The Christian's view of death is different from that of the great unbelieving mass of people in the world. Christians look at it as a journey and departure out of this misery and vale of tears (where the devil is prince and god) into yonder life, where there will be inexpressible and glorious joy and eternal blessedness. Diligently they study the art of looking at death in this way. Daily they practice it, and earnestly they ask our dear Lord Jesus to grant them a blessed hour of departure and to comfort them in it with His Spirit, that they may commit their soul to Him with true faith, understanding and confession. To such people death is not terrible but sincerely welcome, especially in this last, dangerous time. For, as Scripture says, death takes them away before the calamity comes. They enter into peace and rest in their chambers.Martin Luther, who fell asleep in Jesus on this day in 1546. Quote from "What Luther Says," volume one, page 382
