You are probably going to be doing something when you die, unless you’re asleep. Most people do not want to accept this fact, they will admit to its truth, that it is inevitable they are aware, but as for a lengthy conversation on the subject, that is not desirable.
The sad part is that I speak of many of the Christians that I have met in my life here also, they will sing of Beulah Land, of crossing the Jordan, of going on to glory, but they will not discuss that moment that is required of all men, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:27)
For some reason known only to themselves and to the Lord, it is an almost morbid conversation to them, hence the best they can contemplate, and even that not at length, is to die in their sleep. “And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.” (Gen. 49:33) Jacob laid down closed his eyes and died. I’m fairly sure it was probably the same for Moses, not so for many others.
I have often considered that verse in Hebrews 9:27 when thinking about Enoch and Elijah, along with those who will be raptured, they did not and will not taste death, there will not even be the hint of a sting. I offer this for your consideration, in the hopes that if you are one of those individuals that attempts to avoid this unavoidable consequence of life, if the fear of death still resides in the back area of your mind, perhaps not the manner of your death should be given any serious contemplation, but how the Lord will be glorified in it.
I will say, for if you are not caught up to meet the Lord in the air, you are going to die, you will leave this mortal shell behind, and immediately you will be in heaven, or perhaps in a place of the Lord’s choosing that will assist you into easing into the truth that you are no longer on earth.
I have read accounts of men who witnessed God-fearing men die at the burning stake, and as the ropes were consumed by the flames, they raised their hands to the sky rejoicing to go to the Lord. I have read accounts of Christ-centered individuals who accepted the Lord while in line to be shot, solely justifying that decision by watching those who were being executed before them praising God, and I have read of those who simply fell asleep in their favorite chair with the Word of God on their lap.
I say will because the Lord, who knows the number of hairs on your head, knows not only the exact moment of your death, but the way you will die, and that moment will be precious to Him. (Psalm 116:15) That is how much we are loved, God Himself, Creator and Sustainer of all that is, is waiting for you to come home, He has prepared a place for you, you will be loved forever, safe, secure, eternally in the presence of the Lamb.
Before we die, we are to serve Him in love, after we die, we will continue to serve in a love that we cannot today even begin to understand, so that one moment in time, the moments leading up to your demise should never be looked at with fear from your soul. Let the body fear, let it tremble, plead and cry, a part of us, that old nature, that old sinful man is going to die forever, our glorified bodies will know nothing of fear. Consider this, if the Lord chooses that you should glorify Him in your death, what would you choose, to die in such a manner, or to pass on to glory in your sleep. I know which one your flesh would choose, but what about you?
