death Summary and Overview

may be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in Scripture: (1.) "The dust shall return to the earth as it was" (Eccl. 12:7). (2.) "Thou takest away their breath, they die" (Ps. 104:29). (3.) It is the dissolution of "our earthly house of this tabernacle" (2 Cor. 5:1); the "putting off this tabernacle" (2 Pet. 1:13, 14). (4.) Being "unclothed" (2 Cor. 5:3, 4). (5.) "Falling on sleep" (Ps. 76:5; Jer. 51:39; Acts 13:36; 2 Pet. 3:9. (6.) "I go whence I shall not return" (Job 10:21); "Make me to know mine end" (Ps. 39:4); "to depart" (Phil. 1:23). The grave is represented as "the gates of death" (Job 38:17; Ps. 9:13; 107:18). The gloomy silence of the grave is spoken of under the figure of the "shadow of death" (Jer. 2:6). Death is the effect of sin (Heb. 2:14), and not a "debt of nature." It is but once (9:27), universal (Gen. 3:19), necessary (Luke 2:28-30). Jesus has by his own death taken away its sting for all his followers (1 Cor. 15:55-57). There is a spiritual death in trespasses and sins, i.e., the death of the soul under the power of sin (Rom. 8:6; Eph. 2:1, 3; Col. 2:13). The "second death" (Rev. 2:11) is the everlasting perdition of the wicked (Rev. 21:8), and "second" in respect to natural or temporal death. THE DEATH OF CHRIST is the procuring cause incidentally of all the blessings men enjoy on earth. But specially it is the procuring cause of the actual salvation of all his people, together with all the means that lead thereto. It does not make their salvation merely possible, but certain (Matt. 18:11; Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13; Eph. 1:7; 2:16; Rom. 8:32-35).

DEAD or DEATH is the destruction or extinction of life. By the transgression of God's commandment our first parents became liable to death. The threatening was, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Gen 2:17 (comp. Rom 5:12-14; 1 Cor 15:21-22; Heb 9:27). This expression does not mean to define the time of actual dissolution, but rather to denote an inevitable liability or exposure to death, which, in that day and by that act, they should surely incur. The sacred writers speak of a death which affects the body only. Gen 25:11; of another, which describes the condition of the soul under the power of sin, Eph 2:1; and a third, which denotes the everlasting perdition of the wicked. James 5:20. In each of these senses our divine Redeemer may be regarded as having virtually destroyed death and delivered them who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb 2:14-15. To avail ourselves, however, of the benefits of his perfect triumph, we must believe, trust, love, and obey him. See Buby, Resurrection, Christ.