Are you ready for the moment? Death is a departure. It does not need to be hopeless and fearful.

“the dust returns to the ground it came from,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7.

We hear and read about many deaths during this pandemic time. Many people lost their dear ones and it was a sad time all around the world. One man recently asked me ‘what happens after death? Only the Bible gives an authoritative answer about what happens after death. Our insight says, “the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” When God made Adam, he made him out of the dust and then breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7). Therefore man has material and immaterial parts in him. The material part is the body, and the immaterial part is his soul and spirit.

Jesus said this: “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and can do no more after that. But I will show you who you should fear: Fear him who has the authority to throw you into hell after your body has been killed. I tell you to fear him.” You see, man is more than the body. After this, Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. God knows all about the sparrows. However, regarding people, he said, “indeed, your very hairs on the head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

People are worth/valuable more than sparrows and other birds or creatures because God uniquely made them in His image, and they have a spirit inside them with which they can pray and communicate to God. You see, death is simply the departure of your spirit from the body. We often say he or she ‘passed away.’ Death is not an end in itself. Our existence does not stop at the time of death. ‘Passed away’ means the most valuable soul or spirit inside us has flown away from us to the presence of God.

Jesus asked these questions, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Matthew 16:26. You can work hard and gain all the wealth, name, and many other things in this world. However, in the process of all these material gains, if one loses his own soul or spirit, what does it benefit him? Jesus asked, “Is anything worth more than your soul?” The implied answer no, there is nothing worth more than your soul.

Beloved, you and I are much more valuable than all because we have a precious treasure called soul/spirit. At the time of death, the most valuable soul or spirit moves out of you. Spirit departs from your body. Where will your spirit goes determines your future well-being and security? Apostle Paul said absence from the body means he is present at home with the Lord Jesus in heaven. He was assured of his security because although he was once a murderer, blasphemer, and hated the true Christians, he later believed in Jesus Christ as his savior and Lord.

Jesus said about two people who died- a rich man and a poor man called Lazarus. Luke 16:19-31. At the moment of death, the poor Lazarus was taken to heaven by the angles, where he was comforted. However, the rich man who never bothered his soul’s value and honored God ended up in a place of torment where he begged for comfort.

Understanding death is the time of the departure of your soul from the body, there are only two places for it to go- either at home with the Lord Jesus with all good bliss and comfort or in a place of eternal torment where there is no trace of hope of God’s love and support.

Beloved, I want you to know the truth about what happens at the moment of death. As a result, you would be ready for the moment. The Bible explains it with no shadow of a doubt.

Do you have a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I understand what happens at the time of death because you explained it in the pages of the Bible. I want eternal comfort, love, and care of you. I want to be at home with the Lord. I believe Jesus died in my place, buried, and rose again to save me and grant me eternal life in heaven. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me and granting me everlasting life in heaven with you. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”