p. 158 | Where are the Dead? by L. H. Church

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Mar 25, 1875

Where are the Dead?

By L. H. Church

"MAN giveth up the ghost, and where is he?" Job 14:10. That "man giveth up the ghost" no one will deny, as they can see the word fulfilled nearly every day. But "where is he?" is a question that is beginning to cause considerable controversy. Says one, "he is with Christ in Heaven." Says another, "he is in an intermediate state." Says another, "I don't see as it makes any difference, as long as he is somewhere praising the Lord." While another says, "he is in the grave." Now which of these is right? They cannot all be. As for the first, does the Bible anywhere tell us the dead are with Christ? No. As for the second, does the word of God describe any such place as this intermediate state? No. Does it say there is any such place? No. Then why believe there is such a place, when there is no proof that it exists. The doctrine that proves that righteous Abel has been consciously waiting in some intermediate state has no warrant in the Scriptures.

Perhaps the third, the position of indifference, would be quite sufficient if inspiration had said nothing about it, and if they could actually praise the Lord. But, says the Psalmist, "The dead praise not the Lord." Ps. 115:17. So this position cannot be correct.

That "they are in the grave" seems to be correct. Says Job, "If I wait the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness." Chap 17:13. Says Isaiah, "For the grave cannot praise thee: death cannot celebrate thee." Chap. 38:18. Solomon says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Eccl. 9:10. Says Hosea, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave: I will redeem them from death." Chap. 13:14. Says the Psalmist, "Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave?" Ps. 88:11, "In the grave who shall give thee thanks?" Ps. 6:5. Thus we see the dead are in the grave.

And now I would ask in conclusion, Where do you believe the dead are? If you believe "they are with Christ in Heaven," remember they "praise not the Lord," Ps. 115:17, nor do they remember the Lord, Ps. 6:5. If you believe "they are in an intermediate, waiting state," remember their thoughts have perished, Ps. 146:4, "they know not anything." Eccl. 9:5.

But the Lifegiver is coming to restore them—to awaken them out of their sleep. Let us not rob him of his glory by giving that honor to another. L. H. CHURCH.