"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know
not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is
forgotten." Ecclesiastes 9:5
The first lie uttered on the earth began with a question
initiating doubt in God’s expectations (Genesis 3:1). Planting this seed of
doubt in God’s clear instructions opened the door for the longest sustained lie
on the earth – “Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). At the foundation of
this and all lies is a distrust of God’s word. To overcome all lies we must
come to a full belief in all of God’s Words.
God had formed man from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7).
After forming the man God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” this
animated the man making him a living being. Because God is life anything that
comes out of Him carries life with it – breath, word, etc. (John 14:6). When
Adam sinned, the consequence was that he would return to the dust from which he
came (Genesis 3:19). As with the tendency to sin, this consequence is
transferred to all of Adam’s progeny; we are mortal. When we die our bodies
return to the earth and God’s breath of life returns to Himself (Psalms 146:1).
Some have taken this returned breath to mean we go to be
with God when we die. This cannot be further from the truth. We are dust not
breath (Psalms 103:14). The breath was given to us that we may have life and live
that life in praise to God (Isaiah 38:18). When we die none of this can happen
anymore (Psalms 104:33; 146:2). By sinning Adam discontinued worshipping God
therefore brought about death in the world.
So why did Adam and Eve continue living 900+ years after
they sinned. This can be attributed to God’s mercy. Though Adam and Eve began
to die that very day, God allowed a grace period for Adam and Eve to repent,
just as we have in our lives. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Therefore, the sacrifice He
gave 4000 years after sin qualified Adam for mercy the same way it qualifies us
for mercy.
Because of the sacrifice Jesus gave for us, death is not a
permanent state, Jesus described it as sleep (John 11:11). When He returns in
the clouds of glory, those that died believing in and obeying Him will be
resurrected and receive the gift of eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation
20:4-6). However, those who chose not to believe in Jesus, living lives of
disobedience, will be resurrected to receive the punishment of eternal death,
not eternal dying (Malachi 4:1-3; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:5, 6, 9, 10, 14,
15). They will be burnt up never to live again.
What is your choice?
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