Two famous people have died in the last few days. Christopher Hitchens (the atheist) and Kim Jong (the dictator).
A few days ago John Piper mused on the question: How shall we be satisfied in God in the face of, and the hour of, our death?
Here are his first three answers. There are more here and more could be given.
“I can be satisfied in God at the moment of my death. . . .
Because the sting of death is removed by the work of Christ.
O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55–57)
He satisfied the law’s demand for my perfection and for my punishment. I may weep, but not because of the sting.
Because Jesus stands to greet us.
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. . . . And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:55–60)
The satisfaction in Christ can be so deep that all revenge vanishes.
Because death is the last great occasion in this life for glorifying God
Jesus said to Peter: Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God. (John 21:18–19)
Death is not after a life of glorifying God. It is our last supremely meaningful, God-glorifying assignment.
