What is death? We certainly have an idea that comes to mind when the word is mentioned. It can be described in all kinds of biological, clinical, theoretical and even philosophical terms. But I want you to place these definitions aside for a moment to look at death as a Biblical term. Of course, if we are going to talk about death, we must talk about life as well.
When studying the Bible, there is a principle called The Law of First Mention. A term, idea or doctrine is best understood when you look back to the first time it is mentioned.
To understand death, go to Genesis 2:16-17 where you find the first mention it. God tells Adam to eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If he does, he will die. Later, the serpent beguiles Eve, Eve gives to Adam, and Adam eats. However, Adam does not keel over. His life functions do not cease. There is no lack of animation or respiration. He does not die ‘in that day’ or even for hundreds of years to come. What did happen is seen down in the next chapter.
God was known to walk with Adam in the cool of the day. In Genesis 3:9 God calls to Adam and asks, “Where art thou?” Understand this, God is omniscient. He knows everything, even the very numbers of the hairs on our head! (Matthew 10:30) God knew exactly where Adam was hiding in the shrubs. God also knew the answer to the questions He asked in verse 11. These events are significant because they show that there was a change in the relationship between God and Adam.
So here is the Biblical definition for death that I would like you to consider: Separation. If we define death as separation then some things begin to make sense in the Bible.
We know from John 4:24 that God is a Spirit, and if we worship Him, it must be in spirit and in truth. In the day that Adam ate of the fruit, he was separated from God spiritually. And because his own spirit had died, Adam did not have one to pass on to his children. Look at Romans 5:12 for a moment. Then re-read substituting the word ‘separation’ for ‘death’. It would read something like ‘Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and separation by sin; and so separation passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.’ See that? We are born unable to have a spiritual relationship with God because we are separated from Him.
Logic would tell us that if we don’t have a spiritual relationship with God here on Earth, we wouldn’t have one in eternity. But don’t rely on logic. Revelation 20:14 tells us plainly, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” The first death is spiritual separation here on Earth. The second death is spiritual separation for all eternity in the lake of fire. There is no doubt about it.
How then can you avoid that lake of fire and enter into a relationship with God? If death is the end, birth is the beginning. In the same way that death carries the idea of separation, birth carries the idea of being integrated into, or enjoined. Death is separation, life is togetherness.
You have been brought into a relationship with this world by your first birth. In John 3, we see this first birth into our flesh, this birth by way of water (i.e., amniotic fluid). And we see it is not enough for a relationship with God. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, not by way of the womb, but by way of the Spirit. This second birth brings you into a spiritual relationship with God.
We can’t earn our second birth by our own actions and rituals. A baby doesn’t work their way into this world. Titus 3:5 says that we are born again, or saved, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us”. According to Ephesians 2:8, salvation is “not of yourselves” and “Not of works”. It was Jesus that did all the work at Calvary.
I go into detail about the second birth in my entry What is Faith?, so I would encourage you to read that. But for now, here is a summary of the way to be born again. Click on the links to read the actual scripture.
- Acknowledge that you are a sinner – Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23 and Romans 5:12
- See that there is a penalty for sin – Romans 6:23
- Realize that there is nothing that you can do about it on your own – Ephesians 2:8-9
- Repent of (turn away from) your sinful past – Acts 17:30
- Accept that God has made a way for you to get to Heaven – Romans 5:8 and John 3:16
- Call on God and ask for forgiveness – Romans 10:9 and Romans 10:13
Once you have done those things above, you have been born again. You can now have a spiritual relationship with God. Eternal and everlasting. One day we will likely have our spirits and souls separated from these bodies. According to Hebrews 9:27 “…it is appointed unto men once to die…” But we don’t need to fear that. Paul explains in 2Corinthians 5:6-8 that while we are in this body we are absent from the Lord, but when we are absent from the body, we will be present with the Lord.
And that will be the best thing of all.