death tolled
"On this mountain He will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces." —Isaiah 25:7-8
Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would "destroy death forever" (Is 25:8). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. By His death on the cross, He took away death's victory, robbed "the devil, the prince of death, of his power" and freed "those who through fear of death had been slaves their whole life long" (Heb 2:14-15). "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor 15:54). Thus, Jesus holds "the keys of death and the nether world" (Rv 1:18). He proclaims and promises: "I am the Resurrection and the Life: whoever believes in Me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in Me will never die" (Jn 11:25-26).
"Christ must reign until God has put all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Cor 15:25-26). At Judgment Day, "death and the nether world" will be "hurled into the pool of fire, which is the second death" (Rv 20:14). Jesus "has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the gospel" (2 Tm 1:10). Praise Jesus! Alleluia!
Prayer: Jesus, may our celebrations each Sunday of Your resurrection-victory permeate my life and the world.
Promise: "My God in turn will supply your needs fully, in a way worthy of His magnificent riches in Christ Jesus." —Phil 4:19
Praise: Praise Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life! (Jn 11:25) Praise Him always and forever!
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Risen Life, or our audio tapes AV 4A-1, AV 4A-3, AV 4B-1, AV 4B-3 or video V-4A, V-4B.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 24, 2014
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