4FPW Index

Bible Study 15
What Happens At Death?

For what good reason did Jesus reprove the Sadducees and teachers of His day?
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."
Matthew 22:29

Then, if we want to know the truth about the subject of death, to what reliable source should we turn?
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
Isaiah 8:19, 20

What does the Bible say happens to a person at death?
"Then shall the dust return to earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
Ecclesiastes 12:7

This simple statement of Scripture agrees fully with the Genesis record. At the creation of humanity, what two elements did God combine to make Adam a living soul?
"And 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."
Genesis 2:7

Note: Here are the same two elements mentioned in Ecclesiastes 12:7. The "dust of the ground" is the body, and the "breath of life" is the "spirit" that comes from God. God did not put a living soul in Adam! Adam became a living soul after God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. A light bulb cannot turn on without electricity. The light turns on only when the light bulb and electricity unite. When the electricity is turned off, the light ceases to exist. According to the Bible, when the breath departs from the body, the soul ceases to exist. Here is the simple equation:

DUST + SPIRIT = LIVING SOUL
DUST - SPIRIT = DEAD PERSON

Can we be sure that the Scripture expressions "breath of life" and "spirit" mean the same?
"All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils."
Job 27:3

Note: Here is the equation once more:

DUST + BREATH (or spirit) = LIVING SOUL
DUST - BREATH (or spirit) = DEAD PERSON

What the Bible Says About the Human Condition in Death

There is no thought:
"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish."
Psalm 146:4

There is no knowledge:
"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."
Ecclesiastes 9:5

There is no emotion:
"Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 9:6

There is no activity:
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
Ecclesiastes 9:10

There is no praise to God:
"The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence."
Psalm 115:17

"For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?"
Psalm 6:5

How did Jesus explain "death" to His disciples?
"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead."
John 11:11-14

When did Martha expect her brother, Lazarus, to live again?
"Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha said unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
John 11:23, 24

Note: Martha was a close friend and follower of Jesus. She had listened attentively to what He taught about death, and she believed the dead would be raised in the Resurrection at the last day as Christ promised.

When can we expect the resurrection of all those who have died believing in Jesus?
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
1 Corinthians 15:22, 23

According to the Bible, whose voice will the dead hear before their resurrection?
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
John 5:28, 29

According to Paul, when are the saints resurrected and taken to heaven?
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17

At the resurrection, how will our bodies be changed?
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
Philippians 3:20, 21

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples. Did He, as many suppose, have a "spirit body"?
"Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
Luke 24:36-39

Note: Even though the resurrected body of Jesus was made up of "flesh and bones," the disciples still did not believe Him. "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." Luke 24:41-43

Thought Promise:

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
Revelation 1:18

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