News and Updates
November 1, 2024
David Copeland · November 1, 2024
Newsletter · Volume: 24 Issue: 11
In October, I was asked to conduct the funeral of Sister Joyce Powell, a spiritual mother we served under for many years in Lanett, with her husband, Pastor Bobby Powell. It was an honor for Pam and me to be a part of that great celebration of her life, and we are forever grateful to God that He connected us to this family in the early days of our ministry.
While preparing for her funeral service, the Lord reminded me of the passage in 1 Corinthians 15:51, which says.
“Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…”
I hate death.
I hate sickness and disease.
There is a reason Paul called it an enemy in 1 Corinthians 15 when he stated that “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Death is an enemy because
It robs us of loved ones, family, and friends.
Death has a way of challenging your dignity.
It takes away everything precious to us.
Death leaves us with a pain that is unlike any other pain we will ever experience in this life.
But thankfully, I have some good news for you today!
First, the good news is Paul says he is showing us a mystery. I am not ashamed to tell you that I believe in the Word of God. The Bible is not just a book we read on Sundays or when we are having a difficult time; the Bible is our guidebook, the manual we live our lives by. I know situational ethics has taught us over the last forty-plus years that there are no absolutes in life. Society has taught us in the last few years that every person will have their “own truth.” There is only ONE TRUTH, and it is found in the Word of God. Jesus is still the way, the truth, and the life. No man or woman will go to the Father unless you go through Him.
Even though much of what we know about the afterlife is written in somewhat obscure language (1 Corinthians 15), the Bible is very clear that there is a life after this life! And for the believers of Jesus Christ, the life to come will make up for the pain, heartache, and tribulation we have experienced in this life. Praise God!!
This might be mysterious, but it is true. There IS life after this life!
Secondly, Paul says, we shall not all sleep. The symbolic language of sleep Paul uses here refers to death or passing into the next life. One of our faith’s most vital cardinal doctrines is the return of Jesus Christ. Don’t get caught up in the “before, during, or after the tribulation” debate (I do believe He is still coming before the tribulation); stay focused on the truth that Jesus IS coming again! And when He comes, there will be some still alive who will not die but will be caught up to Him in the clouds to meet Him in the air! 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 states,
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Some will still be alive when Jesus comes and will not die.
Which leads me to my third point. We shall ALL be changed (emphasis mine).
We shall all be changed. That is still resounding in my spirit! The change from a corruptible body into an incorruptible body. The change from a mortal man into an immortal man. The change from a natural man into a supernatural man.
That is something to long for friends. To know that one day, we will not have to battle cancer anymore is a great blessing. To know that little children will never die or battle childhood cancer again makes me cry happy tears! To know that there will never be any more pain, ever, at all in our lives is something for us to look forward to.
Glory be to God!
I am very thankful for this hope; that does not make me ashamed. Pam and I are also thankful for you and your prayers, support, and encouragement over the years as we continue to work on our part of the Great Commission.
Happy Thanksgiving from the Copeland Family!