What Does the Bible Say About Death?
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to question listDeath is the unalterable consequence of sin (cf., Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12). Death has passed upon all mankind, and the consequences of sin are felt, but sin is not inherited. Ezekiel long ago said: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” (18:20). David inherited a world of sin, but he was not born a sinner (Psalm 51:5). An alcoholic can have children, but that child would not be a sinner. Until he or she could “choose” to violate God’s law, which is sin (cf., 1 John 3:4; 5:17), this child would be innocent. That child would certainly be exposed to the negative and evil ramifications of alcohol, but that child would not inherit the wickedness of his parents.
Jesus is the only answer to the sin problem, but death in this life will not be alleviated. Now, eternal life, or the reward for a faithfully obedient class, for those who have anticipated the Christ, this is our hope. Jesus, the Christ, arose victoriously over death. Because of this, He proved and paved the pathway for everyone. However, one must choose to follow Him. God gave, but will man receive? (cf., John 3:16). Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). This implies, then, that there is only one way. There are not multiple ways to overcoming the death problem. If you desire to overcome sin and death, you must be in Christ. Paul wrote this: “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven… And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1 Corinthians 15:47, 49). Therefore, in Christ man can and will live, but in Adam alone, “the first man,” he will suffer eternally. This is called the second death according to the book Revelation (cf., 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8). This will be eternal too according to the Master (cf., Matthew 25:46). Death is only overcome in Christ. Are you in Christ?