In Defense of the Faith

Mortality Defined

“Seventh-day Adventists believe that man is “mortal,” subject to death and dissolution. This doctrine is based on such Scriptural teaching as the following: “Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?” Job 4:17. Paul declares that God “only bath immortality” (see 1 Timothy 6:15, 16); and if this is true, then men are not immortal by nature. The word immortal appears only once in Scripture (1 Timothy 1:17), and there it is clearly applied to God, and not to men. The word immortality occurs five times, but in no instance is it applied to man in this natural state, but he is urged to seek for it as a treasure which may be gained through the gospel: “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:7. DOF 238.4

Now, one does not seek for something which is already in his possession. If immortality were inherent in man, then surely he would have no need to strive and search for it. But God declares that immortality eternal life is brought to light “through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10); and this being true, then, of course, those who do not receive the gospel will never have eternal life. To this agree the words of John, who says: “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that bath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11, 12. Eternal life, or immortality, then, is a gift from God, through Christ, and is bestowed only upon those ‘Who have the Son of God. Those who receive Him receive eternal life with and through Him, but those that reject Him do not receive this life. They will never become immortal, “for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. DOF 239.1

Seventh-day Adventists believe that eternal life is received by faith at the time of conversion, but that in actuality this gift is not bestowed upon Gods people until e return of Jesus. Until the resurrection day it is “hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3. This is clearly taught in the Pauline letter to the Corinthian church, as follows: DOF 239.2

“Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. DOF 240.1

Note carefully the expressions: “This mortal must put on immortality,” and “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” That, then, is the time when we shall be changed from. the one state to the other. It is at. the sounding of the last trumpet, when the dead are raised. DOF 240.2

Seventh-day Adventists believe that during the state called death, man rests in sleep, and is entirely unconscious until he is awakened by the call of the Life-Giver at the last day. Of this doctrine there is abundance of Scriptural proof. Said Jesus to His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps.” John 11:11. “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” Verse 14. Of Jairus’ daughter He said, “Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.” Luke 8:52, 53. “So man lies down, and rises not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.” Job 14:12. DOF 240.3