1 Corinthians 15:42-49 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 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. So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. — the Apostle Paul

All our times have come

Here but now they’re gone

Seasons don’t fear the reaper

Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain

We can be like they are

— Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser

Much of our culture is solely focused on thwarting death, whether through extreme medical intervention, layers of cosmetic attempts to mask the effects of aging, or odd and unbiblical disciplines, but none of those have an ultimate outcome of overcoming death. For the Christian the ultimate outcome is Resurrection:”Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” — 1st John 3:2

With some rare (but notable) exceptions, the church has failed to give an understanding of death and eternity. Resurrection does not give us a nebulous ghostlike appearance, it gives us a physical body, perfect in function, and much like the body the resurrected Jesus presented. We will not reside among the clouds, relegated to playing harps, but will reside on a new earth that is perfect in every way.

… they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” — from Luke 24

The song “I can only imagine” really could be “I cannot even imagine…”

By the way, Buck Dharma said many years ago that he wrote the song “Don’t Fear The Reaper” anticipating an early death and never intended to imply suicide as the message.

Christian, don’t fear the reaper. If you don’t know Christ, however, you have not hope, “but a terrifying expectation of judgment.” (Hebrews 10:27)