Is There a Good Place to Die?

As the Allied D-Day assault on the beaches of France began in June 1944, the German military responded with barrage after barrage of withering machine gun and artillery fire, inflicting heavy casualties. But a lesser-known key battle took place days later at the La Fiere Bridge near Sainte-Mère-Eglise in Normandy. Allied paratroopers dropped into the area and were scattered, but some rallied together at the La Fiere Bridge, meeting fierce resistance from German troops. The battle raged for days, with American troops suffering heavy losses. Controlling the bridge was essential, so the battle continued against impossible odds. Captain John “Red Dog” Dolan of the 82nd Airborne Division reportedly rejected a recommendation to withdraw, stating, “We will hold here. There is no better place to die!” The paratroopers eventually captured the bridge and causeway, contributing greatly to the invasion’s success. The captain’s declaration reflected his dedication to the mission—so, let us consider his poignant words more deeply.

The book of Hebrews states that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This should motivate us to think about where we will be, mentally and spiritually, when our time comes. The Bible gives a godly perspective that, if adhered to, will establish our “place” when it occurs, bringing comfort and peace of mind.

Hebrews 11, recalling the inspiring examples of such biblical figures as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (v. 13). Yes, they did die—but Jesus Christ put their deaths in perspective: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28–29).

The prospect of judgment should motivate us to want to know what God wants us to do. On the Day of Pentecost in AD 31, those who heard the Apostle Peter’s powerful preaching were “cut to the heart” and asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:37–39).

Some may ask, “What sins?” The Bible gives a definition of sin stating that “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4, King James Version). Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). John was inspired to write, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Which commandments? Jesus answered this question for a young lawyer: “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother’” (Mark 10:19). Obviously, Jesus was referring to the Ten Commandments given anciently at Mt. Sinai—and they all stand together, as James wrote: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

Jesus explained that the commandments must be kept in the spirit as well as the letter of the law, making the law even more meaningful (Matthew 5:17–30). No, observing the commandments does not earn us salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). But the commandments are God’s standard of conduct. If we embark on the path of righteousness after repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit, we have a promise directly from Jesus Christ: “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Clearly, a good place to die is in the faith.

When your time comes, will you be in that good place?

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