Posts Tagged ‘death’
Who Will Celebrate Your Death?
by Terry Wane Benton In the aftermath of Jesus’ death, there were Jewish leaders who were glad to be rid of Him. They thought they shut down His voice and His followers for good, but soon found out that they had only stoked a fire that soon burned out of their control and changed the…
Read MoreGoodbyes
by Chadwick Brewer “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Rotten, awful, very bad, no good goodbyes. Unfortunately, goodbyes are a part of our everyday lives. They often…
Read MoreWhy do the headstones in cemeteries face east?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I was having a conversation with my dad about cemeteries. I suppose I never considered it, but he mentioned that all cemeteries are typically arranged with the head of the deceased facing East. And my dad looked it up, and it said that one of the reasons Christians do it is…
Read MoreThe Day of Death
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2004/08/The-Day-of-Death.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Ecclesiastes 7:1-6 I. As gloomy as it may sound, there are few things guaranteed in life, but I can say for certain that barring our Lord’s return, you will die. A. Death is a fact of life. Those who are born will eventually die. B. And life is short…
Read MoreWas “hell” changed to “hades” to support the idea of purgatory?
Question: Good day, I received the following letter: You’re wrong, brother. The word was changed from “hell” to “Hades” as a way for the church to support purgatory, which is not true. There is no purgatory for sanctification, as sanctification is done here on Earth through the Holy Spirit who dwells within true believers. To…
Read MoreStepping Over
by Terry Wane Benton In the aging process, Ecclesiastes 12 describes the decline toward death, and after various abilities in health are phased out, then “desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets” (Ecclesiastes 12:5). Some people die unexpectedly, but the aging know that they are phasing…
Read MoreWhat happened to the dead raised at Jesus’ death?
Question: Good evening, Minister, This question has been lingering on my mind for quite a while now. In Matthew, we read of the dead being resurrected after Jesus died. So what happened to these people? I know the Bible is silent on what happened to them, but I was just thinking: Where did they live?…
Read MoreRemember (Benton)
by Terry Wane Benton To me, one of the most sobering thoughts was when Jesus talked about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19f). Both had lived their lives and died. One went to a place of comfort, and the other to a place of torment. The rich man wanted simple comfort but could not…
Read MoreIs it proper to take pleasure in the death of the wicked?
Question: Does the city in Proverbs 11:10 take pleasure in the death of the wicked? Answer: “When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting” (Proverbs 11:10). Everyone is happy when things go well with the righteous because the righteous is generous with his blessings…
Read MoreWhy Did Jesus Die?
by Doy Moyer There are many atonement theories, and not every theory is equal. But one undeniable truth is that Jesus died to show how death is conquered through resurrection. By His death and resurrection, we are led to victory, and because of this, we can work with confidence that what we do is not…
Read MorePrecious Things
by Leon Mauldin via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 The Word of the Lord I Samuel 3:1 gives the setting for God’s initial calling of young Samuel to the prophetic office: “And the child Samuel ministered unto Jehovah before Eli. And the word of Jehovah was precious in those days; there was…
Read MoreThe House of Mourning
by Leon Mauldin I attended a funeral today in Cullman County, Alabama, for the brother of one of our members of the local church. As I looked around the cemetery among the tombstones, I saw several markers for some for whom I have conducted services. Such occasions furnish opportunities for reflection. “Better to go to…
Read MoreYou Can Only Live So Long
by Mike Johnson “You can only live so long.” According to an AP article, these were the last words of a tenor as he performed at the Metropolitan Opera House during a production in New York City. The man was standing at the top of a ten-foot ladder when he suffered a heart attack. He…
Read MoreMinistration of Life
by Terry Wane Benton An interesting contrast between the Old and New Testaments, according to II Corinthians 3, is that the Old is a ministration of death, while the New is a ministration of life. The old prepared the way for Jesus by pointing out sin and displaying a sentence of death, thus our need…
Read MoreA Challenge
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/A-Challenge.mp3 by Raymond Wafel Download Audio
Read MoreDead in Trespasses
by Terry Wane Benton “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in…
Read MoreAre the Souls of the Wicked Annihilated?
by Bill Pierce Some time ago, Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong, in a broadcast, stated that the souls of the wicked dead cease to exist. Besides using Matthew 10:28 as his proof text, he used cartoons to mock the idea of everlasting punishment. This is a favorite doctrine, not only for him but also for other…
Read MoreI Hate Death
by Zeke Flores I hate death. Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash Yet, it’s all around us. My office is in a building across the street from a city cemetery, and it’s not unusual to see mourners sitting and weeping at the graves of their loved ones days, weeks, and even months after they’ve passed…
Read MorePrecious in the Sight of the LORD
by Tommy Peeler “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones” (Psalm 116:15). What does this mean? Psalms 116 is best described as an individual psalm of thanksgiving. He is thanking God for saving his life. The writer had an experience where the “cords of death encompassed me and…
Read MoreDo the dead return to haunt their killers?
Question: Dear brethren, I hope I find you well. I need your input on whether the dead return to haunt or get revenge on their killers. It’s a hot topic in this region. One preacher wrote the following arguments in favor of the spirits avengers. Afternoon, Brother’s. Allow me to draw back a little bit…
Read MoreHow can you discount near-death experiences?
Question: Hello, I have a few comments about near-death experiences. First, you answered “No” to Job’s question: “If a man dies, shall he live again?” To me, your answer is not biblical unless I misunderstand you. Jesus Christ promised eternal life for those who repent while on Earth and believe in him. So if one…
Read MoreRulers and Authorities
by Doy Moyer All things were created by, through, and for Jesus, including all “thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 1:16). Paul elsewhere calls these not only rulers and authorities but “cosmic powers over this present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” These are the ones against whom we…
Read MoreDo marriages really end at death?
Question: Marriage vows say, “Until death, do we part,” is this the truth? If so, I am so sad about this. I need to understand. Though, I cannot find a definite answer. I know there are things that we are not to know. Also, I understand that I am human. I am searching for a…
Read MoreOne article was an answer to my prayer
Question: I have turned to your website many times to find specific answers, but today was not for that reason. However, it turned out to be very helpful at this particular time. The article written by Doy Moyer, ‘Beyond Our Strength,” was the answer to a prayer.My husband of 55 years passed away recently and…
Read MoreWere we created to die?
Question: Your website is a huge blessing! Thank you for all the work you do to keep it up. My question is, why do babies die if they are born without sin? I recently heard a debate between a gospel preacher and a Primitive Baptist, and this question was brought up. The response from the…
Read MoreDeath Is Yours!
by Paul Earnhart via Christianity Magazine, 12(7), 10 (1995) Solomon warns of the folly of building life on youth because it slips away like the morning mist and the once vital body turns frail and slips its earthly moorings (Ecclesiastes 11:9 to 12:7). I remember my first intimate contact with death. As a young and…
Read MoreSaved from the Wrath of God
by Doy Moyer To be saved from the wrath of God is generally equated in Scripture with being saved from judgment. It is set opposite of eternal life. For example, Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God…
Read MoreOne Last Verse
by Matthew W. Bassford Throughout my life, there was a series of verses that I identified as “my verse”. These were verses that, in some way, exemplified me or what I needed to become. I kept II Timothy 2:24-25 on my bathroom mirror for years because I needed the reminder. Later, I took great encouragement…
Read MoreWhy Death?
by Doy Moyer Why is death a consequence of sin? Because sin is a direct affront to the glory of the God of life. When we reject God, we reject life. Death is what’s left. We cannot turn our backs on life and expect to live. Why did Christ come to die? He died for…
Read MoreDying for Jesus
by Matthew W. Bassford These days, it seems like people in our country are increasingly being led astray by a godless, secular mindset. This worldview has a lot of superficial appeal. After all, if there is no God, you don’t have to submit to anybody. You can do whatever you want with whomever you want.…
Read MoreReincarnation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/07/Reincarnation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 14:1-15 I. Death is an event that puzzles many people. A. We know it is a step that we all must take – Ecclesiastes 8:8 B. It is an appointment that we must keep – Hebrews 9:27 C. Not that people don’t try. The finality of death is too final. II. Reincarnation…
Read MoreGrace Is Sufficient
by Doy Moyer Paul describes certain visions and revelations that were beyond his understanding (II Corinthians 12). He then spoke of what he calls a “thorn in the flesh,” given to him to keep him from becoming conceited. He implored the Lord three times that this thorn would be removed from him. Whatever it was,…
Read MoreWhich Apostle Had It the Easiest?
by Perry Hall Which apostle had it the easiest? James. That answer may be surprising. Even more surprising is why and how. In Acts 12, James is martyred first among the apostles. Some may question God’s fairness, and may even complain, “Why did God allow James to die but allowed Peter to live?” Considering the…
Read MoreDid Jesus take some of the dead with him to heaven?
Question: Good morning, sir, In Ephesians 4:8, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men,” Do you have a lesson on this? Does it mean that Jesus took some of the dead to heaven with him? Answer: “And you were dead in your trespasses and…
Read MoreA Death, a Burial, a Resurrection
by Doy Moyer Josiah was one of the greater kings of Judah who initiated reform and called the people back to God. Sadly, his reforms did not last and the people soon reverted to evil after his death. While Josiah himself would not live to see Judah taken into captivity, his children, who did not…
Read MoreWhat if Judas had given Jesus permission to kill him?
Question: There is a question I have about Judas in the gospels who betrayed Jesus and committed suicide. I was curious that if Judas instead of committing suicide, decided to give Jesus permission to kill him, do you think that Jesus would have done that? Jesus could decide that since he is God and has…
Read MoreAre we bound by our culture’s traditions?
Question: In this region of my country, there is a traditional belief that the spirit of your ancestors will kill you and your children if your wife has an affair. If you present a cow to your in-laws during your father-in-law’s funeral and you did not do the same during your father’s burial, your ancestors…
Read MoreIs it wrong to observe All Souls Day?
Question: Good day, brother Jeff. I want to know what are your thoughts about the observation of All Saints Day or All Souls Day that is done by many brethren here in the Philippines. One elderly lady asked me about this, and I promised to give her an answer by the time we meet. She…
Read MoreJoshua’s Encouragement
by Doy Moyer As the children of Israel were preparing to go into the Promised Land, Moses delivered a series of speeches to help them understand how important their love and obedience to God would be (see Deuteronomy 6:1-9). Moses would not enter the Land himself, but Joshua had been chosen as the successor who…
Read MoreA Review of Homer Hailey’s book, “God’s Judgments and Punishments”
by Jim R. Everett Such is the title of the last book of brother Hailey’s illustrious career. Brother Hailey was writing excellent, resourceful material well past his 70th birthday. However, if I live to be 70, I will probably quit writing. That is not to denigrate others who write so ably when they are much…
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