On resurrection day, the tunnel of death will seem like a brief rest. The dead are not aware of time passing. Those who have accepted Christ as their Saviour, will be awakened from sleep by His wonderful voice coming down to earth.

The hope of resurrection has a companion: the hope of a heavenly home, “the hope that is stored up for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). The Bible is full of advertisements for that perfect home in the Father’s house. Its inhabitants cheerfully “obey God’s commandments,” and “remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 12:17, 14:12). God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

Those who love God don’t have to fear death. Beyond it lies an eternity of real, physical, joyful, fulfilling life with God. Jesus holds “the keys of death” (Revelation 1:18). Without Christ, death would be a one-way street ending in oblivion, the abyss that lies at the end of the road of sin. But Christ can unlock the grave. With Christ there is hope: a bright, radiant hope.