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[0:00] Well, we've come to the last chapter today in Octavius Winslow's book, The Precious Things of God.! Now, though we're at the last chapter, I've skipped over one chapter and I've saved it for later.

[0:13] It's the promises of God, the precious promises, and it's so precious that I'd like to extend it and have a rather lengthy, a more lengthy study on the promises of God.

[0:24] So we come to the last chapter of The Precious Things. And the last precious thing may not be something that you would naturally put in the precious category, much like the trial of your faith.

[0:39] It takes some understanding, doesn't it, for us to see, oh yes, my temptations and trials, they are in the precious category. I count them all joy if I really understand them.

[0:50] So it is with this last precious thing. It's precious death. It's something that we usually avoid like a plague, and yet the Bible speaks of it as precious.

[1:04] Now, he takes as his text Psalm 116, 15, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Precious death.

[1:16] Now, Winslow begins in a very unusual way. He speaks of two different vantage points from which to consider death.

[1:27] From the near side of the Jordan River, as death is sometimes referred to, and then from the far side of the Jordan River. The prospective side of looking forward toward death, and the retrospective side of looking back upon death.

[1:45] So let's look at those two points of view. He begins with the prospective, looking forward to death. And he says, from this position, the spectacle is one from which even the feelings of the Christian instinctively recoil and draw back.

[2:06] Death is not natural. Death is not part of the way God created things to be. It's an intruder that entered in with sin, Romans 5, 12.

[2:18] It's part of the curse for sin, isn't it? Genesis 3. It's an enemy. The last enemy that we have to face, 1 Corinthians 15.

[2:29] It's a relentless foe. The grim reaper that often brings much suffering and pain along with it. It separates your spirit from its rightful home in your body.

[2:43] It separates you from your loved ones on earth and from all the earthly blessings enjoyed. It ends all of that. It ends your time of sowing.

[2:55] It ends your service to Christ here. It ends your witness. And so Winslow concludes, in looking forward then upon death, we marvel not that from this standpoint of time, the saints of God should shudder at the prospect.

[3:14] It's no small thing for even a saint to die. Now how's that for a good start to your Lord's Day? Top of the morning to you. Well, he hastens on to the looking back perspective, the second view of death, and how different death looks from the other side, from heaven's side.

[3:39] The dread crisis is over. The cold river is crossed. The enemy is conquered. The victory is won. And looking back upon their defeated foe, they raised their song of triumph even higher than Israel did when they had passed through the threatening Red Sea.

[3:59] And they sang from the far side, I will sing unto the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and rider thrown into the sea. Death is swallowed up in victory.

[4:11] Mortality in life. So that's the viewpoint looking back upon death. One of great triumph and joy. Now is this all that we have to say to the believer then?

[4:26] That when you are in heaven, you will see that death is indeed precious. But that for now, there's nothing this side of death but terror and dread.

[4:40] I think not. And Winslow himself agrees that this is not all that there is to say to the Christian from this side of death.

[4:52] There is another way to look at death from this side that is not all sadness and gloom. It's to view death in the light of the cross of Christ and the empty tomb.

[5:02] It's to view death with the eye of faith, fixed on things unseen. It's to view death in union with Jesus Christ, our Lord.

[5:14] So Winslow presents to us what he calls the gospel view of death. And this will enable us to see the preciousness of death for the saints of the Lord.

[5:28] Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Now we've looked recently at the word saints. Who are they? We need to know because it's not everybody's death that's precious.

[5:40] It's the saints. And who are the saints? Anyone? Believers. How many? Just the real great ones? All of them.

[5:51] So saints, remember we saw that before from Psalm 16. As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The saints are all Christians.

[6:03] The basic idea behind saint is one who's been set apart from the world unto the Lord Jesus. And as you see the letters that Paul wrote, he applies that to every single one who is in Christ.

[6:17] Even those often quarreling Corinthian Christians are referred to as saints. So let's just be sure of that. So the death of all Christ's people is precious.

[6:32] If you're one of Christ, then take in that verse to yourself. I read of one man who, as he was ready to die, he said to his wife, put my finger.

[6:44] He couldn't even see. He says, open the Bible and put my finger on Romans 8, the last verses. That nothing can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, not even death.

[6:59] And he wanted to die with his finger on that promise. You see. Well, here's a verse for you to die on. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Now, again, Winslow thinks of thoughts that I don't always think of.

[7:15] He says, could God, if it pleased him, exempt the saints from death and just take them directly to heaven without passing through the grave? Hmm.

[7:25] Could have you done so? Has he ever done so? Who? Enoch. He walked with God. Seventh man from Adam.

[7:37] He was taken from this life so that he did not experience death. Is he the only one? Elijah. How did he go? What did you say?

[7:49] In a whirlwind. Somebody said in chariots. There were chariots circling around, but it does say that he went to heaven in a whirlwind. So the tornado took him up. And as he was surrounded by the chariots of the Lord.

[8:03] You can look that up in 2 Kings 2.11. So he has done that, hasn't he? It argues he could have done that with all of us. Spare us from that last enemy.

[8:17] Just take us straight home. And how many of us would like such a ride home? Has he promised to ever do something similar to that in the future? Or is this just something he did with 2?

[8:32] When he returns. 1 Thessalonians 4.16 and 17. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command.

[8:43] With the voice of the archangel. And with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. After that we who are still alive and are left.

[8:55] Will be caught up together with them in the clouds. To meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be with the Lord forever. In a twinkling of an eye.

[9:05] At the last trumpet. We will not all sleep. But we will all be changed. So some will not have to pass through death. But will be immediately caught up to heaven.

[9:20] Glorified without passing through the grave. So we have to say you're right. When slow. God could if most for his. These are his words. God. So God could if most for his glory.

[9:32] Take all his saints to heaven without ever tasting death. Now when we realize that this is a potential with God. This is something he could have done. We have to say well why didn't he?

[9:46] And whenever we're dealing with God. We know that there are always wise reasons. For why he does what he does. So he could have.

[9:59] But it pleased him that most all of them. Should tread the same path their Lord and Master trod. Who even in death. Left us an example that we should follow his steps.

[10:11] And so Paul says that he hopes that he'll have sufficient courage. That Christ will be magnified in our bodies. My body whether by life or by death.

[10:24] That Christ would be made much of. Magnified. By my life. But also by my death. God seeks glory. Doesn't he? Through the lives of his people.

[10:34] But also through the deaths of his people. But Jesus Christ by his perfect life. His sin atoning death. His resurrection from the dead.

[10:46] Has forever changed death for the saints. Now this is something we need to lay hold of. He has changed the very character and appearance of death for his people.

[10:59] So that even from this side of it. We don't look forward to it as an unbeliever does. How so? Well he has so changed death that it's now viewed as something precious.

[11:14] Psalm 116.15. It's regarded as a blessing. Revelation 14.13. From now on blessed are those who die in the Lord.

[11:25] It's regarded as something much better by far. Than living here. Philippians 1.23. It's regarded as sleeping. Which does not last as long as death.

[11:37] It's regarded as something that is ours. Our possession. Our asset. Something that God has given us. And God only gives good gifts. And yet Paul can write to those quarreling Corinthians.

[11:51] That are saying well I follow Paul. I follow Cephas. I follow Apollos. And Paul says. They're all yours. Paul is yours. Cephas is yours. Apollos is yours.

[12:02] Christ is yours. Life is yours. Death is yours. In Christ. We are given death. As a blessing. To serve our good.

[12:14] So Winslow says. Concludes. So Christ met death. The king of terrors. Clad in all the darkness. Horror and bitterness of the curse. He grappled with it.

[12:26] Tasted it. Received its sting. And bowed to its mandate. But having passed through its terrible. All ordeal. For us.

[12:37] As our substitute. He then gives. Death back to us. In a whole different character. Death. Not as a curse.

[12:48] Not as a penalty. For sin. Death. Without its sting of sin. 1 Corinthians 15. Death. Without its victory over us. 1 Corinthians 15. Death.

[12:59] Is no longer. In the hand of Satan. To terrify us. And to hold us in bondage. To fear. Because it will damn us forever. Death. Without its darkness.

[13:10] Without its hopelessness. Hopelessness. Of what lies on the other side. Of death. For our Lord Jesus. Has brought life. And immortality. To light. Through the gospel.

[13:21] And he's told us. What's on the other side. Of death. He set us free. From its fear. And we have the assurance. That because he arose. From the dead. We too. Will arise.

[13:34] And teaching us. His saints. That in Christ. To be absent from the body. Is to be present. With the Lord. Something to be preferred. To remaining. In the body.

[13:44] Away from the Lord. So. You can see. That Christ. Bore death. In its ugly. Frame. And then. On the basis of his victory. Gives death.

[13:55] Back to his saints. In a whole different character. Now Jesus Christ. Has made it something precious. To us then. He's actually. Changed death.

[14:06] For the believers. Such that. To die. Is gain. To die. Is gain. Now no unbeliever. Can say that. Can they? But for the believer.

[14:18] Death is but my entrance. Into glory. Death brings me. To my savior. To my reward. To my everlasting life. As Rutherford. Penned.

[14:28] The streams on earth. I've tasted. More deep. I'll drink. Above. There to an ocean. Fullness. Their mercies. Doth expand. And glory.

[14:39] Glory. Dwelleth. In Emmanuel's land. That's what death brings us to. To our departed loved ones. In Christ. To joys. That have never been heard of. Or seen. Or imagined.

[14:51] By men. And all this forever. It's the death of all of our sorrows. Sighing. Sufferings. Weakness. Diseases. And sin. It's the funeral of all evil. The birthday of all good.

[15:03] Precious death. That obliterates. All sin. In us. And finds us without fault. That ends the lifelong battle. With the world. The flesh. And the devil. That exchanges our cross.

[15:16] For a crown. And where unending gladness and joy. Overtake us. So you see something of the difference. Christ has made. In death. For his people. Such that it becomes precious to us.

[15:30] It's one of the precious things of God. But we come back to our text. Psalm 116.15. And we notice that he's not speaking so much. Of what death is to us. As he is speaking about what death is to him.

[15:46] Precious in the sight of the Lord. Is the death of his saints. Now it's precious to us. Simply because it's precious to him.

[15:57] I mean. Anything that's precious to God. Becomes precious to us. But. But here this passage. Is especially speaking. About death being. Precious. To him.

[16:08] So. Let's look at five reasons. The saints death is precious to him. First of all. Because their persons are precious to him. The believer.

[16:21] The saint. Is precious. To. God. He loves us. With an infinite love. That we'll never get to the bottom of.

[16:33] It will always be. The love of Christ. That surpasses knowledge. Even in eternity. The finite. We will still be finite. Night. And we will never fully get to the bottom.

[16:43] Of his infinite love. So precious. Are the saints to him. And this love is for us. For our persons. But it also concerns. All that concerns us.

[16:55] Just as you. You can't love someone. And feel indifferent. About their personal interests. Can you? If you love someone. You're interested in. In that person's. Concerns.

[17:07] And so it is. With the saints. The Lord loves them. With such a. A love. That he cannot help. But be. Interested. In their death.

[17:17] Indeed. Such that he calls it. Precious. But secondly. He counts our death. Precious. Not only because we are. Precious to him. But because believers. Die in reliance.

[17:29] Upon Christ's. Atoning sacrifice. Saving faith. Is to own our emptiness.

[17:39] That we don't have anything. Good to present ourselves. Before the Lord. And is to lean entirely. On what God has done for us. In Jesus Christ. That's faith.

[17:52] And I've read many. Biographies of the saints. Who have served the Lord. Faithfully. And they die. As they lived. By faith. In Jesus Christ. Not leaning on.

[18:03] Any of their own works. But leaning upon. The mercy. Of God. In Christ. That's how they lived. By faith. They died by faith. In God's mercy. Last words.

[18:18] Are often. Interesting. Aren't they? Martin Luther. Is said to have died. With a piece of paper. In his pocket. That said. We are beggars. It is true. To the very end.

[18:30] I have nothing. To commend myself. To God. I must beg. For mercy. God. Be merciful. To me. The sinner. He lived.

[18:41] By faith. In that mercy. He died. By faith. In that mercy. Thomas Hooker. A fellow elder. Came by. To console him. On his deathbed. And said. Brother. You're soon.

[18:51] To go on. To heaven. To heaven. Then there. You will receive. Your reward. And Hooker. Said. I'm going. To receive. Mercy. Mercy.

[19:04] He clung. To mercy. In life. He clung. To mercy. In death. John Newton. At the end. Of his life. Says. There's a lot of things. I can't remember anymore. My mind is gone. But there's two things. I remember.

[19:14] That I am a great sinner. And Jesus. Is a great savior. Mercy. Stephen. As he stoned. Lord Jesus. Receive.

[19:25] My. Spirit. See the faith. In the Lord Jesus. They live by faith. They died by faith. Upon the atoning. Sacrifice. Of Christ.

[19:37] They died. Clinging. As sinners. To the savior. These are Winslow's words. They died. Clinging. As sinners. To the savior. As the guilty. To the crucified. One man.

[19:48] When he died. Said. Here goes. Another sinner. Here he goes. But he's clinging to Christ. You see. And. Is such a death.

[19:59] Not precious. To the savior. To see. His saints. Clinging. To him. In their very last breaths. Down to the very end.

[20:09] They're clinging to him. Does. Does that not make. Death precious. To the savior. Who. Who did so much. For them. Do they discount it? No.

[20:20] Look at them. They're. They're clinging to it. Even as they die. As their only hope. For heaven. Oh. What a pleasing sight. To the savior. Who shed his precious blood. For them. And we can see something.

[20:31] Of how precious. That is. When our lord. Was dying. And. A rotten thief. Beside him. In his last. Hours. Clung.

[20:42] To the mercy. Of God. In Christ. And said. Lord Jesus. Remember me. When you come. Into your kingdom. And the joy.

[20:53] The preciousness. Of that. Is. Is witnessed to. In Christ. In what he said. Today. You will be with me. In paradise. No human ears. Have ever heard more.

[21:05] Comforting. Assuring words. On their deathbed. Than that man did. The very. Savior himself. Today. You'll be with me. In paradise. So great.

[21:15] Is his. His. The preciousness. Of a death. Of a sinner. Who's. Clinging to Christ. As he goes out. Of this world. They die. Clinging to Jesus.

[21:26] So it's precious. To Jesus. To see them doing so. And then thirdly. It's precious. Not only because. They are precious. Not only because. They're clinging. To his atoning. Sacrifice.

[21:37] And mercy. But thirdly. Because they die. In the Lord. Revelation. 14. 13. Blessed. Are the dead. Who die.

[21:47] In the Lord. Now as you know. The word. In the Lord. Is used. Dozens and dozens. Of times. Especially by the apostle. Paul. In his epistles. And it.

[21:57] It speaks of what. What is. Being in Christ. Speak of. Union. We're in him.

[22:08] Like the vine. Or the branch. Is in the vine. There's this union. Like a husband. And wife. Are joined. Together. This union.

[22:19] We die. In the Lord. And you see. That's the blessedness. Of being in the Lord. That's a union. That cannot be separated. By death. Romans 8.

[22:30] Neither death. Nor life. Will be able. To separate us. From the love of God. Which is in Christ. It will not be able. To separate us. From that union. With him. So even though. Our soul. Is in heaven.

[22:41] And our body. Is rotting in the ground. Our body. And our soul. Are still united to Christ. And precious to him. And so is our death. Blessed are the dead.

[22:51] Who die. In the Lord. What a horrible thing. To die. Outside of Christ. And. Winslow. Spends some time. On this.

[23:02] It's one of the most horrific. Couple pages. To read. And then I thought. Why is he doing this? Because we don't appreciate. The blessedness of dying.

[23:13] In the Lord. Unless we consider. What it is to die. Outside of the Lord. Severed from him. It's to die. As you were born. In sin.

[23:25] It's to die. In rebellion. Against God. Unconverted. Unforgiven. Under the curse. And condemned forever. It's to better.

[23:35] To have never been born. Than to die. Without Christ. For the wrath of God. Abides upon him. Forever. John 3. 36. Think of the horror.

[23:47] Of passing through. Death. Without Christ. Of awakening. In that real. Spiritual world. Without the presence. Of Jesus. Think of appearing. Before the tribunal.

[23:57] Of infinite justice. Without a plea. Without an argument. Without a savior. To hear the sentence. Standing all alone. Depart from me. You evil doer.

[24:08] I never knew you. To spend the first day. In hell's torments. With weeping. And gnashing of teeth. And with all of this. With others. Who are in the same condition.

[24:18] And to know. That this is to be your lot. For all eternity. The hopelessness. Of those who die. Outside. Of Christ. Now brothers and sisters. They're rubbing shoulders.

[24:29] With you every day. And that's where they're headed. We must warn them. We must lovingly. Plead with them. To care for their eternal souls. Oh but believers.

[24:41] We die. In the Lord. And what a difference. It makes in death. Inseparably united to him. So that when you go down. Into the valley. Of the shadow of death. Your shepherd.

[24:52] Goes with you. You can't go anywhere. That he's not with you. And it holds for the valley. Of the shadow of death. He's there to comfort. With his grace. To soothe.

[25:04] With his presence. To brighten. With his glory. He's there to nourish. The faith. That droops. To quench. The temptation. That assaults. To dissipate.

[25:15] The cloud. That darkens. To remove. The guilt. That distresses. To quit. Quell. The fear. That agitates. And to cheer. The loneliness.

[25:25] Of the valley. With gracious. Manifestations. Of himself. And to breathe. Words of kindness. Comfort. And love. Yes.

[25:37] The Lord meets us. On our deathbeds. Never separated. United to him. In death. And united to him.

[25:48] In eternity. So that on the other side. We go with him. To that last. Day of judgment. And he answers for us. And says. To his father.

[25:58] He's mine. She's mine. She's mine. Look on me. Pardon her. Well done. Good. And faithful. Servant.

[26:10] Enter into the joys. Of your Lord. Never. Again. To be separated. Precious. Indeed. Is the death. Of the saints. Because they die. In the Lord.

[26:20] And. And so that death. Is precious. To him. As well as us. But then. Fourthly. The death of the saints. Is precious to the Lord. Because of the glory.

[26:31] Which their death. Brings to him. I wonder. If we think. Enough about this. Most of our. Thoughts about.

[26:43] Glorifying the Lord. Have to do with this life. What is. The main end. Of living. And what's your main end. Well it's to glorify God. But that's not just for life.

[26:53] It's for death as well. Isn't it? At that public reinstatement. Of Peter. To the apostleship. After he had denied. The Lord three times. And the Lord. Has him there. With the apostles. And.

[27:05] Ask him. Do you love me Peter? And he says. You know I love you. Then feed my sheep. Three times. He's. He's saying. Peter. You're not washed up. You're not done. You're not on the shelf.

[27:15] You're not for second best. Now the rest of your life. No I'm reinstating you. As my. Apostles. Publicly. And here. In front of all. These other apostles. And then he said.

[27:26] I tell you the truth. When you were younger. You dressed yourself. And went where you wanted. But when you were old. You will stretch out. Your hands. And someone else. Will dress you. And lead you.

[27:36] Where you do not. Want to go. Now those words. Are a little bit cryptic. And we wonder. What does that mean? When you're old. You'll stretch out. Your hands. And someone else. Will dress you. And lead you.

[27:47] Somewhere you do not. Want to go. Well we're not left to guess. John writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says. Jesus said this.

[27:58] To indicate the kind of death. By which Peter. Would glorify God. The kind of death. By which Peter.

[28:09] Would glorify God. It will be. A martyr's death. It will not be the chosen way. That he would have taken. But it will glorify God. That's the. That's the lesson.

[28:19] How. And I want us just to think. Together. About this. How is the Lord glorified. In the death. Of his saints. Whether it be. A martyr. By.

[28:30] By the enemies. Of the cross. Or whether it be. By old age. Or disease. How is God glorified. In the death. Of his saints. Because. That.

[28:41] Has a lot. To say. As to why. Death is precious. In his sight. So. So tell me. Give me one way. That the death. Of the saints. Brings praise.

[28:52] And honor. To God. Yes. Billy. They don't. Die in fear. Hmm. As an example. Of God. To see a faith. Okay. They don't die.

[29:03] In fear. Well. What kind of. A God. Must they have. That. That. The enemy. That causes everyone. To tremble. In his presence. They don't. Have that. Dread fear.

[29:15] Wow. How that. Must speak. Of our. Our master. What else? Testify. Okay.

[29:29] So even. Even to the end. They're. They're. Praising him. Remember what the devil. Wants. For the people of God. To do. Curse God. And die. That's what. The devil.

[29:39] Whispers in the ear. Of the departing. Saying. Curse God. And die. And die. And he's not. A gentleman. He hits. The people of God. When they're down. And when they're on their deathbed.

[29:51] He tempts them. With. With nasty thoughts. And. And. And he comes to Job. Curse God. And die. Oh. But here's the saint. To their. To their last breath. Thank you Jesus.

[30:02] Glorifying to God. Paul. Example. They leave behind. Hmm. In the way. They died. They leave. An example. Behind. In the way. They live.

[30:13] They leave. An example. Behind. That is an honor. To. To our God. What else? Yes. Scott. At least. In our society. We. Reflect on.

[30:23] His life. And maybe. Service. Glorifying. God. The gospel. So the very. Funeral service. The visitation. The.

[30:33] The reflection. Of people. Who hear of the death. Who come and see. The loved ones. They. They. They have a witness. Don't they? A living witness. Of. Of someone.

[30:44] Whose life. Was Christ. And the difference. Jesus made. In their life. Roger. I don't know. If there's a scripture for it. But I would imagine. That. The angels in heaven. Praising God.

[30:55] For his redeemed. Hmm. Hmm. The angels in heaven. Rejoicing. For the redeemed. The fact.

[31:06] That they made it. To the end. Think of all. That's set in the path. Of a Christian. To keep them from heaven. And here he comes. And he's right on the brink. And he steps over.

[31:17] Into heaven. He persevered. Against all. The contrary winds. Of temptation. The world. The flesh. And the devil. And he made it. Now. Who's glorified.

[31:28] For that? Him. The Christian. We persevere. To the end. Because Christ. Preserves us. To the end. Because Jesus.

[31:38] Is ever behind the scenes. Pouring in the oil. Of grace. That's why the fire of faith. Never goes out. In the saints. And so. It's much to his glory. Every time a saint. Crosses the finish line.

[31:50] Because he's the one. Who began the work. He's the one. Who continued it. To the day. To the last day. So. He gets the glory. You see. For every. Death of a saint. He made it to the end.

[32:03] Anyone else? Jackie. Please stop. I'm just thankful. The last time. Sometimes even more. And the last. Tear. About. Not being bitter. But singing.

[32:14] Rejoicing. And we don't understand. Have any of you seen. People dying. With a. Word of praise. For the Lord Jesus.

[32:26] What a. What a praise. When the world is. Nothing but negatives. Remember. Visiting. Older saints. The. Members here. And never a negative word.

[32:37] For the Savior. He's been faithful to me. All through the years. What a glory. To. To go out of this world. Praising. Even the one.

[32:47] Who. Has died for us. Somebody in the back. We have the example. Of Jacob. At the end of his life. He worshiped. As he leaned upon his staff. Coinsane isn't it?

[33:00] But. Beautiful truth. He went out. Worshiping. And what is worship. If it's not declaring. The worth. Of God. Declaring his glory. You see. In so many ways.

[33:12] That we face death. With confidence. What is this master. That allows. A poor mortal man. To face death. With confidence. That this isn't the end. For me. That my best things.

[33:23] Are on the other side. Of the river. And many different ways. The peace. The submission. To Christ's will. It's cancer.

[33:35] It's a disease. It's something. That cuts them short. In this life. And there's this sweet submission. To his will. Not my will. But yours. What must his will be?

[33:47] What graciousness. Must this master have? It's to his glory. Let's think more. About glorifying death. Not only in life. But in death. And lastly.

[33:58] It's. The saints. Death is precious. In the eyes of the Lord. Because. It's then. That he gathers. His beloved saints. To himself. Remember his high priestly prayer. On the night.

[34:09] Before he was killed. John 17. 24. Father. I want those you have given me. To be with me. Where I am. And to see my glory. The glory that you.

[34:20] I had with the father. Before the world. Was created. I want them. That you've given me. To be with me. Winslow. Behold how Christ longs.

[34:31] To have his saints. In heaven with him. So near and precious. Are they to his heart. He'll not rest. Until all he purchased. With his blood. All the sheep of his fold. Are gathered home.

[34:42] Not one shall be missing. Weak saints. Little faith saints. Greatly doubting saints. Restored. Backsliding saints. Smoldering wick saints. Bruised reed saints.

[34:53] Every other kind of saint. Will all make it home. The apostle Paul will be there. The converted thief on the cross. Nicodemus. The immoral Samaritan woman.

[35:05] At the well. They'll all be there. Through the blood and righteousness. Of Jesus Christ. And because. They are there. Their deaths. Are precious.

[35:16] Because they bring them home. To Christ. They are precious. And he wants to be. With them. We may not give enough weight.

[35:28] To this thought. When we lose someone. We sometimes hear. That our loss. Is heaven's gain. John 17. 24. Should put. More light on that reality. It's Jesus gain.

[35:39] He wants. Those the father has given him. To be with him. Where he is. And so. When he takes one home. We need to rejoice. With. Christ.

[35:50] When he rejoices. Jesus. It's precious to him. Well. Even as an engaged couple. Living apart. Cannot wait. Until all distance.

[36:01] Between them. Is obliterated. And married. So the Lord Jesus. There's a part of him. That is unsatisfied. With the present status quo. And will only be satisfied. When we.

[36:12] Are. With. The Lord. He yearns for it. And so at death. Another one goes. To be with him. And so.

[36:24] We shall be. Forever. With the Lord. Wherefore. Comfort one another. With these words. Just a.

[36:37] A word. Of caution. At the end. I think it's a wise word. That. That Winslow. Gives us. After showing us. How precious. Death is. That. You don't all rush out.

[36:48] And kill yourself. He says. Let's not. Make. Death. Our ultimate focus. Even though. It does. Bring us. To heaven. It is not.

[37:00] The blessed hope. Of the saints. And that's. That's good. Because when you die. What goes to heaven? Your soul. Your soul.

[37:11] Your spirit. The immaterial part of you. What happens to the rest of you? I didn't say your shell. I didn't say that worthless part of you. What happens to the other part of you.

[37:23] That Jesus. Died for. Goes in the ground. That can't be the blessed hope of the Christian. To die. With. Part of me.

[37:33] In the ground. Yes. Still united to Christ. But. But. Still in mortality. And weakness. And corruption.

[37:46] No. The blessed hope of the Christian. Is the glorious appearing. Of our great God and Savior. Jesus Christ. For when he returns. It will be with the spirits of his saints.

[37:59] And the resurrection of their bodies. Joined together. To be with the Lord. And with our. Our. Saved loved ones. Forever and ever. That's the blessed hope.

[38:10] And so we should ever keep our eyes. Not so much upon death. Yes. When we think of death. And face death. It. It is something precious to us. It is something precious to us. Because of Jesus. But. Let us keep our eyes on that blessed hope.

[38:22] The full redemption. Of the body and soul. And the new heaven and the new earth. The home of righteousness. Forever and ever. That's the object of our happy hope. So let's ever be waiting.

[38:35] And looking. And longing. For Christ's return. When I was in Arizona. I was reading the. Life of a man named Archibald Brown. He later.

[38:45] Preached. As a successor to Charles Spurgeon. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle. And. The book told about his conversion. I think I'd like to teach through the book itself.

[38:57] Just in a week or two. In our class. But. He told about his conversion. And I just want to close with. This. Ian Murray's book.

[39:08] Summarizes. About this man named Arthur Blackwood. High society man. Important position in the treasury department. A gambling socialite.

[39:20] Popular in high. London society circles. But someone witnessed to him. And at the age of 24. He was gloriously. Made a new man in Christ. And at once he began to seize every opportunity.

[39:32] To speak of his savior. And to overcome a stammer in the process. He married in 1858. And began a Monday night Bible study. Or Monday night meeting in their home. Even while continuing his position at the treasury.

[39:44] Invited all kinds of people. And preached the gospel to him. This is in London, England. He preached. And the first to be saved was a policeman. The numbers attending became so large.

[39:55] That his wife could write. After a time it became necessary. To make a weekly clearance. On Monday evenings. Of our dining room. Library and hall. Which together with the staircase. Made room for between 200 and 250 people.

[40:07] In summer the garden door was open. And many sat out in the twilights. And it was there that this Archibald Brown. Later successor to Spurgeon. Went as a rebellious 16 year old.

[40:19] At the invitation of a Sunday school teacher. Went and heard Mr. Blackwood. And Brown later says. Before he had been speaking 10 minutes. I felt that I was listening to one.

[40:31] Who believed every word he spoke. At the end of the meeting. He came straight up to me. Put his hand on my shoulder. And looking me in the face. With those loving eyes of his. Said young man. You are a stranger here.

[40:43] Are you a Christian? I confessed at once. That I was not. And had no great desire to be. I think I can now hear him saying. How sad.

[40:57] How sad. The question hooked itself into my heart. For two days I had no rest. And this careless young man later said. I was cursing and swearing on Monday.

[41:08] Before the meeting. And singing God's praises at noon on Wednesday. That quick the Lord arrested him. Well many others were saved. Through this witness and preaching.

[41:20] Of Arthur Blackwood. He went on to distinguish himself. At the English treasury. He was knighted by the queen. Sir Arthur was taken ill on the continent. And hurried back to London.

[41:30] For medical attention. He was found to be beyond all medical care. The doctor gave him the news. That he had only a few hours to live. Shortly after hearing this. When the nurse entered his room.

[41:41] It was to see his face shining with joy. As he told her. And. And. Oh nurse. I have had such a beautiful bit of news.

[41:54] Such a beautiful bit of news. What is that Sir Arthur? She asked. Oh. He replied. I am going to be with Jesus tonight.

[42:05] Tonight. Now that's. Death precious. To the believer. Precious in the sight of the Lord. Is the death of the saints. Only Jesus can make death that precious.

[42:18] But when it comes our time to die. We think. What a beautiful bit of news. I am going to be with Jesus. Tonight. Today. Today.

[42:29]  You will be with me. In paradise. In paradise.