What does 'Death' mean in Genesis and the NT?

[TaleSpin]

Hi,

I'm confused about the use of the word 'death' in Genesis and in the NT (specifically in Romans, which I am reading right now). The Bible speaks about death as something that came into the world as the result of sin, but then in the NT, specifically in Romans the Bible says that it is conquered and that death no longer reigns.

Does this mean that death (the end of physical life) is the result of sin and that faith in Jesus means that there is no more death? That cannot be so... people still die, Christians included...

What does 'death' refer to?

Thanks

 

[PreachersWife2004]

While we may physically die, it is spiritual death that has been conquered.

 

[dead2self]

Perhaps I can offer a little explanation and then an illustration that can help you out.

First of all, it helps to think of death as a reality with a shadow if you will. Death is real, and it is forever. This is the spiritual death. The physical death we experience is but a shadow of that reality. Now when it is said that death entered the world through sin, it means that because of sin, we all must die. When Romans says that Christ conquered death, Paul means that for those that trust in Christ, we will no longer experience the true death. We will simply experience the shadow of death and die physically. But after that, we will not have to experience the true spiritual death.

Now for the illustration. You are crossing the road and a truck is comming. Christ rushes in out of love, shoves you aside and is hit by the truck. As for you, only the shadow of the truck passes over you, instead of the truck itself.

That is what happened on the cross. You were saved from the true death and only it's shadow passes over you. Christ bore the full brunt of the price for our sin, and then conquered death and rose triumphant.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

You said it so much better than I did. Thank you!!

Perhaps I can offer a little explanation and then an illustration that can help you out.

First of all, it helps to think of death as a reality with a shadow if you will. Death is real, and it is forever. This is the spiritual death. The physical death we experience is but a shadow of that reality. Now when it is said that death entered the world through sin, it means that because of sin, we all must die. When Romans says that Christ conquered death, Paul means that for those that trust in Christ, we will no longer experience the true death. We will simply experience the shadow of death and die physically. But after that, we will not have to experience the true spiritual death.

Now for the illustration. You are crossing the road and a truck is comming. Christ rushes in out of love, shoves you aside and is hit by the truck. As for you, only the shadow of the truck passes over you, instead of the truck itself.

That is what happened on the cross. You were saved from the true death and only it's shadow passes over you. Christ bore the full brunt of the price for our sin, and then conquered death and rose triumphant.

 

[SharonL]

The body will some day die, but because Jesus died on the cross for our sins that made a way for us to live with Him in eternity forever and forever - your sould never dies - it will always remain - the Bible says absent from the body present with the Lord. The minute you die the angels escort your soul into Heaven.

 

[JoshButler]

Physical death is a bit of a misnomer, as we will be ressurected before the final judgement.