Topical Encyclopedia
Natural death, as understood within the biblical context, signifies the cessation of human life and the conclusion of earthly endeavors. This inevitable event is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reminding believers of the transient nature of life and the futility of worldly pursuits when viewed in light of eternity.
The Bible frequently addresses the brevity of life and the certainty of death. In
Psalm 39:4-5 , David reflects on the fleeting nature of human existence: "O LORD, make me know my end and the measure of my days, let me know how fleeting my life is. Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath." This passage underscores the limited time humans have on earth and the importance of recognizing the end of life as a natural conclusion to earthly projects.
Ecclesiastes, a book that delves deeply into the meaning of life and death, offers profound insights into the futility of human endeavors.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 advises, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom." This verse highlights the cessation of all earthly activities upon death, emphasizing the importance of diligence and purpose in one's work while alive.
The New Testament also addresses the theme of natural death and its impact on earthly projects. In
James 4:13-14 , the apostle warns against presumption regarding the future: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This passage serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the ultimate end of all human plans with death.
The parable of the rich fool in
Luke 12:16-21 further illustrates the futility of amassing wealth and planning for the future without regard for one's mortality. The rich man, who plans to build larger barns to store his surplus, is called a fool by God, who demands his life that very night. This parable starkly portrays the abrupt end of earthly projects upon death and the importance of being "rich toward God."
Natural death, while marking the end of earthly projects, also serves as a transition to eternal realities. For believers, it is a passage from the temporal to the eternal, where the focus shifts from earthly accomplishments to spiritual inheritance. As Paul writes in
Philippians 1:21 , "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." This perspective encourages Christians to prioritize their relationship with God and eternal values over temporal achievements.
In summary, natural death is a significant biblical theme that underscores the temporary nature of life and the cessation of earthly projects. It serves as a reminder to live purposefully, with an eternal perspective, and to invest in what truly matters in the sight of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and ...
... Yet behold the construction that Christ puts on them, "after ... say, may be the temper
of some natural spirits, yet ... it a light matter we speak of, life or death? ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii but seek ye.htm
Translator's Introduction.
... 14), her praise of God (v.11), her heavenly death (vii.13 ... For instance, it puts in
their proper place, in serene ... but it is not, until on such natural humours we ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/translators introduction.htm
Washed to Greater Foulness
... Sudden death is an occasional fact, but more frequently the ... If you would have a natural
filtered water gather ... look, when you pine for sympathy puts you about. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm
The Backslider in Heart.
... I have hoped in thy word." This he puts into the ... has promised to answer our request,
is natural and reasonable ... The table is a snare of death to multitudes that ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xxi the backslider in.htm
Introduction
... and autonomous central self in us which puts before us ... kind of world than this world
of natural law and ... as in the personal life and death and resurrection and ...
/.../jones/spiritual reformers in the 16th and 17th centuries/introduction.htm
Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... There are in this epistle four natural heads which furnish ... of danger and in the hour
of death, when, with ... It puts its trust in these and then considers itself ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm
Six Years in North Bengal --Missionary and Indigo Planter
... monopolies"Carey's first nearly fatal sickness"Death of his ... hope of soon acquiring
the language puts fresh life ... of sin, the sins of a natural state, the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iv six years in.htm
Luther's Separation from Rome.
... offices were deeply mortifying to his natural feelings; but ... he responded, "that a
man rarely puts forth any ... of Christ to the world, must expect death at every ...
/.../7 luthers separation from rome.htm
Luther's Separation from Rome
... offices were deeply mortifying to his natural feelings; but ... he responded, "that a
man rarely puts forth any ... of Christ to the world, must expect death at every ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 7 luthers separation from.htm
The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... The succession of natural phenomena with them was not the ... a fresh frenzy, but the
tragic death of the ... to a conclusion, he himself never puts into execution the ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm
Resources
What is the second death? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about death? | GotQuestions.orgIs there an angel of death? | GotQuestions.orgDeath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus