Man's Death and Future Abode

Tonight’s subject is not pleasant to think about but it is one that is most certain: Death.

Again, we are comparing what we believe, alongside why we believe it. The “what” refers to the fact that we all die. The “what” is nearly universal across all aspects of life, whether it be various religions or simply a scientific acknowledgement that death is certain.

Where we differ from other religions and science in found in the “why”. As Christians we are not concerned with answering the question “why” we die on its own, which could be for a plethora of reasons, but we are concerned with the “why we die in the first place.” Let’s begin by defining...

What Death is:

Death is, very simply, separation. Separation of:

The soul and the spirit from the body.

Genesis 35:18 “18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.”

Psalm 146:4 “4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.”

Breath = spirit.

When this departure is made, the body returns to the dust from which it was made

Genesis 3:19 “19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

1 Corinthians 15:50–54 “50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Corruption speaks of the decay of our bodies, while incorruption refers to the new eternal states of our soul.

Understanding the definition of death is somewhat universal, it is a departure, separation from the physical world. Now we get into the meat of the matter, we ask...

Why do We Die?

There was, and still is, a running joke around our house that every time we read an article or see news report of some heinous crime take place, Melanie will ask, “Why does this happen?” or, “What causes someone to do something so terrible?” and I will answer, “Genesis 3.”

Sin changed everything. In fact, it was sin that made physical death a part of the curse in the first place.

Genesis 2:17 KJV 1900

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

That was the command, here is the curse: Genesis 3:19

Genesis 3:19 KJV 1900

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Romans 5:12 KJV 1900

12 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:

But physical death was only a small fraction of the curse. When Adam sinned he did not “die” immediately. Have you ever noticed that? God said, “Adam you will die when you eat of the fruit.” Adam ate the fruit, but didn’t keel over, so God must be a liar! WRONG!

God is not a liar. Adam sinned and Adam died. Remember, death = separation. When Adam sinned he was separated from God “Spiritually”. Here is another “wonderful” part of the curse. The spiritual death of Adam, our first father, was passed on to each of his descendants. Spiritual death is our inheritance. Joy of joys.

1 Corinthians 15:21–22 KJV 1900

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Thankfully, through Jesus, we can be redeemed and have our sinful condition covered by His blood. Here is the best part, though many believers have gone on before us, many of us will never taste physical death!

Believers alive when the rapture occurs will bypass physical death 1 Thess. 4:17

1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV 1900

17 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.

We will be joined or rather we will meet up with those saints who have gone before us in death.

The promise of not tasting death extends to those saints in the Tribulation who will be alive at the second coming as well Matt. 25:34

Matthew 25:34 KJV 1900

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:46 KJV 1900

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

In short, we die because of our sinful nature inherited at the fall of man. But how should we view death from a theological point of view? We view it as a...

Doorway

Death is the doorway by which souls enter eternity. Luke 16:22-23

Luke 16:22–23 KJV 1900

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

For the saved, the body “sleeps” until the return of Christ, but the soul and spirit go to be with the Lord 2 Cor. 5:8

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV 1900

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The bodies of the unsaved “sleep” as well until the GWT. Unfortuanately for them, their spirit and soul enter into torments and pain. John 5:28-29

John 5:28–29 KJV 1900

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 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.

Revelation 20:13 KJV 1900

13 And 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.

Do you want to hear the best part?

Death Has an End!

Death is the final enemy! 1 Cor. 15:25-26

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 KJV 1900

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

In the New Jerusalem (after the Millennial kingdom) there will be no more death Rev. 21:4

Revelation 21:4 KJV 1900

4 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.

Take Away

It is important that we know why death exists. It exists because of a condition known as sin. It is important that we know the reason death exists so that we may learn of its cure - the cross, its defeat - the resurrection, and its end - the return of Jesus.

Christians should not live in fear of death, yet many do. The reason is not so much the “fear” of death, but the fear of the uncertainty -when you will die, how you will die, etc. The truth is for a Christian, death is only a doorway to eternity.

Let me be clear, it is unhealthy to be obsessed with death, to constantly think of it, to desire it - this type of thinking does not come from God. In fact our enemy is responsible for this type of thinking. Look at suicide rates in America, especially among young people. Look at the abortion rates too. Look at how angry people become when you even hint that abortion should be abolished. We live in a satanic inspired culture of death, and far too many cross through the doorway into darkness not knowing Jesus as our Savior.

It is important that we know the reason death exists so that we may share the hope of Jesus Christ with those who are hurting.