death

Who died before his father and was older that his father when he died.

The answer is Methuselah. We learn from Genesis 5:21-27 that Enoch was Methuselah’s father. The wonderful thing about Enoch is that he did not die. Verse 24 says, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” How marvelous it is that he had such a relationship with God that God did not allow him to taste death. The prophet Elijah would be the only other person to experience a transition from this life without dying. Even our Lord died. Therefore since Enoch did not die, Methuselah died before his father. This would also be why Methuselah was older than his father when he died. Methuselah is mostly remembered because he lived longer than anyone else on earth, and that is about all we know. As mentioned above, he was the son of Enoch, but he was also the grandfather of Noah. That’s all we know. No specific events are mentioned. We don’t know if that is because his was an unremarkable life as far as God was concerned or if God just did not see fit to have Moses record anything else about him. It is probably better not to infer too much from the omissions. After all, Lamech must have instilled something in his son, Noah, for God to choose him to be preserved in the ark, and nothing else is known about him.

Is cremation an acceptable practice?

Cremation is the final disposition of a human body by reducing it to ashes with fire. Once the spirit has departed the body, the body is lifeless and begins its return to its original elements. Whether the return is the slow disintegration of the body through the processes of decay or is achieved by fire, the result is the same- the return of the body's elements to their original state. In the resurrection, these "building blocks" will be re-assembled.
We believe that the matter is an aesthetic problem, not a biblical one; and that it will be resolved on emotional and philosophical grounds rather than moral ones. Cremation violates no New Testament principle.

What will happen to people who never heard of God when they die?

This question is apparently answered by the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. At one time the whole world had the gospel preached unto them (Colossians 1:23). It has been the responsibility of Christians to see that the word is preached to the whole world constantly (Matthew 28:18-20). If we do not make every effort possible to reach the lost we may be lost as well. However, it is not my place to be the judge, and we must remember that those persons will be in the hands of a just and merciful God.

What passages in the Bible are related to the death penalty?

Regarding the death penalty I would refer you to Romans 13:1-7. Note verse 4..."...for he beareth not the sword in vain:..." speaking of government.

What, if anything, does the Bible say about cremation?
Also, could you clear up "the dead in Christ will rise first?

Question 1 - Cremation violates no New Testament principle. The matter is an aesthetic problem, not a biblical one; and it will be resolved on emotional and philosophical grounds rather than moral ones.

Question 2 - Advocates of the doctrine of premillennialism cite this passage as evidence in support of their theory of two literal resurrections- one for the righteous, and, a thousand years later, a resurrection of the wicked. The apostle Paul writes to show that the righteous dead will be resurrected before the righteous living are caught up, so that both the righteous living and the righteous dead may together be caught up to meet him when he returns. See, also, John 5:28, 29.

Where exactly in the Bible does it state that suicide is against God's laws? I have a friend that is very ill and is thinking of this. I need to be able to show exact scriptures to her not just my beliefs.

The two best known suicides of the Bible are Saul and Judas. In both cases these men led lives of disobedience to God. God's great servants often endangered their lives because they did God's will, but they did not end their own lives. Even Jesus did not desire death. He prayed that the cup might pass, that his mission could be accomplished without it. (Matt. 26:42)

There is a difference between accepting death when it comes and a death wish. Suicide is unworthy of us. It is ignoble. It is a surrender to weakness. If self-murder is ever right, why did Jesus not end it all without enduring the agony of the cross? If one can rationalize that suicide is something justified, surely Jesus could have chosen that way out. But his Father taught reverence for life. That is why eating blood was forbidden. (Genesis 9:4,6; Leviticus 3:17. God created man for his glory (Isaiah 43:7). But no one can glorify God by dropping out. Instead of ending it all, suicide only makes one's condition at death permanent. Suicide stands a chance of assuring our damnation. For it is written, "Thy shalt not kill." (Exodus 20:13; Romans 13:9) And suicide is
killing.

Our English word "suicide" comes from the Latin sui, of oneself, and the French -cide, from the Latin -cidium, a killing. It means a killing of self, as "homicide" is the killing of another human being; "fratricide," the killing of a brother; or "infanticide," the killing of an infant. See I Corinthians 10:13. 2 Peter 2:9 says "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation."

What happens to the people who die before the second coming of Christ according to the bible, and what book is it in?

This same question was asked by the early Christians. The apostle Paul answered the question in First Thessalonians 4:15, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep."

1.)Can souls that have died..i.e. parents look down on us?

2.)After death because we all get our crown together,what goes on between death and judgement day?

The Bible does not reveal much about what goes on after death. Perhaps one of the most telling passages is Luke 16:19-31. Here Jesus tells of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. Lazarus was laid at the rich man's gate and would have gladly eaten the rich man's crumbs, verse 21, but, it seems, may not have been given any. Both men died, Lazarus going to Abraham's bosom, a place of comfort, verse 22, and the rich man going to torment, verse 23.

In their respective places both men are aware of what is going on where they are. In fact, the rich man recognizes Lazarus and desires for Lazarus to come and put a drop of water on his tongue, verse 24. When Abraham explains that this is not possible, verses 25-26, the rich man requests that someone be sent back to tell his five brothers about this place of torment, verses 27-28.

In regard to question one, these verses show that this man was aware of his brothers' condition when he died, not that he was observing them from the grave. The Bible nowhere says that living people are observed from the other side of the grave. Some might think Revelation 6:10 indicates this. However, this verse does not say the saints are watching what is happening. Their asking how long before those who dwell on earth are avenged would be known because it would be evident that the conflict between the church and Rome was still in progress.

In regard to question two, this passage reveals that one man was in comfort and one was in torment, verse 25. Obviously this is prior to judgement day and the receiving of the final reward. What this says, then, is that, like a prisoner in jail awaiting sentence, he is experiencing a type of suffering before he goes to prison. In Luke 23:43 the Bible says that Jesus told one of the thieves who was crucified with Him, "…Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." When he died the thief would be in a place of rest, peace, and comfort, as was this beggar. There is some debate as to whether or not the passage from Luke 16 is a parable. The passage from Luke 23 seems to add weight to the belief that it is not. Whether a parable or not, though, Jesus would still be teaching true principles - we are not observed by people from the other side of the grave, and people will have a pre-judgement experience of eternity to come.

Concerning I Corinthians 15:51-54... Regarding "Sleep"...
When we as believers die, where exactly do we go? We know at some point we go to heaven to be with the Lord. But this verse seems to say that we will actually be "sleeping" until the return of the Lord. What exactly does this mean?

You question regarding "Sleeping until the return of the Lord" is an interesting one. When Jesus spoke of the death of Lazarus to his disciples he said: "Our Friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover. Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead." (John 11:11-14)

In I Cor. 15:20 Paul said:"But now has Christ been raised from the dead, the first fruits of them that are asleep." In I Thess. 4:13 Paul wrote: "But we would not have you ignorant brethren concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not even as the rest who have no hope."

It is appropriate that the Bible compares death to one going to sleep.

In natural sleep, the body is inactive while the mind continues to be active. In death, the body becomes inactive, but the spirit continues to live. (Eccl. 12:7)

In sleep, the body rest and in death one is said to "rest from his labors" (Rev. 14:13)

In sleep one is refreshed. This is the normal arrangement for our physical existence. Death also is a part of God's plan that his children may be awaken, or raised to eternal life.

In death there is no change of identity or character, we are the same person when we awake as when we went to sleep.
So in the resurrection "each one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:20.

Song: Asleep in Jesus! Blessed sleep
From which none wakes to weep!
A calm and undisturbed repose
Unbroken by the last of foes.

Asleep in Jesus! On how sweet
To be for such a slumber meet!
With holy confidence to sing
That death has lost its venom sting.
-Margaret Makay

What does the bible say about prolonging ones death. the use of life supports etc.

Euthanasia originally meant "good death." It carried with it the idea of dying well and free from pain. However, it has been expanded to include no not only death with dignity but also it is being used to include "mercy killing" and "death selection."

"Good dying" means allowing death to come naturally to the terminally ill. Natural reason and Christian morals say that mankind has the duty to preserve the life and health of those with serious illness. Problems arise when one goes beyond ordinary means to maintain life. "Mercy killing" involves the intentional use of medical technology to cause death or it may involve the withdrawal of ordinary, reasonable and prudent medical care to speed up death. Condemnation of mercy killing has come because of our emphasis that God the Creator is the sole Master of Life and so must be the sole Master of Death. "Death selection" involves the deliberate termination of those lives no longer considered socially useful, that is, considered, burdens on society. Christians must begin to speak up in opposition to this trend.

The Bible does not specifically by command or example deal with euthanasia. However, there are biblical principles that help in dealing with this issue. The Bible reflects generally the sacredness of life. Job refused the advice of his wife to end his physical life even through he was in great misery and pain (Job 2:9-10). Alternatives to euthanasia would include the possibility of healing and the benefits of suffering (James 5:15; Hebrews 2:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

What is Euthanasia?

Our English word, euthanasia, comes from two Greek words: eu, good, and thanatos, death. Originally the word meant "good death." The Christian, because of his faith in Christ and his obedience to God’s word, can approach his "grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." According to Hebrews, Jesus came to "deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb. 2:14-15).

Words do not always retain their original meaning. The dictionary defines the word "euthanasia" as "the act or practice of painlessly putting to death persons suffering from incurable conditions or diseases." A word that originally meant "good death" is now being applied to concepts quite different from the original word. Today, it is being used to describe several different concepts: (1) Death with dignity; (2) Mercy killing; and (3) Death selection.

The first concept, death with dignity, means allowing death to come naturally to the terminally ill. This concept permits the individual to die a truly human death without our modern life support mechanisms that may not prolong life but prolong death.

The second concept, mercy killing, involves the intentional use of medical technology to cause death or it may involve the withdrawal of ordinary, reasonable and prudent medical care to speed up death.

The third concept, death selection, involves the deliberate termination of those lives no longer considered socially useful, that is, considered, burdens on society. Here, the thinking seems to be that there is no value to human life other than social utility. Therefore, it threatens a wide range of people such as the retarded, the aged, the seriously mentally ill and the habitual criminal. The proponents of this idea contend: "The traditional ethics based on the sanctity of life must give way to a code of ethics based on the quality of life."

Concepts two and three clearly violate the Christian understanding of the nature and destiny of man and would have a bearing on society today.