Natural Death
Death is the end of life in the present world.
General Information About Death
- Death is a result of Adam’s sin
Ro 5:12 - Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— Ge 2:17; Ge 3:19; Ro 6:23; 1 Co 15:21–22
- Death is natural to humanity.
Ec 12:7 - Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ps 39:5; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:18–21; 2 Pe 1:13–14
- There is no death in heaven
Re 21:4 - And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Lk 20:35–36; 2 Co 5:1–2
Death is Universal
- None can escape death
Ps 89:48 - What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? Selah. Ge 6:3; Jos 23:14; 2 Sa 14:14; Job 30:23
- Death comes to all kinds of people
Job 21:23–26 - One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and secure; 24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist. 25 Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. 26 They lie down alike in the dust, And worms cover them. 2 Sa 12:15–18; 2 Ki 4:20; Ps 37:35–36; Ps 49:10; Ec 3:19; Lk 16:22.
Only two people did not die
Enoch and Elijah died in the sense that their bodies were transformed from being suited to earthly life to life in heaven. They anticipated the death of Jesus Christ, whose body was not corrupted but transformed, and the transition to the new world of those who are alive when Jesus Christ comes again. Ge 5:24 - And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. 2 Ki 2:11
- Death is irreversible.
The idea of reincarnation, that after death people repeatedly return to this life in a lower or higher form, is incompatible with death being once for all and an entrance into heaven or hell after the judgment.
Heb 9:27 - And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Job 16:22; Ps 115:17
- Death is an aspect of human frailty.
Ps 146:3–4 - Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Is 51:12; 1 Pe 1:24; Is 40:6–8
- Death occurs when God determines it.
Job 14:5 - Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass. Dt 32:39; Job 38:17; Lk 12:20; Re 1:18.
The means of death
- Through old age
Ge 25:8 - Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. Ge 35:29; Jdg 8:32; 1 Ki 2:10.
- Through disease and accident
2 Ki 1:2 - Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.” 2 Ki 1:16–17; 2 Ki 20:1; Mk 5:23; Ac 20:9
- Through violence
Jdg 9:5 - Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. Jdg 9:52–54; 2 Sa 13:28–29; 1 Ki 15:28; 2 Ki 8:14–15; Mt 2:16; Mt 14:8–11
- As a judgment by God
Le 10:1–2 - Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Nu 16:31–32; Nu 20:23–24; 1 Sa 25:38; 2 Sa 6:7; 2 Sa 24:15; 2 Ch 13:20; Ac 5:5; Ac 5:10; Ac 12:21–23; 1 Co 11:29–30
- Through a legal penalty
Ex 21:12–17 - “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 13 However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. 14 “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die. 15 “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. 16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death. 17 “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. Lk 23:32; Lk 23:40–41
The prospect of death affects human attitudes and values
- Life is short .
Jas 4:14 - 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. Job 7:6; Job 8:9; Job 9:25; Ps 39:5; Ps 89:47; Ps 90:10; Ps 102:11; Ec 6:12; Is 38:12; Is 40:6–8
- People fear death.
Ps 18:4–6 - The pangs of death surrounded me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Ps 116:3; Heb 2:15
- People should prepare for death.
2 Ki 20:1 - In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’ Ps 39:4; Ps 90:12; Am 4:12.
- The expectation of death is an incentive to serve God.
Ec 9:10 - Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Is 38:18–19; Jn 9:4.
- The expectation of death is an incentive to hold material blessings lightly.
1 Ti 6:7 - For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Job 1:21; Lk 12:13–21; 1 Co 7:29–31
- Death is sometimes desired to escape problems.
Nu 11:11–15 - So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14 I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!” 1 Ki 19:4; Job 3:11; Job 7:15; Je 8:3; Jon 4:3; Ac 16:27; Re 9:6
Good News
Death was defeated by Jesus Christ.
2 Ti 1:10 - but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, Is 25:8; Ho 13:14; 1 Co 15:24–26; Heb 2:14; Re 20:14
