Death is the cessation of life; the cutting off of the great privilege of living. It signifies annihilation. “The dead know nothing,” Ecclesiastes 9:5. Also, Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
Presently, human death is, however, not annihilation, simply because our Creator has graciously provided a recovery from it. Our recovery is based on the death of our Redeemer, Jesus–“the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18). The time for the recovery will be in the Resurrection Day, the Last Day, at the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. During Messiah’s thousand-year reign, he will recover Adam and all his race from the effects of sin and give them life again. Specifically, those who choose to follow God, have their sins forgiven, and determine to live righteously will be restored to the perfection Adam lost through sin. Only by the willful rejection of the grace of God will any fail to attain life. Those who willfully and deliberately reject the grace of God, are represented by the Scriptures as dying the Second Death. That will be annihilation or eternal death- -extinction as brute beasts–because no provision has been made for the recovery of such (2 Peter 2:12).
Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1227: “Where Do the Human Soul and Spirit Go When We Die? (Part I)”
Defining what the human soul is and is not, and its destiny at death
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
For children, parents and Bible class teachers, watch these short, animated videos:
“Are the dead really dead?”
“What happens when we die?”
“Will sin and death ever end?”
