The Gospel Gives Hope for Those Who Fear Death

It’s easy to understand why some people in this world have concluded that life is nothing but vanity. On the surface, it does seem futile. As Solomon said, “It is chasing the wind” (see Ecclesiastes 1:14). And it’s all because of one terrible reality—our impending death. 

These people who lament the futility of life aren’t crazy. They are logical people. They think deeply about the issues of life and death. And they have come to the same depressing conclusion as Solomon – it is chasing the wind.

In speaking of Jesus, the Bible says, 

“…so that through [experiencing] death He might make powerless (ineffective, impotent) him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—and [that He] might free all those who through [the haunting] fear of death were held in slavery throughout their lives.” (Hebrews 2:14-15, Amplified Bible). 

The fear of death and the answer

Every human being is held in slavery by the haunting fear of death all their lifetime. 

The revelation that we are terminal puts a cloud over everything we do. Death swallows 54 million human beings every year. If that’s not depressing, I don’t know what is. When we realize that we will be part of that statistic, it’s the final nail in the coffin … for those who think. 

The experts don’t have an answer for those who admit that they fear death. But the Bible certainly does.

The same verse we have just looked at tells us that Jesus frees us from death—that Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (see 2 Timothy 1:10). It is the only answer for the billions who are standing on the edge of eternity, tormented by the fear of death. The gospel can bring them back from the ledge. 

It has the power to deal with the dilemma of the fear of death in the same way a parachute deals with the fear of jumping 10,000 feet out of a plane. Without a parachute, the very thought of the jump is horrific. But with the parachute, a person can control that fear. The fear will be in direct proportion to the amount of faith we have in the parachute. The Bible tells us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). He is my parachute—and the day I pass through the door of death, my fear will be in direct proportion to my faith in my wonderful Savior. That takes the sting out of the jump.

Lift their spirits with scripture

So, dear pastor, the next time you are talking to someone who is down because of the seeming futility of life, you may like to tell them that you understand completely where they are coming from. Lift their spirits by telling them they are deep-thinking, like King Solomon. Then, tell them about the king’s conclusion:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
 For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
 Including every secret thing,
 Whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). 

Then, tell them about that frightening day—when God will judge the world in righteousness. Then share the glorious gospel—that Jesus Christ has the keys to death and Hell (see Revelation 1:18). And if they come to faith in Him, they will suddenly have hope in their death…a hope that is both sure and steadfast, an anchor for the soul in the frightening storms of this life. This is also true for the believer who needs to be reminded of this hope.

Never underestimate the power of the gospel that God has placed into your hands. Upon our repentance and faith in Jesus, our sinful nature is crucified with Christ, and at the same time we come alive in Him:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).

And it’s then that we have hope in our death … a hope that is both sure and steadfast, an anchor for the soul in the frightening storms of this life.

©2023 Ray Comfort. Used with permission.