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Articles
Where are the Dead?
This question is imperative and need to be answered based on the truth or inspired words – the Bible. John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16 17. The Bible provides the answer on this given question.
Man is mortal. All of us will die. Hebrew 9:27, “…it is appointed unto men once to die…”. The biblical definition of death is “a separation”. From Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the New Testament Words, page 278, the word “death” is came from the Greek word “thanatos”. It means (a) the separation of the soul (the spiritual part of man) from the body (the material part), the latter ceasing to function and turning to dust. (b) the separation of man from God; Adam died on the day he disobeyed God, Genesis 2:17, and hence all mankind are born in the same spiritual condition. From this clarification, we clearly conclude that the word death means a separation. Man’s death is either physical or spiritual.
Man consists of a body and soul. Death occurs when eternal soul departs from the physical body. James 2:26, “…the body without the spirit is dead…”. The spirit and the soul are used interchangeably many times, referring to the inward man that bears the image of God. But when they are used together (I Thess. 5:23), the soul refers to the animal life. Genesis 2:7, “…and man became a living soul.” The spirit is the part made in the image of God. Man’s spirit bears the image of God. Genesis 1:26 – 27, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: …So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him…”. We look like God in that we have intelligence, emotions, and power of choice or will. Animals, though have life, do not possess these qualities but man does, and this makes us unique! Because man has free will, the power of choice, we are morally accountable creatures. Man’s body is made from the dust of the ground. Genesis 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground,…”. Dust is a common element that comes from the earth. Man’s physical body formed from the earth and to the earth our bodies will return. Ecclesiastes 12:7a, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:…”. At death (a separation), the body goes to the grave, and the inward man (spirit or soul) returns to God who gave it, i.e. it comes under his control and places it in the part of Hades that it belongs, comfort or torment. Ecclesiastes 12:7b, “…and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
Where are the dead? They are in Hades! The Bible teaches that there is a place in the spiritual realm called Hades. The Old Testament refers to it as Sheol. This is the place of departed spirits. This is where the spirit of man goes when it is separated from the physical body at death. Man’s physical body (outward) is buried in the ground, but the eternal part of man continues to exist in Hades.
The King James Version (KJV) uses the English word “Hell” to translate “Hades” and “Gehenna”. Gehenna is the place of eternal punishment for the wicked and unrighteous. The word Gehenna occurs 12 times in New Testament. Each time it is translated as “Hell”. Matt. 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 23:15, 33; Mk 9:43, 45, 47, and others). Hades is the place of departed spirits awaiting judgment. Hades is a temporary place. One must look to the context if the KJV is speaking of Hades or Gehenna.
The best teaching that we have on Hades is the account of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. We could find here that Hades is a place for both the righteous and the wicked. The part of the righteous is called “Abraham’s Bosom” and “Paradise”. Luke 16:22-23, 25-26; 23:43. The part of the wicked is called “Torment” and “Tartarus”. Luke 16:24-25; 2 Peter 2:4. There are two (2) conditions: the righteous are comforted, while the wicked are tormented in the flame. The rich man was immediately aware of his condition (v.24). The rich man recognized Abraham and Lazarus. The rich man could remember the events of his life (vs. 27-28). There was a great gulf fixed between the two realms (v.26). No one could pass from one to the other. This does away with the false doctrine of purgatory. Man’s eternal destiny is sealed at death. To say that a departed loved one is looking down upon us or watching over us from Heaven is false! None of our loved ones are in Heaven now!
Hades is not a permanent place. It will hold the dead until Jesus our Savior returns. John 14:3. Jesus Christ promised a future resurrection of all the dead. John 5:28-29; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:1ff. All of mankind will be brought before the Lord and will be judged which will result in a great separation, the judgment day. Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-46. There will be a destruction of the heaven and earth when Christ returns. 2 Peter 3:10-13. The entire physical universe will be destroyed, notjust cleansed! These events (Resurrection of all the dead, Destruction of the heaven and earth, and Day of Judgment) are all teachings found in the Holy Bible and will take place at the Lord’s return. The Bible indicates that all of these will happen in a moment! After judgment eternity will begin. The lost will be cast into Hell (Gehenna), and the saved will be ushered into Heaven. Matthew 25:46.
Upon death, the soul or spirit of man enters Hades. If he is saved or baptized in water for the remissions of his sins and become faithful until death, then he enters Paradise in Hades. If he is lost, his soul enters torments. It will remain there until the resurrection of all the dead or when Christ returns. Those who are alive when Christ returns will have no opportunity to repent. Even in Hades of Torment, there is no hope for repentance. There will be no opportunity to change our fate once we die.
Folks, now is the time to prepare for eternity. Today is the time for you to repent and be baptized for the remissions of sins. Acts 2:38; 22:16. Are you ready when you die or when Jesus Christ returns?
