Topical Encyclopedia
Natural death, as understood in the biblical context, refers to the physical cessation of life that all humans experience as a consequence of the Fall. The Bible presents death as an enemy, a result of sin entering the world through Adam (
Romans 5:12). However, through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the power and finality of natural death have been abolished for believers.
The Origin of DeathThe concept of death originates in the early chapters of Genesis. God warned Adam that eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would result in death (
Genesis 2:17). When Adam and Eve disobeyed, death entered the world, affecting all of creation (
Genesis 3:19). This death was both spiritual and physical, separating humanity from God and introducing mortality.
Christ's Victory Over DeathThe New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ came to conquer death and its hold over humanity. In
2 Timothy 1:10, Paul writes, "And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel." Through His death and resurrection, Christ defeated the power of death, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.
The ResurrectionCentral to the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus, which is the cornerstone of the abolition of death. In
1 Corinthians 15:54-55, Paul declares, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" The resurrection is the assurance that death is not the end for believers.
Eternal LifeJesus promised eternal life to those who trust in Him, effectively nullifying the permanence of natural death. In
John 11:25-26, Jesus states, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" This promise underscores the belief that physical death is merely a transition to eternal life with God.
The Future Abolition of DeathWhile Christ has already secured victory over death, the complete abolition of death will be realized in the eschatological future.
Revelation 21:4 provides a vision of this future: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This prophetic promise assures believers that death will ultimately be eradicated in the new creation.
Implications for BelieversFor Christians, the abolition of natural death by Christ transforms the understanding of mortality. Death is no longer a fearsome end but a passage to eternal life. This hope encourages believers to live with the assurance of resurrection and the expectation of Christ's return, when death will be finally and fully abolished.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Timothy 1:10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Christ and the Sadduccees
... Their appearance now is extremely natural. ... would result if the successive ties for
which death makes room must all revive together when death is abolished. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 18-27 christ and the.htm
The Death of Christ
... of the Word loosed it from this natural liability, so ... yet, because the Word was in
it, death and corruption were in the same act utterly abolished. ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 4 the death of.htm
Valentinian's Vagaries About the Abolition of Death Refuted.
... And if He abolished it to this end, that it ... that they, along with Christ, war against
death, let them ... then, call us, by way of reproach, "natural men" (psukikoi ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiii valentinians vagaries about the.htm
Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her ...
... had lied throughout with all her natural and cultivated ... The death penalty was threatened
often, by Scots Acts ... Had it merely abolished the persecuting laws of ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xii knox in the.htm
Christ's Work of Destruction and Deliverance. Rev. John H. James.
... of death." This is a very fearful view of our natural state, and ... and more glory in
that cross whereby our Saviour Christ "hath abolished death, and hath ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/christs work of destruction and.htm
The Overthrow of the Tyrants and the Words which they Uttered ...
... of the Christians should be abolished, many extortions ... on account of his violence
against Christ, he gave ... merely that he died a natural death; Lactantius tells ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the overthrow of the.htm
How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our ...
... of Christ: by the former sin was abolished and death ... last day shall not die after
a natural manner, yet ... shall resemble, is not improperly called, death (Heb.9 ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 how christ performed.htm
Natural Love.
... when the French Revolution had temporarily abolished holy Baptism ... themselves upon
the enemy with rare contempt of death. ... There are natural men who can not bear ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvii natural love.htm
On the Flesh of Christ
... and in Christ's Case His Death Proves His ... Chapter IX.--Christ's Flesh Perfectly Natural,
Like Our Own ... Peccatum Carnis: It is the Latter Which Christ Abolished. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/
Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... evil, but weak and dangerous, [372]20; death to, different ... faithful, [383]43; the
ceremonies of, abolished in Christ ... Natural, what acts are so called, [428]73. ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm
Resources
What is the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about near death experiences? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome the fear of death? How can I stop being scared of dying? | GotQuestions.orgDeath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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