This world views death as a dark and brooding specter, a Grim Reaper cloaked in black, wielding a massive scythe to cut down humanity. To many, death is a terrifying avenging demon with eyes of hellfire, ceaselessly harvesting human souls, instilling deep fear. Death is indeed a cessation of all the body's vital functions, yet it is not permanent, as God holds the power to grant life to the dead through resurrection. Solomon and Job, two of history's wisest men, reflect on death with a somber tone; Solomon likens man's fate to that of beasts, while Job, in his severe trial, doubts life after death for those cut off from God, seeing life as brief and full of turmoil. Without God, a dead person simply lies in the grave, unlike a tree that might sprout anew. Yet Job holds a fervent hope to rest in his grave until God recalls him to life, desiring to be judged as righteous and to live again, transformed from dust to something far better, in close relationship with Him. Both Solomon and Job conclude that death is not the final end for those who fear God and maintain a relationship with Him, affirming the hope of life beyond the grave.

Human life is not without purpose, and there is hope for life after death through the resurrection, which offers new life to all humanity. When a person dies, as seen with Abel, the first to die nearly six thousand years ago, and the billions since, their fate raises questions about the soul and spirit. The foundational truth is that the human soul is not immortal; humans are physical, mortal beings, and death is the consequence of sin, ultimately leading to the destruction of both body and soul if judged. God's warning is clear: death is certain for those who sin, as reiterated by multiple scriptural affirmations that the soul who sins shall die, and only God possesses true immortality. At death, the body returns to dust, decomposing into its elemental components, as humans were formed from the ground and to it they return. The human spirit, which provides understanding and intellect, comes from God and returns to Him at death, recording the events, character, and personality of a person's life for safekeeping until the resurrection. However, this spirit is not immortal or self-aware; it requires a living body to function and, in death, remains inanimate, a mere record without life. The grave, often misunderstood as a place of ongoing existence, is simply the place of burial where every human, except Jesus Christ, remains, including the righteous like David, who is both dead and buried, awaiting resurrection. In death, life and consciousness cease; the dead know nothing, and there is no work, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave. Plans perish the day the spirit departs and the body returns to earth. Moreover, no one ascends to heaven or descends to hell at death; all await the resurrection in the sleep of death, anticipating the call to awake and arise, when God will grant eternal life to those who seek it. This hope of life after death, rooted in the resurrection, extends even to those unaware of salvation, promising that death will ultimately be swallowed up in victory.

From God's perspective, death is an inevitable part of human existence, as it is appointed for all to die once, followed by judgment. Billions have perished throughout history, and billions more will face death before the promised time of renewal. Though death is called an enemy, resulting from sin's entrance into the world through Adam, God has incorporated it into His plan with a positive outlook. He allowed sin and thus death to occur, foreordaining the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world. In this light, death, often seen as a curse, can become a blessing when viewed through the reality and hope of God's purpose. Jesus Himself, facing the cessation of His life, feared not death but life without God, submitting perfectly to His Father's will, knowing He would be raised to eternal life. Additionally, God's plan includes the destruction of all evil, termed the second death, the Lake of Fire, everlasting fire, hell fire, or the resurrection to condemnation, ensuring that after judgment, everything sinful will be wiped away for eternity.

Jesus Christ's approach to death is marked by calm and purpose, viewing it as a vital part of God's plan. In Matthew 16:21, He plainly tells His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed, and be raised on the third day, presenting it with a dispassionate tone as a necessary fulfillment of divine will. Despite the intense emotional pain He later endures before His arrest, His earlier declaration reflects a steadfast resolve to accomplish God's purpose, even through monstrous treatment and agonizing death, to secure eternal life for humanity. In contrast, Peter reacts with fear and hostility to the news of His death, rebuking Him in Matthew 16:22, only to be sharply corrected by Jesus in the following verse for not being mindful of God's will, attributing such fear to the influence of satan. In John 11, Jesus demonstrates a similar composure regarding the death of Lazarus, a beloved disciple. Despite knowing Lazarus's illness is fatal, He delays His response for two days, showing a calm and confident attitude. In John 11:14-15, He plainly states that Lazarus is dead and expresses gladness for not being there earlier, seeing the event as an opportunity to strengthen the disciples' faith and advance God's plan through the forthcoming resurrection. His reaction to the weeping of Mary and others is not grief for Lazarus, but frustration at their lack of faith and hope in the face of death, revealing His mastery over it and His perspective of hope and the greater good beyond.

We can rarely predict when death will occur. Many factors affect a person's longevity, some within our control and others beyond it. Positive influences like God's will, righteousness, and nutrition contrast with negative ones such as carelessness, war, and destructive behaviors like inactivity, smoking, and gluttony. Death experienced through television or movies often numbs us into emotionless absorption, anesthetizing us against sympathy and compassion for victims. Even real deaths on the news can evoke remote, unreal indifference. While death at a distance may fascinate us, up close it is deeply unsettling. The death of a close friend or family member rattles our feelings like nothing else, bringing unprepared and uncomfortable emotions that settle deep into our stomachs, sickening us with helplessness. King David of Israel, having faced much death, expressed his despair and desire to escape its terrors. For those who obey and truly love God, there is a true understanding of death's role in human existence and the hope of what follows. We know that all who have died remain in their graves, awaiting a future resurrection. True Christians live and die as others do, but we are never alone, especially in despair. David affirms that precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. God the Father is forever merciful, providing comfort often through members of His church. All Christians have a responsibility to offer words of hope about God's promise of resurrection to eternal life and the benefits of overcoming sin. Death, marking the end of the human life cycle, is only the beginning of a future joyous time for those with an intimate relationship with their Creator. Let us comfort one another with these words.

As one advances in age, the subject of death, eternity, and life beyond it begins to occupy more of our thoughts. The busy days of youth and adulthood, filled with the demands of work and family, eventually give way to a quieter time when the shadow of our latter end looms closer, prompting us to view our tomorrows as a precious gift. Death is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, appearing in numerous books and mentioned frequently, from Genesis where God warns Adam that eating from the Tree of Knowledge will lead to death, to Revelation where the second death is described as a lake of fire and brimstone for the wicked. Many in humanity hold the belief that death is not final but merely a transition to another form of existence, suggesting life energy merges with the cosmos, a notion echoing the deception spoken by satan to Eve. Yet, Scripture indicates that for some, death will be a permanent state, not a transformation. Solomon in Ecclesiastes speaks plainly of death, stating there is a time to be born and a time to die, emphasizing that life and death are inseparable within a person's timeline, though foolishness or wickedness can hasten one's end. Jesus Christ assures His disciples that even the fall of a sparrow is within the Father's will, underscoring that no death occurs without God's awareness, and His care extends especially to His own. Death, while often accompanied by fear, should be seen not as an end but as a pathway to a closer tomorrow in God's presence. Ecclesiastes reminds us that the dust returns to the earth and the spirit to God who gave it, affirming His sovereignty over all creation, including death. Christ, who holds the keys to Hades and death, has the authority over these realms, having experienced both, and offers comfort to those facing fears and adversities. Death is defined in this age as the cessation of life, the stopping of bodily functions, yet its deeper meaning and the purpose of life remain complex and beyond full human understanding. Scripture teaches that it is appointed for all to die once, followed by judgment, but Christ's return promises salvation for those who await Him. Death also brings sorrow and grief, a secondary consequence that Christ addresses through His ministry, offering help and healing. The pain of losing a loved one is profound, and rather than seeking distraction or forgetting, one should turn to God for peace and joy, trusting in Him who holds the keys to open the grave. When sorrows are brought to God, He responds with comfort, preventing despair and sustaining hope and faith. Death, therefore, is not an end but a point of change within the broader process of salvation.

In the Garden of Eden, the serpent deceived Eve by claiming she would not die if she disobeyed God, setting the stage for mankind's initial encounter with the concept of death. The Bible teaches that man is a soul, not possessing a separate immortal soul, and that the soul who sins will die. Scripture declares that the wages of sin is death, portraying it as a complete cessation of existence rather than a mystical journey. The Bible also introduces the concept of a second death, mentioned solely in the book of Revelation. It states that those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death, and those who partake in the first resurrection will have no fear of it, as they are granted immortality by God. The second death holds power over those not written in the Book of Life, leading to their ultimate judgment. Death, in a spiritual sense, describes those living under eternal condemnation, devoid of spiritual life, even while physically alive. Jesus taught that those who keep His Word will never see eternal death, passing from a state of spiritual death into life through a relationship with God. However, those who reject this opportunity and remain in opposition to God face a resurrection to condemnation, where they will be cast into the Lake of Fire and die the second death, ceasing to exist. This second death looms as a final event for those who, after being given the chance to know God, choose to oppose Him.

Solomon in Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 reflects on death, stating that the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth, suggesting an ideal conclusion to life that depends on the choices made during it. There exists in all of us a measure of apprehensive awareness of death that influences our attitudes and conduct, stemming from a spiritual source. This fear, though not a constant dread, carries a vague influence on behavior, wrapped in hopelessness due to not fully believing God-given truths about death. The bondage associated with this fear is linked to sin, with its source attributed to satan, who spreads lies about death that many believe, such as endless torment or wandering in emptiness. As long as death seems distant, people often pay it little attention, yet the fear resides in their minds, affecting conduct due to a lack of connection between personal sins and their own deaths. Furthermore, satan is described as having the power of death, a power most do not fear or even acknowledge due to disbelief in his existence. Despite this ignorance, humanity remains in bondage to him. However, Jesus Christ, by becoming human and able to die, paid the ultimate price to free us from this bondage and the fear of death through His substitutionary death. By living sinlessly, He defeated satan, stripping him of the weapon of death over those united with Him. Though satan still possesses the power to take life, he can only do so with God's permission, and God oversees our lives to ensure we are not overwhelmed. It is appointed for all to die once, followed by judgment, but Christ's death removed the curse of death due to sin, and as our High Priest, He keeps us free from returning to satan's bondage. Thus, we are liberated to turn voluntarily to God in obedience, no longer enslaved by satan's spiritual power, and can look forward to growing liberty to obey God fully. Solomon encourages us to fill our minds with these sober yet joyful thoughts, even in mourning, as they represent our hope and the extent of God's willingness to ransom our liberty through His Son.