Oftentimes it is said of one who dies following a long period of suffering that he or she is "better off" now that death has put an end to the physical miseries observed by loved ones. But is he better off? Is she really out of her misery?

According to the Bible, whether one is better off at death depends upon how one dies. Jesus said, "If ye believe not that I am He [the Son of God], ye shall die in your sins" and "whither I go, ye cannot come" (John 8:21-24). To die in your sins is to pass out of this world into torment, eternally doomed to bear judgment for those sins. Is this "better off?" NO, a thousand times NO!

The only other way to die is "in faith" (Hebrews 11:13) and "in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13). To die in the Lord is to die being safe from all judgment under the shelter of the finished work of Christ, and thus to enjoy eternal blessedness with Him forever.Then indeed the departed one is "better off," for he or she is "with Christ which is far better" (Philippians 1:23).