Topical Bible: The Death of Saints: Sometimes Desired

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of desiring the death of saints is a nuanced topic within Christian theology, reflecting a deep yearning for union with Christ and the eternal peace promised in the afterlife. This desire is not rooted in a morbid fascination with death itself but in a profound longing for the fulfillment of God's promises and the ultimate redemption of the believer.

Biblical Foundations

The Apostle Paul provides a clear example of this desire in his epistle to the Philippians. He writes, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Paul expresses a tension between his fruitful labor on earth and his desire to depart and be with Christ, which he considers "far better" (Philippians 1:23). This passage highlights the apostolic understanding that death, for the believer, is not an end but a transition to a more glorious existence with the Lord.

Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul states, "We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord" . This preference underscores the Christian hope in the resurrection and the eternal life that follows physical death.

Theological Perspectives

From a theological standpoint, the desire for the death of saints is intertwined with the doctrine of sanctification and glorification. As believers grow in holiness, their affections are increasingly aligned with the will of God, and their longing for the consummation of their salvation intensifies. This desire is not an escape from the trials of this world but a hopeful anticipation of the complete restoration and communion with God.

The Westminster Confession of Faith articulates this hope, stating that the souls of believers are "at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory" (WCF 32.1). This doctrinal position affirms that the death of saints is a gateway to the ultimate realization of their faith.

Historical and Practical Considerations

Throughout church history, many saints have expressed a desire for death, not out of despair, but from a deep-seated hope in the promises of Christ. The martyrdom of early Christians, who faced death with courage and joy, serves as a testament to this desire. Their willingness to lay down their lives was fueled by the assurance of eternal life and the presence of Christ.

In practical terms, this desire manifests in the believer's life as a readiness to meet the Lord, coupled with a commitment to fulfill God's purposes on earth. It encourages a life of holiness, service, and witness, as believers anticipate their heavenly reward.

Pastoral Implications

Pastorally, the desire for the death of saints should be approached with sensitivity and discernment. It is essential to distinguish between a healthy longing for heaven and any inclination towards escapism or neglect of earthly responsibilities. Pastors and spiritual leaders are called to nurture this desire within the context of a vibrant and active faith, encouraging believers to live fully for Christ while eagerly awaiting their eternal home.

In summary, the desire for the death of saints is a reflection of the Christian hope in the resurrection and the eternal joy of being with Christ. It is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, which reorients the believer's perspective on life and death, instilling a profound peace and anticipation of the glory to come.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 2:29
Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your word:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Death of the Righteous
... and imperfect lineaments only of that infinite glory the saints shall gain ... [1] Believers
at death shall gain a ... I think sometimes what a happy state that will be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the death of the.htm

Death.
... sometimes fearing, sometimes hoping, sometimes breathing, sometimes dying ... She would
long for death, because she knew it ... longed to be among the saints, but might ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiv death.htm

The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth.
... if we did not sometimes feel the spur, what a slow pace would most of us hold toward ...
Except Enoch and Elijah, which of the saints have escaped death? ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter x the saints rest.htm

Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks.
... then, whether it end in life or death, his great ... You sometimes are restless in these
meetings, not knowing how ... great faith in the communion of saints, in the ...
/.../chapter xxi last journey and.htm

There have Come to Me Ransomers from among the Saints, but None ...
... come to me ransomers from among the saints, but none ... was twofold, when he put to
death two lines ... in struggles with them, I was smitten sometimes and sometimes ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxxix there have come.htm

The Good Man's Life and Death
... chasten himself and say, "Am I not sometimes a little ... that shrill sounding music
of the death march. ... hallelujah, hallelujah; why weep we the saints to heaven ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the good mans life and.htm

The Death of Abraham
... Sometimes, too, there is satiety"weariness of life which is not ... our citizenship is
in heaven, then death will not ... with the inheritance of the saints in light ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the death of abraham.htm

Heaven.
... we are in glory, the blood, death, and bloody ... with many assaults, and that seems
sometimes to be ... when in heavenly harmony These blessed saints appear, Adorned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxvii heaven.htm

Death of Martha Yeardley, and John Yeardley's Journey to Norway.
... I could rest as on the Saviour's bosom, for life or death. ... a wild and stony heath
by the sea, sometimes along the ... We found here a few of the Saints, but of a ...
/.../chapter xviii death of martha.htm

For Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance to Salvation, not to be ...
... gushings of sorrow in which Christians sometimes break out ... The saints are full of
happiness, and yet full ... of itself, is mean and miserable, and worketh death. ...
/.../lectures to professing christians/for godly sorrow worketh repentance.htm