We learnt on the Breakfast Show this week, that Christians celebrate Reformation Day this season, but for many people, it is Halloween season. In the Chinese culture, they have something similar called Zhongyuanjie (Feast of the Hungry Ghosts). Seems like darkness and light. The basic premise is that society believes there are ghosts, and they are usually not good but very bad. So, we need to "treat" them to keep them from tricking, scaring, or harming us.
The Bible never talks about human beings transforming into dreadful-looking ghosts after death. As a matter of fact, it talks about bodies staying in the grave and at the resurrection. The bodies of believers being transformed from perishable to imperishable, from weakness to power, and from dishonour to glory. Just imagine how wonderful it will be when there are no more aches and pains, no more high cholesterol, and no more cancer cells.
Today, whilst reading about death according to a survey of medical people who have worked with dying patients. Those who were terminally ill who were believers in God, died peacefully, with what looks like a smile on their faces. Just like the reformers. This may be because they have hope in a resurrection and seeing their Saviour, who "will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain". Hallelujah! If you believe in Jesus, you can have the same peace and hope that the Bible talks about.
He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3).
Let's Pray
Yahweh, thank you for raising Jesus from the dead as the guarantee of my resurrection. Father May the hope of living forever with you encourage me each day. In Jesus's name, Amen.