The Day of a Man's Death

We have just read that the Bible explains the day of a man's death is better than the day of his birth. This is a stunning statement. Most people do not think of death as particularly wonderful. When it occurs to a family member or close friend, it is usually a day of terrible sadness and emotion. No matter how or when death comes, no one celebrates the event. The Bible describes death as an enemy and a defeat. Consider some of the following verses describing death. Keep in mind that the Bible still says this day is better than the day of birth.

Solomon also wrote, "As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit has he that has labored for the wind?" (Ecclesiastes 5:15-16). Does this sound like a day to look forward to? The Bible still states that the day this verse describes is better than the day of one's birth.

The Apostle Paul was inspired to write, "For the wages of sin (that you earn from breaking God's laws) is death" (Romans 6:23). Death is the penalty for sin. It is not pictured in the Bible as a day of triumph or, as so many like to picture, "as a friend one meets at the end of life's highway." Paul also wrote, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and "…it is appointed unto men once to die" (Hebrews 9:27). Sin leads to death. John was inspired to write the definition of sin. "Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). The penalty —the wages—of sin is death. This is not an event to look forward to.

But there is hope!

Jesus Christ is returning to this earth to rule—to put all things, including His enemies, under His feet. This includes the enemy called death. Notice, "Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death…So when this corruptible has 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. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:24-26, 54-56).

So this life is a physical, temporary existence. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Considering this, what is so "happy" about a "birthday" into an ungodly, carnal-minded world, only to die and never see life again? Why celebrate being born into a world that is cut off from God's divine guidance—a world of misery, confusion, poverty, ignorance, famine and disease—that could erupt into violence at any time?

God can and will give you eternal life. He wants you to have it. He wants you to live life to the fullest and experience the way of life that produces real peace, joy, abundance and security. But life has to be lived His way, according to His rules.

Paul wrote, "For since by man (Adam) came death, by Man (Jesus Christ) came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening (living) spirit…The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (I Corinthians 15:21-22, 45, 47-49).

When compared to the awesome future God has in store for us—becoming spirit beings who will never taste death and won't be limited to the physical laws of this material universe (read all of I Corinthians 15)—celebrating one's physical birthday seems foolish.