Here's an especially interesting Days of Praise essay from the late Henry Morris, whose credentials that the world would find impressive include:
--A bachelor's degree in civil engineering
--A master's in hydraulics
--A Ph.D. in hydraulic engineering
-- Professor and chair of civil engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
-- Professor of applied science at Southern Illinois University
But in truth, his greatest work involved co-founding the Institute for Creation Research; writing some of the most fascinating books of all time (my favorites include The Modern Creation Trilogy, co-written with his son John Morris, Ph.D., and The Long War Against God); and writing countless essays for the ICR's Days of Praise booklets, which can be accessed here as a daily e-devotional or monthly booklet. The Lord used Dr. Henry Morris to change many lives, including mine; I can't wait to meet him in heaven.
In the meantime, I found the following devotional especially interesting in its description of the Christian's state after death but before the resurrection. What do you think?
To Die Is Gain
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Although the glorious resurrection bodies which have been promised all believers must await the return of Christ, even the spirit-existence after death is better than this present life for the believer. Paul himself expressed “a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (v. 23)—“to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Thus, it is “gain” when a Christian dies! Since Christ, in His resurrection body, is in heaven at the right hand of the Father, the spirits of “sleeping” Christians are also there. The intermediate state is somewhat analogous to the dreaming state, in which the consciousness travels to various places and experiences while the body is asleep. In fact, death is called “sleep” for the Christian (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
However, in some amazing way, these conscious spirits of believers are still distinct and recognizable. Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3), as well as Samuel (1 Samuel 28:12-19), were identifiable in their spirit-form, even by people here on Earth.
One of the greatest blessings of dying and going to be with the Lord will be the joy of returning with Him “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thessalonians 3:13). “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. . . . And the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 16), just before the rapture and glorification of the saints who are still living. As wonderful as it might be to live until Christ returns, it will be even better to be with Him!
The death of a Christian, therefore, may be a time of loss and grief for those left behind, but it is a time of joy and blessing for the one who dies, including a happy reunion with those who have gone before. HMM
(Originally posted 9/19/13)
--A bachelor's degree in civil engineering
--A master's in hydraulics
--A Ph.D. in hydraulic engineering
-- Professor and chair of civil engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
-- Professor of applied science at Southern Illinois University
But in truth, his greatest work involved co-founding the Institute for Creation Research; writing some of the most fascinating books of all time (my favorites include The Modern Creation Trilogy, co-written with his son John Morris, Ph.D., and The Long War Against God); and writing countless essays for the ICR's Days of Praise booklets, which can be accessed here as a daily e-devotional or monthly booklet. The Lord used Dr. Henry Morris to change many lives, including mine; I can't wait to meet him in heaven.
In the meantime, I found the following devotional especially interesting in its description of the Christian's state after death but before the resurrection. What do you think?
To Die Is Gain
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Although the glorious resurrection bodies which have been promised all believers must await the return of Christ, even the spirit-existence after death is better than this present life for the believer. Paul himself expressed “a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (v. 23)—“to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Thus, it is “gain” when a Christian dies! Since Christ, in His resurrection body, is in heaven at the right hand of the Father, the spirits of “sleeping” Christians are also there. The intermediate state is somewhat analogous to the dreaming state, in which the consciousness travels to various places and experiences while the body is asleep. In fact, death is called “sleep” for the Christian (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
However, in some amazing way, these conscious spirits of believers are still distinct and recognizable. Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3), as well as Samuel (1 Samuel 28:12-19), were identifiable in their spirit-form, even by people here on Earth.
One of the greatest blessings of dying and going to be with the Lord will be the joy of returning with Him “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thessalonians 3:13). “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. . . . And the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 16), just before the rapture and glorification of the saints who are still living. As wonderful as it might be to live until Christ returns, it will be even better to be with Him!
The death of a Christian, therefore, may be a time of loss and grief for those left behind, but it is a time of joy and blessing for the one who dies, including a happy reunion with those who have gone before. HMM
(Originally posted 9/19/13)
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