Death Is a Result of Sin
The word ‘death' is first seen in Genesis 21:16. Hagar just left Abraham's camp with Ishmael for the desert. She did not want to watch or listen to the child die of thirst. So she put him under a bush and walked out of range. As she prayed, God heard her and revealed a spring that revived him.
While the word ‘death' is mentioned here for the first time in scripture, dying is mentioned Chapter 2.
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” ~ Genesis 2:17
We know that Adam did eat fruit from the tree. In that moment, death came into existence.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” ~ Romans 5:12
The Bringer of Death
So, who created death? Many would answer that God created it. The basis of this is the fact that God created all things. While this is true, the context is what confuses most people.
To start, God created Satan. He was good when God created him. Satan chose to rebel against God and thus became evil. So he became the progenitor of sin.
“… for the devil sinneth from the beginning …” ~ 1 John 3:8
So while God created all things, this was before sin. Thus, He did not create evil or death. He created Satan, who later sinned.
And it is sin that causes death!
“… and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” ~ James 1:15
Why Does Sin Cause Death?
Because God is Holy, He cannot allow sin to stay in His presence. God is omnipresent. This is why Adam could not stay in the Garden.
Now that sin is present in man, man cannot live forever. So death is the result. And let's not forget. God told Adam he would die if he ate of the tree. Sin is why.
Two Types of Death
Did you know there is more than one type of death? Here is one fact Eve was unaware of when Satan told her she would not die. The fact is she would die not once, but twice!
One type of death is spiritual. When Adam joined her in eating the fruit, they are now uncovered. The Glory of God left them.
They became separated from Him. This is spiritual death. That is why God called to Adam. He no longer saw His glory in the garden.
The other type of death is the one we are familiar with. This is the death of the physical body.
Man Meant to be Eternal
God meant for Adam to live forever. That's why the Tree of Life was in the Garden. And Adam had free access to it!
Death did not exist for Adam. But death came as a result of the enemy's deception. So now death is an enemy!
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:26
How Can We Fight Death?
This is a question man asked from the beginning I'm sure. After the flood, man's years diminished from almost a millennium to a bit over a century. To live well into one's 100's is an accomplishment!
Yet, to live forever is possible! Our Heavenly Father provided the way through His Son, Jesus Christ. And eternal life is only possible through the redemptive work of Christ.
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ Romans 7:24-25
Because of Christ, we can live, even if physical death claims this body. We can live again!
“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 15:54
Death is Defeated!
Death will not remain forever. The phrase ‘live forever' precludes the eternal existence of death.
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” ~ Revelation 20:14
You see? Death itself is destroyed in the end. In fact, death is already defeated for the believer!
“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” ~ 2 Timothy 1:10
Begin by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9
Saved from what? Saved from eternal separation from God, which is eternal death. Because death is an enemy!
I hope this post was helpful. Thank you for visiting!