Bible Question:
I read that we will return to dust unless Jesus comes back before we die. I read this at your site. Jesus promised us eternal life through Him. Please explain.
Bible Answer:
First it is important to understand that all of the apostles died a physical death and their physical bones and flesh decayed in the grave and became dust. God tells us that everyone will experience a physical death.
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment . . . (NASB) Hebrews 9:27
Every person has a physical body and a spirit. Everyone is born physically alive and spiritually dead. At the point we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our life, we become spiritually alive. At the point our soul leaves our body, we physically die.
Only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will be raptured, that is removed from this earth, at the time that Jesus returns. They will escape physical suffering, but their physical bodies will stop existing. Those who are raptured will meet God and have spiritual bodies forever. Our old physical bodies are exchanged for spiritual bodies that apparently can pass through walls just like Jesus did (John 20:19-23). Apparently our new spiritual bodies will also be able to eat food (Luke 24:28-35).
Conclusion
Some day your physical body will die and become dust. Most of us will leave this life through suffering due to an accident or disease. If we are raptured, we will escape suffering. When we leave this earthly life, we will be given a spiritual body which will exist forever. You might also be interested in another question titled, “What happens to a person when he dies?” May the Lord bless you.
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