Read Genesis 2:7 and Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. What contrast can you see between these two biblical passages? How can they help us to understand better the human condition in death? See also Genesis 7:22.

As already seen, the Bible teaches that the human being is a soul (Genesis 2:7), and the soul ceases to exist when the body dies (Ezekiel 18:4, Ezekiel 18:20).

Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com

But what about the “spirit”? Does it not remain conscious even after the death of the body? Many Christians believe so, and they even try to justify their view by quoting Ecclesiastes 12:7, which says, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (NKJV). But this statement does not suggest that the spirit of the dead remains conscious in God’s presence.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 in quite dramatic terms describes the aging process, culminating with death. Verse 7 refers to death as the reversal of the creation process mentioned in Genesis 2:7. As already stated, on the sixth day of the Creation week “the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7, NKJV). But now, Ecclesiastes 12:7 tells us that “the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (NKJV). So, the breath of life that God breathed into the nostrils of Adam, and that He has also provided to all other human beings, returns to God or, in other words, simply stops flowing into and through them.

We should keep in mind that Ecclesiastes 12:7 describes the dying process of all human beings and does so without distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked. If the alleged spirits of all who die survive as conscious entities in the presence of God, then are the spirits of the wicked with God? This idea is not in harmony with the overall teaching of the Scriptures. Because the same dying process happens both to human beings and to animals (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20), death is nothing else than ceasing to exist as living beings. As stated by the psalmist, “You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust” (Psalm 104:29, NKJV).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Key Thought: Is there an immortal spirit or soul? We want to look at how the Old Testament defines human nature and the condition of human beings at death.
October 15, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 1:24-27, and Genesis 2:7,19.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What are the similarities between how God created animals and humans?
3. Personal Application: How close and personal did God get in creating man? In what ways were mankind made in the image of God?. Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I believe Genesis is an allegory about how life came to be on earth. Man and animal are so similar, I think they evolved from common ancestors.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Ezekiel 18:4,20; Matthew 10:28.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What do these verses teach us about the true nature of man and the soul?
3. Personal Application: How do you respond to those who believe in near death experiences and have been visited by a departed loved one? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why is it important for Jesus to literally come a second time? When we die, we go to heaven anyway. So it is not necessary for Him to return.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Ecclesiastes 12:5-7.

1. Ask class members to share a short
2. Why is it not correct to say that death is just a part of life?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever had an experience in your family or life when this spiritual debate has been an issue? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “See, this verse says the body dies and the spirit returns to God who gave it. This says that we have two parts: the body and the spirit. So when we die, our spirit goes to heaven.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Job 3:11-13, and Psalm 146:4..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What do these texts tell us about what happens at death?
3. Personal Application: Is it better to be asleep and waiting for Jesus to return, or to be living through all this evil and misery and suffering until Jesus comes? Share your thoughts?
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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The theme hymn for this quarter’s studies “On Death, Dying and the FUTURE HOPE” is 
Hymn 214 – We Have This Hope.

God performed so many miracles in the creation of our universe, including human beings:
Hymn 111 – It Took A Miracle, and truly 
This is My Father’s World – Hymn 98. These factors give me the wonder and admiration, and then 
I Sing The Mighty Power of God – Hymn 88. When I look at this world, there is so much at which to marvel: 
Hymn 93 – All Things Bright and Beautiful and 
Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and King. Thanks and gratitude then pour from my heart: 
Hymn 560 – Let All Things Now Living.

With the many world views on death and dying, I find direct answers in 
Hymn 418 – Day of Judgment, Day of Wonders! It is a blessing to know that we are then sleeping/resting 
Under His Wings – Hymn 529.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/3-understanding-human-nature-singing-with-understanding/