Death
Most of the fear associated with death is due to a lack of understanding and preparation. Notice what the Bible has revealed concerning the subject of death.
Why Do We Die? Some would answer this question by saying that the heart stops beating, the blood stops flowing, and the brain stops functioning. While true biologically, this is not the root cause of why men die. In Eden, God commanded: “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:17). Adam and Eve transgressed this commandment and were cast out of the garden. As a result, access to the tree of life was cut off and physical death came into the world (Gen. 3:22). Thus, “in Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15:22). We die physically because of the sin of Adam.
What Is Death? The word death simply means separation. Physical death occurs when man’s life-giving spirit departs from his body (Jas. 2:26). At the creation: “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). In death, “The dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). A man dies when his spirit departs his body.
Who Will Die? The reality is: “It is appointed for men to die…” (Heb. 9:27). No matter how strong one may be, “No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, And no one has power in the day of death…” (Eccl. 8:8). The rule is, all will die. The only exception will be those who are alive when Christ returns (1 Thess. 4:17).
Is Death The End? Jesus said, “The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (Jn. 5:28-29). When the Lord returns, all the dead will be resurrected. After this, Judgment will take place (Heb. 9:27). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). At the Judgment, men will either be granted eternal life in Heaven or be sentenced to eternal death in Hell (Matt. 25:31-46).
Can Death Be Viewed Positively? The wise man said that “the day of death” is better “than the day of one’s birth” (Eccl. 7:1). This is only true for the one who has prepared for death by living for the Lord (Phil. 1:21). Death, for a faithful servant of the Lord, is viewed as a blessing because they will rest from their labors and enter into Heaven (Rev. 14:13; 22:14). Thus, the death of God’s people is precious in His sight (Ps. 116:15).
David Eldridge
