Magdy Samuel

Serialized Articles From:
"Whom shall I fear"

Last Published Devotions

Chapter 4: 2

The Main Fears
First: The Terror of Death (the King of Terrors – Job 18: 14)


Why is there fear of death?
There are three reasons why human beings fear and dread death:
1 – Death is loss and the end of life and everything (loss of death)
2 – Death is pain, physically and psychologically (pain of death)
3 - Death is mysterious and there is ignorance of the Hereafter (ambiguity of death)

There is no philosophy or force that can make the human being invincible to the horror of death, except the Christian faith.

Paul was invincible to the horror of death
When the Holy Spirit declared to Paul that prison and hardships awaited him, and that the Jews would deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles (Acts 20, 21), and when the grieving believers pleaded with him, asking him not to go there, Paul told them, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die… for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21: 13). He also said “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God”(Acts 20: 24).


But how Paul was able to overcome the terror of death?
The Christian faith enabled him to overcome the three causes of the terror of the death.

First: the Loss of Death
He realized that death is not loss, but a great gain. He said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1: 21). Death of the believer is not the end of everything, but the beginning of life, greater and more glorious.

Second: the Pain of Death and Transition
He realized that death in Christianity is just laying down and sleep "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep" (John 11:11). Christ abolished death (removed its sting) “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?"(1 Corinthians 15: 55). Likewise the Apostle Paul says of those who “sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4: 14). The Word of God declares that Jesus himself is responsible for the transition of our spirits. Also, the “Angel of Death” as the one who holds the human spirits, does not exist in the Word of God. 

Paul saw with his own eyes, the martyrdom of Steven, and he heard him pray as he was stoned, saying “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7: 59). His face was shining like an angel. How could he fear the pain of death when the Lord was with him?  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23: 4).

Third: the Ambiguity of The Hereafter
Paul was not ignorant of what awaits after death, and he was not afraid of The Hereafter. But he knew without a doubt that when his life was over here, his life would begin with Christ there. This was the desire of his heart. “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1: 23). He also said, “My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now, a crown is being held for me—a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day” crown for being right with God. (2 Timothy 4: 6-8).

Likewise, as the martyrs were going to the coliseum, to the hungry lions in the square of the martyrs, they confidently and joyfully sang as they approached martyrdom.

We also, as believers, do not fear death, because we are waiting in these days, for a reality greater than death – the coming of Christ to rapture us away. “We will not all sleep in death, but we will all be changed” (1 Corinthians 15: 51).

Magdy Samuel