THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Psalm sixty-seven proclaims, ‘God is for us a God of salvation; in the strength of the Lord Almighty is the gateway of death.’ What could be more explicit? The essence of salvation lies in Jesus, whose name signifies Saviour. This significance was assigned to Him even before His virgin birth, as it was foretold: ‘But thou shalt bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins’ (Matthew 1:21). Since His blood was offered for the atonement of these sins, He had no alternatives in leaving this life except through death. Thus, following the declaration, ‘God is God unto us for salvation,’ it is immediately stated, ‘In the power of the Lord Almighty the gates of death,’ indicating that He shall bring salvation through His own death. The concluding words are expressed with an element of astonishment, implying, ‘Such is the nature of mortal existence that even for the Lord Himself, the only exit is through death.’
For in the authority of the Lord lies the entrance to death, as stated in the Psalms. Now, since He addresses those who anticipate death and speaks from the perspective of one awaiting death, what could He possibly imply about Himself when He declares, "Whoever keeps My word shall not see death forever," if not that He intended to refer to a different kind of death from which He came to rescue us—the second death, the eternal separation from God, the torment of hell, the death of punishment alongside the devil and his angels? This represents the true death, for earthly death is merely a transition. And what does this earthly death signify?
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It signifies the departure of the soul from the body, a shedding of a heavy load, unless, of course, one takes on additional burdens that lead to damnation. Concerning this very death, the Lord proclaimed: "He that keepeth My word shall never see death forever."
Grace is greatly emphasized in this passage. Who can be truly secure unless He personally provides healing? However, you might wonder, "Why do we face death if we are saved by His grace?" The answer is given: "And to the Lord is the outcome of death," suggesting that we should not be surprised or resentful, O children of humanity, that we are destined for death. Even our Lord experienced death. Thus, it is better to find solace rather than resentment, for death was also part of the Lord's experience. We are saved through hope; and if we are hoping for what we cannot see, we await its fulfillment with patience. (Rom.
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8:24-25) Consequently, even death is something we endure with patience, following the example of Him who, although He had no sin, was the Lord and possessed life that no one could take from Him, yet willingly chose to lay it down, thereby experiencing death Himself.