Triumph Over Death and the Glory of God

Triumph Over Death and the Glory of God

October 24

In contemplating John 21:19, where Jesus foretells the death of Peter (John 21:19), we encounter a profound message about glorifying God through one's passing. This verse reminds us that even in death, God's glory can be magnified. It sparks a connection to Revelation 12:11, which elucidates how to overcome the devil. This process involves three key elements: the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ), the word of one's testimony (Word of God), and not loving life, even unto death.

The concept of not loving one's life unto death has often perplexed many, but when we consider it alongside Jesus's words about Peter glorifying God through his death, it becomes clear that there is something greater in death. This insight brings to mind biblical martyrs like Stephen. Despite being stoned to death, Stephen beheld a vision of God's glory in heaven that overshadowed the pain of his impending demise. Stephen's focus shifted from the agony of the stones to the heavenly vision, exemplifying that in death, the presence of God offers unparalleled comfort.

This concept aligns with the promise in the Bible that God will never leave nor forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5). Those who have surrendered themselves to God by accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior can find solace in knowing that He is with them during their final moments. The agony of death and the dying process can be eclipsed by the glory of God, which becomes a source of reassurance.

Paul's question, "Where is your sting, O death?" highlights that death's pain is transient (1 Corinthians 15:55). The last enemy to be vanquished is death itself (1 Corinthians 15:25,26). God, being the source of life (John 14:6), transcends all. The choice between life and death is presented in Scripture, with an encouragement to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19). Believers are reminded that they don't have to strive to preserve their earthly life, as they can entrust it to Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). The Bible also records believers who, in faith, embraced martyrdom rather than seeking deliverance from it. They accepted beheadings, being set on fire, thrown into lion's dens, and other deaths. In this, there is something greater than death—a someone, and that someone is Jesus. By surrendering their lives to Jesus, they transcended death because He is life itself.

Choosing life means shifting one's focus from the temporal aspects of earthly existence to the spiritual reality of being seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). This perspective alleviates the anxiety surrounding death, as it recognizes that the physical world is transient, and all will eventually pass from it. In essence, loving life unto God is about seeking something greater, finding comfort even in suffering, and experiencing the glory of God. The defeat of the devil is achieved by acknowledging that death holds no power over those who trust in the blood of the Lamb, adhere to the Word of God, and understand that in Jesus, they have eternal life. Instead of struggling to preserve their lives, believers thrive in God, residing in heavenly places while still on Earth.

In summary, the passages in John 21:19 and Revelation 12:11, along with the accounts of martyrs like Stephen, serve as powerful reminders of the triumph over death and the supremacy of God's glory. Believers need not fear death but can find comfort in the presence of Jesus, who is the source of life and resurrection. By choosing life in God, they can transcend the temporal world and conquer the devil through faith, resting in the assurance that the glory of God surpasses even death and it’s pain.