Topical Bible: The Dead: Characterised by Absence of all Human Passions

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In the biblical context, the state of the dead is often depicted as one devoid of the passions and activities that characterize human life. This understanding is rooted in various scriptural passages that describe death as a cessation of earthly experiences and emotions.

Absence of Earthly Activities and Emotions

The Bible frequently portrays the dead as being cut off from the activities and emotions of the living. In Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 , it is written: "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun." This passage underscores the cessation of all human passions—love, hate, and envy—once a person has died.

Silence and Stillness of the Grave

The grave is often depicted as a place of silence and inactivity. Psalm 115:17 states, "It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence." This verse highlights the absence of worship and praise among the dead, emphasizing their separation from the living activities of devotion and expression.

The End of Human Endeavors

In Job 14:10-12 , the finality of death is described: "But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he? As water disappears from the sea and a river becomes parched and dry, so man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not awake or be roused from his sleep." Here, death is likened to a deep sleep, a state in which human endeavors cease, and the individual is no longer engaged in the pursuits of life.

The State of the Soul

While the physical body is described as inactive, the state of the soul after death is a subject of theological discussion. In Luke 16:22-23 , Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where the rich man, after death, finds himself in Hades, experiencing torment, while Lazarus is comforted at Abraham's side. This narrative suggests a continued existence of the soul, yet distinct from earthly passions and activities.

Hope of Resurrection

The absence of human passions in death is not the final word for believers. The hope of resurrection is a central tenet of Christian faith, promising a future where the dead in Christ will be raised to new life. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 , it is proclaimed: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord."

In summary, the biblical portrayal of the dead is one of absence from the passions and activities of earthly life, characterized by silence and stillness. Yet, this state is not without hope, as the promise of resurrection offers a future restoration and renewal for those who are in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 9:6
Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Colossians iii. 17
... It is characterised by two peculiarities;"its love of systematizing ... we," he does
not mean the dead, but those ... in which the existence of any absence of divine ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

The Caroline Settlement
... way of Ecclesiastical pomp which had characterised similar occasions ... measure passed
during their enforced absence would be ... of a prayer for the dead with which ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter iv the caroline settlement.htm

Church Abuses.
... The absence of the wholesome stimulus of competition was ... of Convocation was hushed,
a dead calm set ... The good sense, however, which characterised the political ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter viii church abuses.htm

part ii
... He rose from the dead, in order to raise us too after ... now is diffused from Adam upon
the entire human race ... Therefore all men are as though one man, or one great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... sent to Egypt, and sailed for Athens with the dead body of their chief. They had
once more averted the danger of an attack on the AEgean, but that was all. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm