Why Do People Die?
Answer: People die because of sin. When God created the first human beings, they weren’t supposed to die.
They would never grow old or wear out. But then they disobeyed God, and sin and death entered the world.
From that point on, every person bom has been born a sinner into a sinful world.
With sin came death, and so plants, animals, and people started to die.
Every person has to die. But people can live eternally, in heaven with God, if they trust in Christ and ask God to forgive their sins.
In heaven we aren’t broken anymore. There is no sickness or pain or dying there.
Key verses: You may eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the Tree of Conscience. You must not eat from that tree.
For its fruit will open your eyes. It will make you aware of right and wrong, good and bad.
If you eat its fruit, you will be doomed to die. (Genesis 2:16-17)
Related verses: Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Hebrews 9:27; James 1:15
Related questions: What is death? Why do I have to die? Why do some people die when they’re young and not just when they’re old?
If God wants everyone to live, why do babies die? Do you grow older when you go to heaven?
Note to parents: This question often comes up when a relative or a pet dies.
It is a good question and an important one for you to answer because it creates a “teachable moment.”
Answering it will probably lead to several more questions about salvation, eternal life, and heaven, so be prepared!
Does Your Body Stay In The Grave When You Go To Heaven?
Answer: The body you have here on earth is a physical, imperfect, short-term holding place for your soul.
It’s not made to last. When it’s dead, it will decay. The real you is your soul, not your body.
But in heaven you will be given a new body, a body that will last forever.
This is known as the resurrection. The physical body will die, but the spiritual body will last forever.
What happens to your body on earth or in the grave will not affect your eternal life in any way.
Key verse: For you [God] will not leave me among the dead. You will not let your loved one rot in the grave. (Psalm 16:10)
Related verses: Psalm 49:15; 1 Corinthians 15:35, 42-44
Related questions: Will we be able to breathe in heaven? Does your spirit have clothes on when it leaves your body, or is it naked?
What does it feel like when your spirit leaves your body? When you die are you automatically in heaven?
Will I Go To Heaven When I Die?
Answer: Every person who trusts in Jesus gets to go to heaven.
If you have asked Jesus to take away your sins, then you will go to heaven, too.
That’s God’s promise. And nothing can take away God’s promise of heaven.
When you die as a Christian, you go straight to live with God-you don’t need to be afraid of dying.
Key verse: It is God’s will that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me. It is his will that I should raise them to eternal life at the Last Day. (John 6:39)
Related verses: Isaiah 12:2; Romans 8:38-39; Hebrews 2:14; 6:11; 10:19-22; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 1 John 5:13
Related questions: What if I die when I’m six or seven or eight? When will I die? When will we be dead? When I die, will I go straight to heaven?
Note to parents: Many children have a profound fear of death.
They may have nightmares about it. But they may also hesitate to talk about it with you, so you may not hear them ask about it.
Reassure them: Jesus defeated death. He made it possible for us to live forever in heaven. We don’t need to fear death.