WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT DEATH

Jesus Christ spoke about the condition of the dead.  He did so with regard to Lazarus, a  man whom he knew well and who had died.  Jesus told his disciples: "Lazarus our friend has gone to rest."  The disciples  thought that Jesus meant that Lazarus was resting in sleep, recovering from an illness.  They were wrong.  Jesus explained:  "Lazarus has died." (John 11:11-14)  Notice that Jesus compared death to rest and sleep. Lazarus was neither in heaven nor in  a burning hell.  He was not meeting angels or ancestors. Lazarus was not being reborn  as another human.  He was at rest in death,m as though in a deep sleep without dreams.  Other scriptures also compare death to sleep.  For example, when the disciple Stephen  was stoned to death, the Bible says that  "fell asleep."  (Acts 7:60)  Similarly, the apostle Paul write about some in his day who had "fallen asleep" in death." -1 Corinthians 15:6.

Was it God's original purpose for people to die? Not at all!  Jehovah made man to live forever on earth. As we learned earlier in this book, God placed the first human couple in a delightful paradise.  He blessed them with perfect health.  Jehovah wanted only good for them.  (It just goes to show that we not only do not listen when we should to the one being who gave us life,but we do  not appreciate anything-never satisfied, a terrible shame) Does any loving parent want his children to suffer the pain of old age and death?  Of course not! Jehovah loved his children and wanted  them to enjoy endless happiness on earth.  Concerning humans, the Bible says:  "Time indefinite [Jehovah] has put in their heart." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)   God created us with that desire to be fulfilled. 

Next time: WHY HUMANS DIE

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006