#1 CAUSE OF DEATH IN AMERICA
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If you had to take a guess, what would you say is the leading cause of death in the United States of America? Would you guess that it is…
1. Cancer
2. Heart Disease
3. Fires
4. Homicides
5. Automobile Accidents
6. Drowning
7. Food Poisoning
8. Suicides
9. Drug/Alcohol Incidents
Or
10. “Natural” Causes?
Perhaps you were right in guessing that the correct answer is
none of the above. But, before we dive right in to answer the question at hand, let us first take the time to examine the term “death” and observe its real meaning.
According to standard dictionary definitions, “death” is most often described as:
the permanent and total cessation (end) of life in an organism
Notice the words “
permanent” & “
total” above. From cover to cover, God’s Word would confirm this standard definition. Naturally speaking, death is not something temporary nor is it the mere separation of one part from another (e.g. one’s soul from his body).
When a person dies, his or her breath leaves the body, the body turns to dust, & then he or she ceases to exist as a person. At this point, the deceased escapes time and the next thing he or she will be aware of is the Resurrection. To everyone else still living and affected by time, the deceased person is in a type of sleep.
It’s as if the human brain and body are a computer with its various parts. Like computers, we humans sleep at night which is temporary but there is now unfortunately a permanent sleep which we incur which, also known as death. This is like the power to a computer being killed when its cord is unplugged. The computer becomes completely useless in terms of what it was created for. However, all memory, information and files remain and the computer is simply in permanent sleep mode until power is restored. Again, for human beings, this very moment of restoration is the Resurrection.
John 5:28-29 reads:
“Do not be amazed by this; the time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.”
The “death” that one should mostly be concerned about is the “second death.” This is when a person’s entire being (i.e. body, soul~life, spirit~breath) is cast into a consuming fire which no one but God can quench or put out (Matthew 10:28; Luke 3:17). Upon being completely destroyed by fire, the condemned will forever cease to exist & “
be as though they had never been” (Obadiah 1:16). It is with this second death that there is no hope of resurrection or return.
Question: Most everyone will sleep a first death, but why will so many die in the second death & “consume away” to “be no more” (Psalm 37:10, 20)? Why will many receive the horrific punishment of being burned up by fire & made ashes (Malachi 4:1-3)?
Answer: Because so many suffer from the number one disorder in America & in the world [for that matter]. This disorder is called disobedience. Another name for it is “sin” & God’s Word says that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Despite one’s beliefs, all who continually disobey the Lord will die in the second death (Jude 1:15).
In the beginning, it was Adam’s sin and disobedience that brought death into this world. Following in his steps, mankind continually lives in sin to this day. Wars, rapes, murders, and even many diseases all come from man’s sinful choices and are not God’s will (James 1:13-15; 4:1&2). To ensure a perfect world in this age, God could destroy each and every person who sins... the very moment he or she breaks His laws, but He doesn’t! If He did, who among us would remain (Romans 3:23)? Who among us has never committed a sin (1 John 1:10)?
Throughout all of human history, YHVH has set before mankind two choices: life and death (see Genesis 2:15-17 & Deuteronomy 30:19). He gives man the opportunity to live for himself and his own personal agendas or give up his life and live entirely for the LORD (Luke 17:33). In love, God patiently waits for men to turn from worthless and ungodly ways (2 Peter 3:9) and although He is patient, He will not wait forever.
