[W]hen the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9 (ESV)

Those who campaign for the right to die often base their case on a sentimental, unspoken assumption that death brings the end of suffering; when the alternative is dehumanizing affliction, death seems the lesser of two evils. Rather than relieve human suffering, if a person dies without Christ, a life of eternal suffering has just begun.

Writing to encourage persecuted, Thessalonian Christians, Paul reminds them of God’s just judgment (v. 5); although they suffer now, Jesus will return to grant them relief (v. 7). Though they seem dehumanized, they should persevere, because when Jesus comes, He will be glorified in them (v. 10). He will renew them to make them like Himself. They will be transformed into the likeness of the Perfect Man, and so will become fully and truly human.

In contrast, those who afflict the Thessalonians will find themselves repaid with affliction (v. 6). Indeed, the Lord Jesus will inflict vengeance on all who do not obey the gospel (v. eight). Their punishment is eternal suffering (v. 9)—not annihilation and the end of consciousness, but everlasting, conscious ruin. They will be shut out from the gracious and glorious presence of the Lord (v. 9). It is in hell, and not in the temporary sufferings of earth, that men and women are truly dehumanized. So the promises of those who advocate the right to die are tragically mistaken. For non-Christians, death never brings peace; true peace can only come through the Lord.

“Informed consent” is a prime standard in medical ethics. Patients must be apprised in advance of the potential consequences of their treatment. For this reason, pill bottles bear warning labels, and those facing surgery must sign waivers that detail what might go wrong. It is ironic then that doctors who take care to list possible side effects ignore the greatest “side effect” conceivable, the eternal loss of access to the Great Physician.

The Church must make sure that those who “consent” to an escapist death are “informed” of the eternal consequences. Christians must not be complicit in offering false hope to those who suffer.1 Otherwise, they may be charged justly with spiritual malpractice.
 
Footnotes:
 
1  See Kairos Journal article, “Homicidal ‘Chaplaincy.'”
 
 First Baptist Church of  Perryville is located at 4800 West Pulaski Highway, Perryville, MD.