My Answer

on Jul 22, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Death is a frightening thing. Most people avoid talking about it. Funerals are becoming a thing of the past; yet, it seems apparent that though society runs from it, death is inevitable. Why do people say that death is different for the Christian as opposed to others who are not of that faith? – D.D.

A: Death is the most democratic experience in life, for we all participate in it. We think of it happening only to other people. We don’t like to grow old, and we don’t like to die.

The Bible teaches that death is an enemy of man and God. But it also teaches that this enemy, death, will ultimately be destroyed forever. In fact, death has already been defeated at the cross because Christ conquered death and rose from the grave. Death, for a Christian, brings permanent freedom from evil. Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of our hope.

So much of self is involved in what we do here, but in Heaven, we’ll have perfect love. It’s important to think about death because of what comes next – eternity – Heaven with Jesus Christ forever, or Hell for those forever separated from Him.

We all have a choice to make: Follow Jesus as Lord here on Earth, or reject Him with no opportunity after death to receive Him.

Jesus declared the most wonderful truth: “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me … has passed from death into life” (John 5:24, NKJV). We can have this blessed assurance today, even as we still live.

Many doctors and nurses have held the hands of dying people, and they say that there is often as much difference between the death of a Christian and a non-Christian as there is between Heaven and Hell. For the Christian, death can be faced with victory, because “neither death nor life … shall be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39, NKJV).

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)