This year, I learned about a death that happened in the past, but less than half a decade ago. The individual was young when they passed, and after doing some
investigation, I learned more about this sad affair. It has left wounds in the
family, wounds that are not fully healed. It doesn't help that those left
behind don't understand what happens after death. It wouldn't ease the loss,
but it would help them to know where their dear one is. It would also allow
them to make sense of any after death experiences, and keep them, if they
chose, from danger. Maybe they will find this blog post somehow; but even if
they don't, I can share the wonderful truth with you, whoever you might be.
Understanding what the
soul is key to understanding the state of the dead. Genesis 2:7 makes this very
clear. "And the LORD God
formed man of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living
soul." These two things combined make "a living soul."
After sin, God told Adam, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou
eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for
dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
return." Genesis 3:19. The Bible does not tell us that he would continue
as some spirit entity once this had taken place. The book of Job gives us more
insight in vv. 14-15 of chapter 34. Speaking of God, it says, "If he set
his heart upon man, if he gather unto
himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man
shall turn again unto dust."
Job also said, "And why dost thou not pardon my transgression,
and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt
seek me in the morning, but I shall not be." Job 7:21. The psalmist David said, "Consider
and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine
eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of
death;" Psalm 13:3. If you search the Old Testament, you will find many
more references that refer to death in this way. Ecclesiastes 9:5 reads:
"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."
If that isn't good enough
for you, there is a passage in the New Testament, however, that makes the truth
about death very certain. We find it in John 11:11-14:
"These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him
out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do
well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of
taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead."
How much clearer can it be? There
are individuals who are in heaven right now; but they either never died, as in
the cases of Enoch and Elisha, or they were resurrected. This was what happened
to Moses and those spoken of in Matthew 27:52-53. All the other people are
sleeping until Jesus raises them to life again. That means that there is no
chance of your deceased relative communicating with you, and any supposed
encounters with them are a deception. Demons watch us all the time and are able
to impersonate us very well. They also hear what people say, so they have
knowledge of the dead person's history.
As we can see, this truth is a
lovely one. It is a safeguard, and it is some of the sweet in the bittersweet
experience of death, because we don't have to wonder what is happening to our
deceased relatives and friends. The privilege of eternal life adds even more
sweetness. To think, one day we could be reunited with them forever! While this
is possible, it is conditional.
What happens to those who were
dead once they are resurrected is determined by each person's life. Sadly,
someone who has rejected Jesus will be resurrected only to die again and stay resting in peace, not to burn
forever. He would not be happy in God's presence, and even if God left him
somewhere in the universe and made the spread of rebellion impossible, the
person would be miserable forever. The way God deals with sin is a mercy.
If someone dies as a believer in
Jesus, Jesus will resurrect him to live forever one day, in a place of complete
safety and happiness. And though we will be safe and happy, we will be happily
busy. "There every power will be developed, every capability increased.
The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will
be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will arise new
heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh
objects to call forth the power of body and mind and soul." Ellen White, Education, p. 307.
We can do nothing about the
destinies of the dead, but we can do something about ours. Which do you want?
