The reuniting of living believers with those who have died before the coming of our Lord is part of the "blessed hope" Christians look forward to (Titus 2:13).
The Christian should be able to confront death realistically yet victoriously. Though inevitable and often unexpected, death should never catch us completely off guard. Death should never be a "great unknown" that produces fear and terror; it should be, rather, the moment when we no longer see "in a mirror, dimly" but "face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Helping Strategy
1. If the inquirer is a Christian, bear in mind that preparing for death, or enduring bereavement, brings changes and adjustments. Try to be considerate and understanding: "Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18). As you share Scriptures from the "Background," suggest that they be noted and later reviewed and possibly memorized for added strength and encouragement. Seek to guide the person to a new commitment and devotion to Christ. If there is any uncertainty about his or her relationship with Christ, share "Steps to Peace with God," page 11.
2. If the inquirer is not a Christian, emphasize that to be properly prepared for death a person must make the all-important decision about his or her eternal relationship during this lifetime. Invite him or her to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Share "Steps to Peace with God," page 11.
3. Encourage reading and studying the Bible and cultivating habits of prayer.
4. Recommend becoming involved in a Bible-teaching church for fellowship, worship, and Bible study. This will also help the person to be constantly reassured as to the eternal hope that is ours as Christians.
Scripture
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25).
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In
My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1–3).
"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:9–10).
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20–21, NIV).
See also Grief and Bereavement
DEMONS
Background
In both the religious and secular worlds there is a growing recognition of, and interest in, demonic activity. The Bible recognizes the reality of this activity:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [human beings], but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
Demons, also called in Scripture "unclean spirits" (Luke 4:36) and "deceiving spirits" (1 Timothy 4:1), are totally evil, invisible, intelligent spirits.
Like Satan, demons fell into condemnation through pride, and are the adversaries of both God and humankind. Though real and active, the devil and his messengers (demons) are often blamed for many things for which they are not guilty. Some Christians tend to blame all erratic behavior on "demon possession" when, actually, most of it is the result of humankind's sinful, selfish nature. Also, sometimes individuals who are on drugs or who are mentally ill will appear to be afflicted by demons.
The Christian who desires to be used by God to help people with spiritual problems might do well to heed the admonition of the apostle John: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God" or "the spirit of the Antichrist" (1 John 4:1, 3). Thus, demons must be discerned, tested, resisted, and rejected by believers. (1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 4:27; 6:10–18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9; 1 John 4:1–6.)
Through the victory of Jesus Christ over Satan and his demonic assistants, and in the mighty name of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, the child of God can overcome Satan and his demons. (Matthew 8:16–17; 12:28; Mark 16:17; Acts 19:15.)
Our resources against the hosts of wickedness are:
• Alertness (1 Peter 5:8).
• Prayer (Matthew 26:41).
• The use of the "full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10–18).