The Bridge Which Leads to the Paradise of God
Having God as our portion gives us the confidence to face death and look forward to eternal life and glory.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that for believers, God is their ultimate portion, making death a welcome transition rather than a source of fear. He argues that those who have only worldly possessions should fear death, but saints should invite it as it leads to paradise and eternal joy in God's presence. Death is portrayed as a bridge to heavenly delights, immortality, and a deeper relationship with God. Brooks encourages believers to embrace death as a means to experience the fullness of life and glory that awaits them.
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If God is a believer's portion, then never let a believer
be afraid to die, or unwilling to die. Let those be afraid
to die--who have only this world for their portion here,
and hell for their portion hereafter. But let not a saint be
afraid of death--who has the Lord of life for his portion.
One who has God for his portion should rather invite
death--than tremble at it. He should rather sweetly
welcome it--than turn his back upon it; for death to
such a one is but . . .
the way to paradise,
the way to all heavenly delights,
the way to life, immortality, and glory,
the way to everlasting springs of pleasure,
the way to a clear, full, constant, and eternal enjoyment of God.
Death is the bridge which leads to the paradise of
God. All the hurt that it can do, is to bring a believer to
a full enjoyment of God, his everlasting portion.
Sermon Outline
- God as the believer's portion
- Death as the bridge to paradise
- The comfort of knowing God as our portion
- The confidence of facing death with God as our portion
- The benefits of death for believers
- The contrast between believers and unbelievers
Key Quotes
“Death is the bridge which leads to the paradise of God.” — Thomas Brooks
“One who has God for his portion should rather invite death--than tremble at it.” — Thomas Brooks
“Death to such a one is but . . . the way to paradise,” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should welcome death as the way to paradise and a full enjoyment of God.
- Having God as our portion gives us the confidence to face death and look forward to eternal life and glory.
- Believers should not be afraid of death, but rather see it as a bridge to eternal life and glory.