John 11:11-14 Thus he spoke, and then he said to them, "Our friend Laz'arus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him out of sleep." [12] The _disciples_ 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 meant taking rest in sleep. [14] Then Jesus told them _plainly_, "Laz'arus is dead;
2. Those Who Are Asleep in Jesus Rise at His Second Coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will _descend_ from heaven with a cry of _command_, with the _archangel's_ call, and with the sound of 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_ when all who are in the tombs 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 _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 And the dust returns to the _earth_ as it was, 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 my breath is in me, and the _spirit_ 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 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. [4] When his breath _departs_ he _returns_ to his earth; on that very day his plans perish.
8. Human Beings Do Not Have Immortality, Only God Does.
1 Timothy 6:14-16 I charge you to keep the _commandment_ unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; [15] and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only _Sovereign_, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone has _immortality_ and dwells in _unapproachable_ light, whom no man has ever 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 For he will render to every man according to his works: [7] to those who by _patience_ in well-doing seek for glory and honor and _immortality_, he will give eternal life;
10. We Receive Immortality When Jesus Comes.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Lo! 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 imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. [54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come 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 do any that 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 _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 in death there is no _remembrance_ of thee; in Sheol who can give thee _praise_?
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; but the _memory_ of them is lost. [6] Their love and their hate and their envy have _already__perished_, and they have no more for ever any 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 For I know that my _Redeemer_ lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth; [26] and after my skin has been thus _destroyed_, then 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 that 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 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 race, I have kept the faith. [8]_Henceforth_ 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 soon, _bringing_ my _recompense_, to repay every one for what he has done.