Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
This passage of scripture clearly states that the dead do not know anything, for when we die, all of our ideas, thoughts, feelings, and emotions perish with us, and even though this sacred truth is what many people prefer not to believe, yet the word of God stands true forever. It is a well known fact that our actions and decisions are directly affected by what we believe, and as it pertains to the false doctrine of natural immortality, millions of people are making unsound plans and decisions that are commensurate with their belief in the consciousness of the soul after death. The decisions thus made then put many people at odds with God and the truths He has given us to live by, and the end product is a false hope based on erroneous teaching, that will meet with bitter disappointment when the truths and realities of God's word finally sink into their minds.
But first we must establish from the word of God beyond the shadow of a doubt, that immortality belongs only to God and no one else. This sacred truth is stated so plainly that even a little child can understand. With all of the death and decay, and sickness taking place all around us everyday, it is indeed farfetched to think that after a long struggle with diabetes or cancer, where a person suffers greatly, and gradually deteriorates to the point where they take their last breath, that they will now continue to live on, after losing the battle with the disease they were suffering with. It makes no sense even to the logical thinking mind, and therefore the word of God confirms the truth that only God has natural immortality. Let's read:
1st Timothy 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus" ..... 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 "Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting".
When the false doctrine of natural immortality is espoused and believed, it then almost always leads to superstition, because if an evil person also lives on after death, then the chances of them coming back to haunt the living increases exponentially. And this possibility paves the way for such movies as Nightmare on Elm street and Dawn of the dead, and most of the other horror movies which are viewed by millions who the leave the theaters to go home to many nights of restless sleep, wondering if there is anything or anyone under their beds or lurking in their closets. The belief then also extends into the market place, and has great monetary value in the form of the many items that are sold to ward off the evils that can supposedly be done by the deceased, who may be bent on the destruction of others. This is why the apostle John writing under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit says that the merchants of the earth are made rich through the sale of the abundance of Babylon's delicacies. Let's read:
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls" ....13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense" .... "and slaves, and souls of men.
In our day, most of the world's great religions have embraced the false doctrine of natural immortality, and because of this, the very worst of humanity, those who have committed and perpetrated crimes too horrible to mention, are now supposedly still alive and doing well, and thus through this one fatal error, millions are now going down into Christ-less graves, never ever to pass the pearly gates as they had expected. What is worthy of note is that Bin Laden and those blood thirsty terrorists who murdered thousands of people in cold blood on the fatal morning of September 11, also believe in life after death, and therefore it can be pretty scary to think that after those heroic efforts by Seal team six to eradicate him, that he is still alive somewhere. It makes no sense whatsoever, and goes directly against the plainest teachings of God's word.
Let us therefore study the truths of the Bible on this very important subject, and embrace the sacred doctrine of the resurrection, for if we do, it will be reflected in what we think, say and do, knowing that we we must give account for the deeds done in the body, whether they be good, or whether they be evil. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to so live and do, as those who are looking forward to the first resurrection, when Christ will come to claim His own. Let's read:
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!