COVID-19

A synonym for death 

"Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

Most people tend to put the idea of their own death on the back burner of their consciousness. 

Yet, from time to time death is brought into sharp focus by tragedies in the news. It also comes close, with the passing of loved ones. 

The death of others, however, is not as jarring a thought as thinking of ones own death. It is for this reason that some instinctively shy away from things to do with the reality of their final demise. 

Has the modern Church taken to avoiding the unpleasantness of the subject?

Based on the Bible, some argue that the entire mission of the church is centered on the 'abolition' of death. 

8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, 

who hath abolished death, 

and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel - 2 Timothy 1

The present PANDEMIC has put death on the mind of most people, worldwide, in a curious way that seems to have made the word COVID a synonym for death.

Some Psychologists say that the root of every fear is the fear of death, so that the thought of death is the SUM OF ALL FEARS.

The Bible speaks about people being in BONDAGE ALL OF THEIR LIFE to the fear of death and the solution being Christ Jesus:

9we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

13And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; 

that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

THIS IS THE CHALLENGE FOR ME

Instead of being caught up in the fearfulness of our times, I MUST take advantage of the many 'pandemic opportunities' to point everyone to Christ.

Amen 

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