Can a Christian be murdered or die at a young age?
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NIV)).
God is The Master of life
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16 (NIV)). “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job:14:5 (NIV)).
“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them” (1 John 5:18 (NIV)).
Only if God shifts or removes His protecting hedge from a Christian is the evil one allowed to attack the Christian (Job 1:9-12; 1 Timothy 1:20; 1 Peter 1:6; James 1:2-4).
““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)).
Is 'life' defined by the flesh or the Spirit?
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you” (Romans 8:9 (NIV)).
The Messiah said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing” (John 6:63 (NIV)).
God sacrificed the body of His own Son for you and me (Romans 8:32 (NIV)). The Messiah was only about 33 years old when His body was sacrificed on the cross (Luke 3:23). Three days after The Messiah's body was sacrificed, God raised Him from death to eternal, Spiritual life (Luke 24:6).
The Messiah said, “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master’” (John 15:20 (NIV)). Therefore, Christians can be persecuted or murdered at a young age, just as was The Messiah.
Explaining times to come, The Messiah prophesied, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith...” (Matthew 24:9-10 (NIV)).
“Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered” (Psalm 44:22 (NIV)).
The following is an astonishing quote from Cornelius Tacitus, who lived from 56 AD – 117 AD. He was a senator and an historian of the Roman Empire. Tacitus wrote 16 books called the “Annals”, and in Book 15, Chapter 44, he wrote:
“Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all (Christians) who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city (Rome), as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.”
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15 (NIV)).
Conclusion
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)). Once a person is truly saved, the desire to be with God in Heaven far outweighs the desire to remain in body on earth. If you are afraid to die, you might want to evaluate the validity of your relationship with God, and what you need to do to please Him and receive His deposit guaranteeing salvation (Ephesians 1:14).
Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:23-24 (NIV)). Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV)).
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you” (Matthew 17:17 (NIV))? In his early thirties, even The Messiah longed to leave us, so He could return to be with His Father in Heaven.
Commentary
You must remember God's Commandment, “You shall not murder,” which includes not killing yourself (Exodus 20:13). We must persevere while we wait for God's mercy and grace.
“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:28 (NIV)).
List of the most important questions with answers, and information about YaH (God), Yehoshua (Jesus 'The Christ'), The Holy Spirit and The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible chapter and verse references of the scriptures and gospels are quotes from:
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblical, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide