Alexander Bogomoletz, a Russian scientist once said that a man should live to be at least 150 years of age.

He actually prepared a serum that was designed to retard the aging process of the connective tissue of the body.

Unfortunately, the learned scientist died at the age of 64, just 86 years short of the goal he had set for himself and all mankind.

And so we still do not understand what LIFE magazine calls the Ultimate mystery of life and death.

Do we get more than one life? Do the dead know what the living are doing?

Where do we go when we die? Heaven or Hell. Or is the Heaven – Hell and Purgatory?

These are some questions many are asking today and man has asked for centuries.

And then there are those NDE’s or Near Death Experiences. – What are we to make of these?

Books on NDE’s and related concepts have sky-rocketed in recent years.

There are tons of books in bookstores on this subject today.

All are pretty much telling us the same thing as you can read on the covers.

Embraced By the Light was a New York Times Bestseller for quite some time.

I’m thankful that someone came along and wrote a book Embraced by the Light and the Bible exposing the unbiblical, New Age, occult teachings of this best seller.

And so today many are studying this subject. Probably the most popular in recent years is - Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross, and Dr. Raymond Moody who wrote another best seller entitled Life After Life some years back.

In the forward she says, “It is research like Dr. Moody presents in his book that will confirm what we have been taught for 2000 years - that there is life after death.”

This may be quite encouraging to us as we all are looking forward to living again in eternity.

However I get very concerned when I read what these books and their authors actually believe and teach on this subject –

That we don’t really die and can actually have contact with the dead after death.

This causes me to ask: What does the Bible teach about death and dying?

Does man possess immortality so that when he dies in this life he continues a life elsewhere outside of this body?

Books such as these would lead us to think so.

These New Age concepts concern me because of many obvious reasons. Perhaps none are so apparent as was the tragic incident of the Heaven’s Gate mass suicide.

An article in Newsweek states the matter and danger clearly. “A Web Of Death” was the title for the story. Notice what the article said.

We must go to God’s Word to get only authentic information we have on the subject.

Piecing through the froth of human emotion superstition it will bring answers to those who wonder what happens 5 minutes after death.

To begin - must ask a basic question - What kind of nature does man possess? How did God create us? Do we have a mortal nature or immortal?

According to the dictionary - “Mortal” means “subject to death.”

The answer to this significant question is found in:

Job 4:17

MAN is mortal – That’s a Biblical Fact!

The idea that a soul of man is immortal can be very comforting when a good person dies.

It is encouraging to believe that he lives on in another and much better world.

But it isn’t very comforting when a friend dies who we know wasn’t very fit to live in heaven.

If his souls is immortal and doesn’t go to heaven, it must go somewhere else.

Does it go to Limbo, and suffer there for years till someone’s prayers and good works get him out?

Or perhaps to hell to burn forever without hope?

Natural immortality is not at all encouraging under these circumstances.

And when we realize that maybe we ourselves may have to burn endlessly the idea is positively frightening.

But the Bible is very clear - fact is only God has inherent power of eternal existence.

I Timothy 1:17

You find such statements all through scripture. Again - I Timothy 6:15,16

Only Jesus and Our Heavenly Father have immortality.

In fact - the Bible says it is something we should seek for as humans. Romans 2:7

We don’t possess immortality within ourselves. Must seek for it – Just as we must for salvation - We not born with it.

Now today – Great majority of people believe that we have innate immortality - that we cannot die.

They say - “Our bodies die - but not soul - it’s immortal.

“The Soul is the real you – just living in a tabernacle of flesh is what most have been taught.

But we just read - “Must seek for it” - not have it or nor need to seek.

Most simply don’t understand what the soul actually is. The soul is what you are – a person, an individual. Not something mysterious within you.

God’s Word makes this abundantly clear in numerous places such as: Ezekial 18:4

We need not be puzzled - concisely settled by a number of Bible texts. Let’s read something Jesus said on this:

Matthew 10:28

Christ places matter beyond question. The soul can and will die in fires of hell. Therefore it cannot be immortal.

So, Question – Did God create man with an eternally conscious soul? No - absolutely not!

I know - shock to a lot of people - TRADITION has taught us the exact opposite.

But in over 1600 Biblical occurrences of word “soul” and “spirit” not once spoken of as immortal or undying.

Where did doctrine come from?

Most have heard soul never dies from earliest childhood. But the truth is - came directly from pagan tradition and mythology.

And dear ones, it may startle you to realize - ancient Chinese ancestor worship - rooted in belief soul never dies.

Egyptian pyramid hieroglyphics reveal doctrine basic to worship sun god.

From the darkest African Voodoo ceremonies built around concept of an undying soul.

But not one text supports teaching in the Christian Bible.

Nevertheless the Bible does tell how doctrine got started. And who preached the first sermon on the subject.

Genesis 3:1-5

Please notice somebody disagreed with God!

God the Creator said - “Sin brings death.” Satan says just the opposite - “you will not die.”

The first great granddaddy lie - and the one who told it has been trying to uphold it ever since.

The Devil is a bold-faced Liar. John 8:44 says:

Sermon by a man who understood the truth on this subject:

Can this doctrine be dangerous? Yes? Much more than just promulgating a false statement.

The implications are far reaching and are eternal in consequence.

Millions are lost you see, because the deceptions on this subject opens the door to darkness - demon control.

Spiritualism – devil worship, Satanism on the increase even in most educated and civilized societies.

This false teaching is at the roots of these great evils.

Bible Prophecy warns us about Spiritualism in Revelation 16

Teen suicide today - 2nd largest killer.

Second largest reason for suicide (with those who survived) believe life on other side.

Almost whole world believes this subtle form of reincarnation. Must understand Bible truth - only protection we have.

The clearest most concise explanation of death –

Written by Solomon: Ecclesiates 12:7

First notice - “return”. At death everything returns from where it came. Body to dust and spirit back to God.

Actually death is just opposite of creation. It’s easy to understand - process of decomposition.

Friends, it’s a fact that physical elements of the body same as the earth.

But what about the spirit?

Well, if say - soul goes to heaven to live with God - body grave -

Then everybody goes to heaven. Now we all know the Bible just doesn’t support this.

Well, many verses tell us precisely just what “spirit” actually is. James 2:26

Word - “spirit” = “breath” Many Margins

Important - breath and spirit come from same word - Greek - “pneuma”.

Means breath or air – “pneumonia” - disease of the lungs or breathing.

Pneumatic tires - all derived from Greek - “pneuma”.

Can also mean spirit - breath (“Holy Spirit” - “hagious pneumatos”) meaning Holy Spirit - breath.

Easy to conclude - breath and spirit often used interchangeably.

Notice such a usage in: Job 27:3

It is easy to see that Job is talking about same thing by words, breath and spirit.

Man was given this breath of life or spirit of life at creation.

Genesis 2:7

Notice – “man became a living soul.”

Soul not something we possess, but something we are.

DUST + BREATH = SOUL.

This breath - life giving power spark from God.

Without man just a nicely sculptured piece of dust or clay.

The Psalmist says - Psalms 104:29,30

Here the order is reversed and breath returns.

Simple illustration: Body - light bulb.

Electricity - represents breath of life. - Light itself - the living soul.

If turn off switch - what happens to light?

Not go to the socket - ceases to exist.

Same as soul when God removes breath.

By the way - even animals referred to as souls in the Bible.

Revelation 16:3

“Every soul died” - “fish”

Friends please notice again, soul does die.

The wise man wrote: Ecclesiates 3:19,20

Now prepared to answer real vital question -

What actually happens to a person who dies?

Peter’s famous sermon - Pentecost

Acts 2:34,29

Inspired Peter says David is right out there in the grave. Not yet gone to heaven.

David like all dead who are saved by the blood of Jesus - resting.

Resting in grace awaiting the triumphant call of God at Resurrection.

Psalms 17:15 - See what David said, “I will behold Thy face when I awake.”

Jesus assured people: Luke 14:14

Friends, tell me now why have resurrection if already in heaven with reward.

Both David and Jesus were referring to the same event of time.

Paul speaks of it this way:

I Corinthians 15:52,53

This mortal must put on immortality - When? Resurrection!

Now I don’t wish to be facetious, but must make this important point.

Ever go to a funeral - no matter who the person was - preacher tells in heaven looking down.

Then get to the grave and reads I Cor. 15 - confusing.

Bible settles it - reward for righteous given at resurrection.

What about wicked? Jesus gives us a clear answer.

John 5:28,29

Christ made exceedingly plain - everyone in the graves - awaiting the Resurrection day.

Not only good theology, but good sense. No one punished until judged. Justice demands this.

Judge does not put man away 10 years - then hears the case.

In the prophetic Book of Daniel the Prophet makes it so clear – Daniel 12:1,2

Listen folk! DEATH IS LIKE SLEEP!

Like tired man - sleep - next thing - awakened by the sun.

This is consistent throughout the Scriptures.

This fact is taught so clear by Jesus Himself.

John 11:11-14

No doubt dead - four days, verse 7. Jesus said so in verse 14.

Martha understood the truth on this subject - verses 21-24

Sisters protested when Jesus ordered the stone removed - verse 39.

Most modern accounts of so-called life after death - People tell of glorious view of heaven. What did righteous Lazarus have to say? Not a word - he had been as one sleeping.

Jesus said, “I go that I may awake him”, verse 11, called him to come forth not down. Verse 43

Let me ask what kind of unspeakable punishment to bring Lazarus back to this dark world, after heaven and presence of God?

Fact is he saw nothing of heaven - no where else - Neither does anyone else who dies.

Bible makes this exceedingly clear: Ecclesiates 9:5

So can the dead communicate with the living? No - again no way.

This is hard to accept by some today. In fact some go to great lengths to deny this. Even deny inspiration of scripture.

Scofield Reference Bible in footnotes says:

“This statement is no more divine revelation concerning the state of the dead than any other conclusion of the preacher.”

If we can’t trust God’s word - what can we trust?

Psalms 115:17

All the Bible is in harmony here. Psalms 146:4

“Thoughts perish”

Again: Psalms 6:5

God has very important reason - making it this way.

Modern spiritualism is deceiving many - one of the ways Satan especially works in last days.

Perhaps right about now you’re wondering about the thief on the cross.

Luke 23:42,43

Must look at closely - find understanding depends on where comma is placed.

Comma is not inspired - man divided up sentences, etc. Paper very valuable when Bible written. Words were joined together even.

Same mistake in Acts 19:12

Horrible thing about crucifixion - took four or five days to die.

Jesus died of broken heart, verse 34. You and I killed Him by our sins, not the cross.

Jesus did not go to heaven that day either. John 20:17

“Not yet ascended to my Father”, 3 days later. Jesus did not lie did He?

But must notice thief said, “Remember me when you come into kingdom.” Verse 42

Tonight, I want to tell you that Christ gives all hope concerning great enemy of death.

Rev.elation 1:17,18

Someday use those keys to unlock graves of the righteous call them home with Him.

Would you like Him to remember you?

Great scientist, Michael Faraday, told a reporter who questioned him on his “speculation about life after death someday”.

Faraday replied a bit indignantly: “I know nothing about speculations, I’m resting on certainties. I know that my Redeemer liveth and I too shall live.”

The aged apostle Paul wrote in: II Timothy 4:7,8

“Shall give me at that day”.

Speaking of that same great day of which Revelation points us too! I’m looking forward to that day, aren’t you!