Today billions across the world watched as Queen Elizabeth the second was buried.  Amongst all the pomp and ceremony, passages of scripture were read, which are frequently read at funerals.  But what do they mean, how are they relevant to us and what comfort can we gain from them?

The first reading, read by The Right Honourable the Baroness Scotland of Asthal KC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, was 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 53-end.    

Let’s break this down into 3 parts:

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at his coming. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when he puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign till he has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

We read in the Bible that because Adam disobeyed God (sinned), that death came in the world (i.e. we all die) (v21).  But even though Jesus was God’s son, he was born to a human mother.  So, he inherited her human nature and therefore had the ability to sin.   But he didn’t. 

So, when he died it was temporary and he was raised from the dead.  What we are told is that the same will happen to his true followers, i.e. they will be raised from the dead just as he was (v23).  This will happen when Jesus returns to the earth and sets up his Kingdom.  Then death will be destroyed, and the those who have faithfully followed him will live forever (v 25-26).

This idea is further expanded in verses 53 – 56 where we read about being “incorruptible” i.e. no longer sinning.

⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵ “Oh Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The final verse of this chapter then encourages us to be followers of Jesus and doers of his word in the hope of having a place in his Kingdom.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The second reading was read by the Prime Minister, Liz Truss and came from John’s Gospel, John 14:1-9.

Again, let’s break this down

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

So here, Jesus is telling us not to worry, he is returning! He is temporarily in heaven, but as he says in verse 2 “I will come again and receive you”, and he wants us to be in his Kingdom. This happens after Jesus comes back to earth, after the resurrection, when he and his followers are together on a transformed earth.

⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

⁷ “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

⁸ Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father;

Here Jesus is telling his disciples, the only way to have the opportunity of having a place in this coming Kingdom is to follow him. He is “… the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. The only way to know about God is to believe and follow Jesus.  This glorious new Kingdom was further expanded on in the reding by the Dean of Windsor, Revelation 21 1:-7.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son...”

Funerals are always a sad time as we say goodbye to loved ones, and our thoughts are with all those who mourn at the moment. But these verses demonstrate that for followers of Jesus, death is just another stage of life – falling into unconscious sleep in the ground – and will ultimately lead to resurrection and the hope of eternal life in a perfect world.

(All quotes from the NKJV)

Liz Truss is our new prime minister.  And, given the current crises both here and worldwide, it will be a very challenging job.  She was chosen by secret ballots of MPs and then members of the Conservative party. Fewer than 3 out of every 1,000 in the population had a vote. Only a small minority of people had a say in this important decision.

But who actually elected Liz Truss?

Years ago, the king of Babylon had to learn a very hard lesson, aided by the Jewish prophet Daniel.

…to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.

Daniel 4:17

 

A similar thing was said by the apostle Paul:

there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Romans 13:1

We are all free to make our own choices and decisions. But, unknown to most people, and in a way that we cannot understand, God Himself oversees election processes. He is in ultimate control of world affairs. And everything is working towards the establishment of His kingdom on earth, with Jesus as king. Of course, this does not mean that He is happy with what the elected people do, or indeed their attitude while doing it.

The Old Testament prophets are full of dire warnings to nations: leaders who had displeased God in their attitude to Him and the Jewish nation, even when they were furthering God’s purpose by their actions.

But God – not a devil, not chance, and not humanity – is in control. Jesus will soon return and solve all the world’s problems.

God … now … commands all people everywhere to repent,because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

Acts 17:30-31

One vote hardly makes any difference in human politics. But we all have the opportunity to declare our personal allegiance to Jesus. To accept him as our leader both now and forever. This is the most important decision we can ever make, and will have amazing implications for those who do decide to ‘vote’ for Jesus.

The choice is ours: right now.

Across the country young people have been getting exam results.  These results can be important in determining the next stage in education or career choices. Many of the diligent have been rewarded, but laziness has reaped its just deserts. So there have been reports of great joy but also tears of disappointment and frustration. However, not all the results are a fair reflection of the students’ true ability and some students are appealing against what they consider unfair assessment.

God has appointed Jesus to be our judge.

 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2 Corinthians 5:10

And, like God, he will be totally just in his judgements (1 Peter 2:23).

So there will be no appeals. But there will be joy and tears. In a parable, Jesus described the judgement of both faithful and faithless servants.

To the faithful:

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master

Matthew 25:23

To the faithless:

…cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:30

God does not want us to ‘fail’. He wants us in His kingdom.

Jesus said to his disciples:

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32

And a while later Peter wrote:

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance

2 Peter 3:9

But we do need to repent. Our response now determines not just the next stage in our lives, but our eternal destiny. We need to examine ourselves and prepare for the return of Jesus as our judge and, if we so desire, our king and our Saviour.