"The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:26). "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55).  "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Down the road from our house is an old cemetery established around 1800. I am blessed at expressions of faith on old tombstones, but this one has a sound reminder.



Today's message will be more sobering than most but does indeed end with a promise of encouragement. I read that each day some 150,000 people die.* Death is simply part of the present "order of things."

We are regularly reminded of death; death in wars, famines, floods, the tsunami. Today many in our spiritual family will die as a result of persecution. In each area of the world there will be accidents that take lives and of course diseases. Undoubtedly some reading this are presently feeling the "sting" of the death of a loved one.

Of all who have ever lived only Enoch and Elijah escaped death. The Bible teaches that the generation of believers living at the time of Christ's glorious return will also escape death and will be caught up together with their deceased brothers and sisters in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  Many believe that we very well may be that generation, but then I realize many earnest believers in previous generations have also believed this.

We look for encouragement and comfort in the truths and promises of the Holy Scriptures. The enemy of death will one day be destroyed. The perishable will be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. Death will be swallowed up in victory.  When the old order of things has passed away there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

In the mean time we will indeed deal with death and grieve, but not like those who have no hope, for we have hope based on the Bible's promises. Therefore, I comfort and encourage you all with these words today. One day there will indeed be no more death!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer – "Lord Jesus, when we consider how many struggles, hardships and temptations we face in our lifetime the weight of these difficulties could overwhelm us. Today I am aware some readers are grieving the death of a loved one. God of all Comfort, may you comfort them and give them peace based upon your promises. Remind them that it is in Your resurrection that we stand victorious in the end when we face our last enemy on this side.  Because You are our risen Lord!"

* I found this number by researching on the internet and I have no idea if this statistic is correct and of course only God really knows. It works out to some 55,000,000 deaths per year which is less than 1% of the earth's population so I actually wonder if it might be a lot higher than this. Here is the webpage where I found this information.

Here is a very good booklet we have often used in our ministry to grieving loved ones.