Hi atpollard,
Blessings to you through Messiah Yahushua, My YAHWEH and My ELOHIM!
You replied to me:
"The power of death does not belong to Satan, but to God."
Actually, right here we do somewhat agree. As it is written concerning YAHWEH:
Deuteronomy 32:39
39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no elohim with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
We know that YAHWEH has the power to preserve HIS Holy Ones. Since Satan no longer has the power of death (according to your just expressed belief), is it YAHWEH then that takes the lives of Christians when they die? How could this possibly be if Yahushua paid your death penalty in your stead in order to reconcile YAHWEH to all of you? Does this reconciliation obtained by the Cross of Messiah Yahushua only last until YAHWEH decides to kill you?
You asked:
"Was the Apostle Stephen under Grace, and did he die?
Was Paul under Grace and did he die?
John? Peter?"
The vast majority of the first century believers in Messiah were martyred. I personally believe that the Apostle John remains or yet abides preserved as one of Messiah's witnesses. I also believe that Mary, the Mother of Yahushua, is still alive with John.
You further asked:
"Why should I expect to escape death?"
The record for Christians reveals that none among them escape death. They cannot escape death because of their false belief. They all believe in a substitutional Savior. If Yahushua died in your stead, perhaps HE does also now live in the stead of all Christian believers.
You made this observation:
"If you plan on never tasting death, then good luck with that plan."
It is written in Hebrews:
Hebrews 2:9
9 But we see Yahushua, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of ELOHIM should taste death for every man.
I do not believe that Yahushua tasted death in my stead. I believe that Yahushua drew me to HIS Cross so that I could understand that I did indeed die with HIM. If HE through HIS love helped me to already taste death, what need do I have to taste death again?
Thanking you in advance should you be moved to reply, I am,
Sincerely, Latuwr