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What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death?

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What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death? The Bible presents death as separation whereby physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, and spiritual death is the separation of the soul from God. Death is the result of sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The whole world is subject to death because all have sinned. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—”
In Genesis 2:17, the Lord God Almighty warned Adam that the penalty for disobedience would be death – “you will surely die.” When Adam disobeyed, he experienced immediate spiritual death, which caused him to hide “from Lord God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). Later on, Adam experienced physical death (Genesis 5:5).

On the Cross of Calvary, Jesus also experienced physical death (Matthew 27:50). The difference is that Adam died because he was a sinner, and Jesus, who had never sinned, chose to die as a substitute for sinners (Hebrews 2:9). Jesus then revealed His power over death and sin by rising from the dead on the third day (Matthew 28; Revelation 1:18). Because of Christ, death is a defeated foe (1 Corinthians 15:55; Hosea 13:14). For the unsaved, death brings to an end the chance to accept God’s gracious offer of salvation. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). For the saved, death ushers us into the presence of Christ: “To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23). Behold, the promise of the believer’s resurrection is so real that the physical death of a Christian is called “sleep” (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). As Christians, we look forward to that time when “there shall be no more death” (Revelation 21:4).

What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death?

Death, as it sounds, is perceived by many as their worst nightmare. The very word can trigger images of fear, of men and women in black, of grief, and of darkness. For some people, it is everything except something good. It is a word that generally generates fears, doubts, worries, stress, and bitterness in many. However, is this how God wants us to handle the very aspect of death? We’ll get divine answers from the best Bible verses on death. As we all know, the Bible is an authoritative guide in knowing and doing what God wants. With a good understanding of this spiritual truth, Apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy, telling him that all scriptures were divinely inspired and are good for teaching.

Behold, it is not God’s perfect will for us to live in the fear of death. Brethren, let no one deceive you by saying the contrary. Truth be told, it is God’s will for us to live, and die, with the confidence or certainty that comes from knowing we completely belong to the victorious, risen king, in the person of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross at Calvary for our sake, and rose from the grave together with all who belong to God. As followers of Christ, we ought to perceive the very aspect of death from a different angle and not as the world does. We have been purchased and welcomed by the one who conquered death. He overcame death for himself and all those who belong to his Father’s flock. Instead of worrying about death, you should be concerned about gaining mercy and favor before his throne.

Is There Life After Death?

Job, speaking out of his despair, asked, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). All of us have been challenged by this question. Is there life after death? What happens to us after we die? Do we simply cease to exist? Is death the end? Is death a revolving door of departing and returning to the earth? Does everyone go to the same place after death or do they go to different places? Is there really a heaven and hell? Behold, the Bible explicitly tells us that, yes, there is life after death. As such, this world is not all there is, and mankind was made for something greater. At death, the body ceases to function and begins the process of returning to the earth, but the spiritual part of man lives on: “The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7; cf. Psalm 146:4). To those who are redeemed and have their sin forgiven, the Lord God gives eternal life, an existence so glorious that “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). This eternal life is inextricably linked to the person of Jesus Christ: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). 1 John 5:12 says, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Jesus Christ, God incarnate, came to the earth to pay for our sins and give us the gift of Eternal Life: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus proved Himself victorious over death by rising from the grave – He is life personified (John 11:25) and the ultimate proof that there is life after death. John 11:25 says, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. The resurrection of Christ is a well-documented event. The apostle Paul invited people to question the over 500 witnesses who saw Jesus after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). Note that all of them could bear testimony to the fact that Jesus is alive and that there is indeed life after death. The resurrection of Christ, which gives us the sure hope of life after death, is the cornerstone of the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:12–19). Because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, we have faith that we, too, will be resurrected. As Jesus told His disciples, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). Christ was only the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again (1 Corinthians 15:23). Just as the Lord God raised up Jesus’ body, so will our bodies be resurrected upon Jesus’ return (1 Corinthians 6:14).

Each person must make a choice in this life, a choice that will determine his or her eternal destination. It is appointed for us to die once and after that will come judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Those who have been made righteous by faith in Christ will go into eternal life in heaven, but those who have rejected Christ as Savior will be sent to eternal punishment in hell (Matthew 25:46). Hell, like heaven, is a literal place. It is a place where the unrighteous will experience the never-ending, eternal wrath of God. Hell is described as a lake of fire where the inhabitants will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). The Lord God Almighty does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires them to turn from their wicked ways by sincerely repenting and believing in Jesus Christ so that they can live (Ezekiel 33:11; John 3:16-18).

Faith in Jesus Christ is the one and only way to receive eternal life and avoid hell. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25–26). Brethren, the free gift of eternal life is available to all. John 3:36 says, “He who believes and trusts in the Son and accepts Him [as Savior] has eternal life [that is, already possesses it]; but he who does not believe the Son and chooses to reject Him, [disobeying Him and denying Him as Savior] will not see [eternal] life, but [instead] the wrath of God hangs over him continually.” It’s important to understand that we will not be given the opportunity to accept God’s gift of salvation after death. Our eternal destination is determined in our earthly lifetimes by our reception or rejection of Jesus Christ.  “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). If we trust in the death of Jesus Christ as the full payment for our sins, strongly hold to His message, and believe in His resurrection from the dead, we are guaranteed eternal life after death, in glory (1 Peter 1:3–5).

What Happens After Death?

Within the Christian community, there is a significant amount of confusion regarding what happens after death. Some hold that after death everyone “sleeps” until the final judgment, after which everyone will be sent to hell or heaven. Other Christians believe that at the moment of death, people are instantly judged and sent to their eternal destinations. Still, other Christians claim that, when people die, their souls/spirits are sent to “temporary” heaven or hell to await the final resurrection, the final judgment, and the finality of their eternal destination. Nevertheless, what exactly does the Bible say happens after death? First, for the believer in Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us that after death believers’ souls/spirits are taken to heaven, because their sins were forgiven when they received Christ as Savior (John 3:16, 18, 36).

Notice that for believers in Jesus Christ, death means being “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). However, biblical passages such as  1 Corinthians 15:50-54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 describe believers being resurrected and given glorified bodies. If believers go to be with Christ immediately after death, what is the purpose of this resurrection? It seems that while the spirits/souls of believers go to be with Christ immediately after death, the physical body remains in the grave “sleeping.” At the resurrection of believers, the physical body is resurrected, glorified, and reunited with the spirit/soul. This reunited and glorified body-soul-spirit will be the state of existence for believers for eternity in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21-22).

Second, for those who have not received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, death means everlasting punishment. However, in a similar way to the destiny of believers, it seems that unbelievers also go to a temporary holding place to await their final resurrection, judgment, and eternal destiny. Luke 16:22–23 describes a rich man being tormented immediately after death. Revelation 20:11–15 describes all the unbelieving dead being resurrected, judged at the great white throne, and cast into the lake of fire. Unbelievers, then, are not sent to hell (the lake of fire) immediately after death, but they are rather sent to a temporary realm of judgment and anguish. The rich man cried out, “I am in agony in this fire” (Luke 16:24). After death, a person resides either in a place of comfort or in a place of torment. These realms act as a temporary “heaven” and a temporary “hell” until the resurrection. At that point in time, the soul is reunited with the body, but no one’s eternal destiny will change.

The first resurrection is for the “blessed and holy” (Revelation 20:6) – everyone who is in Christ – and those who are part of the first resurrection will enter the millennial kingdom and, ultimately, the new heaven and the new earth (Revelation 21:1). The other resurrection happens after Christ’s millennial kingdom, and it involves the wicked and unbelieving being “judged according to what they had done” (Revelation 20:13). These, whose names are not written in the book of life, will be sent to the lake of fire to experience the “second death” (Revelation 20:14–15). The new earth and the lake of fire are final and eternal destinations. People go to one or the other, based entirely on whether they have trusted and believed in Jesus Christ for salvation (Matthew 25:46; John 3:36).

How to gain Mercy and Favor before God’s Throne

Just as we previously mentioned, instead of entertaining fear, doubt, and worries in your heart about death, you should focus on gaining mercy and favor before God’s throne. He who has been granted mercy and favor before God’s throne has nothing to fear about death. Such a person was raised from death the very day that Christ conquered death and triumphed over sin. And for sure, those who get life through Christ will dwell in God’s presence for all times in the world to come. The question now is that to know how to find mercy and favor before God. It is worth noting that mercy and favor from God come out of His grace (unmerited favor). To be receptive to this grace, we need to cultivate obedience and faithfulness to God.

Scriptural Facts About Death

1. Death is not the End – Matthew 25:31-46

Many believe that once we die, we cease existing. Contrary to this false belief, we’ll tell you that death is not the end. Concerning what the Bible says about death, on no occasion has any messenger from God pointed to death as the end. We are taught by the Holy Scriptures that although our physical bodies will decompose during death, our souls will live forever. That is, our souls will either live forever in God’s heavenly presence known as paradise or eternally separated from him and thrown into the lake of fire. The choice of whether we are going to paradise or the lake of fire depends on us. God in his goodness and love sent his only son Jesus Christ to be crucified as the lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Only those who welcome his sacrifice and obey His teachings will dwell in paradise.

On the other hand, those who would have rejected Him and His Teachings during their lifetimes on earth will be directed to the lake of fire. For such people suffering is their eternal reward. To support our message, we’ll recommend that you read Matthew 25:31-46. It talks about the day of judgment which God has appointed our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to execute when the right time comes. Those who will be found worthy through the blood of Christ will dwell in paradise, a place of joy, happiness, good health, and no suffering. For more info, we’ll recommend that you read our article on What Jesus Christ taught about Hell.

2. As Jesus Overcame death, so shall we – Romans 6:5

Perhaps you were not aware but God’s original plan for Creation was free from Sin and death. It was when Mankind Rebelled against Him under the directives of Satan that sin and death found their way into our lives. Despite our sins, God did not stop loving us but sent His only beloved son, Jesus Christ, saying that whoever believes in Him will not die but live. The Death of Christ on the Cross at Calvary and His Resurrection conquered both sin and death. Anyone who Welcomes Him and His Key Teachings is given Everlasting Life in the world to come. In this light, Romans 6:5 says that we will also be raised from death as he was. Almost all Bible verses about death are pointing to this divine truth.

What Does the Bible Say About Communicating with the Dead?

We live in an age where people claim to be more in touch with the spirit world. Today, many people believe we can communicate with the dead and the dead can communicate with us. This belief has resulted in a flood of books, shows, and spiritual advisors who draw people in by claiming they can communicate with their dead loved ones. Although their demonstrations seem impressive, it’s important to know if they are real. To know for sure, we should find out what the Bible says about communicating with the dead. Brethren, Scripture makes it clear that we should not seek the help of necromancers or mediums. Behold, the Bible condemns necromancy which is the practice of magic or black magic involving communication with the dead by summoning their spirits as apparitions or visions, or by resurrection for the purpose of divination; imparting the means to foretell future events; discovery of hidden knowledge; returning a person to life, or to use the dead as a weapon (Deuteronomy 18:11).

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says, “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.” Scripture warns us against consulting with familiar spirits and necromancers. Familiar spirits are trusted spirits that are thought to be friendly or familiar. However, they are not people, but demons (Leviticus 20:1-6, 27; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3; Isiah 29:4). Likewise, necromancers, often called mediums, are those who try to communicate with the dead. Note that neither are part of God’s family and they are not His children by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26). Instead, they are part of Satan’s family, which include those who deny Christ (John 8:34-44; Acts 3:6-10; 1 John 3:8-10).

A Biblical Example of an Alleged Communication with the Dead

A biblical example of someone who tried to speak to the dead is found in 1 Samuel 28. The prophet Samuel had died and King Saul learned that the Philistines were gathered together to wage war against Israel. Saul feared greatly when he saw their army, so he prayed to the Lord God for advice, but the Lord God did not answer. King Saul became desperate and told his servants to find a woman with a familiar spirit. Once a woman was found, Saul disguised himself and went to her at night. He asked her to call upon the spirit to bring up someone. She refused out of fear of what would happen to her if she did it, but King Saul swore in the Lord’s name that she would not be harmed. The woman asked who he wanted her to call up and Saul told her Samuel. Immediately she had a terrifying vision. Saul asked her what she had seen and she said she had seen “gods coming out of the earth” and an old man covered with a head covering. Saul “perceived” it was Samuel and he bowed down to the ground. Then the old man, whom Saul could not see, chastised him for disturbing him. Despite this, Saul went on to ask him what to do about the Philistines. The old man said that God departed from Saul and was His enemy because he had not obeyed the Lord. He added that Saul and his sons would be captured by the Philistines. When Saul heard this, he was consumed by fear and fainted. Later we learn that Saul was captured and he and his sons were killed.

What are the problems with Saul’s alleged conversation with Samuel? There are many things to consider about this account. First, is that the vision was only visible to a woman with demons (1 Samuel 28:13). The “gods” that she saw were not of God, they were of Satan. We know this because there is only one true God and no others (Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:5-6). Furthermore, worship of any other god is worshiping of devils (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). Second, the voice that Saul heard was a delusion. Isaiah 66:4 makes us understand that God can send people a delusion if they disobey and do evil before Him. Likewise, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, we learn that the Lord God will send strong delusion to those who reject salvation through Christ so they will believe the Wicked One (anti-Christ) and be damned. In addition, Scripture tells us that Satan has the power to create miracles (2 Corinthians 2:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:11-14). Jesus Christ spoke of this in Matthew 7:23-23 when He said that people will come to Him claiming that they prophesied, cast out devils, and did wonderful works (miracles) in His name, but He would tell them that He never knew them; these people are deluded.

There is no truth in the Devil because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). As such, it is unlikely that the Lord God would use a demon to raise up Samuel to give Godly counsel. Note that demons know Jesus and what their future holds. In Matthew 8:28-33, Jesus met two men possessed by devils (demons). The devils called Jesus by name and asked if He was there to torment them before the appointed time. Notice that they were referring to a future event when they would be tossed into the Lake of Fire to be tormented forever (Revelation 20:7-10). Therefore, it’s not unlikely that a demon knew what Saul had done and that he would die along with his sons. A close example is that of Paul and Silas on their way to the place of prayer. They were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. The spirit clearly recognized Paul and Silas, followed them, and continuously shouted, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment, the spirit left her (Acts 16:16-18).

What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death?

1 Thessalonians 4:14 – “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.“

Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.“

Leviticus 20:27 – “A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”

Luke 23:43 – “And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Romans 14:8 -“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”

Ecclesiastes 12:7 – “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Isaiah 8:19 – And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?

Matthew 10:28 – “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

John 11:26 – “And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.“

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 – “So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”

Group 1 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Hebrews 9:27 – “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,“

Leviticus 20:6 – “If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.”

Ecclesiastes 9:5 – “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.”

John 14:1-3 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Ecclesiastes 12:7 – “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

John 11:25 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

Luke 23:43 – And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. …“

Group 2 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

John 14:1-4 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Psalm 146:4 – “When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”

John 11:25-26 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 – “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.“

Matthew 25:41 – “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.“

Revelation 20:14 – “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.“

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 – “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” … ”

Group 3 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Psalm 115:17 – “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence.”

Job 14:14 – “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.”

Ecclesiastes 7:1 – “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.”

Revelation 14:13 – And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

1 Corinthians 15:51 – “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”

Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

2 Kings 21:6 – “And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.“

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 – “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

Ezekiel 18:32 – “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

1 Corinthians 15:26 – “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

Hebrews 9:27 – “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,”

Ecclesiastes 9:5 – “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.”

Group 4 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”

Romans 8:13 – “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Ecclesiastes 3:2 – “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;”

2 Corinthians 5:8 – “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

Luke 2:29 – “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;”

Philippians 1:21 – “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Psalm 116:15 – “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

Romans 5:12 – “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”

2 Corinthians 11:14 – “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

Group 5 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Romans 10:9-13 – Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Genesis 3:19 – “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

1 Timothy 6:7 – “For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”

Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 39:4 – “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”

Isaiah 25:8 – “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.”

John 5:24-26 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.”

1 Corinthians 15:22 – “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Group 6 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Hebrews 13:14 – “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”

John 14:1-3 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Proverbs 14:32 – “The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.”

Philippians 3:20-21 – “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.“

Revelation 1:18 – “And the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …”

Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”

Group 7 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

1 Corinthians 15:26 – “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”

Matthew 27:52 – “The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,“

John 11:11-14 – After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,”

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 – “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory, It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”

1 Corinthians 15:55 – “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Romans 8:18 – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

John 11:25 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,”

Romans 1:1-32 – “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, …“

Group 8 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Revelation 1:18 – “And the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Isaiah 57:1-2 – “The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.”

John 5:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

Ezekiel 18:21 – “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”

1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Daniel 12:1-13 – “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. …

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.“

Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.””

Hebrews 2:14 – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,”

John 5:28-29 – “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

Group 9 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

1 Thessalonians 4:15 – “For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.”

Revelation 20:14 – “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

Psalm 115:17 – “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence.“

Romans 6:16 – “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Ephesians 1:19-23 – “And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 – “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:12 – “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Acts 7:60 – “And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Luke 20:36 – “For they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”

1 Corinthians 15:16-23 – “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. …“

Group 10 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep, For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep, For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, …”

Daniel 12:2 – “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Ezekiel 33:8 – “If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.”

John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Job 16:22 – “For when a few years have come I shall go the way from which I shall not return.”

Romans 1:1-4 – “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,“

Group 11 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Ecclesiastes 5:15 – “As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.”

1 Corinthians 15:21 – “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.”

Romans 8:6 – “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.“

Ecclesiastes 8:8 – “No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it.”

Matthew 25:46 – “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Proverbs 12:28 – “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”

Genesis 19:24 – “Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven.”

Acts 20:9-11 – “And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.”

Hosea 13:14 – “Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.”

Genesis 25:8 – “Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.”

Philippians 3:20-21 – “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Psalm 104:29 – “When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.”

Group 12 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Acts 9:40-41 – But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

2 Samuel 12:23 – “But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Genesis 2:7 – “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.“

Psalm 30:5 – “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Revelation 2:11 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’”

Acts 7:59 – And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Revelation 9:6 – “And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.”

Revelation 12:11 – “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Group 13 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Acts 2:32-36 – This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Hebrews 2:15 – “And deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Psalm 48:14 – “That this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.”

1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

Matthew 25:46 – “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Hebrews 2:14-15 – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.“

Luke 23:39-43 – One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Group 14 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

John 20:26 – Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Luke 24:39-43 – “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.“

Luke 24:1-7 – “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? …“

John 11:1-57 – “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. …“

John 11:25 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

John 11:43-44 – When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Group 15 – What Does the Bible Say About Life After Death

Matthew 9:23-25 – “And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.“

Ezekiel 18:4 – “Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.”

James 2:10 – “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.“

Revelation 4:2 – “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.”

Revelation 6:9-11 – “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.“

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