What is Death?

There is not a single society in the world that does not have a concept of life after death. From the most primitive culture to the most sophisticated, this is a common belief held by all.

Certainly, there are individuals, atheists or humanists who do not believe in life after death, but even though only about 5% of the UK population regularly attend religious services, many, if asked, would say that they believed there was something after death.

People are always interested in “evidence” for life after death. Spiritualists, Ghost Hunters and those who believe they have had an “out of body” experience, all hope that they have found a solid basis for believing that in some way, their life will go on, after their body dies. Sadly, whatever the hopes people have, Science has so far failed to provide any real proof to support these views.

How does this subject fit into a “Christian website”? To start with, if we believe in something that we cannot prove is true, we are in the realms of “Faith”. As Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Even Faith has to be based on something. I have met people who have a “mix-and-match” faith, where they take bits from eastern religion, marry it with some western or Christian views and perhaps some elements from primitive “earth mother” or druidic religions. They will say that “it works for them” and it may give them peace of mind and a sense of security. But in Christian terms, is this not the house built on sand? It has no foundations and when faced with any real trial, it may well collapse.

Some will say that all religions are equally valid and you either have your religion chosen for you, based on what culture you are born into, or you are free to pick one that is “right for you”. The problem then, is that life after death will take on a different form depending on one’s religion; some will be reincarnated, some will be resurrected, some will achieve a higher plane of consciousness, some will dwell in a spirit realm and some will go to heaven. Is this logical? If we are free to choose the sort of afterlife we want, who ensures that we get it? Who will ensure that the person who believes in reincarnation is not dragged off, kicking and screaming to heaven? We have then the image of a Supreme Deity, giving us the afterlife that WE want, rather than giving us the afterlife that He has decreed for us.

Surely we can see that that some of these beliefs contradict each other and not all can be right. If we are not to build a house on the sand, then we need a rock on which to build. For a Christian, this should be the Bible.

So what does the Bible say about death? The answer may even surprise Christians who believe that their faith is grounded in the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

This verse teaches quite clearly that death is the end of all consciousness and for many people, this is exactly what will happen. This might be good news for those dreading the prospect of eternal torment in hell, but not such good news for those who thought they would immediately be transported to heaven! So is this an isolated verse?

Ezek 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins, he shall die.

This verse shows us that the concept of an immortal soul that automatically lives on after the body dies, is not supported by the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 3:19&20 For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity.
All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.

This verse tells us that we are no different from the animals in this respect. Despite ghost stories of phantom horses or hounds, most people do not believe that animals go to heaven or hell. They, like us, return to the dust when we die.

Psa 6:5 For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks?

This verse again show that the dead are unconscious (Sheol is the grave). They have no memory of God and they cannot praise Him.

Psa 146:4 His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish.

Although the “spirit has departed”, the “thoughts perish”. It is worth remembering at this point that the “spirit” mentioned in such verses literally means “breath”

Eccl 9:5,6&10 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

If further confirmation were needed, these verses echo the others we have already looked at. At death, all consciousness ceases.

This might cause us to despair and wonder why we are bothering to try and lead good lives, if our reward is the same as those who always put themselves first and lead selfish, greedy lives? Fortunately, the bible has other things to say about life after death, for instance, in 1 Corinthians 15.

12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised.
14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.
15 Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised.
17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.
18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

This verse is saying that if anyone takes the Christian path without any hope beyond this life, then they are to be pitied. But Christians DO have a hope – of eternal life. We are reassured of this because Jesus Christ himself was raised from the dead. It is this same resurrection, which is our hope. Resurrection or being raised from death is what the Bible promises to Christ’s faithful followers, not going straight to heaven as some believe.

Romans 8: 11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

1 Corinthians 15:52 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.

So it is clear from the Bible that the dead are unconscious and that the hope for believers is to be raised from the dead, to be in the Kingdom of God, which will be on earth, not in heaven.

For further reading, please go to our pages on The Kingdom of God and Paradise, or if you prefer, please contact us for further information using the links below.

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