"I cannot escape death, but I can escape the fear of it." --Epictetus
Someone has said, "The only certain about life is death." Oscar Wilde said, "One can survive everything nowadays--except death!" According to Billy Graham, we are all sitting on Death Row and the Grim Reaper may call for us at any moment. Actually, from the time of maturity we begin to die--slowly, but surely, Life is composed of stages to be appreciated like seasons of life and there are pros and cons to each one--some don't have the privilege to get old, so we should not complain about it. Matthew Henry said that we should live each day as if it were our last. "There is but a step between me and death" (1 Sam. 20:3). If you don't believe you should get ready, also be reminded that the Rapture will come as a thief in the night--so get ready for that. Sometimes it seems that we are taken in our prime of life--Hezekiah protested this and was told to get his house in order pronto, but God granted him 15 more years. "For it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). The Bible declares, "What man is he that lives, and shall not see death?" (Psa. 89:48).
I've heard it said that cancer is not terminal--life is. To get a divine perspective we should look at Paul who said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." All of life should prepare us. (I am a realist like Jesus himself, and not trying to be morbid.) The day of death should be better than the day of birth (when there is always celebration--funerals are sometimes called celebrations of life. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Psa. 116:15). Solomon says that it is better to go into the house of mourning than the house of mirth. Sorrow is better than laughter. Mourning doesn't necessarily mean so much weeping and wailing as remembering. We talk and celebrate our birthdays but often don't remember death days or make it special. Alfred, Lord Tennyson said in his poem, In Memoriam, "God's finger touched him, and he slept." We use euphemisms like passing away or expire instead of dying and don't say "killed himself" but "was led to take his life."
We all want to leave a legacy and be remembered for the best in us--especially the influence we had or the changes and impacts we made. Epictetus said, "We cannot avoid death, but we can avoid any fear of it" (which is sin). To be ready it helps to think of epithets that we would like to be remembered by loving father, brother, husband, and son (they help us to live up to them while we are here).
Usually, people tell the truth on their death bed (they've got nothing to lose). Voltaire, said, "I must die abandoned by God and man." Great people are often known for their famous last word, some quotable ones: "The best of all is, God is with us! Farewell! Farewell!" (J. Wesley). "This is my triumph, this is my coronation day! It is glorious!" (D. L. Moody). "When I am gone, speak less of Dr. Carey and more of Dr. Carey's savior!" (William Carey, the father of modern missions). "I die hard, but I am not afraid to go!" (G. Washington). "Behold, I die, but God shall be with you" (Jacob). The sting of death is gone for us and death is but a transition or a door to our real home.
"We are just passing through only one life, twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last." When we give money to God's work we will be rewarded accordingly: Like the man who wondered about his humble dwelling for all eternity and was told that that was all they could build with what he sent up. Saint Francis of Assisi was prepared for death so much that they saw him tending his garden and asked him what he would do if he only had one more hour to live: "I would finish this row." Someone was asked how he would spend his last 24 hours of life and he said, "One hour at a time." Tomorrow doesn't belong to us so we are to enjoy our life in the here and now and not live in the future which may never happen.
The best way to prepare for death is to be sure of our salvation: the deathbed may too late for conviction and enlightenment. We should make our peace with God without delay. Deathbed conversions are rare; usually, their hearts are hardened by then. Doubting our salvation is healthy and one should have a biblical basis for faith because there is such a thing as "false assurance." John Knox said, "Live in Christ, live in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death." We should go out with a bang and make a mark: "He died climbing!" Soli Deo Gloria!