Biblical Perspective on Death, Dying, and the Afterlife
Peter Jaggard
Introduction
Death is a reality which all must face (Eccl 9:1-3). One’s worldview shapes the way one views death. The naturalistic (materialist, atheist) view sees human beings as exclusively or primarily physical; thus, physical death is the cessation of one’s existence. The resulting attitude toward death is therefore one of denial, despair, meaninglessness, or fear. The pantheistic view (e.g., Buddhism, new age) sees our being as primarily non-material; thus death is seen as release from the illusory world of the physical, absorption into the cosmic Mind with loss of individual iden-tity, or in some versions, as part of a cycle of reincarnations. Panentheist or emergent world-views see the human soul as an “emergent” reality arising out of our pre-existing physical body; thus, explaining how such an “emergent” soul survives the death of the body is problematic.
The views of human life and death in these worldviews are contrary to the view of death found in the biblical worldview. They are also much less hopeful, less satisfying, less capable of giving meaning to our human existence in the face of death. The resulting attitude toward death for many is what Pascal described as filling life with a multitude of “diversions” to keep us from thinking of our own impending mortality.
Sin, Death, and the Value of Human Life
The Bible affirms the goodness of God’s creation of human life as a union of physical and spiritual aspects (Gen 1:26-27, 31; 2:7). But sin corrupted the human race so that in our natural state, nothing good lives in us (Rom 7:18). When sin entered through Adam, disease and death became a part of human existence (Gen 2:17; 3:17-19; 1 Cor 15:21-22). In fact, as a result of human sin, the entire created order was placed under a curse, resulting in frustration, bondage to decay, and the “groaning” of creation, awaiting the final redemption of believers (Isa 24:5-6, 19-20; Rom 8:19-22).
Despite the corrupting effects of sin, the Bible holds the highest view of the value of human life. God has crowned us with glory and honor, just a little lower than the angels, but above all other creatures (Psa 8:4-8). Our value to God is evident in Creation, as we bear His image; thus the basis for the command against murder (Gen 1:26-27; 9:6). Our value to God is evident in the Atonement, as it was the precious blood of Christ which He gave for our redemption from sin (1 Pet 1:18-19; Psa 49:7-8). And our value to God is evident in the Consummation, as He is preparing us who know Him to be His bride, beautifully dressed in jewels in the day when death will be no more (Rev 21:2-4, 18-21).
God values us so much that He is involved in our existence from conception to death and beyond. He knew Jeremiah before the prophet was born (Jer 1:5). He formed the Psalmist in the womb (Psa 139:13-16). When sending His Son into the world, He chose to incarnate Christ at life’s earliest stage (Luke 1:30-35). This, and the reverence shown for the aged in Scripture, should motivate us to advocate for the protection of all humans who live at life’s margins – including the embryonic and terminal stages of life.
The Brevity of Life, Finality of Death, and Reality of Judgment
Despite the cosmic value God places on human life, He has also decreed that as a result of sin, it will be fleeting and frail. And so we live in the shadow of death. We are appointed to die once, then face God as our Judge. Therefore we must number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom. We should not presume that we will be alive a year from now. Thus we ought to keep our accounts short with God, have our house in order, and be ready to meet Him at any time (Job 14:1,2,5; Psa 90:10-12; Eccl 9:3; Isa 40:6-7; Jas 4:14; 2 Kings 20:1; Psa 39:4-5; Luke 12:15-21; Heb 9:27).
The Victory of Jesus Christ over Death
In humble obedience, the sinless Christ submitted Himself to death on the cross (Phil 2:7-8). He tasted death for us (Heb 2:9). By doing this, He destroyed the power of death and brought life and immortality (2 Tim 1:10). By His death He destroyed the power of Satan and freed us from our slavery to fear of death (Heb 2:14-15). By His resurrection He has made possible our future resurrection, taking away the sting and victory of death (1 Cor 15:54-57). His death and resurrection make the way for us to cross over from death to life and to never actually die (John 5:24; 8:51; 11:25-26). Ultimately death will be destroyed when Jesus hands over His kingdom to the Father; then death will be thrown into the lake of fire at the end of the Millennium (1 Cor 15:24-26; Rev 20:21).
What happens When We Die—and How We Should Live in Light of These Truths
Whether we know God or not, our souls survive the death of our bodies. For unbelievers, this ought to evoke fear of God who can cast soul and body into hell (Matt 10:28). The souls of unbelievers survive the death of their bodies and exist in a state of suffering and separation from God (Luke 16:19-31). At the end of the millennial kingdom, the bodies of unbelievers are resurrected but not glorified, to stand trial before God based on their deeds, and sent to eternal punishment in the lake of fire (second death; Rev 20:11-15).
The souls of believers survive the death of their bodies and are in a state of conscious fellowship with God immediately after physical death, existing in this “intermediate state” until the return of Christ (Luke 16:19-31; 23:42-43; 2 Cor 5:1-9). Our hope in the face of death is based on the resurrection of Christ (Isa 53:10-11; John 11:25-26; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Cor 15:17-20). This is fulfilled at the return of Christ, with the resurrection of deceased believers and the gathering and glorification of living believers. We are told to comfort one another with these words (Titus 2:13; 1 Thess 4:13-18). We will receive imperishable bodies at the first resurrection (1 Cor 15:42-54).
Christians need not fear death, but rather should see it as a gain, for it brings the believer into fellowship with God and with “the spirits of righteous men made perfect” celebrating in heaven. Whether we live or die, we can bring glory to God by how we live or die (Heb 12:22-24; Phil 1:20-26). Sharing this good news, comforting the dying, and speaking up for those at life’s margins are all part of a biblical ethic (2 Cor 5:11; Prov 31:6-9).
