Death and Resurrection Honor

Missionary Activities - Bible Studies

Requirements

1. Know who the only immortal being is, according to the Bible. (1 Timothy 6:15-16)

   Answer: 1 Timothy 6:15-16 declares that only God possesses immortality naturally. 'Who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.' — Adventists believe that human immortality is not natural - it is a conditional gift given by God to the saved at the resurrection. Different from doctrines that preach a naturally immortal soul. The Greek 'immortality' (athanasia) is a divine privilege. This text is the basis of Adventist eschatology.

2. Study how God created the human being and what warning was given regarding death. (Genesis 2:7, 16-17)

   Answer: Genesis 2:7 teaches that God formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul (the human being does not have a separate immortal soul - he is a living soul). In Genesis 2:16-17 God gave the warning: man could eat from every tree in the garden, but he was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day he ate of it he would surely die. Thus, death was announced as the consequence of disobedience. — The Hebrew text 'mot tamut' means 'you will surely die' - a strong emphasis. God gave freedom (all the trees) with 1 limit (one tree). Death here includes a spiritual dimension (separation from God) and a physical one. Adventists read it as a literal warning not fulfilled in the act - it occurred progressively.

3. Explain how death came to be part of the human reality. (Genesis 3:4, 6, 19)

   Answer: Death entered the human reality through sin, narrated in Genesis 3: the serpent lied to Eve, saying 'you will surely not die' (3:4), contradicting God. Eve saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable to give understanding, took of the fruit and ate, also giving some to Adam (3:6). As a consequence of the disobedience, God declared the sentence: 'by the sweat of your face you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground; for from it you were taken; for you are dust and to dust you will return' (3:19). Thus death became part of the human experience. — Romans 5:12 confirms: 'through sin death entered.' Adventists read it as literal - physical and spiritual death. The serpent's lie persists today (a naturally immortal soul). Without the fall, humans would have had eternal life in Eden. The plan of salvation restores that eternal life in Christ.

4. Understand what the Bible explains about the lifespan of human beings. (Romans 5:12; James 4:14; Job 14:1-2)

   Answer: Romans 5:12: through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and through sin death, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. James 4:14: life is like a vapor (mist) that appears for a little while and then vanishes - we do not know what will happen tomorrow. Job 14:1-2: man, born of woman, is of few days and full of trouble; he springs up like a flower and withers, he flees like a shadow and does not endure. Together, the Bible teaches that human life is short, fragile, and fleeting because of sin. — The average lifespan in the world is 73 years (WHO). The Bible treats life as a quick passage. Psalm 90:10 gives '70 years, or 80 for the strongest.' Brevity is a biblical argument for the urgency of seeking God. Years measured in quantity are not everything - spiritual quality matters more.

5. Define the means by which we can receive eternal life. (Romans 6:23; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:22)

   Answer: Eternal life is a free gift of God, received only through Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23: the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:10: this grace was manifested by the appearing of Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:22: as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Therefore, the only means of receiving eternal life is faith in Jesus Christ. — John 3:16 sums it up: whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life. Salvation is a gift (not merit). Adventists defend 'sola fide' - faith in Christ is enough. But obedience to the commandments is the natural fruit of true faith. Christ defeated death at the cross and resurrection.

6. Memorize and recite John 5:28-29.

   Answer: John 5:28-29: 'Do not be amazed at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out: those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment (condemnation).' — The text speaks of two resurrections - one to eternal life, the other to judgment. The 'voice' is Christ's at the second coming. Revelation 20 details the millennium between the two. The dead are not conscious - they await the resurrection. Adventists use it to defend the unconscious state of the dead.

7. Share with a friend the solution the Bible presents for the problem of death. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

   Answer: The Bible's solution to death is the resurrection at the return of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet; the dead will rise incorruptible and we will be changed, because the corruptible must put on incorruption and the mortal immortality. When this happens, the word will be fulfilled: 'death is swallowed up in victory.' Share this hope with a friend: death is a temporary sleep, and Christ will give eternal life to the saved at his second coming. — The text speaks of a 'mystery' (progressive revelation). The final trumpet indicates the return of Christ. The glorified body is incorruptible and immortal. Verses 54-55 celebrate: 'where, O death, is your sting?' The biblical hope is literal - transformed bodies, real eternal life, not merely spiritual.