The State of the Dead

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?