Introduction
Memory Text: “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 soul” (Genesis 2:7).
We may
misunderstand what happens to us at death, but only God understands us
perfectly, He created us. This week’s lesson will show us the human nature and
the condition of human beings at death.
What are the similarities between the way God created the animals and man?
Both man and animals were created from the ground (Gen.
1:24-27).
What are the differences between the way God created the animals and man?
‘First, God shaped the man physically, and then “breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Gen.
2:7). Second, God created humanity as both male and female in the very image
and likeness of the Godhead (Gen. 1:26, 27)’.
How does the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2 help us understand the
nature of man?
We can draw from the creation account of man, that God
formed man first as a physical entity and until God breathed into his nostrils
man was not a living soul. This further tells us that for us to be a living soul
with consciousness we need both the breath and the body, they cannot exist independent
of each other as a living soul.
How does Ezekiel 18:4, 20 and Matthew 10:28 help us understand the nature
of the human soul?
Both humans and animals die as a result of sin. If there is
also another conscious state after death, then it means we do not die after
all. The popular notion of the immortality of the soul is void but there will
be a time when all who are dead will be resurrected that is in the second coming
of Christ.
Where does the Spirit or breath go after death?
Ecclesiastes 12:7 tells us that “the dust returns to the
earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (NKJV), but
this quote does not distinguish the dying process for both the righteous and
the wicked, meaning that even the spirits of the wicked go to God. But this is
not in harmony with the overall teaching of the scriptures, we can conclude
that death is nothing else than ceasing to exist as living beings.
What is the condition of the dead?
In Job 3, the writer acknowledges that if he had died at
birth, he would be completely at rest from all the troubles that came on him
because he is alive, Psalm 115, the Psalmist says that the dead do not praise
God. Psalm 146 tells that the mental activities of an individual ceases at
death, Ecclesiastes adds that “the dead know nothing” and in the grave “there
is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom”.
What facts are associated with the condition of the dead?
First, there is no everlasting burning hell or temporary purgatory
waiting for those who die unsaved. Second, there is an amazing reward that
awaits those who die in Christ.
What other way does the old testament express death?
The old testament uses the notion of being gathered to one’s
own people to express death and burial.
What facts can we identify with the aspects of resting with the
forefathers?
First is the idea that sooner or later the time will come
when we need to rest from our own tiring labors and sufferings. Second is the
fact that others before us followed the same trail. Third is the fact that
being buried close to their loved ones though unconscious makes them not alone.
In Conclusion,
God made man in His own image physically, then He breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. At death,
this processed is reversed, the breath is taken away and the physical body
returns back to dust where it was taken. At death however, there is no consciousness,
the living know that they will die but the dead know nothing. However, the dead
will be resurrected again, some to eternal life and some to eternal destruction.
I pray that God protects us from the deceptions of the devil and above all make
us be beneficiaries of the reward He promises to give to those who die in
Christ in Jesus’ name.
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