What Is Death?
Questions About Death: Part 1.
Death is a fact of life.
While this may be strange to hear, it is true; all people who are alive today, if the Lord delays His coming long enough, will die.
The Bible is abundantly clear that death comes to all people: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). With the exception of Enoch (Gen. 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kin. 2:11), all who have lived and will live on this earth have died and will die.
While it is not pleasant to think about, it is important to know about death. With this article, we begin a new series asking and answering questions about death starting with a working definition of death.
How the Bible Defines Death.
The Bible defines death as the soul being separated from the body: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jas. 2:26).
When Rachel, the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin gave birth to Benjamin, she died. Consider the language:
“Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day” (Gen. 35:16-20).
Notice when her soul departed her body, the Bible described that as death taking place.
A Personal Experience with Death.
In October of 2021, this writer came face to face with death in a very unique way. My father, who suffered from severe depression, took his own life. After finding him and then preaching his funeral, it took a very strong toll on me emotionally.
The grief cycle is so different for everyone because every situation is different. I knew, as I stood by that cold grave, that he was not there. His soul, the immortal part of man, was already in eternity.
It is amazing to consider that we will exist somewhere forever! How important is it then that we have our priorities in order and think about spiritual things (Matt. 6:19-21, 33; 16:26; Col. 3:1-4)!
A Humbling Fact About Death.
Solomon, in his “inspired diary” known as the Book of Ecclesiastes, said this about death: “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7).
How humbling is it to consider that we are dust!
God created man from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7), and to dust we shall return (Gen. 3:19 ). God remembers our frame that we are dust (Psa. 103:14) so how foolish is it for us to think that we are invincible!
The Proverbs writer says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). James echoes this truth: “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (Jas. 4:14).
Preparing for Death.
Friends, death is not a friend to be embraced but an enemy to overcome.
Thanks be to God that Jesus conquered death (Psa. 16:10; Rev. 1:18) and through Him, we too can be victorious (1 Cor. 15:57)! The Bible teaches of “sleeping in Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:14) and “dying in the Lord” (Rev. 14:13). In fact, the Psalmist said, “Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints” (Psa. 116:15).
This is what we should all strive to obtain! While physical death comes to all men, spiritual death comes to those who do not obey God (Matt. 7:21; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 21:8).
Are you prepared for death? When the soul separates from the body and enters eternity, it will be too late to make any changes.
Live for God now so you can live with Him forever!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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