Death is one of life's greatest mysteries. Do we really die, or do we have a soul that lives on apart from the body? Many are confused about this, and this has led to great misunderstandings about death. Does the Bible provide answers?
Death is a fearful, often traumatic event. Sometimes it is preceded by
suffering, the result of the infirmities of age, disease or injury. Often
death is shocking and unexpected. Family and friends suffer the pain of
loss. The Scriptures refer to death as "the last enemy" to be conquered
(1 Corinthians 15:26) and point out mankind's innate fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). Death remains one of life's greatest mysteries.
Religions offer a variety of answers, some seemingly credible and some
beyond belief. Their explanations often contradict one another, adding
to the confusion and uncertainty about what happens after death. A very
common idea is that people are born with immortal souls. Many believe that
after death the soul is conscious and proceeds to a literal place or condition
of bliss or torment. Others teach that at death the soul is absorbed into
a "greater consciousness." Some expect to be reincarnated, coming back
to earth as another person or as an animal.
Can we pinpoint just what death is? Do we have immortal souls? Are we
conscious after we die? Are we destined to go somewhere to experience some
form of reward or punishment? What is really going to happen when we die?
To understand, let's continue with the biblical account of the first human
beings.
God personally instructed Adam and Eve, but they chose to disobey Him.
They let Satan influence them into choosing their own will rather than
obeying God's instructions. God informed them that, because they had disobeyed
Him, their lives would grow difficult and, as He had warned, they would
die. "In the sweat of your face," God said to Adam, "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).
