Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Blog
→
Three Differences Between Jesus and the Grim Reaper

Three Differences Between Jesus and the Grim Reaper

July 6, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Death, Grim Reaper

You’ve seen cartoons of the Grim Reaper, haven’t you? Artists depict his skeletal figure as clad in a black hooded cloak, carrying a scythe, waiting to reap his next victim (for the history of the figure see here).

If you read the news, the Grim Reaper is all over the headlines. There are riots and shootings and beatings and the virus. Politically speaking, people are set at each other’s throats, and it’s as though we’re all under the threat of an imminent, painful, and violent death—unless, of course, we give up our freedoms to the control of the wise and benevolent State.

Now, the truth is, we are appointed once to die (Heb 9:27). And what the Grim Reaper symbolizes is naturally scary. But should fear of death overwhelm your life? The Grim Reaper is a scary symbol, but I know Someone Who, as William Fischer puts it, is “the antithesis of the Grim Reaper” (Christian Freedom, p. 68). Jesus. Here are three differences.

First, Jesus isn’t a skeleton—He was raised from the dead in His flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).

Second, Jesus isn’t dressed in the black robes of death, but in the pure white robes of holiness and transfigured glory (cf. Mark 9:2–4)—although there will come a time when He’ll be wearing red (cf. Rev 19:13).

Third, and most importantly of all, instead of wanting to take your life, He wants to give it to you—

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Jesus makes all things new, including how believers see death itself:

“Jesus Christ and his redeeming work, confirmed by his resurrection from the dead, have given us an entirely new outlook on life and death” (Christian Freedom, p. 67).

Our culture needs that new outlook now more than ever.

Subscribe by Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Shawn_L

by Shawn Lazar

Shawn Lazar (BTh, McGill; MA, VU Amsterdam) was the Editor of Grace in Focus magazine and Director of Publications for Grace Evangelical Society from May 2012 through June 2022. He and his wife Abby have three children. He has written several books including: Beyond Doubt: How to Be Sure of Your Salvation and Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

Cart

Recently Added

January 30, 2023

Romans–Part 01–Introduction

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today and all this week, Ken Yates and Kathryn Wright are looking at the New Testament book of Romans....
January 30, 2023

The Great Physician (Luke 5:31)

In Luke 5:27-31, the author records the calling of the tax collector Levi (Matthew) by the Lord to be one of His disciples. This offends...
January 27, 2023

Who Are the Elect in 1 Peter 1:1-2 and in Romans 8:28-30? Are We to Understand the “Elect” in 1 Peter the Same as the “Predestined” in Romans 8?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates take up a question about election and predestination. What does the Bible say...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
  • Grace in Eclipse: A Study in Eternal Rewards (Second Edition) $15.00 $8.00
  • The Journey of Faith $15.00 $9.00
  • Inerrancy for Dummies $7.95 $5.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Hardcover) $13.95 $5.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube