Topical Bible: The Death of Saints: Waited For

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The concept of the death of saints being "waited for" is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of life, death, and the hope of eternal life. This notion is intertwined with the belief in God's sovereignty, the assurance of salvation, and the anticipation of being united with Christ in eternity.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible presents the death of saints not as a tragic end but as a transition into a promised eternal life with God. In the Old Testament, the death of the righteous is often depicted as a peaceful and awaited event. For instance, in Genesis 49:33, Jacob's death is described with a sense of fulfillment: "When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people." This phrase "gathered to his people" suggests a reunion with those who have gone before, indicating a hopeful expectation.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul expresses a longing for the afterlife, viewing death as a gain. In Philippians 1:21-23 , he writes, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know. I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed." Here, Paul articulates a deep yearning for the presence of Christ, which he associates with death.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the death of saints is seen as a fulfillment of God's promises. It is a moment when believers enter into the fullness of their salvation. The anticipation of this event is not marked by fear but by hope and assurance. In 2 Timothy 4:6-8 , Paul reflects on his impending death with confidence: "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing."

Spiritual Preparation

The waiting for the death of saints involves spiritual preparation and a life lived in faithfulness to God. Believers are encouraged to live in a manner worthy of their calling, with the understanding that their earthly life is temporary and that their true citizenship is in heaven. Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of the patriarchs who "acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

Comfort and Hope

The death of saints is also a source of comfort and hope for those who remain. The assurance of resurrection and eternal life provides solace in the face of loss. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 , Paul writes to the Thessalonian believers, "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him."

In summary, the death of saints, as "waited for," is a profound expression of faith and hope in the promises of God. It reflects a life lived in anticipation of the eternal joy and peace that comes from being in the presence of the Lord.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 14:14
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Death.
... and complaints: I have heretofore longed to be among the saints, but might by ... DEATH
OF STANDFAST. ... a while and talked to his companions that had waited upon him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiv death.htm

Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those yet on Earth.
... disobedient, when the long suffering of God waited with them ... a contrast to the light
enjoyed by glorified saints. ... man's state at the approach of death, at which ...
/.../sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxvii departed saints fellow.htm

The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... his ordinances, which show forth his death till he come ... we cast off!" and shall not
the saints, with inconceivable ... our trust; for whom we long waited, and now ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm

The Death of the Christian
... He has waited patiently for the precious fruits of the soil, but now they are ... I will
tell you some of the death-bed sayings of dying saints, and show ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the death of the christian.htm

Death by Adam, Life by Christ
... Such honour have all the saints. ... A guard of angels waited around him, and when he
died conveyed ... the beggar Lazarus was not only happy after death, but highly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xli death by adam.htm

The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the ...
... the abuse of my patience; remember how I waited your leisure ... that I may see thy face
in rest among the saints. ... But if thou be hardened unto death, and there be ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vi the misery of.htm

The Lord's Descent from Heaven.
... that hour for which the Redeemer has waited so long ... shall again be heard calling
the sleeping saints forth from ... the valley of the shadow of death unto pastures ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/1 the lords descent from.htm

Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks.
... I prayed earnestly and waited long for that clear pointing ... then, whether it end in
life or death, his great ... have great faith in the communion of saints, in the ...
/.../chapter xxi last journey and.htm

Heralds of the Morning.
... sojourn in "the region and shadow of death," a precious ... Eden, the children of faith
have waited the coming ... cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /17 heralds of the morning.htm

Death and Life in Christ
... Spirit, until the enemy fled, and angels waited upon the ... Death is not dead; the grave
is not open; there ... The saints tremble; even in heaven they fear and quake ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/death and life in christ.htm