Posted on 11/21/2023 1:33:40 AM PST by metmom
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones" (Heb. 11:20-22). Faith triumphs over death.
Commentator Matthew Henry said, "Though the grace of faith is of universal use throughout the Christian's life, yet it is especially so when we come to die. Faith has its great work to do at the very last, to help believers to finish well, to die to the Lord so as to honor Him, by patience, hope and joy so as to leave a witness behind them of the truth of God's Word and the excellency of His ways."
God is honored when His people die triumphantly. When we've lived a life to His glory, and joyfully left the world behind to enter into His presence for all eternity, He is pleased, for "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones" (Ps. 116:15).
Many believers who have dreaded facing death have experienced a special measure of God's grace that made their final hours the sweetest and most precious of their lives.
Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph are examples of men who faced death with great faith and confidence. Each "died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth" (Heb. 11:13). They hadn't seen all God's promises fulfilled, but by faith they passed them on to their children.
These men didn't have perfect faith. Joseph was exemplary, but Isaac and Jacob often vacillated in their walk with God. Yet each ended his life triumphantly. That's the reward of all who trust God and cling to His promises.
Like every believer before you, you haven't seen the fulfillment of all God's promises. But certainly you've seen far more than Isaac, Jacob, or Joseph did. How much more then should you trust God and encourage those who follow you to do the same?
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for His marvelous grace, which triumphs over sin and death.
For Further Study
Read the final words of Jacob and Joseph in Genesis 48:1—49:33 and 50:22-26.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
studying God’s Word ping
Bible prophecy teacher Dr. Ed Hindson reportedly said:
“I had no idea that Heaven was so beautiful!” (IIRC)
He then died, in front of his family, after speaking those words.
I was privileged to meet Dr. Hindson 11 years ago (twice). We spoke and he prayed for me.
Dr. Ed died in 2022 (July 2)
The above was reported by John Ankerberg on a recent show.
Having died, crossed over to Heaven, and then returned several times, I verify that the Love and Bliss of Heaven is beautiful beyond words of description.
Most recently was three weeks ago. After a 4.5 hour surgery they finished, pulled the tubes, disconnected the ventilator, and decreased anesthesia.
I loved Heaven so much I didn’t want to return and refused to start breathing. They reconnected the ventilator, and gave me more anesthesia. Five hours later, after a total of 9.5 hours in heaven, they told me I needed to return.
Remembering the feeling of Heaven is pure hell. I do not wish it on anyone as it feels like your heart is ripped out. The Love of your life is gone and you miss it so much that every day you want to die and return.
That has been my feeling for 35 years since my first visit to Heavrn. This most recent visit makes me miss it evrn more.
In one visit, I crossed through Heaven and went to a higher level of Heaven where the Love was even stronger and the Light even Brighter. Very similar to what Paul described in Acts.
The Bible is the truth.
🙏🙏🙏
🛐🙏✝️
Though we live in a time of spiritual darkness within this present world, we are Blessed. Though we live in this world we are not of this world.
Romans 12:2
King James Version
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We are Born from above and await our reward.
We are Blessed to live in this present age. Though our Faith is tested, we know our Redemption draweth nigh.
We witness His Word coming to pass knowing we are the generation that could be called while we yet remain in this earthly coil.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
King James Version
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN!
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