Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
This first great deception coming from satan to Eve, represents one of the most dangerous heresies ever introduced to the human family, for it not only gives people a false sense of hope, but it also opens the flood gates of sin by inferring that there are no negative consequences to the disobedience of God's law. The Bible plainly states that the wages of sin is death, and as the sacred record shows, Adam did indeed succumb to death after living to see with his own two eyes, the devastation and fatalities brought about by sin after many years, including the brutal murder of his own son by Cain. The Bible is particularly clear on this point. Let's read:
Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
However, contrary to the plainest teachings of scripture, the first great deception has been promulgated by many prominent religions, and many are continuing to sin deliberately, since according to that first lie, it does not matter what we do, for we all go to heaven. Not only has the false doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul opened the flood gates of iniquity, but it has also opened the door for gross superstition and soul-destroying errors to take deep root in modern society. Modern seances, in which people purportedly hold communion with the dead, are bringing millions into direct contact with satanic agencies, and many people are going to find out too late, that their hopes were built on a popular delusion that has no foundation in the scriptures whatsoever.
After the death of Whitney Houston, it was stated by many religious persons that she went to heaven, where according to many depictions of her on the internet, she apparently met with Michael Jackson, who also died of a drug overdose, and there they commenced "dancing with the stars". Really? So is it true that a person can live in direct violation of the laws of God, doing whatever they please up to the point of death, and then end up in heaven? So then, according to this deadly, satanic reasoning, there ain't no use in doing good, or making efforts by the grace of God to live righteously, if the end result is the same for the good and the bad alike!
The Bible teaches us an entirely different doctrine, and we would do well to pay heed, for a day of final accounts is coming shortly, in which the God of heaven is going to render to every man his due, according to the deeds done in the body. Let's read:
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Immortality is exclusive to the God-Head, and any person who desires to have it must of necessity receive it as a gift from God, after the specified conditions for receiving it are fulfilled in this life. Man is mortal and subject to death and decay, but those who accept God's salvation in its fulness will be granted eternal live at Christ's second appearing. Let's read:
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
1st John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
We hope and pray that this brief presentation, based upon the word of God would be of benefit to many, in enabling us to see from the scriptures that there is no such thing as natural immortality in human nature, and that God alone can grant it through Jesus Christ. We therefore end with a passage from the Bible that serves as a reminder of the conditions required by the grace of God, to receive eternal life when Jesus appears, and also an invitation to receive Christ into our hearts today . Let's read:
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
May this be our experience today and forever. God bless!