Where Are the Dead

It is an age-old question. Where are the dead? In the section, "Passings from the Past," on this site we discovered repeated phrases or expressions that are used in the Bible to describe death; three of those phrases being: “going to the fathers,” “joined the fathers” and “gathered back to the fathers.” These phrases give us strong evidence that when we die we join others we know who have passed on before us. Thinking a little deeper, the words “going back” stand out as well. We can’t go back unless we have been there. We go to the grocery store and then back home. We can conclude that we existed in some form or another before we became human, and we go back to that existence when we die. Two scriptures that we can look at that verify we existed prior to our being born in the flesh are found in the books of Jeremiah and Romans.

In Jeremiah it is written:“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5) And, in the book of Romans, speaking of Jacob and Esau we read: “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” It is also confirmed by the words of Jesus in the book of John that no one goes back to heaven that has not come from heaven. He states: “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” (John 3:13)

On a personal note, I am convinced, because of my own experience that loved ones who have passed on assist us in our passing. A few days before my mother passed away, while I was sitting on a twin bed beside her bed in the room, she began speaking to someone. She was looking toward the foot of her bed. All I could see was a dresser. The words she spoke both surprised me and touched me. I felt like I was witnessing something higher then myself. She was smiling and said, “Grace,” which is the name of her sister who died many years ago. She then made a gesture, putting her nightgown, which had slipped up, down over her knees in a display of modesty. She appeared excited and the next words she spoke were, “Joe,” who is her brother who also had died. She continued to converse with them for some time, but I didn’t understand what she was saying. I just sat quietly on the bed, trying to digest the moment. I felt like I had been given a gift in that I was allowed to experience something that few people ever have. Since then I have heard of others who have had similar experiences.

Concerning those who have already died, we can clearly understand from the words of Jesus in the book of Matthew that they are not dead, but alive. Speaking of ones who had died a physical death, Jesus repeats these words from the Old Testament: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead but of the living.” (Matthew 22:32)

Jesus gives us a further description of how it is on the other side in that same chapter of Matthew. After being questioned concerning marriage, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” (Matthew 22:29-30) Thus, we see that marriage will no longer exist in the afterlife.

Jesus gives us another hint as to what is going on with those on the other side. Here again, it is obvious that Abraham, who had died, is not dead. We find two areas described as being separated by a great gulf. Individuals can see across it, and speak to each other, but they cannot cross it. We see that the rich man, although on the opposite side of the gulf, was able to converse with Abraham. In the beautiful picture that is painted here, we are given a unique glimpse into what happens to a child of God at the moment of death as we see the angels carry him away. We have no reason not to conclude that this is the way it is for all of us who believe. We see that the same description is not given concerning the unbelieving rich man.
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot: neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:19-31)

Describing the future, Jesus cautions: “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 13:28-29)

The question then arises: Will we know each other? A simple but convincing argument for that would be if we go back to our family, we must know them. Another clue can be found in the scriptures we just read concerning Abraham and the beggar. They all knew each other. They were the exact same people as they had been in life.

When we die, it is explained by Paul that we go to our father. He writes: “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight : We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” (II Corinthians 5:6-9)

In his 2nd book to the Thessalonians, Paul, explaining that he does not want us to be uneducated concerning the dead, provides another reality concerning death. He explains that those who have died are not dead, but with Jesus. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we, which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them, which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with him in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (I I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

An additional confirmation that, at the instant of death, only the flesh dies and the spirit goes back to the father can be found in the book of Ecclesiastes. The following is a valued scripture illustrating the act of growing old, as well as dying.
(Speaking of growing old) “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (speaking of losing sight) While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: (becoming shaky and stooped shouldered) In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, (speaking of teeth) and the grinders cease because they are few, (vision again)and those that look out of the windows be darkened, (hard of hearing) And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, (up early) and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; (scared of heights) Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his (eternal home) long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the (the spirit) silver cord be loosed, or the (our clay bodies) golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. (Flesh to earth never to be needed again – Spirit returned back to God) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7)

Where are the dead? We learn from the scriptures that they are back with Our Father and with those who have gone on before. They are not dead. The place where they are is separated by a gulf. They can see each other across the gulf. No one has yet faced the final judgment. Our Father, by our words and actions, decides which side of gulf we will be on, and again God is fair and just.

A Reprieve

It is revealed in the scriptures that there are times when one who was dead or destined to die was miraculously healed or raised from the dead. Once, after the son of a widow had died, a compassionate Jesus spoke to her son and he was resurrected from the dead. Needless to say, this action convinced many that Jesus was from God.
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.” (Luke 7:14-16)

By bringing his daughter back from the dead, Jesus also astonished a ruler of the synagogue. This happened in an instant. Jesus took her hand, said, “Maid arise” and the spirit came back to her body. When he came to pray for her, it is interesting to note that the people laughed at Jesus.
“And, behold, there came a man named Jabirus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.” (Luke 8:41-42)
Continuing in verse 49: “While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.” (Luke 8:49-56)

We also read of Lazarus, whom Jesus brought back to life. This was an emotional experience for Jesus in that he “groaned in the spirit” and “wept”.
Imagine watching Lazarus come up out of the tomb. He somehow had to float, since he would have been unable to walk on his own, still wrapped in his burial clothes. It is written that many believed after that.
“Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:14-26) We continue the narrative with verse 32. “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him? And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou has heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them. Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews, which came to Mary, and had seen the things, which Jesus did, believed on him.” (John 11:32-45)

We read of Peter being summoned when a female disciple, Tabitha, had died in Joppa. Peter’s prayer was short but powerful. Tabitha came back to life. When it became known throughout the area many were convinced to believe. Just as Jesus had done with Jairus’s daughter, Peter put everybody out of the room before he prayed, possibly because of their unbelief.
“But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.” (Acts 9:40-41)

Little information is given concerning an account of Paul being stoned. It is not clear whether or not he was actually dead. If not dead, he would have been in bad shape after being stoned. Yet, he walked away the next day.
“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” (Acts 14-20)

Even if it is not boring, we all sometimes doze off during a sermon. Paul came to the rescue of a young man, Eutychus, who dozed off and fell out of a third floor window. “And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.” (Acts 20:9-10)

We read in the Old Testament that King Hezekiah was given two reprieves from death. One involved the entire nation of Judah, the other only himself. He began his reign over Judah when he was twenty-five years old, and he ruled for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. As a rule, he was a good king who trusted in the Lord. As the scripture reads: "Fore he clave to the LORD and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses." (II Kings 18: 6)
To his detriment, during the fourteenth year of his reign, King Hezekiah developed pride in his heart. Thus, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, was allowed by God to attack Judah. He took all the fenced cities, and was about to take Jerusalem and destroy the land of Judah. Hezekiah then turned to the Lord in prayer. He humbled himself before the Lord, prayed, and God then delivered Hezekiah and the people from the Assyrians.
“And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only” (II Kings 19:15-19) God responded to his prayer and intervened for Hezekiah and the people of Judah. “Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.” (II Kings 19:32-34)

Continuing we see another incident where God struck down a large number of people, 5,180 in all. Sennacherib also lost his life at the hand of his own son. “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia, And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.” (II Kings 19:35-37) We find further clarification describing Hezekiah’s pride in the book of II Chronicles. “Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.” II Chronicles 32:27. Thus we are taught that the pride of a leader can bring about the destruction of a nation but that humility and prayer can turn that devastation around.
King Hezekiah, after his ordeal with Sennacherib, became deathly ill. Isaiah the prophet went to him and warned him that death was near. Hezekiah once again prayed. As a result of Hezekiah’s prayer, God, not only healed his illness, but also performed one of the most extraordinary phenomenons in the history of man by making the sun go backwards. We have to wonder why Hezekiah would ask for a sign. It would seem that the healing itself would have been proof enough.
“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death, And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
“And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.
“And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." (II Kings 20:1-11)

Additional Old Testament scriptures tell us of others who died and were brought back to life. One of these is a widow’s son who encountered Elijah the prophet. Elijah’s procedure was strange. While he prayed, Elijah stretched himself over the boy three different times. The Lord answered his prayer. We find that the boy’s soul, which had left his body, returned to him.
“And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? Art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? And he said unto her, give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, has thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God; I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.” (I Kings 17:17-24)
A similar situation is described involving Elisha the prophet. In this circumstance, after being brought back to life, the child sneezed seven times before opening his eyes. We also learn that this revivification took quite some time. “And Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.” (II Kings 4:32-35)

In the New Testament, we read that at the moment of Christ’s death many deceased local believers reappeared in Jerusalem. “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:52-53) This raises a lot of questions. Was this their flesh body brought back to life or their spiritual body made visible to man? Did these people appear for just a moment or stay around awhile? Were they able to converse with loved ones? Did they die again or just disappear? My speculation is that they were in their spiritual bodies and only appeared for a short time. I also believe the reason for their return was to inspire the conversion of souls.

We have discovered that God, at various times, grants a reprieve in the lives of man, but he does not intervene every time for everyone. One example of this can be established in the book of John, chapter five. We read where Jesus healed a man who had suffered an infirmity for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda. There were many others also waiting to be healed who were not.

What determines when God will intervene? King Hezekiah’s reprieve was the result of prayer as well obedience to God. In the examples of Jesus with the widow’s son and of Lazarus, we read that there were many who believed as a result. We could assume that an obvious reason for Paul’s recovery was that he still had much work to accomplish in the furthering of Christianity. Thus, four reasons why God intervenes would be: prayer, obedience, to convert unbelievers and to complete a work that needs completed.

In two separate scriptures The Psalmist wrote these endearing words of joy for us, describing his reprieve from death.
“I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalms 116:1-9)
And the other: “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
“And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (Psalms 30:4-9)

Born, but never Died - Enoch and Elijah

Two unique individuals referred to in the Bible never died a natural death. Enoch, the father of the oldest living person, Methuselah, was one of them. Enoch is only mentioned four times in the Bible. He was 365 years old when God took him. The scriptures state that he was a man of faith who walked with God and disappeared. It also reveals that he had a large family. A person has to wonder if his family were aware that God took him or if he just vanished. If so, how did it affect them? I’m guessing that, since the fact was recorded, the family probably was aware of it.

“And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:21-23)

Enoch is again spoken of in the New Testament books of Hebrews and Jude as well as in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the book of Luke. In Hebrews he is described as a man of faith and in the book of Jude Enoch is recognized as a prophet who, even back at the beginning of the Bible, spoke of the final return of Christ.

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” (Jude 1:14)

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5)

Even though little is written in the scriptures concerning Enoch, it is evident that he was a great man of God. The words “walked with God” seem to sum up the reason he was unique in God’s eyes.

The second individual not to die a natural death was Elijah, who lived during the reign of King Ahab. We find a more detailed description is given concerning Elijah’s departure. A fiery vehicle appeared and separated Elijah from Elisha with whom he was walking, and some sort of rotating tube lifted him up. Keep in mind that the writer describing this scene only had knowledge of a donkey, or horse and cart.

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (II Kings 2:11)

We discover in the New Testament that Elijah is the second individual who reappears, along with Moses, on the Mt. of Transfiguration with Jesus.

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias (Elijah) talking with him.” (Matthew 17:1-3)

These two, Enoch and Elijah, are the only two individuals, besides Melchizedek, who was never born and never died, that are mentioned in the Bible who never died a natural physical death. Though, it does make a person suspect, that possibly Moses may have been taken in a similar manner since no one, but God, was allowed to bury him.

Melchizedek - Never Born - Never Died

Melchizedek is an interesting individual referred to in the Old and New Testament. He is a man, called the Priest of the Most High God, of whom it is said was not born and did not die. The word or name Melchisedec (in the Greek) or Melchizedek (in the Hebrew) means, “King of the just” or “King of peace.” This mysterious man appears in The Old Testament book of Genesis, where he blesses Abram, (whose name was later changed to Abraham).

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blesses him, (Abraham) and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” (Genesis 14:18-20)

He is again mentioned briefly in the Old Testament book of Psalms. “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalms 110:4)

Oddly, even though he appeared in the Old Testament, we discover that more details concerning Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek are revealed in the New Testament. In the book of Hebrews, Melchisedec is first described in relation to Jesus and his being our high priest. “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:20)
Continuing on, it states: “For this Melchisedec king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salam, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham; But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:1-11)

Continuing, it is written. “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 7:15-17)

Struck Down

The Bible reveals that there were circumstances when God struck an individual, or group of individuals dead. The first we find happened on a massive scale during the time of Noah when a flood destroyed all men and animals which were not on the Ark. “And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.” (Genesis 7:23) Most believe that the flood was over the entire earth. There are others who believe it was only over the area where the sons of Adam lived.

Why did this happen? Why was God so disappointed in man? We discover the reason at the beginning of chapter six of Genesis, where we are informed that a gross evil was taking place. Angels were interfering with God’s plan for man. They appeared on earth and were marrying into the family of Adam’s descendant's, having children who were malformed, super-human hybrids. They were called giants. These fallen angels, along with their offspring, were a strong influence upon man. There minds were corrupted to the point where all they could think was evil thoughts, thus ushering in a time of wickedness. God was grieved about this, to such an extent that he regretted creating man in the flesh, except for the one man of God, Noah. “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
“And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
“And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:1-8)

Thus, we find the reason for the death of all man was the influence of evil angels corrupting man to such a degree that he had to be removed.

Multiple deaths also occurred on a large scale on the night of the Passover in Egypt. It was the blood on the two side posts of an individual’s door that caused the Lord to instruct the destroyer to pass over those houses.
“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:12-13) Continuing, it describes: “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.” (Exodus 12:29-30)

These deaths were a sign to the Egyptians and came about because Pharaoh refused to let God’s people leave.

A significant number of people also were struck down after, Korah, a relative of Moses, spoke out against Moses and influenced several others to rebel. We find that God thought very highly of Moses as he stated after Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ sister and brother respectively, spoke out against Moses. “Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8)

It is difficult to understand why, but even after the ground opened and swallowed up Korah and his followers, some of the people still murmured against Moses. God became angry and put a stop to their rebellion. Over 14,000 people died that day.

First concerning Korah: “And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them; and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, lest the earth swallow us up also.” (Numbers 16:28-34)

Continuing, it is written of the following day: “But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, ye have killed the people of the LORD. And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the alter, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.” (Numbers 16:41-49) These people died because of their rebellion against God and Moses.

The expression, “the LORD struck him,” was used concerning King Jeroboam, who angered God by building two large calves for the people to worship. After reigning over Israel for eighteen years, Jeroboam went to war against, Abijah, the King of Judah. God intervened on behalf of Abijah and the children of Judah. “Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.” (II Chronicles 13:18) Jeroboam and five hundred thousand of his army died. “Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah: and the LORD struck him, and he died.” (II Chronicles 13:20)

Here we find that the people died because they had turned against God and went to war against their own people.

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, insulted God by an unholy or unclean act involving the lighting of the fire at the altar. Perhaps the two took fire out of a trash dump or manure pile to light the fire. It is not clear. Whatever it was, it insulted God. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)

Nadab and Abihu died because they made light of that which was holy.

Another man who saw a swift death was King Belshazzar of Babylon who had used the utensils that had been taken from Jerusalem for a celebration or party. During the festivities a hand appeared and wrote on the wall. No one, but Daniel, was able to interrupt what the writing said. The warning was in the words on the wall.
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. (Daniel 5:1-6)

King Belshazzar was scared to death. He died that same night after Daniel gave him the warning. "And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
"In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." (Daniel 5:22-30)

King Belshazzar died because he mocked God.

The death of King Herod was not a pretty sight. Pride overtook him as he went before the people and encouraged them to worship him.

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. (Acts 12:21-23)

King Herod died because of his pride.

What About the Animals

We pet owners’ desire answers concerning the fate of our dear pets, which we love. As we search the scriptures we find there is no concrete, beyond the shadow of a doubt evidence as to what happens to them. But, as we search deeper, we find the clues are there.

We read from I Corinthians 15:39 that all flesh is not the same. We were told there are four different types of flesh: man, animal, fish and birds. Throughout the scriptures it is made clear that God is pleased with, and places great value on, the animals he has created. He says: “For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.” (Psalms 50:10-11) There are countless animals and birds on this earth, and we discover that records are also being kept of them. Jesus spoke of the insignificant sparrow as having value. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29) “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6)

God loves and is proud of his creations. We are able to read and more fully understand that admiration in Job 39, where he speaks to Job out of a whirlwind and elaborates on several different animals including goats, donkeys, peacocks, ostriches, horses and hawks.

We also read in the book of Numbers where the Lord made Balaam’s donkey to speak with him. It is amazing. A person has to wonder, if all animals could speak what they would have to say. Would many speak of unfair treatment? It is amusing that poor Balaam could not see the angel, but the donkey could.

An interesting observation from the Bible is the fact that the animals were created before man was created. In the book of Genesis it reads: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:24-25) We agree it was good. The vast number of animals that were created is mind boggling to consider. The descriptions are unending. A person has to believe that God had a lot of fun creating the animals. The book of Genesis goes on to explain that, just as with man, the animals were given food to sustain them. “And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.” (Genesis 1:30)

We also find that, just as he did with us humans, God formed the animals from the ground. “And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.”(Genesis 2:19-20)

We read from the scriptures that the animals were also destroyed along with man during the flood of Noah. “And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:7) “And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:” (Genesis 7:21)

What is fascinating to consider is that the promise, which God made after the flood, was not only to man, but to the animals as well. “And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you and with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.” (Genesis 9:9-11)

We find, as a gift, the animals were delivered into the hands of man. Man was given dominion over all God’s creation. We read: “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.” (Genesis 9:2) This is also declared in the Psalms. “Thou madest him (man) to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou has put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psalms 8:6-8) With this gift, we were also given the responsibility to respect the authority given to us over the animals and never to be cruel. “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10)

It is surprising to discover that animals, as well as man, are to give an account for the shedding of man’s blood. The scripture reads: “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Genesis 9:5-6)

Adding to the uniqueness of animals, we read in the book of Jeremiah how the animals appear more able to follow their instincts than man is able to use common sense. “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 8:7)

In the Psalms we are informed that God takes care of the animals as well as man. “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.” (Psalms 36:6) It is hard to imagine, as we read at the beginning of this blog that not one bird falls without it being recorded. The birds and animals are also in the books.

So what can we conclude happens to the animals? God promises, in the world to come, that the animals will exist and that they will be at peace with man and with each other. It is not easy for us to envision the cows, bears, wolves, leopards and lambs hanging out together, but the scriptures say it is so. In the book of Isaiah it reads: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” (Isaiah 11:6-7) There will be no more carnivores. And, again it is written in Isaiah: “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 65:25)

The book of Hosea may help shed some light on the fate of the animals. Hosea stipulates that God is going to make a covenant of peace with the animals. For all of us with pets, here is where I believe our confirmation, as far as what happens to our pets, can be found. Hosea writes: “And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things on the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.” (Hosea 2:18) If we consider this, it is logical to conclude that this pertains to the animals alive on the earth, then and now. Why make the promise to them if it doesn’t pertain to them?

Paul concludes that all creation has the desire for that day when they will be redeemed. The animals are also waiting and anticipating that day. He writes: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:22-23)

For all of us who have loved and lost animals we read: “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6) He remembers them. Why remember them if they were just to be tossed and forgotten? Why keep records if there were no future for them?