John 11:11-14 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." [12] His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." [13] Jesus had been _speaking_ of his death, but his disciples _thought_ he meant _natural_ sleep. [14] So then he told them _plainly_, "Lazarus is dead,
2. Those Who Are Asleep in Jesus Rise at His Second Coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will _certainly_ not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud _command_, with the voice of the _archangel_ and with the _trumpet_ call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
3. There Are Two Resurrections (Life and Death).
John 5:28-29 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is _coming_ when all who are in their _graves_ will hear his voice [29] and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be _condemned_.
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 The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his _nostrils_ the breath of life, and the 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 And the dust returns to the _ground_ it came from, and the _spirit_ returns to God who gave it.
6. The Spirit Is God's Breath of Life, Or His Power.
Job 27:3 As long as I have life within me, the _breath_ of God in my _nostrils_,
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; 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 put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. [4] When their spirit _departs_, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to _nothing_.
8. Human Beings Do Not Have Immortality, Only God Does.
1 Timothy 6:14-16 To keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] which God will bring about in his own time--God, the _blessed_ and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone is _immortal_ and who lives in _unapproachable_ light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might _forever_. Amen.
9. The Bible Uses the Word Soul 1600 Times, But Never Once Uses Immortal Soul.
Romans 2:6-7 God "will give to each person according to what he has done." [7] To those who by _persistence_ in doing good seek glory, honor and _immortality_, he will give eternal life.
10. We Receive Immortality When Jesus Comes.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- [52] in a flash, in the _twinkling_ of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been _clothed_ with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is _written_ will come true: "Death has been _swallowed_ up in _victory_."
11. The Dead Do Not Praise God.
Psalms 115:17 It is not the dead who _praise_ the LORD, those who go down to _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 _David_ did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my _right_ hand
13. In the Grave There Is No Remembrance of God.
Psalms 6:5 No one _remembers_ you when he is dead. Who _praises_ you from the grave ?
14. The Dead Do Not Know Anything.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 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_. [6] Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since _vanished_; never again will they have a part in _anything_ that happens under the sun.
15. The Righteous Will Be Resurrected to See God at the Last Day.
Job 19:25-26 I know that my _Redeemer_ lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. [26] And after my skin has been _destroyed_, yet in my flesh I will see God;
16. The Soul, Or Person, Who Sins Will Die.
Ezekiel 18:4 For every _living_ soul belongs to me, the _father_ as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who 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 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 race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store 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 _longed_ for his _appearing_.
19. When Jesus Comes His Reward of Eternal Life Will Be with Him.
Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to _everyone__according_ to what he has done.