Deep Dive

A BIBLICAL VIEW OF DEATH

Death is an unescapable reality that overcomes everything living. It is man’s ultimate obstacle. It does not matter what one’s economic status, health, renown, job title, or morality is, death can still come at any point. Regardless of culture or religion, every person has a position on death and what happens after. Some claim that religion is man’s way to cope with the reality of death, but this completely negates the rational arguments for not only Christianity, but the existence of God. Nevertheless, what we believe about death and what is after is critical to the life of a Christian. Not just in understanding where we go when we die, but in understanding the cross, Jesus’ sacrifice, and what He defeated.

THE ORIGIN OF DEATH

Genesis 2-3

• Was physical death a reality before the Fall?

• Was it just a spiritual death that occurred as punishment?

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”

• It appears Paul makes the argument that it was physical death that came through Adam.

• Hypothetical: What if Adam did not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but did not eat of the tree of life, could he have died in the garden? (Genesis 3:22)

 However, one cannot read Scripture and deny the reality of both fleshly and spiritual death.

THE NATURE OF DEATH (BODILY & SPIRITUALLY)

• Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

• Revelation 20:6   “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

• Revelation 21:8   “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

So, if there are two deaths, what happens to the soul after the body dies?

• Ecclesiastes 12:7 “…and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

• Genesis 25:8; 35:29; 49:33 “he was gathered to his people…”

•  Job 14:7-14 “…till the heavens are no more, people will not awake or be roused from their sleep. “If only you would hide me in the grave and conceal me till your anger has passed! If only you would set me a time and then remember me! If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.”

• Philippians 1:20-23 “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”

• Psalm 16:9-10 “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.”

• Acts 2:29-31“that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.”

 What is this realm of the dead and is it different than Hell?

THE INTERMEDIATE STATE / THE REALM OF THE DEAD

Throughout Scripture we see several mentions of “a realm of the dead,” “Hades,” and “Sheol.” These are thought to be names for a potential waiting place for the dead. There are several arguments for its existence, and it seems as though both OT and NT authors understood its reality.

Why the need for a waiting place?

According to Revelation 20:12-14, that on the Day of Judgement, death and Hades will give up the dead to be judged and if not found in the book of life, they are thrown into the Lake of Fire (Hell) and presumably if they are found they will be brought into Heaven. If souls are not judged and cast into Hell or brought into Heaven before the Day of Judgement, there seems to be an argument for a “waiting place.”

DIFFERING VIEWS

1. Soul Sleep: Soul Sleep’s argument comes from when Scripture equates dying with going “to sleep.” However, this view takes it a step further and claims the soul goes into an almost “nonexistence”, ceasing to be active until the return of Christ.

    Scriptural Arguments: Acts 7:60, John 11:11, Acts 13:36, and any comparison of death to “sleep” in Scripture. There does not seem to be any argument for “nonexistence.”

   Scriptural Counters: Phil. 1:20-23, Gen. 25:8; 35:29; 49:33, Eccl. 12:7, Luke 23:43

2. Purgatory: Purgatory is Roman Catholic doctrine that in concept presents that as one spends their walk with Christ pursuing purification/sanctification. If we are not fully purified at death, we must continue that purification process through temporary punishment. Those who reject God do not go to Purgatory, instead they go immediately to Hell. Those who are fully purified on Earth go immediately to Heaven. To avoid purgatory one can attend mass, pray, and do good works.

   Scriptural Arguments: Primarily based of the Apocrypha 2 Maccabees 12:43-45. Other Scriptures used include Matt. 12:32, 1 Cor. 3:15, 1 John 5:16-17

   Scriptural Counters: This line of thought that Christ’s Sacrifice does not purify all sins completely negates the power and the purpose of the Cross. Gal. 3:1-14, Eph. 2:8-9, and so much more.

3. Hades & Paradise: Hades and Paradise are terms used throughout the NT in reference to the afterlife. Hades seems to be a Greek equivalent to “Sheol” in the OT (Acts 2:31/Psalm 16:9-10). Paradise (in the context of this view) is mentioned in Luke 23:43 and as “Abraham’s side/bosom” in Luke 16:19-31. This view would hold that there is either:

   1. One waiting place in Hades that will be emptied at the great white throne of judgement.

   2.  There are two places one can be sent to. One being for the righteous, another for the unrighteous. There is a great chasm between the two. Both will be emptied at the GWTOJ.

   Scriptural Arguments: Luke 16:19-31, Rev. 20:12-14, Acts 2:31, Psalm 16:9-10, Ephesians 4:8–10

   Scriptural Counters: Rev. 2:7, 2 Cor. 12:1-4, Luke 10:15

ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE INTERMEDIATE STATE

It is hard to debate the existence of a waiting place as Scripture seems to clearly present its existence. However, there is an argument that after the Resurrection this waiting place no longer exists.

1.  Judgement is Outside of Time: This argument proposes that since God is outside of time, His judgement has already occurred. Therefore, people are sent to where they are predestined because their judgement has already happened.

2. Paradise is in all cases used as a reference to Heaven: In every use of Paradise in Scripture it stands as title for Heaven (Rev. 2:7, 2 Cor. 12:1-4). To then claim that Paradise is used differently when Jesus was on the cross is a tricky argument. And what do we say to Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:20-23?

• However, if Jesus said “Today, you will be with me in paradise” and then Jesus went to Sheol/Hades (Acts 2:31) what does this mean?