PHYSICAL DEATH - INTRODUCTION

PHYSICAL DEATH

INTRODUCTION

With reference to mankind, the word "Death" in Scripture is used to describe three different experiences:

In each case it is a crisis experience, the nature of which is separation.

 

(1) Spiritual Death

Eph. 2:1 - "Dead in trespasses and sin" vekpos means inactive and points to the result of the crisis.

Eph. 2:5 - "Dead in sins" this too speaks of result.

Eph. 2:12 - "Without Christ" . . . "without God" - also result.

Eph. 4:18 - "Alienated from the life of God" - also result.

The Remedy - cf. 2:5-6, 13, 18. 5-6 "Quickened;" 13 "Made nigh;" 18 "Access to the Father"

Isa. 59:2 - "Separated between you and your God" - the experience.

Matt. 27:46 - "Why hast thou forsaken me." Separation

Definition: Spiritual Death is separation of the person from God, and is the present state of all the unsaved.

(2) Physical Death

- Dissolution of the person

James 2:26 "As the body without the Spirit is dead." - result.

Gen. 35:7-8 - "As her soul was in departing, (for she died)."- Experience.

Definition: Physical Death is the temporary separation of the body from the spirit and/or soul.

(3) The Second Death

Rev. 20:13-15 "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Rev. 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Cf. Rev. 22:14-15 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."

Definition: The Second Death brings the unsaved person into the final and permanent state, involving a repetition of Physical Death and irrevocable continuance of Spiritual Death.