What is the ugliest thing you have ever seen? Have you ever given this any thought? Just think about it for a moment and what do you think is the ugliest thing you have ever looked at? I remember when I was a teenager out of high school, I spent some time in Nash County with one of my uncles. Late one evening I took his double barreled shot gun and went to the woods to hunt some squirrels. While sitting on an old log, I saw some movement up in the top of a big oak tree. Out of a hole came the largest coon I had ever seen. In fact, I have never seen one any larger than that one since then. I slowly raised the gun, took careful aim, and fired both barrels. Down he came looking as big as a bear, I thought at first.

My uncle said he knew a woman who ate coon and would like to have it. So we loaded him up and took him to her house. As she came out the door, I saw the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I know she could not help it, but from a teen's perspective she looked like the witch on the broomstick at Halloween. I know that none of us can help how we look physically and I do not mean to be critical of this lady or anyone else. Poor soul. But ugly is ugly!

I have seen some ugly animals and birds. A crocodile, a hippopotamus, a buzzard, or a bat to name a few things. There are many things that to our eye, to put it plainly, are ugly. But I want to tell you about the ugliest thing I have ever seen or even know about. I am talking about seeing something that is uglier than any creature you have ever seen before. As you are now thinking about this subject, I know you have seen the ugliest thing in the world also. You may not have thought about it, or considered it at that time, but you too have seen it. What is it you ask? It is DEATH! Now, do you know of anything that is uglier than death? No, you don't if you look at it as it is. Be it a bird, an animal or a human, death is a ugly sight. A body that once had life and now lies still, cold, stiff and lifeless is awful beyond description. God gave all creatures life and He wanted them all to live, but death came, took life, and brought death, a sickening, and disgusting sight. When it is something or someone we love, what a painful experience, and we stand helpless. Praise God for the Comforter and the scriptures.

How Death Came About

Death came about because Adam went directly against what God said. When Adam ate forbidden fruit he died spiritually and the physical process set into his body. If he had died without salvation, he would have gone to hell. God intervened by providing a sacrifice, which is a picture of Jesus taking the sinner's place and paying for our sin.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:17

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 3:6

How Ugly Death Is

Did you know death is so ugly, that God is going to put it in a special place for eternity? Now that is how ghastly and ugly death is to God. That is why he warned Adam not to eat the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Where is it that death will be put? In the lake of fire forever.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15

Did you notice that all the unsaved of all ages will also be in the same lake of fire, with death, the devil, and all the demons. Therefore, these three will be together forever in Hell's fire. As stated earlier, death is truly ugly whether it is a fowl, animal or human, but it's at its worst when it has taken the life of a dear loved one.

Often we talk about how good someone looks who has passed away and is on display for family and friends to view. No, they do not look nice or good. They have been painted and made to look like they are sleeping. But they are dead and death is UGLY! Yes, they may look like the person we used to know and love. But they are dead! Death is not pretty. You cannot hide the ugliness of death with some paint and nice clothes.

Death is appointed for all. The doctors cannot prevent it and medicines are ineffective when it comes time to die. All kinds of exercise and eating the right foods will not keep death away. It is coming to all. There is an appointed time for all, as Job, from the Book of Job, knew. The scriptures as well, makes it very clear.

For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. Job 30:23

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. Ecclesiastes 8:8

The important concern about death is, to be prepared for that time. We know it is coming, but to die without Christ as our savior, will be an eternal, horrible, experience. 

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.  John 8:24

Jesus is warning, don't die in sin. Don't leave this world to suffer forever in hell!

There are three types of death:
Physical death - the body ceases to function.
Spiritual death - sinners who are dead to God.
Eternal death - to be eternally separated from God.

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Proverbs 8:36

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12

For Believers in Christ

"Praise the Lord," one day death is going to be gone forever! Death comes because of sin. Sin brought death into the world. It is the chief tool of Satan against man and the world we live in. If death is ugly to us, think of how ugly it is to God. It has spoiled His creation. But, praise the Lord, God has a plan to rid the world of death. There is coming a world without death or anything that is negative. Where we will be embraced with the love of God forever.

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: Hosea 13:14

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of  the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  1 Thessalonians 4:16

Believers Have No Fear of Death

As believers in Christ we do not have to fear death. Even when our bodies are touched by the grim reaper, we know one day our bodies will be raised again to never die, but live forever in Paradise with our Lord.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:   
John 11:25

Death Has Been Conquered

What good news that death has been conquered and will eventually be removed from the presence of God's people. Death has been our enemy, but Jesus has broken its power and all believers in Christ will live forever.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
Matthew 28:6-7

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 1:18

Heavenly Father, I pray for all our readers that they may know the Savior and have no fear of death, the ugliest and cruelest of experiences. Save any who are lost by revealing Jesus to their hearts, I pray in Jesus name. Amen, Preacher