What is…
death
and why does it exist? why does it exist? when will it end?
The whole world lives in the fear of death, to one extent or another.
Your self is not your body
“And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” —Genesis 2:7
“That the human self involves more than the body is clear to all except the most rigorous material determinists…” —Dr. R.C. Sproul, “The Origin of the Soul,” Tabletalk
Human souls never cease to exist
When considering the subject of death, it is first very important to understand that every Earthly human being consists of 2 most basic parts—a physical body and an invisible soul/spirit. The Earthly body is an arrangement of matter in which your soul temporarily dwells. A human body without a soul is lifeless; it cannot live. Like a husk, the physical body may be damaged, altered, grow old and be burned to smoke and ashes. Regardless of the body’s ultimate demise, you will continue to exist. Your soul is the real you, and it is eternal. It will always exist, because it is sustained by God’s power.
Why? It is our Creator’s will, but His purpose is not fully revealed. It was truly a wondrous thing when God created Adam and Eve “in His image” at the apex of the Creation Week.
- Immortality
- What is eternal life? and what does the Bible say about it?
- What is eternal death?
Physical death of humans and animals
Physical death is the effect of sin. It did not exist in the original Creation when Earth was a paradise.
- What kind of world would you create? Answer
- How did bad things come about? Answer
- What is the FALL OF MAN?
- What is SIN?
Physical death is but once, except for those rare people that have been raised from the dead.
…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment… —Hebrews 9:27 KJV
Death is is universal.
By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. —Genesis 3:19 NASB
Spiritual death
Due to the fallen nature of all mankind since the time of Adam, our souls are born spiritually dead—slaves to sin, and remain so if a person is not born-again in Christ.
“…dead in…trespasses and sins …following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind…” —Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV
“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” —Ephesians 5:14
See: Spiritual darkness
The Second Death
The “second death” (Rev. 2:11) is the everlasting eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unrepentant soul passes after their final judgment by God. Physical death is the first death, and eternal death is the second death.
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” —Rev. 21:8
See: Eternal death (the second death)
Death and resurrection of Christ
Jesus has by his own physical death and resurrection taken away its sting for all His true followers (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
The death of Christ is the procuring cause incidentally of all the blessings men enjoy on Earth. But especially, it is the procuring cause of the actual salvation of all his people, together with all the means that lead thereto.
It does not make their salvation merely possible, but certain (Matthew 18:11; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; 2:16; Romans 8:32-35).
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” —Hebrews 2:14 NASB
“Adam, by God’s design, was the representative for the whole of mankind. What he did affected all of us. The proof: we all sin. The proof: we all die. Adam’s one sin caused all the human race to fall into corruption, sin, and death. This explains life as we know it. …One act by the Lord Jesus Christ offering His life on the cross provides for His people the antidote to Adam’s sin. Adam’s sin brought death to all. Christ’s death brings life to all.” —Dr. John F. MacArthur, Litt.D., D.D., The Master’s Seminary
Jesus Christ, the Death Conqueror
- Is Jesus Christ a man, or is he God? Answer
- Is Jesus Christ really God? Answer
- Was Jesus Christ God, manifest in human form? Answer
- If Jesus is God, how could he die? If Jesus died on the cross, then how can he be alive today? Answer
- How did Jesus Christ die? Answer
- What is the resurrection of Christ?
- Why do we celebrate Easter? Answer
- The story of the resurrection—God’s Story: From Creation to Eternity
- What is resurrection of the dead?
About JESUS CHRIST—Answers to frequently-asked-questions- Will all mankind eventually be saved? Answer
Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on Christian Answers—full-length motion picture.
Discover the good news that Jesus Christ offers
Do you understand God’s Story? Take a multimedia journey through the Bible, from Creation to eternity. Hear and read an exciting summary of the Bible’s most important records, in chronological order.
Freedom from the fear of death
- How can I be and feel forgiven? Answer
- How can I be sure of my salvation? Answer
- Can a saved person become lost? Answer
- What is “the unpardonable sin”? How does sin become “unforgivable”? Answer
- FORGIVEN?—If God forgives me every time I ask, why do I still feel so guilty? Answer
- FEAR, Anxiety and Worry—What does the Bible say? Answer
- “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” —John 14:27 LSB
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How do we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me. —John 14:1-6 LSB- “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” —Hebrews 2:14-15 LSB
Aspects of death
Various aspects of death are represented in Scripture.
“The dust shall return to the earth as it was” (Eccl. 12:7).
“Thou takest away their breath, they die” (Psalm 104:29).
It is the dissolution of “our earthly house of this tabernacle” (2 Corinthians 5:1); the “putting off this tabernacle” (2 Peter 1:13, 14).
Being “unclothed” (2 Corinthians 5:3-4).
“Falling on sleep” (Psalm 76:5; Jeremiah 51:39; Acts 13:36; 2 Peter 3:9.
“I go whence I shall not return” (Job 10:21); “Make me to know mine end” (Psalm 39:4); “to depart” (Philippians 1:23).
Grave
The grave is represented as “the gates of death” (Job 38:17; Psalm 9:13; 107:18). The gloomy silence of the grave is spoken of under the figure of the “shadow of death” (Jeremiah 2:6).
zzzDeath as a punishment
See: Punishments mentioned in the Bible
Care for the physical body after death
Resurrection of the dead
- What is the RESURRECTION OF CHRIST?
- The Resurrection of Jesus
- What is the RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD?
- What are MIRACLES? includes list of Biblical miracles
The soul after physical death
- eternal life
- eternal death
- Heaven
- Hell
- final judgment
- Who is the being of light encountered in near-death experiences? Answer
Infant death
What is the eternal destiny of an infant who dies? Answer
Have questions about life before birth, or a woman’s choice about pregnancy and abortion? Discover reliable answers
Suicide
- SUICIDE—What does the Bible say? Answer
- If a Christian commits suicide, will they go to Heaven? Answer
Ghosts
- Does the Bible support the existence of GHOSTS—dead souls lingering on Earth? Answer
- What is a NECROMANCER?
- What is the OCCULT?
- THE OCCULT—What does the Bible say about it? Answer
Reincarnation
What does the Bible say about REINCARNATION?