Death
The state of being , is prevailing
in the New Testament.
Collectively some 250
times.
The use of the words may vary, depending upon the
context, the underlying sense is that of “separation”
Physical Death
The physical death involves the separation of the human
spirit
or soul from the physical body.
The death of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, was
described as her “soul” departing from her “body” (Gen. 35:18).
The
point of death, the body returns to the dust, but the spirit returns to
God (Eccl. 12:6-7)
Biblically defined by the departure of the
spirit (Jas. 2:26).
Who will deal with it appropriately (Gen.
18:25).
Spiritual Death
It is
possible to be “dead” spiritually while alive physically
Spiritual death is the condition of being alienated from Jehovah.
Sin separates a person from God (Isa. 59:1-2),
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, that very “day” they died
(Gen. 2:17; cf. 3:8,23)
Prior to their conversion, the Ephesian saints had been
spiritually
“dead” (Eph. 2:1)
alienated from the Lord (2:12-13)
The “Second Death”
The second death is an
ultimate and eternal separation from God.
The expression is found four
times in the book of Revelation ( 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8).
Characterized as the second death because
it follows physical death; it is designated as death
because it
is the terminal separation
from the Lord (Mt. 7:23; 25:41; 2 Thes. 1:9).
Conclusion
The dogma of annihilation is not an innocent view with
harmless
consequences.
It is a concept that undermines the full force of that
fearful warning of which
Almighty God would have men be aware.
Wheeler
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