DeathDeath to a disciple of Yahshua is rest until His return. Still it can be hard to deal with the death of a loved one. We have since the time of Adam and Eve been in a cycle of death. It is written that the wages of sin is death. Apostle John adds to this that anyone who declares they have not sinned is a liar and the truth is not in him. We understand death from a different perspective than the world. Death is not the final destination but a sleep until resurrection. The main difference between us and most Messianic groups is that we don't believe in resurrection until the return of Messiah Yahshua. Considering this how do we deal with a death considering that death has to be handled compassionately? The compassion that we need to have for those that have lost a loved one can be found in the Scriptures. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that we are to comfort those who have lost a loved one with a specific instruction. We are to encourage them to the future resurrection through Messiah Yahshua. 1Thessalonians 4:13 But we wouldn't have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; so that you are not sorrowful, even as the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Yahshua died and rose again, so those that are fallen asleep in Yahshua will Elohim bring with him. 15 For this we say to you by the word of Yahshua, that we that are alive, that are left to the coming of the Master, will in no way precede them that are fallen asleep. 16 For the Master himself will descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Yahweh: and the dead in Mashiyach will rise first; 17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so will we always be with Yahweh. 18 Comfort one another with these words. Paul says that our sorrow is not like those who don't know Yahshua. Their sorrow is so great because they don't know of the coming resurrection. Keeping these concepts in mind it is possible to even rejoice that they are sealed in Messiah. They stayed steadfast to the way of life that has been taught since the beginning of time. Rejoice that they are Messiah's. There should be no doubt. There may have been some doubts during Yahshua's ministry because it was a common teaching that men could only be resurrected up until the third day. Yahshua demonstrated that this teaching of the Sadducees was not creditable through the resurrection of Lazarus on the fourth day. The credibility of such a theory should have been easily disproved in Ezekiel 37. Some insist that Ezekiel is simply speaking of a physical restoration of the house of Israel to the land but consider that in verse 24 of chapter 37 David is once again king and Israel will have one shepherd. We read of this being fulfilled through Messiah Yahshua in Acts 2. In Act 1 the disciples see Yahshua ascend to heaven forty days after his resurrection. This event and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit lead to an amazing event in itself by having 3000 people repent and be immersed. We might not have seen Yahshua ascend to heaven, we might not have seen such miracles in our life but we know through the change that Yahshua has made in each of us that everything the Holy Spirit inspires is true. We must not let our loved ones down. We must be prepared for death because we too have sinned and unless Yahshua returns in our lives we too will be asleep for a period of time which we will not know. The best way to prepare is to make sure that we follow the two commands which all the laws and prophets rely. We must be right with Yahweh showing him love throughout our lives. We must be right with our brethren showing them the same unconditional love. Sometimes it takes work but the labors of love are a beautiful thing when done with a circumcised heart. In the book of Revelation chapter 22 we find the goal of the matter. The Kingdom of Yahweh on earth. Revelation 22:3 And there will be no curse any more: and the throne of Elohim and of the Lamb will be in there: and his servants will serve him; 4 and they will see his face; and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no more night; and they need no lamp light, neither sun light; for Yahweh Elohim will give them light: and they will reign forever. The curse of breaking the law of Yahweh has been physical death since the time of Adam and Eve. Death has been conquered by Messiah Yahshua as his example shows. For us we could still be overcome, instead of being over-comers. In our lives if we remain faithful not willfully sinning against Yahweh and Messiah Yahshua we too will have a part in the Kingdom. Luke 13:24 Seek to enter through the narrow door: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter, and will not be able. 25 When the master of the house is stands up, and has shut the door, and you standing outside, and knock on the door, saying, Master, open for us; and he will answer and say to you, I don't know where you are from; Yahweh has more in store for you than the pages of Scripture can define. Seek his face as David did with a circumcised heart so that the path you are on will lead to eternal life with those that have come before us. We have an advantage in being able to speak with Yahshua in prayer. We can ask any question and he will hear. Speak to Yahshua; Yahshua will speak with Yahweh according to our needs. Yahshua has laid his life down for those loved ones that are asleep and for those of us that live today. Let Yahshua bring you before Almighty Yahweh so that you can be made complete. The way to Yahweh is through a door or gate. This door is open and Yahshua is calling us in! John 10:1 Truly, Truly, I say to you, He that doesn't enter through the door to the fold of the sheep, but climbs in some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. John 10:9 I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. Yahshua has been given the authority so that no one can enter the Kingdom of Yahweh except through him. He has been given the inheritance to divide among those he has selected, those that have succeeded at entering the door. Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will eat with him, and he with me. 21 He that overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. The judge is at the door as written by the Apostle James. When considering mortality we must live as if the return of Messiah is now. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand so time is limited and we must focus on what is important in life, the love of Yahweh and the love of our brethren. Live faithful to both so that none can expose guilt in your life. When death comes to the family of Yah be compassionate. Reflect on coming kingdom and resurrection through the miracle of Messiah Yahshua overcoming death and ascending before Yahweh. There are few things that can be escaped in life. Being reborn in Yahshua death is overcome. I would like to conclude with the words of David as spoken by the Apostle Peter. Acts 2:25 For David says concerning him, I beheld Yahweh always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also dwells in hope: 27 Because you will not leave my soul to Hades, Neither will you give your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with your countenance. Yahshua overcame death, those that are his disciples will too. Resurrection to an inheritance is such a beautiful truth and so powerful that none other than Messiah can give or take it away. Seek this resurrection in life and rest at ease those that have died in Messiah have the promise. | 
