{"id":1322,"date":"2018-02-03T09:07:08","date_gmt":"2018-02-03T08:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/?p=1322"},"modified":"2018-02-03T09:07:08","modified_gmt":"2018-02-03T08:07:08","slug":"the-biblical-view-of-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/buch.jehovah-shammah.de\/index.php\/2018\/02\/03\/the-biblical-view-of-death\/","title":{"rendered":"The Biblical View of Death"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. So death originated with the Fall, and it is a penal evil in that death is a penalty for sin.<\/em><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 15:22<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

This m<\/span>anuscript is a study on what the Bible teaches about death, the biblical view of death. This subject will be studied in five major parts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>I. The Origin of Death<\/p>\n

In the first part of the biblical view of death, we will study the origin of death. Altogether, there are three different types of death, which the Bible addresses, but death in<\/span> all three of its forms originated, with the Fall of man. Regardless of whether death is physical, spiritual or eternal, in all three of its forms, death is a direct result of the Fall. It is considered a penal evil. This is taught throughout the Scriptures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some examples include:<\/p>\n

Genesis 2:16\u201317<\/a>: And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: but of the<\/em><\/span> tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.<\/em><\/p>\n

Genesis 3:19<\/a>: in the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return<\/em><\/span> unto the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and unto dust shall you return.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ezekiel 18:4<\/a>: Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mi<\/em><\/span>ne: the soul that sins, it shall die.<\/em><\/p>\n

Romans 5:12<\/a>: Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned.<\/em><\/p>\n

Romans 6:23<\/a>: <\/span>For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 15:22<\/a>: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. So death origi<\/em><\/span>nated with the Fall, and it is a penal evil in that death is a penalty for sin.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>II. The Meaning of Death<\/p>\n

The second part of the biblical view of death is its meaning. The best way of defining death, biblically speaking, is by the concept of separation. The word \u201cseparation\u201d is th<\/span>e one key word for defining the biblical view of death because it is the only word that covers every usage of the word \u201cdeath,\u201d both literal and symbolic. Anytime the word \u201cdeath\u201d is mentioned, separation is the best single meaning. So death is not a cessation of existence, nor a cessation of consciousness, it is a separation.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the best examples is the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. <\/span>16:19\u201331<\/a>). That passage speaks of three people who are dead: the rich man, Lazarus<\/em>, and Abraham<\/em>. Yet they can carry on a conversation; they are very conscious; and they have feelings of pain and sorro<\/span>w. So death is not a cessation of existence or consciousness, but death is a separation. The key word \u201cseparation\u201d is the best answer for defining all three types of death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>A. Physical Death<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the meaning of physical death?\u201d Physical death is separation of the immaterial part of man from the material part of man (Eccl. 12:7<\/a>; Jas. 2:26<\/a>). It is not a cessation of ex<\/span>istence or consciousness as those who teach \u201csoul-sleeping\u201d believe, rather, it is merely a separation of the immaterial part of man from the material part of man.<\/p>\n

Physical death is specifically a pen<\/span>alty for sin (Gen. 3:19<\/a>; Num. 27:3<\/a>; Ps. 90:7\u201310<\/a>; Rom. 5:12\u201321<\/a>; 6:23<\/a>; 1 Cor. 15:21\u201322<\/a>). Perhaps the best example of physical death as a penalty for sin is Genesis 5<\/a>, where the words and he died<\/em> are rec<\/span>orded over and over again, with the exception of Enoch (vv. 21\u201324<\/a>).<\/p>\n

For the believer, however, death is no longer viewed as a punishment, but rather as the means for entering into Heaven. That is why <\/span>the Bible describes death for the believer in terms of \u201csleeping\u201d (Mk. 5:39<\/a>; 1 Thes. 4:13\u201314<\/a>). When the Bible uses the term \u201csleep\u201d in reference to death it is not teaching soul-sleeping, because the <\/span>word \u201csleep\u201d does not refer to the soul, but to the body. For example, in physical sleep, there is a temporary cessation of physical activity, but not spirit soul activity. The mind, for example, keeps on operating and other facets of the material part of man, such as the vital organs, continue to <\/span>operate. So physical sleep is a temporary suspension of physical activity until the body wakes up. \u201cS<\/span>leep,\u201d in the sense of death, is also a temporary suspension of physical activity, but not spirit soul or mind heart activity, because death is not a cessation of consciousness or of existence. So for the believer, death is no longer a punishment; it is the means of entering into Heaven. For the beli<\/span>ever, therefore, it is viewed as \u201csleep,\u201d a temporary suspension of physical activity until the body awakens in the resurrection.<\/span><\/p>\n

The remedy for physical death will be a physical resurrection; physical resurrection will remedy the effects of physical death (Rom. 5:17<\/a>; 8:23<\/a>; 1 Cor. 15:22<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>B. Spiritual Death<\/p>\n

The meaning of spiritual death is separation from God in time (Mat. 8:22<\/a>; Jn. 5:24<\/a>; 8:51<\/a>; Eph. 2:1<\/a>, 3<\/a>, 5<\/a>; 5:14<\/a>; 1 Tim. 5:6<\/a>; Jas. 5:20<\/a>). Spiritual death, like physical death, is also<\/span> a penalty for sin according to Genesis 2:17<\/a>, where God warned Adam that, on the day that he disobeyed the commandment, he would surely die<\/em>. Obviously, Adam did not die physically the day he sinned, b<\/span>ut he did die spiritually. When Adam and Eve sinned, they died toward God. Their nature had become contrary to God\u2019s nature, because it was fallen. And because it was fallen, it could no longer share the same level of fellowship that it had before the Fall. As <\/span>a result, all the descendants of Adam are born spiritually dead.<\/p>\n

The natural man is a spiritually dead man according to 1 Corinthians 2:14<\/a>:<\/span> Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.<\/em><\/p>\n

The natural man<\/em> may not feel spiritu<\/span>ally dead, he may not feel separated from God, but he is. Just like a physical corpse cannot feel that it is dead, for it has no feeling, in the same way, the natural man<\/em> may not feel separated from G<\/span>od, but he is.<\/p>\n

The remedy for spiritual death is to be made alive<\/em> or \u201cto be quickened\u201d by faith in the Messiah (Jn. 5:24<\/a>; Eph. 2:5\u20136<\/a>; Col. 2:13<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>C. Eternal or Second Death<\/p>\n

According to Revelation 20:14<\/a> and 21:8<\/a>, eternal death or the second death<\/em>, means separation from God in eternity (Mat. 10:28<\/a>; 25:41<\/a>; 2 Thes. 1:9<\/a>; Jude 13<\/a>; Rev. 14:11<\/a>). Etern<\/span>al death is spiritual death made permanent. For that reason, it is known as the place of perishing.<\/p>\n

Eternal death or the second death<\/em>, is a result of not believing on the Messiah as one\u2019s Savior (Jn. <\/span>3:17\u201318<\/a>; 8:24<\/a>; Acts 4:12<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The place of eternal death or the second death<\/em>, the place where the separated ones will be for eternity is the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11\u201315<\/a>; 21:8<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>III. Death and the Work of the Messiah<\/p>\n

The third part of the biblical view of death concerns death and the work of the Messiah. Two things need to be discussed: the two types of resurrections, and the<\/span> kind of death that Yeshua (Jesus) died.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>A. The Two Types of Resurrections<\/p>\n

When the Bible speaks of resurrection from the dead, one must distinguish between two types of resurrections.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>1. Restoration Back to Physical Life<\/p>\n

The first type is only a restoration back to natural physical life. What this means is that later the person will die again physically. This restoration-type resur<\/span>rection occurred twice in the Old Testament: Elisha raised the Shunammite\u2019s son back to life (2 Kg. 4:32\u201337<\/a>), and a man was suddenly resurrected from the dead when his dead body touched the bones of E<\/span>lisha the Prophet (2 Kg. 13:20\u201321<\/a>). In the New Testament, restoration-type resurrection occurred at least four times: the resurrection of the daughter of Jarius (Mat. 9:18\u201326<\/a>; Mk. 5:21\u201324<\/a>, 35\u201343<\/a>; Lk. <\/span>8:40\u201342<\/a>, 49\u201356<\/a>); the son of the widow of Nain (Lk. 7:11\u201317<\/a>); Lazarus (Jn. 11:1\u201344<\/a>); and the resurrection of many of the saints the moment Yeshua died (Mat. 27:52\u201353<\/a>).<\/p>\n

These two cases in the Old Testam<\/span>ent and four cases in the New Testament were all resurrections of the first type: resurrections, which were merely restorations, back to natural physical life. All of these people died again later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>2. True Resurrection Life<\/p>\n

The second type of resurrection from the dead is the type that means resurrection life, in which one is no longer subject to death (Rom. 6:9<\/a>). True resurrection life means a <\/span>person is no longer capable of dying physically, because there was a change in the nature of the body that has been resurrected. So far, Jesus is the only One who has been resurrected in this way; He is the only One who has undergone <\/span>the second type of resurrection, that of resurrection life. That is why Yeshua<\/span> is called the first-fruits of the resurrection<\/em> (1 Cor. 15:23<\/a>; Col. 1:15<\/a>, 18<\/a>; Rev. 1:5<\/a>).<\/span> Critics have often felt that this statement is contradictory, for how could Jesus be called the first-fruits of the resurrection<\/em> since there were others who had been resurrected before Him. But all t<\/span>he others who were resurrected before Yeshua underwent the first type of resurrection, which was merely a restoration back to natural life. Jesus is the only One who has undergone the second type of resurrection, true resurrection-life, so He is no longer subject to deat<\/span>h. That is why He is called the first-fruits of the resurrection<\/em>, that is, the first to be resurrected unto resurrection life.<\/p>\n

Pe<\/span>rhaps the best way to explain the means of true resurrection-life as over against restoration-life is by the way it is stated in Hebrews 2:14<\/a>, where we are told that Yeshua passed through death<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In th<\/span>e first type of resurrection, the resurrection back to natural life, one enters from the realm of physical life into the realm of physical death. When he is resurrected, he simply comes back to the realm o<\/span>f physical life: from physical life, to physical death, and back to physical life. Hebrews 2:14<\/a> states that Jesus did not merely come \u201cout of\u201d death, He passed through<\/em> death, and that is the key.<\/span> He went from the realm of physical life, to the realm of physical death, and then He passed through death<\/em> into the realm of resurrection-life. Coming out of death is merely the first type of resurrec<\/span>tion; but passing through<\/em> death leads to the second type of resurrection, that of true resurrection-life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>B. The Kinds of Deaths the Messiah Died<\/p>\n

The second thing about death and the work of the Messiah is to deal with the kinds of deaths that Yeshua died. He died two types of death. First, He died a spir<\/span>itual death. During the second three hours upon the cross when the whole world was enveloped in darkness, those three hours of darkness marked the three hours in which He was separated from God the Father. At that point, the sins of the world were placed upon Yeshua the Messiah, and at that point, God the Father turned away. There was a separation between th<\/span>e Father and the Son, Jesus the perfect man. For three hours, Yeshua was spiritually dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

We must remember that the Messiah was the God-Man, meaning that He was only one Person, but with two distinct natures: divine and human. As for His d<\/span>ivine nature, there was never any separation between the Father and the Son; that is, there was always an unending, uninterrupted fellowship with God the Father. However, as for His human nature, there was a three-hour separation as Jesus died spiritually on the cross. It must be emphasized that this was a separation in His humanity, not in His de<\/span>ity.<\/p>\n

At the end of those three hours, He cried: My <\/em><\/span>God, my God, why have you forsaken me?<\/em> Yeshua died spiritually and was resurrected spiritually before He died physically. His spiritual death is recorded in Matthew 27:45\u201346<\/a>; Mark 15:33\u201334<\/a>; and Luke 2<\/span>3:44<\/a>. After He died spiritually and was resurrected spiritually, then He died physically. His physical death is recorded by all four of the Gospels: Matthew 27:50<\/a>; Mark 15:37<\/a>; Luke 23:46<\/a>; and John 19:<\/span>30<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jesus died two types of death on the cross. First of all, He died a spiritual death; and, secondly, a physical death. It is the physical death that was necessary for the Atonement. The spiritual d<\/span>eath was not necessary for the Atonement, but it was necessary for Him to become a sympathetic High Priest (Heb. 2:17\u201318<\/a>). Because of the kind of deaths that Yeshua died on the cross, He changed the w<\/span>hole nature of death for the believer.<\/p>\n

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IV. Death and the Believer<\/p>\n

The fourth part of the biblical view of death is death and the believer. This subject will be covered in four specific areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>A. The Messiah Conquered Death for the Believer<\/p>\n

The first area is that Yeshua the Messiah conquered death. It is important that this is understood and the following three things be noted.<\/p>\n

First, Hebre<\/span>ws 2:9<\/a> states that Jesus did taste of death for every man<\/em>, then in verses 14\u201315<\/a>, He passed through death<\/em> into resurrection-life. By doing so, He was able to conquer death after tasting death for every<\/em><\/span> man<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Secondly, going through death<\/em> meant victory over death (Rev. 1:18<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Thirdly, this means that Satan is no longer the lord of death for the believer. Throughout the history of the Old Testament, t<\/span>he inter-testamental period, and into the Gospel history, until the death of Jesus, it was Satan who was lord of death for all, believers and unbelievers alike. But when Yeshua passed through death and gained victory over death, He took away <\/span>the keys of death<\/em> from Satan so that Satan is no longer the lord of death as far as believers are concerned. Satan is still the lord of death in cases of unbe<\/span>lievers, but no longer in the case of believers (Gal. 1:4<\/a>; Col. 1:13<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>B. The Messiah Causes Death for the Believer<\/p>\n

The second area of death and the believer is that Yeshua the Messiah causes death as far as believers are concerned. The main passage for this truth is 1 T<\/span>hessalonians 4:14<\/a>. The Greek text literally reads, \u201cThe believer has fallen asleep through Jesus.\u201d The key word is \u201cthrough.\u201d Again, when the Bible uses the term \u201csleep\u201d in relationship to death, it i<\/span>s not teaching soul-sleeping but physical-sleeping, in that it is the physical body that sleeps during death, not the immaterial part of man, the soul-spirit. Furthermore, whenever the Bible uses the term \u201csleep\u201d in relationship to death, it only uses it to speak of believers, never of unbelievers. Then he states: <\/span>fallen asleep<\/em> throug Jesus<\/em>. What this means is that Yeshua the Messiah causes death <\/span>for a believer. When a believer dies, it is the Messiah who has put him to sleep as a means of bringing that person home to be with Him.<\/p>\n

As mentioned previously, throughout history until the Messiah d<\/span>ied, Satan was the cause of death. One example is found in Job 1\u20132<\/a>, where he caused the death of many. But after the Messiah\u2019s death, after the Messiah passed through and conquered death, and took awa<\/span>y the keys of death from Satan so that he is no longer the lord of death for the believer; it is now the Messiah who causes death for the believer. Satan still has the power of death over the unbeliev<\/span>er, but he does not have the power of death over the believer, with one exception. Satan still has the power of death over excommunicated believers. These are believers who have undergone church discipline and have failed to respond to the <\/span>four stages of Matthew 18:15\u201320<\/a> and, therefore, have been excommunicated. Excommunication means that the believer is placed back under the authority of Satan as<\/span> far as his physical life is concerned. Satan then has the power to destroy the flesh, the physical part of him; but the same passage teaches that Satan cannot destroy his spiritual life. That person is still saved, but, unless he repents, Satan has the option to put him to death physically (<\/span>1 Cor. 5:4\u20135<\/a>). This is the sin unto death<\/em> of 1 John 5:16\u201317<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Except for excommunicated believers, it is no <\/span>longer Satan who puts believers to death; it is Yeshua who puts believers to death. Because it is Yeshua who puts believers to death, the biblical view of death concerning believers is the concept of sleeping. Again, the word \u201csleep\u201d in relations<\/span>hip to death is used only to speak of believers, never of unbelievers (Mat. 27:52<\/a>; Jn. 11:11\u201314<\/a>; Acts 7:60<\/a>; 13:36<\/a>; 1 Cor. 15:6<\/a>, 18<\/a>, 20<\/a>, 51<\/a>; 1 Thes. 4:13\u20131<\/span>4<\/a>; 2 Pet. 3:4<\/a>). The word \u201csleep\u201d in relationship to death shows God\u2019s view of the death of a believer in that it is merely a temporary suspension of physical activity until the believer wakes up in th<\/span>e resurrection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>C. The Messiah Consecrated Death for the Believer<\/p>\n

The third area of death and the believer is that Yeshua the Messiah consecrated death. For the believer, the Messiah has changed the whole content of <\/span>death. This does not mean that death is a blessing, for death is never a blessing (1 Cor. 15:26<\/a>). Death is a product of the Fall and was never part of God\u2019s perfect plan for man. But death does contai<\/span>n a blessing in that, by means of death, the believer goes into the very presence of God at the moment of death (2 Cor. 5:8<\/a>; Phil. 1:23<\/a>). Again, the believer does not fall asleep in his soul, but only<\/span> in his body, for his soul goes immediately into God\u2019s presence. According to Hebrews 9:27<\/a>, it is still appointed unto men once to die<\/em>, but death is simply not the same thing for believers. Death has <\/span>been consecrated as far as the believer is concerned.<\/p>\n

So there is no need for a believer to fear. One of the reasons that Jesus died was to take away the fear of death from man (Heb. 2:14\u201315<\/a>). Believe<\/span>rs do not need to fear death, realizing that it is the means by which the believer will enter into Heaven. The proper attitude the believer should have regarding death is brought out in the Scriptures.<\/span><\/p>\n

God\u2019s attitude is given in Psalm 116:15<\/a>: Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints.<\/em><\/p>\n

The believer\u2019s attitude is given in several passages:<\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 5:1<\/a>: For we know that if the<\/em><\/span> earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.<\/em><\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 5:6\u20138<\/a>: Being therefore always of good courage, and knowi<\/em><\/span>ng that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (for we walk by faith, not by sight); we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Philippians 1:21\u201323<\/a>: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh, if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. <\/em><\/span>But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better.<\/em><\/p>\n

Another place where the believer\u2019s attitude of death is given is 2 Timothy 4:6\u20138<\/a>, where<\/span> Paul described his attitude toward his own approaching death: For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have ke<\/em><\/span>pt the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The believer\u2019s attitude should be one of recognition that, should he die, he should not fear death but realize that by death he shall be in the very presence of God. For that reason, b<\/span>elievers are not to sorrow as the unbelievers who have no hope<\/em> (1 Thes. 4:13<\/a>). There is a place for weeping for the loss of a loved one, as Jesus wept<\/em> over the death of Lazarus in John 11:35<\/a>. There is<\/span> a place for weeping and for sorrow, but not the type of sorrow that expresses hopelessness. Sorrow and tears: yes; lamenting and wailing: no.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>D. Suicide<\/p>\n

The fourth area in discussing death and the believer is the subject of suicide. \u201cWhat about believers who commit suicide?\u201d It has already been pointed out that Yeshua puts most believers to<\/span> death, and Satan can put excommunicated believers to death. Now the question is, what happens in the case of suicide? If suicide has occurred in the case of an excommunicated believer, it can be deduced that Satan was the cause of that death. In the case of the excommunicated believer, Satan can use suicide as well as other means to put one to death. But what about believers who have n<\/span>ot been excommunicated who commit suicide?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bible is totally silent on the theological implications of suicide. The Bible simply does not spell out theologically what suicide involves. It records accounts of <\/span>people who committed suicide, but it does not give any theological implications as such. From the context of the biblical record of those who committed suicide, two things can be known: first, those who do commit suicide are out of fellowship with the Lord; and secondly, suicide is always out of the will of God; it is never the will of God for anyone to commit suici<\/span>de. But that is all one can be certain about concerning those who commit suicide: they are out of fellowship and out of the will of God. Suicide is an act of the human will over the divine will since it is not God\u2019s will for anyone, <\/span><\/span>especially believers, to commit suicide. But one must be careful not to draw too many other theological and doctrinal conclusions from historical accounts.<\/p>\n

The Messiah is the cause of death for belie<\/span>vers if death is inflicted upon them. Satan can cause the death of excommunicated believers, and this he can do in two ways: first, death could be inflicted upon the excommunicated believer by some outside source, such as accidental death or d<\/span>isease; secondly, Satan can use suicide, and he may cause death to be self-inflicted in the case of an excommunicated believer. These are the two categories of how death occurs concerning believers discussed so far.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there is a third cause of the death of a believer in that a believer can take matters into his own hands and cause death by self-inf<\/span>liction, by committing suicide. Believers are capable of any and every sin when they are out of fellowship with the Lord, and one of these sins which they are capable of performing is the sin of suicide. Having said this, what is the spiritual status of the believer guilty of suicide? Because of the silence of Scripture, we do not know all<\/span> that we would like to know about this particular subject. But there are certain things that can be surmised.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>1. Not the Unpardonable Sin<\/p>\n

First, and very importantly, it is not the unpardonable sin. The concept of suicide being the unpardonable sin actually originated with Roman Catholicism, which teaches tha<\/span>t suicide is one of the seven deadly sins for which there can be no salvation. Unfortunately, many evangelical believers have been stuck with this same concept in mind. As a result, they view suicide as an unpardonable sin and, therefore, feel that a believer goes to Hell if he commits suicide. But remember, if eternal security is true for other believers, and the Bible<\/span> teaches that this is so, it is also true for the believer who has committed suicide. The salvation of the person who has committed suicide is assured, and the believer who has committed suicide is in the presence of the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span> major Christian magazine had an article on suicide in which the author rightly pointed out that even the believer who commits suicide still goes to Heaven. In a later issue of the magazine, there were<\/span> several letters to the editor concerning that article. One person objected to the article by saying that suicide is a sin for which one does not have time to ask forgiveness; therefore, that person cannot go to Heaven. But the person who wrote that letter misunderstood the purpose of confession. A believer does not end up in Hell because he has neglected to confess this sin or that sin. A believer<\/span>\u2019s sin does not cause him to lose his salvation, and confession does not restore one to salvation. When a believer sins, he falls out of fellowship with God, but he does not \u201cfall out\u201d of his salvation. The purpose of confession <\/span><\/span>is to restore fellowship, not to restore salvation. So, when a believer commits suicide, his salvation is still assured, because the Messiah died for all of his sins, no<\/span>t just some of his sins. The Messiah even died for the sin of suicide. Remember, Yeshua died for every type of sin, not only for certain types of sin. In the case of the believer, the blood of Yeshua removes all of his sins, not just some of his sins. All confession does is to restore a believer to fellowship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, suicide is not the unpardonable sin. A person\u2019s salvation is assured. Even when a<\/span> believer commits suicide, he still goes into the presence of God.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>2. Does Not Effect God\u2019s Word<\/p>\n

A second thing that can be known about the believer who is guilty of suicide is that Romans 8:28<\/a> is still in effect: to those who love God all things work together for go<\/em><\/span>od<\/em>, to those who are called according to his purpose<\/em>. Just how things work out for the good of someone committing suicide may not be known in this life; but it will be understood in eternity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>3. God Allows It to Happen<\/p>\n

A third thing that can be realized about suicide is that God did allow it. God has been known to stop others, yet He chose not to stop it in the case of believers who succes<\/span>sfully commit suicide. For one reason or another, God allowed it. This, too, may not be understood in this life, but it will be in eternity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>4. There Will Be No Condemnation<\/p>\n

The last thing that can be known about the believer who is guilty of suicide is that, even for him, Romans 8:1\u20132<\/a> still stands: there is now no condemnation<\/em>; there will<\/span> be no condemnation for him at the Judgment-Seat of the Messiah, because he was forgiven of all of his sins when he believed on the Messiah. There will certainly be a loss of rewards, but no condemnation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>V. The Abolishment of Death<\/p>\n

The fifth part of the biblical view of death is its abolishment. Both spiritual and physical death can be abolished. As far as spiritual death is concerned, this is abolish<\/span>ed at salvation according to 2 Timothy 1:10<\/a>: but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel<\/em><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Obviously, the Messiah has not as yet abolished physical death, for believers still die physically. Yet this verse speaks about a death that has been abolished<\/em> for believers, and this death is conne<\/span>cted with immortality. The death that has already been abolished<\/em> for the believer is spiritual death, because the moment one believes on Yeshua the Messiah, that He died for our sins, was buried, and <\/span>rose again, at that moment, the believer is spiritually resurrected, and spiritual death is abolished<\/em> for him.<\/p>\n

As far as physical death is concerned, a time will come when physical death will also be <\/span>abolished according to 1 Corinthians 15:24\u201326<\/a>: Then comes the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. For <\/em><\/span>he must reign, till he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.<\/em><\/p>\n

People tend to think in terms of Satan as being man\u2019s final enemy, and once Satan is con<\/span>fined in the Lake of Fire, that will be it. But actually, he is the next-to-the-last enemy of man. The actual final enemy of man is not Satan, but that which entered human experience because of the Satanic temptation of the first parents: physical death. As a result of Adam\u2019s Fall, death<\/span> has been very much part of human experience and has been cruel and relentless. Everyone in history, except for two men in the Old Testament, Enoch and Elijah, have succumbed to it. But according to this passage, a day will come when physical death is going to be abolished. Physical death will be abolished for all men; believer and unbeliever, but there will be two different destinies altogether.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>A. The Abolishment of Physical Death for the Believer<\/p>\n

Concerning believers, one must distinguish between four different groups of believers: Church saints, Old Testament saints, Tribulation saints, an<\/span>d Millennial saints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>1. The Church Saints<\/p>\n

As far as Church saints are concerned, physical death will be abolished at the Rapture of the Church. This is taught by two passages of Scripture. The first is 1 Corinthians 15:50<\/span>\u201358<\/a>: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall <\/em><\/span>all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the <\/em><\/span>saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to this passage, the believer\u2019s physical death will be abolished at the time of the Rapture. At that point, \u201ccorruption puts on incorruption, and mortality puts on immortali<\/span>ty.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second passage, which teaches that physical death will be abolished for the Church saints at the Rapture, is 1 Thessalonians 4:13\u201318<\/a>: But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning <\/em><\/span>them that fall <\/em>asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with h<\/em><\/span>im. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For 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; then we that are alive, that are left, shall to<\/em><\/span>gether with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

For the second time, Paul pointed out that physical de<\/span>ath will be abolished for the Church saints at the Rapture of the Church. This will occur sometime before the Tribulation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>2. The Old Testament Saints<\/p>\n

Death will be abolished for the Old Testament saints sometime after the Tribulation, after the Messiah\u2019s Second Coming. According to Daniel 12:11\u201312<\/a>, there will be a Sevent<\/span>y-five-day Interval between the Second Coming and the start of the Millennium. During that Seventy-five-day Interval, the Old Testament saints are going to be resurrected. This is brought out in two passages in the Old Testa<\/span>ment.<\/p>\n

The first is Isaiah 26:19<\/a>: Your dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth<\/em><\/span> shall cast forth the dead.<\/em><\/p>\n

Here, Isaiah spoke of the resurrection of Old Testament saints. In the context of that passage, it comes after the Tribulation.<\/p>\n

The second passage, which teaches this, is D<\/span>aniel 12:2<\/a>: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the context of this verse, Daniel is dealing with<\/span> an event that will come after the Tribulation. The Old Testament saints will be resurrected after the Tribulation during the Seventy-five-day Interval between the end of the Tribulation and the start of the Messianic Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>3. The Tribulation Saints<\/p>\n

The third category of saints is the Tribulation saints. These will also be resurrected after the Tribulation and during that Seventy-five-day Interval. This is brought out in<\/span> Revelation 20:4\u20136<\/a>: And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God,<\/em><\/span> and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: over these the second dea<\/em><\/span>th has no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Obviously, these are the Tribulation saints, for they are the ones who refused to worship the Antichrist. Their <\/span>resurrection occurs also in the Seventy-five-day Interval between the Tribulation and the Kingdom.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>4. The Millennial Saints<\/p>\n

The fourth category of saints, who are known as Millennial saints, will not need to be resurrected, because according to Isaiah 65:20<\/a>, they will not die. There will be no deat<\/span>h for believers in the Millennium, only for unbelievers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/span><\/span>B. The Abolishment of Physical Death for the Unbeliever<\/p>\n

As far as the unbeliever is concerned, physical death will be abolished after the Millennium as a result of the second resurrection for the purp<\/span>ose of suffering the second death<\/em>. Their resurrection is described in Revelation 20:11\u201314<\/a>: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the Heaven fled away;<\/em><\/span> and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gav<\/em><\/span>e up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

So all unbelievers will be resurrected after <\/span>the Messianic Kingdom, 1,000 years after the last resurrection of believers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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C. Conclusion<\/p>\n

Spiritual death is abolished when one believes. Physical death will be abolished by resurrection for both believers and unbelievers. But the third type of death is eternal, and that death will last forever for unbelievers. Eternal death or the second death<\/em>, will never be abolished.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. So death originated with the Fall, and it is a penal evil in that death is a penalty for sin. 1 Corinthians 15:22 Introduction This manuscript is a study on what the Bible teaches about death, the biblical view of … <\/p>\n

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