“We cherish too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led.
It seems to signal to the sky’s
That blood of heroes never dies.”

But unfortunately the last enemy has not yet been vanquished. What is the last enemy? The last enemy is not Nazism, Fascism, Communism, radical Islam, ignorance, nor humanistic liberalism. The Word of God tells us that the last enemy that all humanity has to deal with is death. (I Corinthians 15:26)

This Memorial Day as we stand by the gravesides of our loved ones and remember those who died in the service of our country, we can have the hope and assurance that the last enemy, death, will one day soon be destroyed. Why can we possess that blessed hope?

First – PRECIOUS in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15. God cares for those who pass through the valley of death. The great soldier King David had that hope and assurance. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me . . . And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:4, 6). When the Jesus was shown the tomb of Lazarus “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Jesus cares!

Second – PROMISE of life eternal is provided for all who will believe and receive God’s Son as their sacrifice for sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin and death entered all of Adam’s children. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But we have this wonderful promise. “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:21-22).

Third – POWER over the last enemy was won over 2,000 years ago when Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world and arose victorious over death, hell, and the grave. Jesus gave a victory cry from the cross before he died in our place – “IT IS FINISHED” (John 19:30) The Apostle Paul tells us about the wonderful change that the bodies of those who “died in Christ” will under go when the living Christ returns from heaven. (I Corinthians 15 and I Thessalonians 4:12; 5:1-12.)

Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19). Do you possess the victory that Christ won for us over death, hell, and the grave? Even ancient Job looked forward to the victory. “I know when my body worms destroy, in my flesh I shall behold Him” (Job 19:26).
Fourth – PARADISE awaits those who by faith repent of their sin and receive God’s gift of grace. Jesus said to the penitent thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Paul assures us that “to be absent from the body is to present with the Lord”

The book of Revelation addresses the final conquering of the last enemy. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying, and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away . . . Behold I make all things new” (Revelation 21:1-7).

This Memorial Day I hope you take time to remember and honor those who died in service to our country to maintain the freedoms we hold dear. But also remember the One who conquered the last enemy. When the Lord instituted the Lord’ Supper as our memorial and worship to Him, He said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:24-25).

You can possess that victory and hope over the last enemy – death.

A) Admit you have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

B) Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

C) Confess and leave your sin. “IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).