THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

 

SO MANY ARE SUFFERING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Since my son Sterling died I have met so many people that are going through the same grief that I am. The number grows each day. Many are concerned that they will never see their loved ones again. 

That thought prompted this study.

Scripture shows that Yahweh is merciful beyond our ability to comprehend and will forgive those who because of mental instability have taken their lives. They will be given a chance in the resurrection. We can be at peace knowing we have such a loving merciful Father.

Scripture consistently shows that Yahweh is merciful, compassionate, and understands human weakness far better than other people do. While the Bible never encourages taking one’s own life, it also does not teach that a person who dies in deep despair, emotional torment, or mental illness is automatically beyond Yahweh’s mercy.

Mental illness can cloud judgment, overwhelm the mind, and crush hope. Yahweh knows the heart, the suffering, and the limits of human frailty.

Here are several scriptural themes that point toward Yahweh’s mercy and the hope of resurrection for those who suffered deeply.

Yahweh Understands Human Weakness

“For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
— Psalm 103:14

Yahweh understands how fragile human beings are. He knows the mind can break under grief, trauma, fear, depression, or torment.

“A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench.”
— Isaiah 42:3

This describes Yahweh’s compassion toward those who are crushed, weak, or barely holding on.

Yahweh Looks at the Heart

“Man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7

People may judge harshly, but Yahweh sees the full pain, confusion, illness, and suffering that others cannot see.

Yeshua Came to Save, Not Destroy

“For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”
— Luke 9:56

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
— Matthew 9:12

Yeshua especially reached out to the broken, oppressed, grieving, and despairing.

Nothing Can Separate Us From Yahweh’s Love

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life… nor things present nor things to come… shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.”
— Romans 8:38–39

These verses give hope that even death itself does not automatically remove someone from Yahweh’s compassion and future purpose.

The Dead Are Asleep Awaiting Resurrection

Scripture repeatedly describes the dead as asleep, awaiting resurrection:

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.”
— Daniel 12:2

“The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth.”
— John 5:28–29

“For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:5

The Bible’s focus is not eternal torment for the suffering, but resurrection and judgment according to truth, mercy, and understanding.

Yahweh Desires Mercy

“For I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”
— Hosea 6:6

“Yahweh is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.”
— Psalm 145:8

“His mercy endures forever.”
— Psalm 136

Mercy is central to Yahweh’s character.

Many Will Yet Have Opportunity

Scripture shows that vast numbers who lived in blindness, ignorance, weakness, or deception will rise again and learn Yahweh’s ways.

“The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.”
— Revelation 20:5

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God.”
— Revelation 20:12

“All who are in the graves will hear His voice.”
— John 5:28

This points to a future resurrection in which people are brought back to life and judged righteously and fairly by Yahweh, who knows every circumstance perfectly.

Important Balance

Scripture never presents suicide as something good or encouraged. Life is precious, and Yahweh desires people to seek help, hope, healing, prayer, and support during suffering.

But Scripture also does not say:

• “Anyone who takes their own life can never be forgiven.”
• “Mental illness removes someone from Yahweh’s mercy.”
• “A moment of despair is greater than Yahweh’s compassion.”

Instead, the Bible repeatedly points to:

• Yahweh’s mercy,
• His understanding of human weakness,
• the resurrection of the dead,
• and righteous judgment based on full knowledge and truth.

That gives reason for hope rather than hopeless condemnation.

There is HOPE Beyond The Grave

My wife died 16 years ago. My son died 16 months ago.

I would like to offer comfort and hope for those suffering the death of a child or husband or wife. 

Comfort in knowing their loved ones are peacefully asleep in the grave till the resurrection. 

A loving God would not let the dead have any knowledge of the suffering happening in this world. 

You will soon see your loved ones again.

Here is a comforting scripture-based message for all who are grieving.

When we lose a child, a husband, a wife, or someone we deeply love, the pain can feel unbearable. The silence left behind can make this world feel colder and darker. Yet the Scriptures offer a hope that brings comfort and peace.

The Bible describes death as a sleep.

Yeshua said of Lazarus:
“Our friend Lazarus sleeps.”
— John 11:11

And after He raised him:
“Lazarus is dead.”
— John 11:14

Those who have died are not suffering. They are not watching the evil, violence, heartbreak, and confusion happening in this world. A loving God has allowed them to rest peacefully in the grave until the resurrection.

Ecclesiastes says:
“The dead know not anything.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:5

And:
“There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10

For those asleep in death, there is no fear, pain, anxiety, or loneliness. Their suffering is over. Their next conscious moment will be the resurrection.

The apostle Paul gave comfort with these words:
“But I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Our grief is real, but it is not without hope.

Yahweh promises a future resurrection when the dead will rise again. Families will embrace again. Children will laugh again. Husbands and wives will see one another again. The separation is not forever.

To the one who died, the passage of time will seem like only a moment. They close their eyes in this age of pain and open them in the world to come.

And what a beautiful comfort it is to know that a merciful and loving God does not allow our loved ones to watch the suffering and evil filling this world today. They are at peace, resting safely until the day Yahweh calls them awake.

Yeshua said:
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.”
— John 5:28–29

The grave is not the end.

The resurrection is the hope.

And we will see our loved ones again soon.

Click Here for another post on Life After Death

REPENTANCE -What it is and why it is Necessary

 

From scripture what repentance is and why it is necessary for salvation.

Scripture shows that repentance is far more than simply feeling sorry. It means turning away from sin, turning back to Yahweh, changing the way we think and live, and submitting ourselves to His ways.

What Is Repentance?

The Hebrew and Greek words for repentance carry the meaning of:

• turning back
• changing direction
• changing the mind and heart
• abandoning sin and rebellion

Yeshua and the apostles taught repentance as a central part of salvation.

Yeshua Began His Ministry With Repentance

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
— Matthew 4:17

Before people could enter the Kingdom, they were called to repent.

Repentance Means Turning From Sin

Sin is defined in scripture as breaking Yahweh’s law.

“Sin is the transgression of the law.”
— 1 John 3:4

Repentance therefore means turning away from disobedience and returning to obedience.

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto Yahweh, and he will have mercy upon him.”
— Isaiah 55:7

Repentance Is More Than Words

True repentance produces visible change.

“Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance.”
— Matthew 3:8

Someone who truly repents begins changing their actions, attitudes, and life direction.

Repentance Includes Sorrow — But Godly Sorrow

Scripture distinguishes worldly regret from genuine repentance.

“Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.”
— 2 Corinthians 7:10

Worldly sorrow feels bad about consequences.
Godly sorrow grieves over sin against Yahweh and leads to change.

Why Repentance Is Necessary For Salvation

Because all people have sinned.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23

Sin separates mankind from Yahweh.

“Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.”
— Isaiah 59:2

Without repentance there is no forgiveness.

“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
— Luke 13:3

Repentance and Forgiveness Go Together

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua Messiah for the remission of sins.”
— Acts 2:38

Repentance prepares the heart for forgiveness and reconciliation with Yahweh.

Yahweh Desires Repentance, Not Destruction

“Yahweh is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9

Repentance is an act of mercy. Yahweh calls people to turn back before judgment comes.

Repentance Is Part of Conversion

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
— Acts 3:19

Repentance begins a changed life:

• turning from sin
• seeking Yahweh
• obeying His commandments
• walking as Yeshua walked

The Message of the Apostles

The apostles preached repentance everywhere.

“God… commandeth all men every where to repent.”
— Acts 17:30

Repentance was never presented as optional.

Summary

Biblically, repentance is:

• acknowledging sin
• turning away from sin
• returning to Yahweh
• changing one’s mind and actions
• producing fruits of obedience

It is necessary because:

• all have sinned
• sin separates us from Yahweh
• forgiveness requires repentance
• salvation involves transformation, not merely belief

Yeshua’s message was not simply:
“Believe and continue unchanged.”

It was:

“Repent, and believe the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15

Click here For a message called: 

Repentance - The First Step Back to Covenant