How did Paul know he had completed his appointed task? The Lord Jesus revealed it to him. May God grant that each of us may be walking in heavenly places so that when our time comes, the Lord Jesus may be able to rejoice our heart with the announcement we have completed our assigned task to His total satisfaction.

Each of God's conquering saints lives for the moment when Jesus says to him or her, "Well done, well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of your Lord."

There are no words in any language more blessed than these. Truly, this is the greatest reward that can come to any human being.

Christ's commendation had come to Paul of Tarsus.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (II Timothy 4:8)

Peter also had been notified of his own homecoming:

Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. (II Peter 1:14)

We understand, therefore, that death is not meant to be the cutting down of the believer by tragic circumstances at some unfortunate, ill-timed hour. As is true of all other areas of our Christian experience, our physical death is to come as a normal, necessary aspect of our pilgrimage.

Death is just one more act of obedience to Christ—the next figure in the dance, as C. S. Lewis would put it.

Our physical death is the completion of our work on earth (until we return to earth in our glorified body on the Day of Resurrection), and the beginning of our new assignment in the spirit realm.

Our only regret is the temporary parting from our loved ones. And that separation is but for a brief season while they are completing their assigned responsibilities.

The Lord will continue to care for them and us as He always has.

I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. (from A Time To Be Born and a Time To Die; from John, Chapter Seventeen)