God Hates Death

If you’ve lost a loved one, know that God is not in the business of killing people. In fact, God hates death. It was never His desire for death to be released on the earth. Adam sinned, rebelling against God, and that sin brought death. It brought death to all living things- people, animals, plants. Death is not of God. Sin is the source of death, which is why Jesus came to save us from sin. If God was the author of death, Jesus would have never come to earth and died. God hates death so much that He sent His dear, beloved Son to die to abolish it.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:18 (KJV)

Jesus overcame death. He won the victory over death for us. However, if Jesus overcame death, why do people still die- especially Christians?

Death is ultimately separation from God. When we take our last breath, we either go to heaven and spend eternity with God, or we go to Hell, where we are forever separated from God and all that is good. Jesus made the way for us to go to Heaven instead of Hell. Physical death is still taking place, but in the not-so-distant future, it will be removed forever.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Revelation 20:14 (KJV)

If God hates death, why does the Bible speak of God killing people, especially in the Old Testament? Death is usually the judgment meted out for wickedness. You see, everything operates under the law of sowing and reaping. God set it up that way, and it is in operation at all times in all situations for all people. It never fails.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

In the Bible, when someone is killed and it says that God took them out, it is because they are reaping what they have sown. God has to stand by His own laws. He cannot and will not violate them. Does He want people to die? No- He wants people to turn to Him, walk in His ways, and live.

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. Luke 7:11-15 (KJV)

God hates death. Whenever Jesus encountered a dead body, He brought resurrection. Jesus is the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3), meaning that when you see Jesus, you’ve seen the Father (John 14:9). Nowhere in Scripture do we read of Jesus killing anyone. Think about it. God is the Source of Life, not death.

Take heart and be comforted. Know that if a believer has departed this earth, they are waiting for you in Heaven. The separation may be painful for a while, but it is not forever. God hates death, and we do not have to hopelessly grieve for those who have graduated to the realms of glory.