of a saint. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The presence of the Holy Spirit offers peace and comfort, reminding believers of God's continual presence and the hope of eternal life.

Victory Over Death

Finally, the death of saints is framed within the context of Christ's victory over death. In 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Paul triumphantly declares, "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." This victory provides the ultimate comfort, affirming that death has been defeated and that believers share in this triumph through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:25
But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Believer's Privilege at Death
... (3). Sin sometimes gets the mastery, and leads a saint captive. The evil that I
would not, that I do.' Romans 7:19. ... [2] At death the saints shall be freed ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 a believers privilege at.htm

Departed Saints Fellowservants with those yet on Earth.
... sendeth him away;" is a description of death drawn by Job ... in God's presence and are
associated with fellow saints. ... of the throne, feed them, and leads them "to ...
/.../sermon xxvi departed saints fellowservants.htm

Thy Rod and Thy Staff they Comfort Me.
... brambles all along the narrow way that leads to eternal ... we are ever under the sentence
of death, that life ... But the saints, and all the truly wise, have viewed ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/viii thy rod and thy.htm

I Believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Christian Church, the ...
... life everlasting; that is, He first leads us into ... treasure for us by His suffering,
death, resurrection, etc. ... group and congregation of pure saints, under one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/i believe in the holy.htm

The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... 2. Another thing that leads to paradise is that great ... 4. The last preparative for
the saints' rest is ... They have been faithful unto death, and therefore he will ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm

The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... accomplish his nefarious designs: And against the saints his rage ... drives them from
the Savior; or leads them to ... is no darkness, nor shadow of death where the ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xx the fear which.htm

The Unveiled Face
... This way leads a man straight to the Lord Himself ... heart will turn, to the bitter
suffering and death of the ... she saw that neither Mary, nor the saints, nor the ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxvii the unveiled face.htm

Yea, Though I Walk in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I Will ...
... into question the deeds and motives of God's saints; those who ... who pursued Him and
put Him to death, these ever ... They must follow the Shepherd as he leads the way ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/vii yea though i walk.htm

How Saints May Help the Devil
... Why, just look at these saints:"a drivelling set of ... have said, "See, a church member
leads the way ... many Christians who are hypocrites!" No, death will tear ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/how saints may help the.htm

Of those who are Ignorant of this Mystery; and that their ...
... he addressed "to the assembly of the saints." Chapter XII ... the will of God, so is
his death an example ... Many, too, there are whose charitable spirit leads them to ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xii of those who are.htm