The reality of death, especially for those who sense it’s nearness, is often terrifying. This is exactly why Satan wields the fear of death in enslaving untold countless souls and keeping them from Christ, who is the only Destroyer of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). But even for faithful Christians, approaching death is still often a frightening experience. John Bunyan vividly gets at this reality in his Pilgrim’s Progress when Christian, before entering into the Celestial City first needs to cross the river Jordan. But in abject fear he begins to panic, being swallowed up under the rivers cold waters and sinking down into its dark abyss; that is, until Christ reaches in and rescues his redeemed servant! I’ve never not cried when reading that portion of the story. It accurately describes the very real wavering many saints have when nearing that cold unknown.
