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Basic Bible Study Course

RESURRECTION

LESSON #14, (Part #1) DEATH

1. IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE
2. ABOUT PHYSICAL DEATH
3. CHRIST IS LORD OF BOTH THE DEAD AND THE LIVING.
4. THEM THAT SLEEP
5. DEATH / SORROW and FEAR
6. WHAT WILL WE BE LIKE?
7. WHERE DO WE GO WHEN WE DIE?

Definitions are taken from Webster's Dictionary.

1. IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE

Don't live in fear of death because that kind of fear is not of God. Don't live with false security, thinking all is well if it is not. Read Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 & Luke 21:34-35.

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away. Psalm 90:9.

(13) Go to now, ye that say, Today or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:13-14.

No one knows when it is their time to die, so watch and pray and be ready to meet God. Read Matthew 24:41, Matthew 25:13, and Revelation 3:3.

For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. Job 30:23. Read Psalm 89:48.

(27) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28.

Jesus appears to believers by faith when they get saved. When he appears to us the first time, we are in sin. He appears to take away our sin. He appeared to Saul and forgave his sins (Acts 26:16). When he appears and saves you, he does it for a purpose. When Jesus appears the second time to "them that look for him" (born again), it will be without sin unto salvation. Jesus will come and the dead in Christ will rise first and those alive in Christ will meet him in the air according to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (rapture) and that is when he appears the second time to us. That is not the Second Coming as described in Rev. 20. It is appointed that we will die, but we can accept Jesus as our Saviour while we live in this mortal flesh. Then, when we see him we can live with him eternally (John 5:24 & 1 John 3:14).

(11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:11-13.

Hebrews 9:27-28 teaches us that we will die and, ". . . after this the judgment." For more information on the judgment, refer to JUDGMENT study.

2. ABOUT PHYSICAL DEATH

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7. Read also Genesis 3:19.

(29) Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. (30) Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. Psalm 104:29-30.

You can read: Luke 12:4-7: persecuted and killed, no more that they can do. Genesis 18:27, Job 30:19, and Job 42:6: dust and ashes. Matthew 12:39-40: heart of the earth. There are many others.

(3) This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. (4) For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. (5) For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. (6) Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:3-6. Read also Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7.

This mortal body houses our immortal soul. Our soul is eternal but this body is only temporary (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 & Matthew 23:26-28). This body will die, but the soul will live forever with Jesus or in hell.

(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18.

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. Ecclesiastes 8:8.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26. Read Ecclesiastes 7:1 and Isaiah 28:15 & 18.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15. Read Isaiah 57:1 and Proverbs 14:32.

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; Ecclesiastes 3:2.

3. CHRIST IS LORD OF BOTH THE DEAD AND THE LIVING.

(7) For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. (8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

(9) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:7-9.

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:31.

(37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:37, 40, & 44.

4. THEM THAT SLEEP

(9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds and we will ever be with the Lord. We receive comfort from this.

Sometimes death is referred to as sleep in the Bible. In 2 Kings 4:31-37 Elisha laid upon the boy who didn't have voice, or hearing (describing a comatose person), but the Bible said he was dead. In Matthew 9:24 Jesus said "the maid is not dead, but sleepeth." Read John 11:11-14. Jesus said Lazarus was asleep, but then Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus was dead.

5. DEATH / SORROW and FEAR

The Bible says that the sting of death is sin (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). If we have been forgiven of our sins, we need not fear death because we can know that we have passed from death to life (John 5:24). Read this on fear: Luke 10:19 and 2 Timothy 1:7.

(14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15.

Read Romans 8:31-39. If we LOVE God (John 14:15) we need not fear death because then nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Read John 4:18.

Jesus sent us the Holy Ghost, the Comforter (John 14:26). It is for whosoever will believe ( Acts 2:38-39). God desires that we be comforted with the knowledge that we shall see those that die in Jesus again.

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. Psalm 18:4. Read Psalm 55:4 and Psalm 116:3.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4. Read Revelation 7:17.

Isaiah 53:3 tells us that Jesus was acquainted with grief. Verse 4 says, "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. . . ." Read Isaiah 53.

(9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:9, 14, 15.

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Matthew 26:38. Read also Mark 14:34.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4.

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14.

6. WHAT WILL WE BE LIKE?

Resurrect means to bring back to life, to raise from the dead. Therefore, before there can be resurrection, there has to be death. Some worry what everything will be like after death. IF you are saved and believe that God does not lie, then put away fear of everything but GOD! Read what the Word says about it. God has wonderful things prepared for those that love him. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but all who are not saved will go there too (Matthew 25:41).

(29) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Matthew 22:29-32.

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection. Luke 20:36.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2.

Jesus died and rose again. What was he like? Read Luke 24:36-43 and John 20:19-20. He came in the room with the doors shut. He talked and ate with them. John 7:39 speaks of Jesus not yet being glorified. John 12:16 speaks of him after he was "glorified." In John 12:23 Jesus told them the hour had come that the Son of man should be glorified. Then he spoke of how a corn of wheat dies, but then it brings forth much fruit. He was speaking of his death and resurrection-he was glorified and had a glorified body. We also that obtain eternal life shall have a glorified body. 1 John 3:2 says ". . . when he shall appear, we shall be like him. . . ." Read John 17:5-6 & 10, Acts 3:13, Romans 8:16-18, and Colossians 3:1.

(51) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, In the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

(20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20-21.

7. WHERE DO WE GO WHEN WE DIE?

The Bible speaks of the bosom of Abraham in various places. There was a place of torment where the rich man went to, but Lazarus went to the bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:22-23).

In Matthew 12:40 Jesus said that the Son of man would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. First Peter 3:18-22 says Christ ". . . went and preached unto the spirits in prison." These were in the heart of the earth. Samuel is an example of that (1 Samuel 28:13-15). None of the Old Testament people were cleansed by the blood of Jesus yet.

(8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:8-10.

Jesus took to heaven those who had obeyed (before they died) the commandments God gave in the Old Testament. As Jesus went through (from the heart of the earth and up) many saints appeared in Jerusalem. Many bodies of the saints which slept arose and were seen for a short space. Then they went on up. Read Matthew 27: 50-53. They don't come back now and linger. ". . . Neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 9:6).

Abraham believed God. He was faithful. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the Word of God. When Abraham came into Christ, he was taken to heaven from the heart of the earth. The saints vacated the heart of the earth and all that were left were the sinners. They loved the earth and the flesh, now they are bound IN it. Read Isaiah 5:13-16.

Jesus changed things when he brought in the New Testament. Read Luke 16:16. Luke 23:39-42 says that one of the malefactors which were crucified at the same time Jesus was asked him to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus ". . . said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (verse 43). Before, those saints of God were not with God. They were in the heart of the earth. They didn't go to heaven at death. They had lived under the Old Testament laws. If we overcome the devil by our faith in Jesus Christ, we will eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7). According to scripture, paradise is in the third heaven. Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.

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