WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT DEATH

From: Topical Analysis of the Bible

The Nature of Death

1. Death Is a Consequence of Human Sin

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. Death Is Separation from Earthly Existence

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Psalm 49:16-17 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; ¹⁷For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him

3. Death Is Universal for All Humankind

Psalm 89:48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The Duration of Life

A. Is in God's Hands

Eccles. 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

B. Is Unknown to People

Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

James 4:13-14 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: ¹⁴Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

C. Life Is Short

Psalm 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

The Believer and Death

1. Death Brings Intimate Communion with God in Christ

Phil. 1:21-24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. ²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: ²⁴

2 Cor. 5:1-8 ¹For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ²For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: ³If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. ⁴For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. ⁵Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. ⁶Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ⁷(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2. Death Brings Peace and Rest

Rev. 14:13 And 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 labours; and their works do follow them.

Death Is Precious in God's Sight

Ps. 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

4. The Believers Attitude toward Death

A. Death Drives Us to God Who Has Power over Death

1 Thess. 4:13-14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

B. Death Teaches Us to Live Wisely

Ps. 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: ¹⁴Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. ¹⁵For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

C. Death Teaches Us to Live with Heaven in View

Heb. 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

2 Pet. 1:10-11 ⁰Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: ¹¹For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

D. Death Holds No Fear, for It Is Conquered

Ps. 23:4 Yea, 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.

Prov. 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.