Be His Ambassador, His Representative

        

        Representation or the idea of ambassadorship comes from the installation of dignity, self-worth and responsibility. I believe this begins in the family. If you do not have any dignity or self-worth, what is going to make you feel responsible about representing anything, especially your own family? 

        Lately, there have been several generations that expressed they don't care what or whom they represent. This is a direct consequence of the standard or measure of dignity found within homes today. As I was growing-up, I carried a sense of worth for my own blood family. Wherever I went, whatever I did, whatever I said - I was representing my family and had a desire to represent them well. I have heard it said, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."

        I encourage all of us not to believe the lie that - "It is all about you." As many of us have heard many times, "No man is an island." (John Donne). We are born into a group of people we represent, whether you like it or not - so take ownership of that. We have sports teams that we participate on, we attend universities, hold jobs and sometimes find careers. Within all these everyone is a representative.  

        Taking ambassadorship into the job scene, from the bottom to the top of a company, the employees are spoke-people. We acquire jobs and at times become a spokesperson for them even though we are not in the company's PR department. An employee's job description may not include this detail, however their actions and words will always reflect on the company's decision to hire them. So, wherever you are employed, staying alert to your actions and words is in everybody's best interest because a bad word or action costs everybody - possibly your job and the company's reputation.

        Ever make a really great decision about something in your life? Let us assume you said, "Yes". Did you then tell a few people about your experience in detail? Voila! You are now an ambassador. By definition, an ambassador is an authorized representative. Many times the victories over the situations and challenges we face in life authorizes to speak about that ordeal or victory.

        In Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul explained the meaning of ambassador in relation to Christ.

"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all,...

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 19-20)

        There is a wonderful song that goes - "Oh, how I love, Jesus. Oh, how I love Jesus. Oh, how I love, Jesus. Because He first loved me." This song trumpets the word and concept of being "convinced" in the passage above - "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all,".

        If you are in that group that is convinced by the compelling love of Christ Jesus, then you should no longer live for yourself, but for Him who died for you and you should strive to be an excellent steward of the reconciliation message He has committed to us.

        This idea of representing Christ and ambassadorship of His kingdom should be a lifestyle. Thankfully we have the "Life Manual" (The Bible) with the how-to process in representing Christ in this life. 

• Eagerly pursue Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12)
• Practice Love (1 Corinthians 13)
• Live by The Spirit (Galatians 5:13 - 6:10)
• Remain Unified (Ephesians 4:1-16; Demands collaboration)
• Heed the Instruction of Living (Ephesians 4:17-32)

        Indeed, He died for me, I'll live for Him should be our life's mission statement. Such a vow is strongly supported in 1 Peter and Colossians.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 4:10-11

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men," - Colossians 3:23

        With phrases like "in all things" and "whatever you do", the ambiguity is non-existent. Christians need to hold everything they do and say accountable to the very real presence of The Lord in their lives. The mentality is different to think of doing everything and going everywhere as if someone is physically standing right there beside you. I am not inclined on a daily basis to think in this manner. However, that is the mindset, attitude and spirit Christians need today. He said He would never leave me or forsake me and I am thankful for His faithfulness. He is by my side no matter the season of life I am traveling through. 

        Whenever humans represent another individual, business, government or the like - usually that means the party we are representing cannot physically be present. The burden then falls hard on The Ambassador of the person, company or nation to reflect the other party accurately. There is no doubt that we have failed miserably at portraying our friend, work, country and God to others in the past. But there is a Helper, especially for presenting Christ to people.

        God's representation method is slightly different from humanity's. With humanity, the represented party is not always present, whereas God is. His Holy Spirit is standing next to others when we witness to a friend, acquaintance, co-worker or stranger. His Holy Spirit is in the crowd when we share our testimony or teach to a gathering about Jesus. His Holy Spirit is hovering over a nation and pricking the hearts and ears when a leader speaks of the grace of Christ The Savior. He is our very present help in time of need. He is someone who will stick closer than a brother. He watches and hears how we represent Jesus and counsels at the same time on how to better mirror Christ's presence and characteristics on earth.

        As God's children and especially His Ambassadors, God says His grace is sufficient for us, His power is made perfect in our weakness and His abundance is a promised benefit of His Salvation Package (2 Cor. 12:9; 2 Cor. 9:8; John 10:10).

        Representing Christ is an awesome responsibility. However, we have help through the Holy Spirit. So, don't stress over appearance or saying the right words at the right time for every situation. The Lord has brought you this far, He will orchestrate and anoint your divine encounters. Scripture helps our efforts out by instructing - "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15). Live, but as you live, be a light to others, displaying Biblically what a "light-filled" life looks like and illuminating the way for others to be convinced of Ambassadorship for Christ.

        As an Ambassador for Christ we carry a message from Him to the world every day and should live a lifestyle that is so attractive people pause to consider the message and lifestyle as their own.

• "The gospel is not habit, but history. The gospel is the declaration of something that actually happened. And since the gospel is the saving work of Jesus, it isn't something we can do, but it is something we must announce. We do live out its implications, but if we are to make the gospel known, we will do so through words." (Ed Stetzer)

        The Christian's lifestyle goal should be to endeavor for all things said and done to line-up for Christ and not live a sporadic, half-committed life. There is no doubt, this is a great challenge, but God promises the rewards are even greater. One of the best quotes I have heard recently is again by Mr. Ed Stetzer. He says, "A Godly life should serve as a witness for the message we proclaim." Paul cried out to the Ephesian believers asking them to pray for him about this very idea. 

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." - Ephesians 6:19-20

        In this vein, I pray for myself and Christians worldwide that we would change our thinking and ask the Holy Spirit to help us be a full-time, effective Ambassador for Christ.

        God is All-Powerful, All-Knowing and Ever-present, so why does He need me? To me, it is not a matter of need, it is a matter of God's Preference and Plan. He has chosen the believer in Christ to be His physical representation extended to each person in each generation on this planet.

        

        There have been instances in my life when I requested the Lord's intervention for someone or a situation. I would pray something like - "Lord, would you reveal yourself to this person? Lord, would you speak to this person or into this situation? Lord, would you act promptly in this issue?" Recently, the Lord has re-emphasized to me - I am His answer in many of these petitions.

            Paul describes the representation a little more intimately. In 1 Corinthians 12:27 he says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." Then in Ephesians 3:6 Paul reveals what he calls the mystery of Christ - "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."

        You put all this together - Promises of Christ, Believers as members of Christ's collective Body on earth, allowing God to use us as His spokesperson - and you have the believer being the conduit for God's answer to many prayer requests. There will be times of direct Godly intervention. But many of the situations and circumstances call for us representing God for we are His body on earth in this era.

        For believers and unbelievers alike, Christ proclaims why we should choose to represent His Kingdom as an Ambassador for His Good News - "Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " (John 14:6) I strongly encourage you, if you have not already, stand with Christ, so you don't fall for anything else.

        I encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - be convinced you are part of a body, know your "part" and take responsibility when Christ instructs you. Receive and operate out of the dignity and self-worth that comes from being associated with the King of kings and His Kingdom. Be His Ambassador, His Representative.

God's Reward System

        

        There are consequences for our decisions. Then there are rewards concerning our work or service for whomever in our life. Humanity has consequences for deciding to believe in Christ or not. Deciding to believe in Christ's sacrifice for one's life grants eternal life in Heaven with Jesus and fellow believers. Deciding not to believe in Christ's love gift will result in eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire with all like-minded individuals. However, both locations will have their populations judged according to their works or deeds here on earth.

        Jesus says at least twice, once in Matthew 16:27 and then again in Revelation 22:12 that He is returning soon with rewards. According to the eschatological scholars I have studied, the prophetic mountain peaks still to come are - 

1. The Rapture, 
2. The Bema Seat, 
3. The Wedding of the Lamb, 
4. The Tribulation, 
5. The Second Coming or Glorious Appearing of Christ, 
6. The Wedding Supper of the Lamb, 
7. The Millennial Kingdom of Christ, 
8. The Great White Throne Judgment and 
9. The New Heavens, New Earth and New Jerusalem.

        The Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ is the testing and purification of The Church's works/deeds by the Holy Spirit after The Rapture. 

"we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." - 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

        This judgment not only rewards believers for their appropriate contribution to Christ but also clothes all believers in His perfect attire - His holy righteousness.

"Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." - Ephesians 5:25-27

        This presentation of The Bride's Gown is Christ's righteousness manifested as physical, white robes on believers. The robes will be given to be worn after this purification process called The Judgment Seat of Christ or The Bema Seat - "to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.". Don't worry, the robe will be a perfect fit.

        Paul mentions a special Day is coming when the Holy Spirit, described as fire in many Scriptural passages, will "reveal" and "test" the "quality of each person's work". Paul stresses this in his letter to the believers in Corinth.

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

        I do not seek to pass The Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ as "even though only as one escaping through the flames." "The apostle Paul was alerting us to the fact that once the foundation of Jesus Christ is laid in our lives, it is our responsibility to build on top of that foundation. This foundation cannot be improved upon, but what is built on top of it depends on us." - p.220, Renner, Sparkling Gems of the Greek 2

        The Great White Throne Judgment is the testing of works/deeds to merit reward(s) of non-believers after Christ physically reigns a thousand years on this earth. These dead are eternally damned to the Lake of Fire for not choosing Christ as their Savior and not living a Christ-like life, but they are still rewarded.

"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:11-15

        A few things believers and those considering Christianity should know about God's Reward System - 

        God does not honor, favor or reward the loud and proud charity givers. Practice charity to the needy privately and you will be rewarded. "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." - Matthew 6:1

        Reward demands personal sacrifice and is merited for those who are persecuted because of their belief in Christ Jesus. Effort and labor have to be engaged and toward a goal usually in challenging conditions for a reward to be justified. You will not see reward for nothing in God's kingdom and everything is documented. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:11-12

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" -Matthew 5:46

"He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." -Hebrews 11:26

        However small you aide the most youthful of The Kingdom, your reward will not be lost. "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." - Matthew 10:42

        A believer's purpose in the lives of others, be it a planter/waterer/harvester, will be rewarded. "The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." - 1 Corinthians 3:8

        Taking the higher road or better moral decision will result in higher rewards. "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." - Luke 6:35

       In this performance-based world, many of us have a job or career and work in a company in order to achieve our goal, outcome, payment or reward. Within God's kingdom, He already paid for your family membership which includes awesome benefits, now all your works/deeds should be out of gratitude or thanksgiving. The writer of Hebrews supports this by saying, 

"without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

 

        If you have the mindset of He died for me, I'll live for Him, then God's favor of rewards naturally follows. I encourage my fellow Christians and those considering the Christian faith, make the right decision, choose Christ Jesus and enter God's Reward System.

Live In His Spirit

        

        Country singer Chris Young sings a song called Voices. In this song he mentions all the sayings and advice that keep returning to his mind via the voices of his parents, friends and respected others. Nowadays, we have a focus on mental health, where the voices we hear and unfortunately pay attention to are toxic.

        Have you ever discouraged yourself? I have. I have loaded up my mind with everything and anything that is going wrong in my world at the time and question how and why am I alive? Have there been friends or even family that have been an outside discouraging influence? After all that Job went through, his wife was no help, she said, "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9)

        I've had my share of pity parties and temper tantrums, even as an adult, but when the dust settles and God says, "Are you through now?" - He reminds me that whole scene could have been avoided. Two verses in particular the Holy Spirit recalls -

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

        In the John 14:27 verse, in the original Greek the words "troubled" (tarreso) and "afraid" (deilos) communicate a shaking or unsettling dread that grips you and produces a shrinking back. Mr. Rick Renner boldly encourages us, "We were not created to be torn up in our emotions! That's why we must quickly learn to grab hold of our emotions and tell ourselves, I wasn't made for this! I refuse to allow this sense of panic and fear to get hold of me! Jesus is Lord over every situation I commit to Him and that includes the one I'm looking at right now!" (Sparkling Gems From the Greek 2, p.190)

        And the original word for "world" in John 16:33 refers not only to the physical and spiritual globe, but all the systems of the universe. Anything and everything that could have set itself up against God's plan was thwarted through Christ on The Cross and by His resurrection.         

        Therefore, I will submit two huge keys in battling negative mental health issues or anything that will attempt to steal your peace - 

1. Know Jesus, Know Peace. No Jesus, No Peace. The foundation and all benefits with Christ are all about relationship.
2. Submit emotions and situation beforehand. Head-off the attack at the pass and try not to operate on a knee-jerk reaction but a drop to your knees and pray reaction.

        With all that's going on in our world - war, virus, storms, economy and personal issues - the list of depressing things balloons as the spirit of fear tries its best to control humanity's minds and hearts. However, just as Paul reminded and encouraged young Timothy, so I do for you -  "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) So, live in His power, live in His love, live in His self-discipline - Live In His Spirit.

My Invisible Friend (Reprise)

        

        Did you have an invisible friend growing up? One that went everywhere, saw everything, knew every little secret. One that celebrated every achievement and shook his head when he knew you could do better. I did and still do. About the safest place I can get away with saying that nowadays is in church or connected with my Christian walk. And this is appropriate because my invisible friend is The Holy Spirit.

        

        Jesus said He had to leave to the right hand of Father God in order for The Holy Spirit to come and indwell believers (John 16:7). When this transaction occurred, two major benefits happened, two parts of the Triune God (Father God, Son and Holy Spirit) became Advocates for all believers. Jesus is our Advocate in Heaven (Romans 8:34) and The Holy Spirit who lives within the believer is our Advocate (John 14:16). 

"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." - Romans 8:34

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." - John 14:26

        Jesus said the Holy Spirit's daily communication would be lessons about "all things" and would remind us of Christ's words also. How long will our invisible friend stay with us? Jesus answers that question in a previous verse.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever" (John 14:16).

        Throughout the ages, my invisible friend, The Holy Spirit, has come in the form of a thought (1 Chronicles 28:12), whisper (1 Kings 19:12), prophesy (1 Samuel 10:10), wind (Acts 2:2) and tongues of fire (Acts 2:3) to name a few.

        Not to limit my limitless friend, but now-a-days, at least for me, He inspires me through teachers, printed material, special songs, special people and simple direct downloads into my mind and spirit. Jesus said The Holy Spirit would do this as I have noted. 

        However, Paul states that what Scripture portrays of the power and nature of God - His awesomeness and creativity and more - spills over into our visible world so that humanity has no reason to deny God's existence. Paul says,

"since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

        As mentioned earlier, the Holy Spirit has come in other forms, even as a dove at one point, in years past. However, there will come a time when as I look upon Jesus, I know I will be looking at Father God and the Holy Spirit. What has been unseen for so long by faith will finally be unveiled and visible, but until then I will live with and according to the words of My Invisible Friend. 

His Plan And His Purpose(s)

        

        Unfortunately, I am not a planner. Fortunately, my wife is a planner. For the majority of my Christian walk I have known God through my studies as someone who counted the cost before sending The Word of God in flesh, Emanuel, Christ Jesus. The enlightenment I am experiencing now in my life is God as The Planner. 

        God had and has a Master Plan in place. Scripture verses that speaks to this idea are - Isaiah 28:29, Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 1:11 to name a few. 

Isaiah 28:29 says, 

"All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent."

Jeremiah 29:11 says,

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Ephesians 1:11 says,

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,"

        Notice in this last verse plan and purpose go hand in hand with each other. God has a Master Plan for the Big Picture, He has plans for everything He has ever created and a reason or reasons for them all. There is no "oops" with God. What and how God prepares and reveals to us His preparations constitutes His Plan. What and why to that Plan make-up God's Purpose.

        The Lord has challenged me through studying about Him as a Planner to develop this characteristic more in my life. As such, the Holy Spirit turned me to the life of David and his plans to build a temple for The Lord to help me. Perhaps this study will aide you also in your walk with God.

        David had very detailed plans to build and operate a temple to The Lord. But God had plans for David to be a man of war which excluded David from the task of building the temple but not planning for its construction and operation. David's son Solomon was blessed with the honor of constructing the temple and setting its services for the Lord. 

        The lesson here is to make sure your plans are surrendered to God - not during the planning, not after the planning, but before the plan is even put to paper. Solomon learned from this and said, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3)

        Ultimately, we should desire  and seek that our plan aligns with God's Established Plan for us. When this alignment of plans occurs, God's purpose is easier to view and understand.

        The purpose of the temple was a place of God's immediate presence to dwell, a place of worship, a place of Holy counsel and a place of Holy governing by God. 

        From Tabernacle to temple to the believer's physical body - God planned for dwelling places so that His presence could be shared and experienced. 

        If David did not yield to God's Plan for his life and the life of his son, Solomon, history would be slightly different. However, I believe God still would have seen to the building of His temple. After all, David, Solomon, Israel, the temple, every Christian and everything He ever created are part of His Plan And His Purpose(s).

DEATH

        

        From the moment humans are born they begin to decay, they begin to move toward a physical end, for "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

        For some, Death is something to be feared and/or dreaded for Death is considered an absolute, The End. For those physically and mentally suffering in life, Death is often viewed as a release, be it the end of all things or not.

        Whether one believes Death to be The End or there to be an afterlife, Death brings a cold, hard, painful and lengthy separation. For those in the non-believing afterlife camp, memories in the here-and-now are all we have of those that have passed. For the Christian, victory by Christ over death has guaranteed victory for the believer and secured the hope that all fellow family and friend believers will be seen again.

"For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him." (Romans 6:9)

"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5)

"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

        According to Scripture, Death is a payment that has been made by Christ for our eternal life with Him (Romans 6:16; 6:23), an enemy that has been defeated for our eternal enjoyment of His presence (1 Corinthians 15:26) and a doorway not a destruction through faith in Him.

        Death is not only a tortuous process for many before the final breath is taken, but Acts 2:24 says that even within the state of being dead, death is agonizing - "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." This is why life and life more abundantly is and always has been in The Plan and will always be found in Christ Jesus. Other than Christ Jesus, there is no other faith or belief system that has their main prophet or savior dying for all the mistakes of humanity and conquering death, Hell and the grave.

"but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10)

        For believers and non-believers alike, Death is not the one to be concerned about. All humanity is born into a physical and spiritual death or separation. Precautions are good for preservation of life, but we worry a lot about the end of our physical life and not the end or continuation of our spiritual one in the afterlife. About this Jesus said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

        Death used to be a power under the control of the devil, but since Christ's physical death and resurrection, Jesus took that power away.

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—" (Hebrews 2:14)

        Instead of death on a satanic leash, death is fully conquered and at Christ's disposal. According to Revelation 1:18, Jesus holds the keys of "death and Hades", who is personified in Revelation 6:8 and seen as vanquished into a Second Death in Revelation 20:14. Jesus promises if you are on Team Jesus, you will not experience this Second Death - 

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death." (Revelation 2:11)

"Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)

        In the meantime, Christians are to live in light of this victory over death. Paul admonishes us that while we are alive, here on earth, a certain lifestyle is dead and unfruitful, while another is living and produces fruit. Paul says it like this - "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6) So, who is governing your mind?

        From our first breath we become eternal beings. Our default eternal destination was set until Christ came and supplied the choice of faith in Him as our redeeming, victorious sacrifice. Should someone not choose faith in Christ, their eternal life continues and will go through the doorway of death and end separated from God in The Lake of Fire, the Second Death. Should someone choose faith in Christ Jesus, eternal life is promised.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

        Death, pictured as The Grim Reaper, does not have to be feared anymore. If my time comes before The Rapture then Christ has allowed my last breath to be taken by it. But God promises to restore both my body and spirit and the bodies and spirits of all His believers in the future. Then all will see the full manifestation of Death's death and the fulfillment of this sweet truth -

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)