Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #26 — Death And Resurrection

Picture: Counsel #26 — Death And Resurrection CCL 36.1

The Bible teaches that sin leads to death.^[51] However, God, who is the only One who cannot die,^[52] offers eternal life to those who have been saved by His grace. Right now, when someone dies, they enter a state of unconsciousness, a sleep-like state where they cannot communicate with the living.^[53] In the future, when Jesus Christ returns, those who have died believing in Him will be resurrected.^[54] Along with those who are still alive and faithful,^[55] they will receive new bodies and taken up to be with the Lord. There will be a second resurrection a thousand years later, where those who haven't accepted God's grace will be raised to face judgment.^[56] CCL 36.2

“For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing…” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6 NKJV CCL 36.3

“Jesus represents death as a sleep to His believing children. Their life is hid with Christ in God, and until the last trump shall sound those who die will sleep in Him.” Ellen White in The Desire of Ages, p. 527 CCL 36.4

Reflect: Have you ever grappled with the idea of a second resurrection and judgment? How can faith in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life offer peace for those facing death (see John 11:25)? CCL 36.5