Biblical explanation
When a person dies, the body returns to the dust from which it was made. says, “for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (). states that “the dead know not any thing,” and verse 10 says there is no work, knowledge, wisdom, or device in the grave. The Bible repeatedly uses sleep as a description of death. Jesus called Lazarus's death “sleep” and then plainly explained, “Lazarus is dead” (). Paul similarly describes deceased believers as those who have “fallen asleep” (). This is important because the biblical hope is not that the dead are already living elsewhere in a conscious state. The hope is the resurrection. Jesus said that “all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth” (). Paul describes the resurrection of believers at Christ's return (; ). Death, therefore, is not the end of God's plan. It is an enemy that Christ will ultimately destroy (). The Bible does not describe the ordinary dead as actively communicating with the living, watching earthly events, or carrying on normal conscious activities. Its consistent emphasis is on death as sleep and resurrection as the answer to death.
In brief
Human beings do not possess an inherently immortal soul. Immortality is God's gift in Christ, received at the resurrection, so Christian hope rests in Jesus' literal, bodily return rather than in communication with the dead or an immediately conscious afterlife.
Bible references
Go deeper into this topic What Really Happens After Death? Start the studyThis answer is written and reviewed by the Word Oasis Editorial Team, and is presented with supporting references so you can examine each passage in context. If you notice an error or unclear statement, please suggest a correction.