p. 7 | Man's Condition in Death by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 1, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 38.

Man's Condition in Death

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

THIS subject is one upon which wise men never speak flippantly.

Almost any other theme may be discussed from the standpoint of experience—either our own or that of some one else.

But death—before this grim monster, the bravest of us stands appalled. We enter into the presence of the dread specter with uncovered heads and bated breath; and as we take up our pen to consider the subject, a feeling of awe comes stealing over us. But since "the grave is the house appointed to all living," this subject is one of general interest,—it is one which appeals to everybody.

"But," some one protests, "since there is such a lack of testimony to be brought forward from those who have actually entered the dark domains of death, we think it almost sacrilegious even to hazard an opinion concerning the real condition of man after the bounding heart has ceased to beat."

Granted; and were it not for the fact that inspiration deals positively and in unmistakable terms with the subject, it is one which might well cause a wiser and more fluent pen than mine to hesitate.

But we are not left to stumble along in the dark, and to form conclusions both false and grotesque; for upon no other theme is inspiration more clear, explicit, and positive.

Of course every one knows the quite generally accepted idea concerning this subject,—first, that the dead are entirely conscious of what is going on in this evil world; and second, that they enter into their reward or their punishment immediately after death.

Now let us throw aside all preconceived notions, and study God's Word.

Are the Dead Conscious?

Are the dead conscious? Let us turn to the testimony of the wise man: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything." Eccl. 9:5. Question: How can any one be perfectly conscious, and yet be said by inspiration to "know not anything"?

"True," says one; "but Solomon is speaking of the dead, senseless body. Of course the body knows nothing after death. It is the spirit, the immortal part of man, that is conscious—that part which loves. Love can never die; therefore the love which we have in our souls for our dear ones and for our Creator, can never be affected by death. The good must go on loving as before, only still more intensely. Likewise the wicked will go on hating, after death, to all eternity. Of course that last idea is gruesome and horrible, but—"

Pardon the interruption. But why multiply words when the Almighty has spoken?

"The dead know not anything. . . . Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished." Eccl. 9:5, 6.

We know well enough what that means. There is no figure of speech here. What becomes of the love and hatred and envy of the dead?—It "is now perished." Every living, conscious person must and does feel in some degree the emotions of either love or hatred. Then we must unavoidably conclude that the dead are absolutely unconscious.

"But," you protest, "you have not yet proved that our beloved dead have no knowledge. They may be without the human passions of either love or hatred; but surely the knowledge and wisdom of the Highest is theirs." Again inspiration answers, "Not so." Why? "For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Eccl. 9:10. Amen; so let it be.

Do Our Dead Friends Still See Us?

"But," you ask, "must I believe that my godly mother, who died in my childhood, knows nothing about me, that she does not follow my steps anxiously and helpfully even as of yore, to rejoice over my prosperity or to be sad over my defeat?"

Listen; for it has pleased God to give us an answer even to this question also:

"His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them." Job 14:21.

"But surely you would not tell me that all the holy apostles and prophets are not now in heaven," some one still objects.

Where Is David Now?

O, no! I would not tell you anything. Of myself, I know nothing about it. But hear the words of God once more, because they are far better than any conjecture of mine could possibly be:

"For David is not ascended into the heavens." Acts 2:34. Thus saith the Lord, whose testimony is unimpeachable. Now when this declaration regarding David was given, he had been asleep in death for more than a thousand years, and still inspiration says that he was not yet in heaven!

And I can assert with great confidence that David either had no expectation of going to heaven at death, or else he did not intend or expect to praise God if he did go. How am I sure?—Because he says so. Hear his testimony. It surely ought to be final. "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence." Ps. 115:17.

Again: In death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks?" Ps. 6:5. Now if this testimony means anything at all, it means and it says that nobody can or does praise the Lord while they are in their grave, and that they are utterly incapable of even remembering Him.

Well, some of us have been taught for so many years that we should surely "sing God's power to save, when this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave," that we have almost ignored both logic and Scripture!

The Spirit Returning to God

"But what then? Shall we die like the brute?" I will not undertake to answer this question myself; it is too hard for me. Besides, I would rather shift the responsibility onto other shoulders. Again I shall call to the witness-stand the wisest man who ever lived. Aided by the Holy Spirit, surely he will tell us plainly.

"That which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; . . . as the one dieth, so dieth the other. . . . All go unto one place;

all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." Eccl. 3:19, 20.

Now this is plain language. But it is Bible. God forbid that we quarrel with it.

"But why not read the very next verse?" I see some one smile as he asks.

Yes; let us read it:

"Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" Also, "The spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Eccl. 12:7.

Indeed it will; it returns "as it was" — no more, no less conscious than it was. Was the spirit of Adam conscious before it entered his nostrils? Was ours? Can we remember events before our birth? Then pray why should the mere fact of the spirit's having entered the poor decaying body for a few years, so improve upon it, that, altho entirely unconscious before, it is entirely conscious after it leaves the body? Surely the mortal body must impart to the spirit wonderful powers and wonderful wisdom indeed!

No; as the breath of life was breathed into him, even so it leaves him. Was it incapable of remembering, or singing, or praising, before? It is the same when it leaves the body.

We may be sure that whatever it is that leaves the dead body and "ascends to God," called by whatever name we like, whether "spirit" or "breath," has not the power to "love" or to "hate" or to "envy." It can not praise God, nor even remember Him; and it has no "knowledge" or "wisdom," and must remain "silent."

This much we have already learned from other scriptures. God takes back just what He gave.

"Well," says the infidel, "you are coming right over to my position."—A thousand times, no! You will believe me, if you will follow me through my next. A resurrection is promised to man. Not so for the beast.