To Die Is Gain: Laying Aside Our Earthly Dwelling

The Apostle Peter faces his impending martyrdom with calm resolve because Jesus had clearly revealed the manner and timing of his death. Peter had surrendered his life completely to Christ, recognizing that the Lord has absolute authority over His own, and that the highest purpose of any life is to glorify God—even through suffering and death.

This perspective transforms how believers view death: our earthly bodies are merely temporary tabernacles to be laid aside, like moving from an old house into our eternal home with the Lord. When God’s glory becomes our greatest treasure—more important than avoiding pain or protecting our felt needs—death shifts from something to fear into something desirable, because to depart and be with Christ is “very much better” (Phil 1:23). Peter’s example calls us to labor for the kingdom with our eyes fixed on that shared future glory.