Title

Our Final Frontier

Scripture
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Devotional
Death may be our final frontier, but it does not have to be a complete mystery. There are several things we can be assured about: we are going to die and we are going to face a judgment.[1] There is a place called heaven and there is a place called hell.[2] Furthermore we are to understand that every person who has ever received the gift of life will spend eternity in one or the other, every person. Because of this fact, we ought to do our very best to be assured of where we will spend eternity and where those we love will spend eternity. Likewise, when a loved one dies we are not to sorrow as those who have no hope. There will be and should be a time of mourning, but our mourning should not be as if the dead are annihilated, but as if they are asleep. "Therefore comfort one another with these words."[3]

[1] Hebrews 9:27
[2] Matthew 8:11-12
[3] 1 Thessalonians 4:18