HOW THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF DEATH

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The fact of death is one of our most real, and common, of all
      human experiences.
      1. It enters our lives and occurs somewhere within our own
         families.
      2. We all know that someday we shall die.
      3. 2 Sam. 14:14 says, "For we will surely die and become like
         water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up
         again."
   B. It is interesting to study how the Bible speaks of death.

I. THERE ARE SEVERAL TERMS DISTINCTIVE TO THE OLD TESTAMENT.
   A. The expressions "Going to the fathers" (Gen. 15:15) and
      "Gathered to his people" (Gen. 25:8) are used to refer to      
      death.
      1. These were terms spoken regarding Abraham. 
      2. Death was revealed as one being gathered to those who had
         gone on before him.
   B. Other terms are: "Going the way of no return" (Job 16:22),
      "Going the way of all the earth" (Joshua 23:14), "Going down
      into silence" (Psalm 115:17).
      1. Thus, death is a one-direction movement from which there is
         no turning back.
      2. It is the way all the earth has gone and shall go.
   C. The brevity of one's life and sojourn here on the earth is
      compared to as a "brief shadow," "all flesh is as grass" and it
      is quickly "cut down by the reaper." Job 14:1-2; Isa. 40:6-8;  
      Psalm 90:5
      1. Thus, life's uncertainty should cause all of us to consider
         what will eventually happen to us. Eccl. 7:2
   D. The terms "returning to the dust" and "sleeping in the dust"   
      are used. Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 12:7; Job 7:21; Dan. 12:2
      1. Returning to the dust is the final outcome of the human
         body.
      2. Yet, there is a ray of hope given even in these passages.

II. LET'S LOOK NOW AT SOME OF THE TERMS REGARDING DEATH WHICH ARE    
   USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
   A. The night is coming. John 9:4
      1. Life is compared to day, and death to night.
      2. If we are to accomplish anything, it must be done in the    
         here and now.
      3. Stephen Grellet was a French-born Quaker who died in New
         Jersey in 1855. Grellet would be unknown to the world
         today except for a few cherished lines which he wrote. The
         words which have served as an inspiration to many are: "I
         shall pass through this world but once. Any good that I can
         do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let
         me do it now for I shall not pass this way again."
      4. Indeed, let us do what good we can now while we have time
         and opportunity, for the time is coming when we will not be
         able.
   B. Our souls will be required by God. Luke 12:20
      1. Everyone has a responsibility and an accounting to be
         rendered to God.
      2. If we have lived as the Lord desires, the Lord Himself will
         graciously receive our spirits. Acts 7:59
   C. Death is "putting off this tabernacle" and a "dissolving of    
      this earthly tabernacle" 2 Pet. 1:14; 2 Cor. 5:1
      1. The body is spoken of as a tent or tabernacle in which our
         spirits dwell.
      2. There is coming a time when we must fold up, and lay aside
         this old worn out tabernacle.
      3. When he was old and asked about his health, John Quincy
         Adams, speaking of his body said, "Mr. Adams is all right,
         but the house he lives in is dilapidated, and it looks as if
         he will have to move out." 
      4. Let us continue to keep the faith, knowing that the Great
         Architect of the universe will someday build us a better
         house in which to live.
   D. Death is described as "asleep in Jesus."
      1. Acts 7:60 says that Stephen "fell asleep."
         a. Our English word "cemetery" comes from this Greek
            word which means "the sleeping of the dead."
         b. This is a wholesome thought about death (sleeping),
            rather than the usual harshness that men associate with
            it. 1 Thess. 4:13
      2. Jesus spoke of death as "sleep," because He had the power
         to awake from death; e.g. Jairus' daughter. Mark 5:22-24,
         35-43
      3. Thus, death is not a sleep from which there is no awakening.
         The body awaits the bright morning when they shall hear the
         voice of the son of God. John 5:28-29
   E. Death is also spoken of as "departing to be with Christ." Phil.
      1:23; 2 Tim. 4:6
      1. Like little children, many of us do not long to go to sleep 
         (to depart from this world); yet, we can fall asleep in the 
         arms of Jesus.
         a. When it comes our time to walk through the valley of
            the shadow of death, we will fear no evil. Psalm 23
      2. Death is a departure, a voyage out beyond the present
         known. It is better, far better, to be out there where      
         Christ is.

Concl.
   A. The prophet of old said, "Let me die the death of the          
      righteous, and let my end be like his!"
   B. Rev. 14:13; Psalm 116:15
   C. May death be to us as "sleep in Jesus" and "departing to be    
      with Christ."