Never Die?

Recently while evangelizing on the streets of Tampa, Florida, I talked with a man who claimed God told him he would never die. He affirmed this belief even after I quoted Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” It amazes me how some individuals think they will be an exception and live forever on this earth. Although God wants us to have a long life (Psalm 91:16), we still live in a cursed world. People die unexpectedly every day from diseases, accidents, murders, and other tragedies.

John 11 contains a passage that appears to be contradictory...

25 Jesus said to her [referring to Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 

26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Scripture shows there are two different kinds of death: physical and spiritual. Except for Enoch and Elijah, every person mentioned in the Bible experienced a physical death. That’s when their spirit separated from their body. Everyone who dies without knowing the Lord will experience spiritual death. Four times in the book of Revelation it’s referred to as the second death...

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” - Revelation 2:11

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” - Revelation 20:6

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” - Revelation 20:14

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:8

Except for Christians who are alive when the Lord raptures His church, everybody will die someday. If the trumpet sounded right now, would you be ready to meet Him in the air?

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” 

- 1 Corinthians 15:22