Death Examined Biblically
What is Death?
Death originally came into the world as a result of sin, when Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil they instantly opened "Pandora's Box" so to speak. In [Genesis 2:17] the Bible states that God commanded Adam and Eve to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They did so anyway and as a result as they were promised by God, they later died in more ways then just one. This teaching branches off into the teaching of sin, and how sin is essentially disobedience to God, and as a result disobedience to perfection, which brings death and disease directly or indirectly [Romans 6:23] we then die.
When Adam and Eve sinned they suddenly wanted to cover their bodies, and what happened here from a psychological perspective is Adam and Eve before hand had no concept of death, or wrong doing, and as a result feared nothing, had no negative feelings, for what could dread someone who had never known dread?
They essentially where innocent, much like we will be in the New Heavens and the New earth. [2 Peter 3:13]
All of a sudden Adam and Eve knew they were naked, and I imagine this was less of a result of suddenly noticing nakedness but more of a result of being aware of what harm might come by being naked, as you might feel being naked right now would make you feel vulnerable. Certainly having clothes on feels more protective then without, so they hid. But you need to ask why they suddenly felt the need to protect themselves? Well the answer is because the concept of evil had now entered their very being. They had by sinning, instead of becoming like God like the serpent promised [Genesis 3:5], they became less like him and were afraid and now knew evil. Death came into the world as a result of Sin [Romans 5:12].
Why do we die?
As mentioned previously we die as a result of sin. The Bible tells us the wages of sin is death [Romans 6:23]. So when we die we are owed our wages. And God who is perfectly just pays us in death. This means for those who have no way to circumvent their wages and hand them to someone else, are expected to pay them. The problem is, there is nothing you can offer God as it says in Mark 8:37, “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” for there is nothing he lacks.
This is why Jesus had to die for our sins, so we have a payment for our sins
Then when we face God, though we are guilty, he has, by his blood set us free!
What happens when we die?
The Bible instructs us that it is appointed for us to live once, and then there is a judgement of our sins [Hebrews 9:27]. As above mentioned, we need a savior to save us from the result of our sins, that savior is God himself, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. When you died previous to Christ, you went to either Sheol the place of the dead, or Hades, a place of torment. Sheol was also referred to as Abrahams Bosom. This place was a place the people of God who were counted righteous by God by their adherence to him that yet were waiting for the time of Christ [Luke 16:23]. Christ then went to this place, that he described as Paradise [Luke 23:43], and preached to the souls in there [1 Peter 3:19]. The souls were all those Jews from ages past who Jesus told of himself and his victory over sin and death, it is imagined that these people were then taken from this place to heaven, however it is a matter of skill beyond me to know if this is true. However true or not where we go will be paradise regardless of location.
After Christs work was completed, there are but two places a person Goes when they die, both a place of awaiting the Judgement of God…
For the sinner who has rejected Christ either by life and deed, or by mouth, they go to Hell or Hades to be tormented for their sins. They remain here until the great and terrible day of the Lord where their sins will be laid bare [Romans 2:5, 2:16] , then they will be sent to the lake of Fire to be tormented for ever and ever without rest or respite. [Revelation 14:11].
The next group of people will be those who will be judged and given rewards for their service unto God [Mark 9:41], they will account of everything in their life [Romans 14:12], their sins being forgiven, they will then go to be with God in a few different places. First it will be on earth to reign with Christ, then after the final days it will be with God in the new heavens and the New earth [Isaiah 65:17-25], essentially a brand new universe, made by God for all those who chose him. We will exist with God here forever in pure happiness, bliss, peace, and wonder. It will be greater then all things on earth combined, and we wont even remember anything here.
When you die, you will face either Eternal Punishment, or Eternal Fulfillment. You choose, repent of your sins, and put your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior, and we will see you in that place someday soon!
