How well do we really know what happens when we die? Even though we face death often, the sad truth is that our cultural understanding of the afterlife has grown reductionistic and cartoonish. One example is Huckleberry Finn, the famous 1830’s hillbilly boy from Mark Twain’s novels, who recalls having “the good place” described to him as a place where you play a harp on a cloud and sing forever. He decides that’s not appealing, and it’s not worth trying to get there. The story is amusing but also a little depressing. Because so many people still seem to think of Heaven this same way.
It has also grown common for people to lose all hope that Heaven exists at all. Even in ancient Thessalonica, the common thought in the city seems to have been hopelessness, as shown by one inscription which reads: “after death, no reviving; after the grave, no meeting again.” This is the despair of death that surrounds the Thessalonian church to whom Paul writes. Now, postmodern society seems to be steeped in that same despair, trying to figure out a way to deal with it. Because if there’s no life after death, are my deceased loved ones really forever gone? Candidly, this sounds like a worse answer than the cloud and harp!
But Paul reminds the Thessalonian Christians that both of these misconceptions should be avoided, even just for the sake of their peace. Hallelujah, the truth is actually good news—and the truth is hope! Our loved ones are not forever gone. They are awaiting Christ’s coming just like we are, and in fact they will get to see it even before those left living do. And then we all will meet the greatest fate any human could possibly have: we will be with the Lord forever. I don’t know what that looks like. Even Paul gives only a vague, introductory picture. But this much I know: death will be swallowed up in the victory of the risen lamb.
We still grieve death—and rightfully so. Death is still an enemy that infects our world and separates us from one another. But its effects are only temporary. Though we grieve, we should not grieve as if we have no hope. We are bound for a home that Huckleberry Finn couldn’t possibly imagine, a home where all the deepest restlessnesses of the heart are satisfied eternally in Christ. Death will be no more. Our brothers and sisters will be revived. Any of us who die soon will be revived. And we will be with Jesus forever. So be encouraged, my brothers and sisters, and take comfort!
