Death

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“Death” is used in Scripture in at least seven different ways. In every case it has the thought of separation, not extinction, as men think:
Physical death is to have the soul and spirit separated from the body (James 2:2626For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)).
Spiritual death is to be spiritually separated from God by not having a new life (Eph. 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1); Col. 2:1313And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2:13)).
Second death is to be eternally separated from God in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:6, 146Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)).
Apostate death is to be separated from God by abandoning one’s profession of the faith (Jude 1212These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (Jude 12); Rev. 8:99And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8:9)).
National death is to no longer exist as a nation on earth (Isa. 26:1919Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isaiah 26:19); Ezek. 3719Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. (Ezekiel 37:19); Dan. 12:22And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)).
Judicial death is to be positionally separated from the whole order of sin under the headship of Adam by the death of Christ (Rom. 6:2; 7:62God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:2)
6But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6); Col. 3:33For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)).
Moral death is to be separated in communion from God (Rom. 8:1313For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13); 1 Tim. 5:66But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. (1 Timothy 5:6)).
It is sobering to think that sin is the cause of every one of these aspects of death! Truly, “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)).
The Bible tells us that there are only two states in which a person dies (physically). You can “die in the Lord” (Rev. 14:1313And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13)) or you can “die in your sins” (John 8:2424I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24)). To die in your sins is to pass out of this world without having had your sins put away before God, judicially, by the work of Christ on the cross. The person who dies in that awful condition will be responsible to pay the price of his sins under the righteous judgment of God for all eternity. To die in the Lord is to die being safe and secure from all judgment under the shelter of the blood of Christ, God’s Son (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24); 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
Reasons For the Death of a Believer
The death of a believer is called “sleep,” in Scripture, and refers to his body, because the soul does not sleep (2 Sam. 7:1212And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. (2 Samuel 7:12); John 11:1111These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (John 11:11); Acts 7:60; 13:3660And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)
36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: (Acts 13:36); 1 Cor. 11:30; 15:6, 18, 20, 51; 130For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30)
6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:6)
18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. (1 Corinthians 15:18)
20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51)
4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:4) Thess. 4:14; 5:10). Matthew 27:5252And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (Matthew 27:52) says distinctly, “Many bodies of the saints which slept arose.”
There are perhaps three main reasons for the death of a believer:
Firstly, it may be for “the glory of God” (John 11:4; 21:18-194When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (John 11:4)
18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:18‑19); Phil. 1:2020According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (Philippians 1:20)). He may be called upon to die as a martyr or by some other cause whereby a testimony of the Lord is rendered to those who witness it.
Secondly, the believer dies because his work of service on earth for the Lord is completed (Acts 13:3636For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: (Acts 13:36); 2 Tim. 4:7; 27I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7)
7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. (2 Timothy 2:7) Peter 1:14).
Thirdly, the believer may die under the chastening hand of God. It is possible for a Christian to behave so poorly in this world as a witness for the Lord that God would take him away from his place of testimony on earth. He would be called home to heaven (John 15:22Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2); Acts 5:1-111But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Acts 5:1‑11); 1 Cor. 5:2; 11:302And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. (1 Corinthians 5:2)
30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30), James 5:2020Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:20); 1 John 5:1616If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (1 John 5:16)).
Christ’s Victory Over Death
Christ has gone into death and has won a great victory over it for the children of God. Hebrews 2:14-1514Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14‑15) says, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Prior to the death and resurrection of Christ, Satan had wielded “the power of death” over the consciences of men making them afraid of what lies beyond life on earth. He has used “the king of terrors” (which is the fear of death) to his advantage, holding men in bondage and fear (Job 18:1414His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors. (Job 18:14)). “The power of death” is not the power to take a person’s life. Satan doesn’t have the power to take a person’s life—only God holds the power of life and death in His hand (Dan. 5:2323But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: (Daniel 5:23); Job 2:66And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. (Job 2:6)). It is the dread of death—its “fear factor.” Nor is “the power of death” Satan’s power to deceive Christians with his wiles. True believers can be, and often are, deceived by his “stratagems” (Eph. 6:1111Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11) – W. Kelly’s Translation), even though God has made ample provision for us against such in “the whole armour of God.”
Christ has gone into death and has robbed the devil of his power to terrify the believer with death. On the other side of death, the Lord now stands victorious. He has “the keys of Hades and of death” in His hand, and is saying, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell [Hades] and of death” (Rev. 1:1818I 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)). Christ has conquered death having loosed its “pangs” (Acts 2:2424Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. (Acts 2:24) – W. Kelly’s Translation). The “pangs of death” are the fears one might have as to what lies beyond death. Since Christ has loosed the pangs, the enlightened believer who faces death need not fear. Christ has gone down into “the dust of death” and annulled it (Psa. 22:1515My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (Psalm 22:15)) and has left but its “shadow” for the child of God to pass through (Psa. 23:44Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)). We may be called to go through the article of death, but its “sting,” or “pangs” (the dread factor), is taken away (1 Cor. 15:5555O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)). The wonderful news of this has been brought to us through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:1010But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10)).
As mentioned, death is a condition of the body after the soul and spirit depart from it. It is a temporary state, for all the dead will rise—both saved and lost. The Scripture says, “For as in the Adam all die, thus also in the Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22-2322For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:22‑23) – J. N. Darby Trans.).
The dread factor in death has been “annulled” presently for the believer in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 1:1010But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10) – J. N. Darby Trans.). The believer’s body, however, is still subject to death and he will not have “victory” over physical death until the Lord comes (1 Cor. 15:54, 5754So 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. (1 Corinthians 15:54)
57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)). Even after the coming of the Lord, death will still be in the creation and will not be “destroyed” by the Lord until the end of the Millennium (1 Cor. 15:2626The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:26); Rev. 20:1414And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)). Hence, for the believer, death is annulled now, and he is waiting for his victory over it; and then later, there will be the complete destruction of it altogether.
Three Groups of People Will Not Die
There are at least three groups of people who will never experience physical death:
Christians who will be alive on earth when the Lord comes—the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). They will be called away to heaven without passing through the article of death.
Those on earth at the time of the Appearing of Christ (at the end of the Great Tribulation) who have rejected the gospel of the grace of God will be taken at that time by the angels and cast alive into the lake of fire (Matt. 13:40-42, 49-50; 24:40-4140As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:40‑42)
49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49‑50)
40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:40‑41)).
The Millennial saints (converted Jews and Gentiles) who will be transported from this present earth to the “new earth” at the end of the 1000-year reign of Christ (2 Peter 3:12-1312Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:12‑13)).
Death is Not the Cessation of Existence
Men like to think that death is the cessation of a person’s existence so that they can live as they please and escape the consequences of their sins. However, death does not mean extinction. The whole tenor of the Word of God assumes that there is life after death. The Bible teaches that all the dead “live unto Him” (Luke 20:3838For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. (Luke 20:38)). Even though the body dies, the soul and the spirit still live on. The human body is mortal—that is, it is subject to death (Rom. 6:12; 8:1112Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Romans 6:12)
11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11); 1 Cor. 15:53-54; 253For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So 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. (1 Corinthians 15:53‑54)
14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:14‑15) Cor. 4:11), but the soul and spirit are immortal—they are not subject to death. When God created man, he became “a living soul,” not a dying soul (Gen. 2:77And 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)). The term “mortal,” is never used in the Bible in connection with the soul.
Scripture says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). This clearly shows that there is a hereafter when a person dies. For those who die in their sins it will be judgment. But there can’t be a judgment of something that has ceased to exist! The Lord’s account of the rich man and Lazarus confirms this fact (Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And 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; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31)). It clearly indicates that there is life after death. Ecclesiastes 12:77Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7), tells us that a person’s spirit does not cease to exist when he dies, but that it returns to God to give account for one’s actions (Rom. 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)).
The Lord Jesus affirmed this fact when the Sadducees confronted Him. He quoted Exodus 3:66Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exodus 3:6), when God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Matt. 22:3232I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (Matthew 22:32)). If those patriarchs had ceased to exist when they died, God could not have announced Himself as their God. Furthermore, the Lord told the dying thief that he would be with Him in paradise after he died (Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)). The Apostle Paul also said, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)). To be “present with the Lord” after one dies means that the person is definitely alive.