When Apparent Death is Actually Deliverance


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Death is something we talk about at funerals.  However, should not those of us who belivee in an afterlife be the ultimate preppers?  After all, we are getting ready for eternity! 

 A 21 year old white male recently shot nine people in a predominantly black church, in South Carolina. He wanted to start a race war.  Where was God?  Of course, He is everywhere—especially with those who are grieving.  In Matthew’s gospel Jesus said: God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 If so, how could this young man target a church, attend a prayer meeting for over an hour, and then start shooting?  Should not such evil melt in the presence of God? In reality the Devil loves bringing his misery before God’s people. 

 What does it all mean? Faith can deliver us from death. The appearance of death often masks imminent victory. The Old Testament story of Elisha and his servant are a prime example.  The king of Aram is at war with the king of Israel. Elisha repeatedly warns the king of Israel about Aram’s plans, because God tells him what will happen

The king of Aram decides to capture Elisha.  He sends his troops to surround the city where Elisha is staying. When Elisha’s servant wakes up, he sees that they are surrounded by dangerous enemies.  The prophet Elisha prays that his servant’s eyes will see as he does. Sure enough, the servant realizes that they are surrounded by fire and angels.

 How often have we been at the brink of spiritual victory, only to cry like Elisha’s servant, that all is lost? Years ago I was teaching elementary school in Korea. During my second year came to realize I enjoyed teaching college students and adults more.

I went to the immigration office, and asked how I should go about applying to teach English at a university. The government official said that no, I would not be teaching at a Korean university. At that moment I felt like Elisha’s servant. Lord, you helped me realize I should transition to teaching adults. Why is this happening?

Of course, before the immigration officer I was just silent. He paused, smiled, and said:  You need to go to Pohang.  My brother works at POSCO--the large steel factory there, in the learning center.  He is looking for an English instructor! The LORD paved the way for me to take that position.

God, open our eyes to see that we are surrounded by your banner of spiritual protection! Help us to see that the death we seem to face is likely our deliverance.

Originally posted at linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/death-deliverance-tommy-ellis?trk=mp-author-card

To hear the audio version of the entire series on death:  http://www.anglelake.org/resources/online-sermons/?sermon_id=350

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I'm reminded of a quote from Elder Holland from a BYU speech back in 1980:

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In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you must remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...
On ‎4‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 2:12 PM, prisonchaplain said:

Death is something we talk about at funerals.  However, should not those of us who belivee in an afterlife be the ultimate preppers?  After all, we are getting ready for eternity! 

 A 21 year old white male recently shot nine people in a predominantly black church, in South Carolina. He wanted to start a race war.  Where was God?  Of course, He is everywhere—especially with those who are grieving.  In Matthew’s gospel Jesus said: God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 If so, how could this young man target a church, attend a prayer meeting for over an hour, and then start shooting?  Should not such evil melt in the presence of God? In reality the Devil loves bringing his misery before God’s people. 

 What does it all mean? Faith can deliver us from death. The appearance of death often masks imminent victory. The Old Testament story of Elisha and his servant are a prime example.  The king of Aram is at war with the king of Israel. Elisha repeatedly warns the king of Israel about Aram’s plans, because God tells him what will happen

The king of Aram decides to capture Elisha.  He sends his troops to surround the city where Elisha is staying. When Elisha’s servant wakes up, he sees that they are surrounded by dangerous enemies.  The prophet Elisha prays that his servant’s eyes will see as he does. Sure enough, the servant realizes that they are surrounded by fire and angels.

 How often have we been at the brink of spiritual victory, only to cry like Elisha’s servant, that all is lost? Years ago I was teaching elementary school in Korea. During my second year came to realize I enjoyed teaching college students and adults more.

I went to the immigration office, and asked how I should go about applying to teach English at a university. The government official said that no, I would not be teaching at a Korean university. At that moment I felt like Elisha’s servant. Lord, you helped me realize I should transition to teaching adults. Why is this happening?

Of course, before the immigration officer I was just silent. He paused, smiled, and said:  You need to go to Pohang.  My brother works at POSCO--the large steel factory there, in the learning center.  He is looking for an English instructor! The LORD paved the way for me to take that position.

God, open our eyes to see that we are surrounded by your banner of spiritual protection! Help us to see that the death we seem to face is likely our deliverance.

Originally posted at linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/death-deliverance-tommy-ellis?trk=mp-author-card

To hear the audio version of the entire series on death:  http://www.anglelake.org/resources/online-sermons/?sermon_id=350

 

Maybe we are looking at death (killing) backwards.  As Christians we know death is a good and necessary thing.  I believe the problem with killing people is not that we are sending them to a better place (obviously) - the problem is what we must do spiritually to destroy ourselves in order to consider doing such an act.  Maybe there are times death is better - maybe that is why G-d intervenes to kill or allow premature death.

 

The Traveler

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I remember my 18 month old, screaming bloody murder that I wouldn't let her hold the cookie bag.  Her world had been destroyed.  All was dust and blood.  I've only seen genuine anguish in such depths from a handful of people, and she was one of them.  I remember, as her father, comforting her.  But yeah, I didn't give her the cookie bag.  She would get over it, and things will be ok.

The times I have seen other examples of genuine anguish, have been from people dealing with the death of a loved one.  One thinks about our Father comforting us, but yeah, He doesn't give us back our loved ones.  We'll get over it, and things will be ok..  The similarities help me understand my grieving regarding death, and how, although the bottom has fallen out of my world, things really will be ok.

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