Paul writes that Jesus Christ abolished death (2 Timothy 1:10). Though the Old Testament prophets spoke of heaven, (Isaiah 6:1; 2 Samuel 12:23) they did not understand eternal life as Jesus taught it. He told the Pharisees, “ Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:51).
The Pharisees were incensed and “said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death. ’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be” (John 8:52-53).
Look back at how they interpreted what Jesus said. They used the phrase “will not taste death.” Their words mean the person will not experience the death of the body. Jesus words denote the moving of the spirit out of the body. Now read what Jesus said to Martha, “He that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).
Our bodies die. We don’t (Mark 12:26-27).
The Pharisees were incensed and “said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death. ’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be” (John 8:52-53).
Look back at how they interpreted what Jesus said. They used the phrase “will not taste death.” Their words mean the person will not experience the death of the body. Jesus words denote the moving of the spirit out of the body. Now read what Jesus said to Martha, “He that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).
Our bodies die. We don’t (Mark 12:26-27).
