Bible teaching about death is simple to understand, although it is challenging.

Death is:

• a cessation of existence – described by God as a return to the dust. “. . . till you return to the ground, for out of it were you taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). 
  

• a consequence of our descent from Adam “For as in Adam all die . . .” (1 Corinthians 15:22). 
  

• a punishment for sin “. . . as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). “For the wages of sin is death . . .” (Romans 6:23). 

• described as a perpetual sleep (Jeremiah 51:57) from which escape is only possible by resurrection. Consequently there is no consciousness, thought or activity when dead. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished . . .” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6). “And if Christ is not risen . . . those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (1 Corinthians 15:17,18).

• described as an enemy, which, in God's purpose, will be destroyed. “For he (Jesus) must reign till he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:25,26). 

To learn more about what is in the Bible, read it for yourself with the help of a free Bible Reading Guide and Planner. Copies may be requested by email using the link provided on this Web Site.

(Quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible) 

The Bible states an evident truth when it declares “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Men and women are mortal – liable to die; and will die.

We inherit this condition from our ancestor Adam, who was created a living being when God “. . . breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). However because Adam broke God's law he was sentenced to death, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19): and in due time he died (Genesis 5:5).

His descendants, all mankind since, are in “his own likeness, after his image” (Genesis 5:3) and therefore also die. The apostle Paul states this universal condition of mankind when
he says “in Adam all die” (1 Corinthians 15:22). As mortal beings death is inevitable and is described thus: “Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age . . .” (Genesis 25:8). This was also true of Jesus “And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed his last” (Mark 15:37). Although Jesus never sinned, he shared our nature. However, in his case, he was raised from the dead to immortality. “I am he who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades (the grave) and of Death” (Revelation 1:18)

A change of nature from mortality to immortality is essential if we are to live again for ever - “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality”
(1 Corinthians 15:53).

Being descendants of Adam we will all die. Like him we also break God's law, knowingly or unknowingly, and without forgiveness of our sins could never live again. However, by belief, baptism and a new life we become “in Christ” and will, like Jesus be made alive at his coming. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterwards those who are Christ’s at his coming”  (1 Corinthians 15:22,23).

To learn more about what is in the Bible, read it for yourself with the help of a free Bible Reading Guide and Planner. Copies may be requested by email using the link provided on this Web Site.

(Quotations are from the New King James version of the Bible) 

Angels are immortal beings (Luke 20:36), who carry out God's will to bring His purposes to fulfilment. The original words translated 'angel' mean 'messenger' (one sent). They are not normally seen by mankind, but have appeared on a number of occasions to individuals to directly inform them of God's will and intentions. On such occasions they looked like human beings. Sometimes they have been seen in glory, causing fear and even collapse (Matthew 28:2-4). Some angels are named, as Gabriel and Michael, some are senior angels described as archangels.

Their work covers three areas of particular responsibility

• Representing God – “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him” (Exodus 23:20,21. See also Exodus 3:1-6).
  
  
• Directing the nations – “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His who do His pleasure” (Psalm 103:20,21). “. . . the Most High . . . He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have you done?'” (Daniel 4:34,35). 

The book of Revelation shows angels carrying out God's judgements on the earth and its inhabitants, for example: “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete” (Revelation 15:1).

• Ministering to believers – “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those that fear Him” (Psalm 34:7). “Are they (angels, see verse 13) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). 

To learn more about what is in the Bible, read it for yourself with the help of a free Bible Reading Guide and Planner. Copies may be requested by email using the link provided on this Web Site.

(Quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible) 

The sole record of the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus, also known as Jesus Christ, is to be found in the Bible, from which we learn:

• Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.
  
  
• Born of the virgin Mary, thus having human nature.
  
  
• Was tempted in the same manner as all humans, yet without sin.
  
  
• Taught the good news (gospel) about the Kingdom of God.
  
  
• Executed (sacrificed) and raised to life three days later, thereby providing a means for humans to have their sins forgiven by His Father, God.
  
  “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
  
  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
  
  “. . . an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins’” (Matthew 1:20,21).
  
  “And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God’” (Luke1:35).
  
  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
  
  “. . . And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent’” (Luke 4:42,43).
  
  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
  
  To learn more about what is in the Bible, read it for yourself with the help of a free Bible Reading Guide and Planner. Copies may be requested by email using the link provided on this Web Site.
  
  (Quotations are from the New King James version of the Bible)