Approaching the Gates of Death

As you approach the end of your life, and death becomes more and more imminent, the question arises, What really matters? Let’s step in and imagine death right before us.

Darkness. 

It engulfs you—thick blackness so dense that it can be felt on your skin, the nothingness crawling all about you. In a moment, an image arises in your eyes as a flash of light hits you—fire. The warmth hits your face in a sudden embrace, breaking through the thick cloud of darkness. 

As you approach, you notice an inscription above the door: “Cast off your possessions, for only the dead shall pass.”

Looking down, the door looks just barely large enough for you. Looking back, you see all that you once counted dear—your car, house, pets, friends—that now seem almost pointless.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7). These words that once seemed almost like abstract head knowledge are now being experienced. You begin to wonder, If none of this can pass through the barrier of death, then what really matters in the life that I once lived?

What is so valuable that it can even pass over the threshold of death?

This scenario is illustrative and does not describe literally the experience of death, which the Bible likens to sleep and total unconsciousness. But it does help us to understand what ultimately matters in life.  

The things that matter

Life itself is truly ironic, for the physical things that matter so much today are the things that don’t actually matter. Because of the nature of our human lives, we focus on things like money, cars and power. But these are temporary things—a small part of the vapor trail of our lives. They come and go for a little while and then vanish without a trace.

Even our memory doesn’t last forever; it fades with time. Without God, one would start to ask oneself, “Why? What is the purpose of life if all we have are these things that won’t matter in a few decades?”

The purpose of life for many is the chase of these meaningless objects, leading to an empty cycle of life with one abrupt end. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten” (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

So if there is no reward for the dead, not even a lasting memory of them, and the physical items we attain in this life aren’t important—then what is? What should we be trying to possess while alive?

What passes the barrier?

Thankfully, there is One who has surpassed death and proved not to be limited by it. God isn’t affected by death. He isn’t bound by the same physical laws that we are. He is eternal and gives each of us a gift: the spirit in man. He formed us in the womb and has given each of us a spirit that makes us who we are, with our choices recorded in that spirit that will return to God for a later time.

So, what passes through the barrier of death?

Character. 

Our character, choices and determination to do what is right are preserved in our human spirit, which returns to God. The only thing that truly is lasting and should matter to us is righteous character (1 John 2:29).

To learn more, read “Developing Christian Character.” 

Don’t look back

So when your time has come to fall asleep, as many faithful brethren have in the past, don’t look back. There is nothing back there that you can take with you.

The only thing that you can take with you is who you are. Aim for that. Perfect that character. Study the Word of God and learn the correct way to live. But don’t stop there. Live it. Righteousness isn’t just in the mind, but in our actions and how we go about our day-to-day lives and interact with people.

This life doesn’t last very long, so don’t waste the time God has given us. 

Learn more in our booklets The Last Enemy: What Really Happens After Death? and God’s Purpose for You.