To make matters worse… the subject of death is reluctantly spoken of by a majority of people. I have found that bringing up the subject of death brings out a variety of responses from fascination and anticipation to dread and even the denial of its very existence.
One thing that we all can agree on, apart from the miracle of Christ’s second coming, we all will experience death someday. For some of us, death will not touch our lives for many years… for others death will be just around the corner.
It is because of this universality of death that we must be willing come to an understanding of what it is and how it will affect us. In this study, we will try to find out what the Bible means when it speaks of “death”. The Bible teaches us about the “event” of death and the “results” of death as well.
THE SCRIPTURE:
2Tim 1:10 (KJV)
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
THE STUDY:
WHAT IS DEATH ?
The easiest way to understand the Bible definition of “death” is to think of death as a separation. Biblically, death has two aspects to it… a physical aspect and a spiritual aspect. Both aspects can be thought of as a separation that takes place.
The physical aspect of death…
Physically, death is defined Biblically as the separation of the spirit from the body, in Philippians we have this type of death being spoken of:
Phil 1:20-24
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I know not. For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
(Here, we find Paul speaking of physical death as a departure of his spirit from the earth to his heavenly Father; while his body remains testifying to his death. However, he believed that it was better for the believers in Philippi that his spirit would continue to abide in his fleshly body.)
The spiritual aspect of death…
Spiritually, death is the separation of man from God.
Ps 5:4-5 (KJV)
For thou [art] not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Isa 59:1-2
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.
In Isa 59: we can see that due to the sin that is in our lives results in separation from the Lord. Due to our sinful nature we all are living in a state of spiritual separation from the Lord. This spiritual separation is described as death in 1 John 3:14-15…
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
WHY DO WE ALL DIE?
In both cases, physical and spiritual death come upon us due to our sinful natures which we have inherited through our descent from Adam. We are all fallen creatures, therefore we all must face death someday.
Rom 5:12-21 (KJV)
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:… Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come… For if through the offence of one many be dead, … And not as [it was] by one that sinned,… For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; … Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; … For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, … That as sin hath reigned unto death,…
Repeatedly in Romans 5:, we find the principle of death coming upon us due to our sinful condition. This sinful, fallen nature was received by man as the physical descendents of Adam.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER INPORTANT PRINCIPLES THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT DEATH?
Because we are spiritually dead, we cannot, of our own ability, give ourselves life.
A dead body cannot revive itself using CPR. Likewise, a person who is spiritually dead can do nothing to give their self life.
Eph 2:1-3 (KJV)
And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
In the above verses, we find that the Lord is the One that gives life (quickens) to those who cannot help themselves due to their sinful, dead condition. Notice in verse three, the Bible clearly says that those who are in the spiritually dead condition are “by nature the children of wrath”. This brings us to our next point…
The sinful condition of those who are spiritually dead results in God’s wrath.
This wrath filled separation from God takes place following physical death.
Rev 20:11-15 (KJV)
11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Please notice that this final consignment to the lake of fire is called “the second death”. Why is this? Again, the principle of separation is brought forth. At the second death, sinful mankind will be placed in a state of eternal separation from God.
After looking at death, it’s definition, it’s aspects, and it’s effects…. We now have one more question to answer…. Is there anyway that we can escape death and it’s results?...
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Physical death is a certainty for all of us…. apart from the Lord Jesus Christ’s 2nd coming to this earth all mankind must face death someday.
But just as deliverance from physical death can only come at the hands of Christ, so too, those who are spiritually dead can only receive life through the intervention of Christ on the cross….
Rom 5:6-11 (KJV)
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
For those who have never come to a life changing belief in an Existing God…
It is only through repentance and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and his work on the cross that sinful mankind will receive spiritual life and the assurance of an eternity with God. Although all mankind is conceived in a state of spiritual death, our great Lord can bestow life to a sinful fallen man….
2Tim 1:10 (KJV)
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
For those who have experienced God’s grace in their lives…
You have nothing to fear when face death… if you know that you have received God’s forgiveness through the shed blood of Christ on the cross, you can rest assured that following your death, you will enter into a glorious eternity with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…
Rev 21:1-7 (KJV)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
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