Suzanne Lombardo
I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of Mr.Donald Auten, especially his wife Tennia. When someone dies in the prime of his life one may wonder why? What happened to him when he died? Where is he? Will I see him again? This is a time to turn to God?s word for comfort and hope for the future. God?s word answers these questions and many more that we may have regarding our lost loved ones.
Jesus Christ taught us through the pages of the Bible and his own life what death is like for humankind. He referred to death as a sleep like state or prolonged rest. At John 11:11-14 Jesus spoke about the condition of the dead when he learned that his dear friend Lazarus had died. He told his disciples that ?Lazarus our friend has gone to rest.? Jesus traveled to Bethany where Lazarus lived and met his mourning sisters Martha and Mary. He himself felt the pain of death for the scriptures tell us, ?Jesus gave way to tears.? (John 11:35) So it is natural to cry and mourn the loss of those we love. Jesus then prayed to his heavenly Father for the power to resurrect Lazarus. (John 11:41) Lazarus was resurrected and given back to his loving family and friends. Imagine being next to Martha and Mary when Jesus said, ?Lazarus come on out!? The joy is beyond words to describe. The day is coming when Jesus will say, ?Donald, come on out!? There are other examples in the Bible referring to death as a sleep. (Acts 7:60) So Donald is asleep awaiting his resurrection.
The word resurrection means literally, ? a standing up again?. This is a promise from God recorded for us in the Bible that tells us that He will resurrect all those sleeping in death. (John 5:28,29) This scripture reads, ?Do not marvel at this because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life...?
I hope these few scriptures will give you comfort in knowing Donald is in God?s memory, awaiting his resurrection. He is feeling no more pain or suffering. ?The living are conscious that they will die but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.? (Ecclesiastes 9:5) You have friends and family to support you but never underestimate the power of prayer. At James 4:8 Jesus said, ?Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.? My prayers are with your family.