What is the biblical view of mortality?

Answer

Mortality is the state of being subject to eventual death. Since the first sin in the Garden of Eden, all earthly life became mortal (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12). Now, “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” «And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: », (Hebrews 9:27). The biblical view of mortality is that it is an inevitable part of the curse, but it is not the end of our existence.

Physical mortality is the end of the earthly phase of existence. But Scripture is clear that when our bodies die, our spirits are instantly transferred to our eternal dwelling places. There are only two possible destinations for our souls after we physically die: heaven and hell. In Luke 16:19–31, Jesus explains the difference in those destinations. Those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are, upon death, immediately in a place of comfort and rest in the presence of God until the final resurrection of our bodies (2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:16-21). Those who rejected Christ’s sacrifice for sin or trusted in something other than the grace of God to save them (Ephesians 2:8-9) will enter a place of torment commonly called hell. At the final judgment, all who did not surrender to Christ while on earth will be cast forever into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:41).

For the Christian, mortality is not to be feared. Physical death merely ushers us into the presence of Christ (Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43). We should live in a state of prepared expectancy, investing our lives in that which is eternal (Matthew 6:19-20). Although our place in heaven is assured because Jesus paid our ticket, we will still be judged according to what we did with what we were given “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad.”, (2 Corinthians 5:10). God wants to reward His faithful servants who invested their time, passions, and resources in His work (Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23, 35; 1 Corinthians 3:14; 1 Corinthians 9:18). For the Christian, physical mortality merely results in a change of address, as we move from the tent to the mansion “knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.”, (2 Peter 1:14).

For non-Christians, however, mortality opens the doorway into the worst part of their lives. Those who reject, ignore, or substitute something else for Christ have already lived their “best lives now.” Regardless of how miserable their earthly lives may have been, they face greater suffering when the righteous judgment of God falls upon unrepentant sinners (Mark 9:44-49; Revelation 14:10-11; Matthew 25:46). According to the Bible, there are no second chances after death. No purgatory. No possibility that those still on earth can“Pray you into heaven.”

Some individuals are afraid to confront their own mortality, but avoiding it will not diminish its reality. Wise individuals acknowledge their mortality and make necessary adjustments in their lives to be prepared for it. “The prudent see danger and take refuge” «A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: But the simple pass on, and are punished.», (Proverbs 22:3). We are unaware of the number of days God has ordained for us (Psalm 90:12;Psalm 139:16). No one is assured a lengthy earthly existence, nor are we promised additional opportunities to repent before our demise «For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.», (Hebrews 12:17). The biblical perspective on mortality is that all humans will experience physical death, but only those who are not “in Christ” will face spiritual death.