Human beings suffer from many fears. Usually listed in the top 10 is the fear of death. Some other basic fears include fear of public speaking, spiders, snakes, heights and flying.
But the fear of death is universal, and the most prevalent. The reason is because 100% of human beings die. This fact forces us to consider the issue of death throughout our lifetimes. Even as young children we are presented with the reality of death. It’s all around us. But for Christians, it’s important to understand the Biblical definition of death.
According to Dr. Steven Waterhouse, author of Not by Bread Alone, An Outlined Guide to Bible Doctrine, “The Bible defines death as the separation of the soul from the body (James2:26). It is not the end of existence for the soul but rather a change in residence for the soul.”
In order to understand death and its cause for fear among humans, this article discusses some non-Biblical definitions of death, the first time death is mentioned in the Bible, and what happens to the soul after death.
Definitions of Death
Most dictionaries agree about the normal definitions of death.
- The action or fact of dying or being killed; the end of the life of a person or organism.
- Ceases to exist when physical life ends.
- The state of being dead.
- The permanent ending of vital processes in a cell or tissue.
But In spiritual and religious terms, the definitions of death are divided into two categories: physical death and spiritual death.
For most Biblical scholars, physical death is defined as the separation of body and soul. Spiritual death is most often defined as separation from God.
At this point it’s important to restate what Dr. Waterhouse states is the Biblical definition of death: “The Bible defines death as the separation of the soul from the body (James2:26). It is not the end of existence for the soul but rather a change in residence for the soul.”
We know that one of the Bible’s most often discussed themes is death. So when is the first time death is mentioned in the Bible?
The First Mention of Death in the Bible
The first book of the Hebrew Bible is Genesis. It begins with the story of creation. During the first five “days” God creates heaven and earth, light, sky, all land and water, and all living creatures. Then on the sixth day, from the New Internation Version Bible translation, God decides to create mankind.
Genesis 1:26 states, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”
So God created Adam and Eve, and life in the Garden of Eden was bliss. But the serpent tempted Eve, and she convinced Adam to sin against God. They disobeyed His command to not eat from the Tree of Life.
According to Genesis 2:17, God says, “In the day that you eat of it [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil] you shall surely die.”
Before that moment, death was unknown in the world. All was perfect. But Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and God judged Adam, and all of mankind, from that day forward.
Before Christ’s Resurrection, What Happened to the Body and Soul at Death?
There is widespread agreement that the soul’s of the unrighteous who die leave their body and enter Hades until the time of judgement.
Many evangelical Christians believe that the Old Testament saints’ souls were separated from their dead bodies and immediately escorted to heaven by an angel upon their death. “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This is the belief of this site’s owners.
But there is not such agreement about the righteous who died before Christ came. Some scholars believe the Old Testament Saints could not enter heaven until Christ’s death on the cross, and His blood, could cover their sins. The idea is often described as “Abraham’s Bosom,” a sort of waiting room for Old Testament saints like David, Moses, and Noah. Their souls were forced to await Christ’s birth, death, burial and resurrection. They needed to wait for Christ’s atonement before they could ascend to heaven. According to this theory, once Christ died on the Cross, He immediately went directly to Abraham’s Bosom, gathered the Old Testament saints, and ushered them into God’s presence, also known as paradise, or heaven.
After Christ’s Resurrection, What Happens to the Body and Soul at Death?
The Apostle John, in the book of John, chapter 3 verse 16, states that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
In John 5:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:22 “All who are sinners in Adam died in Adam, just as all who are justified in Christ are made alive in Christ.”
These New Testament verses lay claim to the fact that all who believe in Christ will have everlasting, eternal life. And those who reject Him will not enjoy the benefits of hell.
According to Dr. Waterhouse, “At death, unbelievers enter Hades, and believers enter Christ’s presence.”
The soul’s destination is based on the decision the person makes about Jesus Christ during their lifetime. Does the individual reject Jesus’ promise? Or do he believe in the grace offered by Jesus to take away his sin so that he might have everlasting life? The individual either believes, or disbelieves. The result of his decision maps the final location of his soul for eternity.
In Robert Driskell’s article “What Does The Bible Say About Death? Five Important Facts” which may be found on the website, whatchristianswanttoknow.com,
“Even though both believers and non-believers exist after the death of their bodies, only believers will enjoy eternal life. Unbelievers will persist in a state separated from God. Their spiritual death will continue beyond the grave, except there will be no opportunity for repentance or salvation.”
Conclusion
Please consider accepting that the Bible is the word of God. And if you come to that conclusion, you must also believe in Jesus Christ’s love for you and the grace he offers. He asks only that you believe on Him and His atonement for your sin. Then, when you are at death’s door, you can have comfort that your death will result in a “change in residence” from earth to heaven, as described by Dr. Waterhouse.