What happens in the last moments before a person dies? Those of us who have been with people when they die, have seen some things that we don’t often talk about, but a hospice nurse shared her story in this article. Please click on the link and read it, as there is much comfort to be gleaned from it.
The most important aspect in your dying moments, is, of course, if you have peace with your Maker whom you are about to meet. As a pastor it has been my privilege to be present when believers die, and I can confirm what this nurse is talking about. There is a peace that fills the room where a true believer breathes his last, and one can sense the presence of the Lord there in a tangible way.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
Nurse Julie added, “…the patients are ‘usually not afraid, but that they’re actually very ‘comforted’ by it, …and they say they’re sending a message like, “We’re coming to get you soon,” or, “Don’t worry, we’ll help you.”
Death does not have to be scary; if you die in the Lord Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for your sin, you have nothing to fear of death. As a matter of fact, only your body dies, not your spirit, and a day will come when you will receive a new body that will never be sick again or die. Eternal life is waiting for those who repented of their sin to follow the Lord.
…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
