Losing the Battle, but Winning the War

At the short, simple and lovely Memorial Service for Sharon at the Kingdom Hall yesterday, the brother conducting read a message that Sharon had left for us.

She wanted us to know that she had lost the battle, but won the war.

She had lost her battle against cancer, which was valiantly fought, but which overwhelmed her in the end.  But she won the war to endure to the end as a faithful servant of Jehovah.

Jesus said:  "But the one who has endured to the end will be saved." - Matthew 24:13

We have to endure faithfully to the end of our lives, or until Armageddon  - whichever comes first.

And these beautiful words from Job were read:

 "If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes.  You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands." - Job 14:14,15

Jehovah too looks forward to the time when he can begin to call the dead from their dreamless sleep. It won't be until the wicked have been removed and the earth is truly at peace.   Nature will no longer be "red in tooth and claw" when Sharon opens her eyes again.