John 11:11-14 These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up." [12] Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." [13]_However_, Jesus spoke of his death, but they _thought_ that He was _speaking_ about taking rest in sleep. [14] Then Jesus 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 by no means precede those who are asleep. [16] For the Lord _Himself_ will _descend_ from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an _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 the hour is _coming_ in which all who are in the _graves_ will hear His voice [29] and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of _condemnation_.
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 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of 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 As _long_ as my breath is in me, And the breath of God 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 put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. [4] His spirit _departs_, he _returns_ to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.
8. Human Beings Do Not Have Immortality, Only God Does.
1 Timothy 6:14-16 That you keep this _commandment_ without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, [15] which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone has _immortality_, dwelling in _unapproachable_ light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and _everlasting_ power. 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 one according to his deeds": [7] eternal life to those who by patient _continuance_ in doing good seek for glory, honor, and _immortality_;
10. We Receive Immortality When Jesus Comes.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall 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 incorruptible, and we shall be _changed_. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be _brought_ to pass 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 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 David did not _ascend_ into the heavens, but he says _himself_: '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 in death there is no _remembrance_ of You; In the grave who will give You _thanks_?
14. The Dead Do Not Know Anything.
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is _forgotten_. [6] Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; _Nevermore_ will they have a share In _anything_ done under the sun.
15. The Righteous Will Be Resurrected to See God at the Last Day.
Job 19:25-26 For I know that my _Redeemer_ lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; [26] And after my skin is _destroyed_, this I know, That in 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 shall 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]_Finally_, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only 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 "And behold, I am coming _quickly_, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one _according_ to his work.