Death is the separation of man’s soul and spirit from his body, and the entrance into eternity. The most common Greek word for death is thanatos (than-a- tos), which means “decease; the termination of earthly existence; the deprivation of all that makes life on Earth possible. 

 Death involves three important changes:  

(1) The suspension of personal union between the physical body and the soul and spirit.  

“Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain …. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it “(Ecclesiastes 12:6, 7). 

 

(2) The return of the body’s chemical elements to dust (decay or corruption) 

 “… for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return “ (Genesis 3:19).  

 

(3) The entrance of the soul and spirit into a new state of existence, awaiting resurrection of the body and judgment by God.  

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).