Biblical Common Sense – Death – You Shall Surely NOT Die!
February 20th, 2012 by Ron S.
Here’s the 4th installment in this series:
Biblical Common Sense – Death – You shall surely NOT die!
In all of God’s Holy Scripture, there’s not a single verse that tell us that human beings have an immortal soul. In fact the very word “immortal†is used only once in 1 Timothy 1:17 and there it refers once again only to God Himself.
However there is a verse in the Bible that does promote the idea that we don’t really die. That verse would be none other than Genesis 3:4.
Genesis 3:4 “The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!–
Of course even the casual reader of Scripture knows that this was THE grand lie that brought death and ruin to us all. Yet those that believe that humanity has some immortal part that continues living on past death fail to recognize the horrible irony of this. Those who believe the fact that man is already immortal and goes off to live in another state of existence at death, at the core of what that means, are aligning themselves with the grand, original lie of the serpent over the simple truth that God presented that we do surely die and return to the dust! Common sense should expose this fact. Common sense should allow us to see that the immortality of the soul is Satan’s grand old deception. The deception that Eve decided to believe and mankind as a whole has continued to believe in some form or another ever since that day! Mankind has aligned itself with the lie over God’s simple truth of “thou SHALL surely die” (Gen. 2:17).
Genesis 3:19 “By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”
Biblical Common Sense Series:
1. Intro
Jesus:
3. Jesus – “This is MY Sonâ€
4. Jesus – The Anointed of God
5. Jesus – The Messiah is suppose to be…
8. Jesus – Not Equal, Not the Same!
Death:
9. Death – Patterns of Adam & Eve
10. Death – Who Possesses Immortality?
12. Death – You Shall Surely NOT Die! (current page)
Hi
when considering the verse with the serpent’s suggestion to Eve, one ought to also consider what God originally had said to Adam in reference to the matter of “surely die” …
When comparing the serpent’s talk with what God had said, we can see that the serpent is contradicting exactly (even with the figure of speech God used for emphasis) what God had said.
God’s warning to Adam was about “In the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” God’s words concern a “surely die” which would happen “IN THE DAY YOU EAT from the tree”. Furthermore, God speaks not just of “death” or “will at some future time die”, but rather uses the expression “death you will die”.
The question is: Which death would Adam die on that day he ate from the fruit of the tree? As the record shows, Adam did NOT die “physically/biologically”, in the sense that he took his last breath and became a dead soul (contrasted to when he took his first breath and had become a living soul). Thus, it should be obvious that God’s warning to Adam — and subsequently also the serpent’s “180° twist” of God’s words — did not concern the end of Adam’s natural life on earth.
I would say that on that very day, Adam forfeited his claim to the promise of eternal life and in regards to life eternal was “a dead man”, he was under condemnation caused by sin and resulting in death (loss of eternal life). The point was about “[eternal] death”, not about the end of a person’s natural life.
The truth of this becomes further evident when we consider the overall scope of Scripture concerning man’s redemption and salvation … because Christ’s work of redemption and salvation does NOT aim to provide a way whereby man would not experience anymore a natural death, Christ’s work of redemption and salvation aims at providing a way whereby the condemnation introduced by one man, Adam, can be overcome and those who have faith in Christ can receive that life eternal and no longer be under the death sentence incurred by Adam (cp Rom 5:12ff)
Cheers,
Wolfgang
The snake or serpent as most people read never lied, the snake actually deceived Eve with 100% complete truth. How does this make the snake or serpent accountable for “THE grand lie”?
John L.
The fact is Satan seduced Eve and lied about the punishment . Yes she certainly lost her right to life therefore remained in the grave. Satan the deceiver(Word actually used in Genesis ) knew exactly what death God was talking about in his warning ,so was the biggest lie ever told.
Wolfgang writes- I would say that on that very day, Adam forfeited his claim to the promise of eternal life and in regards to life eternal was “a dead manâ€, he was under condemnation caused by sin and resulting in death (loss of eternal life).
Response…The death of Adam was the loss of eternal life but the first and second Adam was not going to inherit it by promise but by nature.
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
Until the resurrection of Jesus no man could be born of God, every believer from Adam to Jesus was a child of the promise but the promise is not fulfilled when one receives eternal life it was fulfilled by the resurrection of Jesus.
Acts 13:32-33 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
When Jesus was raised from the dead man could be born of God and cease being a natural man.
1Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
When one is born of God they receive a seed from God and the life is in the seed and unlike the first Adam who by sin lost the seed and was rendered dead those born of God after Jesus do not lose their seed by sin because they receive it in Jesus’ name.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Sarah
Michael is a prime example of how certain beliefs are born out of necessity . Since Michael continues to sin after he proclaimed to be born of God he has to change the rules to fit his behavior .He now can justify . Boom ! one more denom to add to the list.
Jas writes- Michael is a prime example of how certain beliefs are born out of necessity . Since Michael continues to sin after he proclaimed to be born of God he has to change the rules to fit his behavior .He now can justify . Boom ! one more denom to add to the list.
Response…I have proclaimed nothing of myself and you are the one suggesting that one born of God cannot sin which John disagrees with and briefly explains how that incorrect conclusion is reached.
1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us
1John 1:8
NET © If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, 1 we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Michael
Of course all these men were once sinners so no this verse does not disagree.
6:4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 6:5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6:6 and then have committed apostasy, 6 to renew them again to repentance, since 7 they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again 8 and holding him up to contempt.
10:26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, 30 10:27 but only a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury 31 of fire that will consume God’s enemies. 32 10:28 Someone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death 33 without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 34 10:29 How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for 35 the Son of God, and profanes 36 the blood of the covenant that made him holy, 37 and insults the Spirit of grace?
Michael the Word of God states the opposite of your proclamation
John L,
In # 2 you ask a question, which I am unable to answer:
“How does this make the snake or serpent accountable for “THE grand lieâ€?”
Would you please answer, for me, your own question.
ould you please
Timothy
He answered that question so this question was for others.
He believes the snake aka the devil, satan told a 100% complete truth .Go figure!!
2 Peter 2
2:17 These men 63 are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, for whom the utter depths of darkness 64 have been reserved. 2:18 For by speaking high-sounding but empty words 65 they are able to entice, 66 with fleshly desires and with debauchery, 67 people 68 who have just escaped 69 from those who reside in error. 70 2:19 Although these false teachers promise 71 such people 72 freedom, they themselves are enslaved to 73 immorality. 74 For whatever a person succumbs to, to that he is enslaved. 75 2:20 For if after they have escaped the filthy things 76 of the world through the rich knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 77 they 78 again get entangled in them and succumb to them, 79 their last state has become worse for them than their first. 2:21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them. 2:22 They are illustrations of this true proverb: 80 “A dog returns to its own vomit,†81 and “A sow, after washing herself, 82 wallows in the mire.â€
Michael
This passage is also speaking about those born of God sinning. This means returning to any belief or even back to no belief after you have truly entered a covenant relationship with God and received the promises attached. The beliefs that can be returned to are 2nd temple judaism or any of the pagan religions. This does not apply to those deceived into believing they have been born of God yet were taught lies by false prophets. These people are better off not knowing the truth because they can not be judged for things they were not taught. This warning applies to forsaking the truth which carries the same punishment reserved for the False Prophets who by one lie can prevent multitudes from accepting the Holy Commandments by twisting the Word of God to fit their behavior. There are three outcomes for the fate of a man. The first which is better then the last which renders them blameless because God himself allowed the deception to try and test his elect. These people are the Great and Small who be judged by their own behavior and the resources presented them during their life to overcome the deception. It will also depend on accepting the truth when it is exposed to them before judgement. The second group is those who accepted the Holy Commandments and maintained this special relationship with God. These are those who will be Priest and Kings during the Millennium teaching the Nations about God bringing many into the Covenants . The third is those who Forsaked the Covenants or were very very knowledgeable in the Word of God but twisted it to fit their behavior and or taught others to do the same. While most of these are deceived they had the resources to overcome but greed,pride,lust and hate drove them to ignore. This group believes they are the only true christians and condemn to eternal hell anyone who believes different then them . There is literal 10’s of thousand variations . Then also in this group are those who literally and willingly worship the adversary of the Most High.
I myself at present fall under the deceived with the hope that I can uncover enough truth to lead into the ability to enter a Covenant Relationship with The Creator. I myself do not condemn anyone to the third group because I am unaware of the resources they have been presented but I know there will be many.
Quote…When one is born of God they receive a seed from God and the life is in the seed and unlike the first Adam who by sin lost the seed and was rendered dead, those born of God after Jesus do not lose their seed by sin because they receive it in Jesus’ name.
Jas (I myself do not condemn anyone) writes- Michael is a prime example of how certain beliefs are born out of necessity . Since Michael continues to sin after he proclaimed to be born of God he has to change the rules to fit his behavior .He now can justify . Boom ! one more denom to add to the list
Response…The first Adam sinned, lost his seed and was rendered dead because of it and the second Adam did not sin and his seed was sown in death and quickened by the resurrection and this “never can sin†is the standard you believe still exists for ones seed remaining?
Jas writes-I myself at present fall under the deceived with the hope that I can uncover enough truth to lead into the ability to enter a Covenant Relationship with The Creator.
Response…And here is your arrogance on full display, your faith in yourself “the hope that I can uncover enough truth to lead into the ability to enter a Covenant Relationship with The Creatorâ€
Ephesians2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Michael
Grace is a gift to All Mankind and does not require knowledge or obedience . There is no arrogance in hope or the drive to become more knowledgeable in truth. Sin all you want because you have not promised( entered into covenant) God you would be perfectly obedient . If you had then All 3 of the passages would apply to you .
Ephesians2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Jas writes-Grace is a gift to All Mankind and does not require knowledge or obedience .
Response…Grace may be a gift to all mankind but all mankind does not receive it because they have no faith. And how does one obtain faith?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Jas writes- There is no arrogance in hope or the drive to become more knowledgeable in truth.
Response…That’s right but that’s not what you wrote is it?
“I myself at present fall under the deceived with the hope that I can uncover enough truth to lead into the ability to enter a Covenant Relationship with The Creatorâ€
There’s no free gift in your world, just your hard work to uncover truth in books other than the Bible because you have uncovered that all the biblical translations have been corrupted so you claim some knowledge of early writings of church fathers because you are more diligent than other people in your search for truth and where has this effort left you in your own words?…. “Deceivedâ€
Jas (I myself do not condemn anyone) writes-Sin all you want because you have not promised( entered into covenant) God you would be perfectly obedient . If you had then All 3 of the passages would apply to you .
Response…You are correct, you have been deceived.
Ephesians2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Michael
Faith would be of ourselves but the faithfulness of God would not. Ephesians was wrote to a group of exiles of the northern and southern kingdoms. In Hosea it is said of these exiles they would become “not his people” meaning they would be known as gentiles but also in Hosea God says he would gather them back to again call them “his people”. Many of others prophets record this promise of the regathering of both kingdoms back into one kingdom with one king, that King was Jesus. The main task of the apostles was spread this good news so that it could reach every place they were scattered. But when Jesus became their sacrifice he also became the sacrifice for Adam’s sin therefore bringing Grace to all mankind that ever lived or would live by removing the judgement that was causing remaining in eternal death to reign. This is the blessing of All Nations which allows them to be raised for Judgement of their own actions. This is the Grace of All the Nations which is the act of a Just God . This is also the purpose for 2 resurrections and both having judgements. The first by the Law and the second by your treatment of all God’s creation.
Paul speaks of both but Peter warns us that “3:15 And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, 51 just as also our dear brother Paul 52 wrote to you, 53 according to the wisdom given to him, 3:16 speaking of these things in all his letters. 54 Some things in these letters 55 are hard to understand, things 56 the ignorant and unstable twist 57 to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures.” which caused many to mix the Mercy promised to Israel with the Grace for All mankind. This is the reason we have groups who see the Law as eternal and Holy and groups who see the Law as not necessary which both groups are correct if they properly apply them to the right promise. Yes I admit I am still deceived with the whole world but know that also I will receive Grace with the whole world and hope that my actions do not prevent me from being Judged Worthy of receiving eternal life.
“Grace may be a gift to all mankind but all mankind does not receive it because they have no faith. And how does one obtain faith?”
This is a condemnation of every man,woman and child who never had the opportunity to even hear the Word Of God. This would not be a Just God.
Jas writes-Yes I admit I am still deceived with the whole world but know that also I will receive Grace with the whole world and hope that my actions do not prevent me from being Judged Worthy of receiving eternal life.
Response…Just as Paul spoke of Israel; you cannot attain eternal life because of your worthiness.
Romans 9:31-33 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Quote… “Grace may be a gift to all mankind but all mankind does not receive it because they have no faith. And how does one obtain faith?â€
Jas writes- This is a condemnation of every man, woman and child who never had the opportunity to even hear the Word Of God. This would not be a Just God.
Response…God has s not forgotten anyone and those who never had or heard the word of God have a conscience to guide them in the light that they have.
Romans 2:14-16 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
But we are not those without the written word of God and will be judged differently by this just God.
Matthew 11:23-24 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
“Just as Paul spoke of Israel; you cannot attain eternal life because of your worthiness.”
Michael
God never promised eternal life to Israel, He promised a prolonged life in his rest and this was an eternal promise to all that entered this special relationship by obedience.
Absolutely no one can earn eternal life but God can give it.
“God has s not forgotten anyone and those who never had or heard the word of God have a conscience to guide them in the light that they have.”
Why dont you make your mind up .Is a person saved by faith or by conscience?
Romans 2:14-16 is speaking to exiles of Israel and yes they were not under the Guidance of the Law for 700 years they still retained the morals of it pastdown from father to son.
You think that Israel had no righteousness by the Law . Israel just had a faulty priesthood and a temporary sacrifice but even with that meaning attained righteousness through obedience to the Law and faith in the sacrificial system when they stumbled.
Michael
You really should do an in depth reading of the OT especially the Promises God made concerning Israel even after he divorced them. When you can hold a belief without making God a liar in these promises than you may be on the right path.
Michael
While I do not agree with some of the beliefs of this man, I do however appreciate the research he does.
http://israelect.com/reference/ArnoldKennedy/The%20Gathering%20of%20Israel.pdf
Thanks for the link, Jas. I’m doing some research related to the “gathering” of Israel and it’s handy to have a listing of all the places this event is mentioned in scripture.
Hi All … I wanted to echo Sarah’s thanks to Jas for that link. I’ve been really confused about Israel too…and the political and social ramifications of the fighting between the State of Israel and her neighbors.
Sarah
Understanding the future gathering of the exiles is a very touchy subject within Christianity . Because my research has brought me to see physical Israel are a caucasian race I have been called a racist eventhough I see Israel as a belief not a race. It is true that God had to keep his promises to regather his people from amongst the gentiles and the Gospel was and still is the means of this regathering it is still dependent on acceptance of the Words of the Covenants. The fact is the last 2000 years many nonphysical Israelites have in fact entered the fold of Israel by accepting the Words of the Covenants but they were just a pleasant effect caused by God Fulfilling His Promises to Israel. Eventhough they were not Physical they possessed the signs and the obedience expected of Israel . Every writing about these people states they held the Hebrew faith with the exception of the animal sacrifice and a priesthood to teach them. These groups were hated and persecuted by the Jews because they did not uphold rabbinical judaism and were hated and persecuted by the Romish church being labeled as Jews .
While I do see the importance of how and where Israel was scattered I also know Israel is a state of mind not a race.
I think that people are hung up on the word eternal that they can not separate the 2 ages yet to come and the promises attached. I see immortality of a human coming after death is completely destroyed but can see how one can be accounted of it even before they experience the first death by faith in the Word.
http://bible-truths.com/aeonion.htm