The Spiritual Man

(^4 4)
Overcoming Death
The experience of overcoming death is not unusual
among saints. By the blood of the lamb the Israelites
were protected from the hand of the death angel who
slew the first-born of Egypt. In the name of the Lord
David was saved from the paws of the lion and the bear
and also from the hand of Goliath. By casting some meal into the pot
Elisha drove death out of it (2 Kings 4.38-41). Shadrach, Meshech
and Abednego suffered no harm in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3.16-27).
Daniel witnessed God shutting the mouths of the lions when he was
thrown into their den. Paul shook off a deadly viper into the fire and
experienced no harm (Acts 28.3-5). Enoch and Elijah both were
raptured to heaven without tasting death—perfect examples of death
being overcome.
It is God’s aim to bring His children through the experience of
overcoming death now. To triumph over sin, self, the world, and
Satan is necessary; but victory is not complete without a
corresponding triumph over death. If we wish to enjoy a complete
victory we must destroy this last enemy (1 Cor. 15.26). We will leave
one foe unconquered if we fail to experience the triumph over death.
There is death in nature, death in us, and death from Satan. The
earth lies under a curse; it is therefore ruled by that curse. If we
desire to live victoriously on this earth, we will have to ovecome the
death which is in the world. Death is in our body. On the day we are
born it begins to work in us; or which of us from that day onward
does not commence traveling towards the tomb? Do not view death
merely as a “crisis”; it is pre-eminently a progressive matter. It is
already in us and is gradually and relentlessly devouring us. Our
release from this earthly tent is but the crisic consummation of the
protracted working of death. It can strike at our spirit, depriving it of