Although dealing with death is a natural part of life, it can be difficult on an emotional and spiritual level.
Christians look to the Bible for guidance regarding death, including whether or not we should celebrate an end.
Even though a closer examination reveals a more nuanced and compassionate interpretation, some Bible verses encourage commemorating someone’s passing.
Rejoice In Death Scripture
It can be challenging to accept death as an inevitable part of life. When a loved one passes away, we may feel various emotions, such as sadness, rage, and confusion.
Some may question whether it is appropriate to celebrate someone’s passing amid these feelings.
The Bible verses in this article generally emphasize the importance of demonstrating empathy and compassion towards those who are grieving, even though there are some circumstances where rejoicing may be appropriate, such as when someone is saved from a trying situation or when justice is served against evil.
Matthew 5:4 (ESV) – God Will Comfort those Who mourn
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Psalm 116:15 (ESV) – Death Isn’t The end
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalm 30:5 (ESV) – God’s Anger Is For A Moment
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
John 14:1-4 (ESV) – Believe In God
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) – God Is Our Protector
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 25:8 (ESV) – God Will Take Away Death From Us
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (ESV) – Be Of Good Courage
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Revelation 21:4 (ESV) God Will Wipe Our Tears Away
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV) God Is Our Provider
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …
Revelation 14:13 (ESV) – Listen To The Voice Of God
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. …
Romans 15:13 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Luke 16:22 (ESV)
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,
Psalm 66:8-12 (ESV)
Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
Luke 23:43 (ESV)
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 10:17 (ESV)
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
Revelation 7:15-17 (ESV)
“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Philippians 1:23 (ESV)
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
1 Corinthians 15:52-57 (ESV)
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. …
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV)
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 14:16 (ESV)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Lamentations 3:31-33 (ESV)
For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.
Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Romans 12:15 (ESV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
John 14:1(ESV)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
Isaiah 66:12-14 (ESV)
For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies
What Does The Bible Say About Rejoicing When Someone Dies?
The Bible encourages us to have compassion and love for one another, even in death. However, some verses in the Bible might be unclear when it comes to celebrating an end.
Let’s examine what the Bible says in more detail regarding this.
First, it’s crucial to understand that the Bible does not encourage us to celebrate when someone passes away. The Bible instructs us to mourn with the grieving and weep with the weeping (Romans 12:15). We are responsible for providing support and comfort to those grieving.
However, there are a few places in the Bible where celebrating a person’s passing is mentioned. One such instance can be seen in Revelation 18:20, where it is written, “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” This passage expresses joy over Babylon’s destruction as a representation of evil and corruption.
Psalm 58:10 provides another example: “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.” This verse is frequently interpreted as praising the triumph of sound and the execution of God’s justice.
It’s important to realize that these passages do not advocate celebrating a person’s passing but instead celebrating the victory of right over wrong and realizing God’s justice. Even if we believe justice has been served, we still owe it to those grieving to be kind and supportive.
Conclusion
The Bible does not encourage us to celebrate death but emphasizes the significance of demonstrating sympathy and compassion for grieving people.
These are not typical reactions to death, though there may be circumstances where they are appropriate, such as when someone is saved from a dangerous situation or when justice is carried out against evil.
On the other hand, the Bible encourages us to comfort the grieving and weep with those who mourn.
This does not mean that we should ignore the hope and joy that we have in Christ, but rather that we should express these things in a way that is sensitive and respectful to those who are hurting.
Ultimately, our response to death should reflect our faith in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness and our hope in the promise of eternal life.
