John 11:11-14 This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." [12] The _disciples_ then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." [13] Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was _speaking_ of _literal_ sleep. [14] So Jesus then said to them _plainly_, "Lazarus is dead,
2. Those Who Are Asleep in Jesus Rise at His Second Coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord _Himself_ will _descend_ from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the _archangel_ and with the _trumpet_ of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
3. There Are Two Resurrections (Life and Death).
John 5:28-29 "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is _coming_, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, [29] and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who _committed_ the evil deeds to a resurrection of _judgment_.
4. God Created Man Out of the Dust of the Ground and Breathed into His Nostrils the Breath of Life. Then Man Became a Living Soul. God Did Not Put a Soul into Man.
Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his _nostrils_ the breath of life; and man became a _living_ being.
5. When a Person Dies, His Body Returns to the Dust and the Spirit Returns to God.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the _earth_ as it was, and the _spirit_ will return to God who gave it.
6. The Spirit Is God's Breath of Life, Or His Power.
Job 27:3 For as long as life is in me, And the _breath_ of God is in my _nostrils_,
Job 33:4 "The Spirit of God has made me, And the _breath_ of the _Almighty_ gives me life.
7. The Breath, Or Spirit, Returns to God Who Gave It, the Thoughts Perish.
Psalms 146:3-4 Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no _salvation_. [4] His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his _thoughts_ perish.
8. Human Beings Do Not Have Immortality, Only God Does.
1 Timothy 6:14-16 That you keep the _commandment_ without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] which He will bring about at the proper time -He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone _possesses__immortality_ and dwells in _unapproachable_ light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
9. The Bible Uses the Word Soul 1600 Times, But Never Once Uses Immortal Soul.
Romans 2:6-7 Who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: [7] to those who by _perseverance_ in doing good seek for glory and honor and _immortality_, eternal life;
10. We Receive Immortality When Jesus Comes.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I tell you a _mystery_; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the _twinkling_ of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the _saying_ that is _written_, "DEATH IS _SWALLOWED_ UP in _victory_.
11. The Dead Do Not Praise God.
Psalms 115:17 The dead do not _praise_ the LORD, Nor do any who go down into _silence_;
12. David Did Not Ascend to Heaven at His Death, But Awaits the Coming of Jesus and the First Resurrection.
Acts 2:34 "For it was not David who _ascended_ into heaven, but he _himself_ says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
13. In the Grave There Is No Remembrance of God.
Psalms 6:5 For there is no _mention_ of You in death; In Sheol who will give You _thanks_?
14. The Dead Do Not Know Anything.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their _memory_ is _forgotten_. [6] Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already _perished_, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun.
15. The Righteous Will Be Resurrected to See God at the Last Day.
Job 19:25-26 "As for me, I know that my _Redeemer_ lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. [26] "Even after my skin is _destroyed_, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
16. The Soul, Or Person, Who Sins Will Die.
Ezekiel 18:4 "_Behold_, all souls are Mine; the soul of the _father_ as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.
17. The Wages of Sin Is Death. Death Is the Absence of Life. The Gift of God Is Eternal Life.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is _eternal_ life in _Christ_ Jesus our Lord.
18. The Apostle Paul Awaited the Coming of the Lord for His Final Reward.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have _finished_ the course, I have kept the faith; [8] in the _future_ there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His _appearing_.
19. When Jesus Comes His Reward of Eternal Life Will Be with Him.
Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming _quickly_, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man _according_ to what he has done.