Where, O death is your victory?

Where, O death is your victory?

Scripture:- He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it Isaiah 25:8

Observation:- In this prophetic verse, the prophet Isaiah actually prophesies of the coming Messiah Jesus Christ who has swallowed up death in victory so that whose who follow Him may say “Where O Death is your victory, where O Death is your sting?

From ages old until now, from the time of Adam during the great fall, death has ruled supreme. The Book of Genesis begins with Creation and ends with Death. Death is said to be the great equalizer. Rich or poor, famous or unknown, royalty or commoner, good or evil – death has no respect for the status of a man. When the times comes to go, then it is time, and we cannot take any possessions with us as we decay in the dust.

Yet when Jesus came and died on the cross and was raised on the third day, He did away with Death. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies, and he who lives and believes in Me will never die.” By this Jesus was referring to the second life. The Book of Revelation records how when Jesus comes in the skies, all those in Him who have died together with those in Him who are still alive will be caught up in the air to join with Him together forever.

In fact, in the Book of Revelation, God was warning His people to expect persecution and even death but not to fear it. Revelation 12 speaks of the people of God who overcame the dragon by the word of their testimony and the blood of the lamb and did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. The death of His saints is precious in the eyes of the Lord. To die for Jesus is a great privilege indeed. However, it is not our call but the Lord. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go and if anyone is to be killed by the sword, by the sword he will be killed. We should be like the apostle Paul, who said to live is Christ and to die is gain.

The picture of God wiping away the tears from the faces of His people is again seen in Revelation “For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd and he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. God is a loving and compassionate God and He feels for us even in our times of sorrow and despair.

Application:- Do not fear death, but live life to our best ability to know Jesus and serve Him, trusting God to determine the number of our days and our life’s length. Know that God cares for us and loves to comfort us.

Prayer: Lord, I entrust my life to you for you know best. Help me live the number of days you have given me to the fullest, in honor of You. Thank You for Your great love and comfort. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.