What the Bible Says About Immortality

 WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT:

IMMORTALITY

Article by DC

IMMORTALITY DEFINED

Immortality, as defined in the Bible, means deathlessness. It consists of a change of one’s body from a mortal, corruptible state or nature to an incorruptible body that no longer decays and dies. Immortality is conditional, not inherent, based on one’s faith and granted by Jesus, when he returns to the earth and raises the dead.

ONLY GOD, THE FATHER HAS IMMORTALITY (DEATHLESSNESS)

The LORD God is the Creator and gives life to all things. When Jesus returns to the earth, he will display that his Father is the only one who has always been immortal (deathless), whereas Jesus died and his Father raised him from the dead and gave him eternal life.

Key Bible Verse

1 Timothy 6:13,16

“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things… who alone has immortality (deathlessness), who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”

A CHANGE OF ONE’S BODY FROM CORRUPTIBLE TO INCORRUPTIBLE

As humans, we are born with a mortal or corruptible nature resulting in death. Immortality is not achieved unless one’s body is changed from the corruptible, mortal body to an incorruptible body that can no longer die.

Key Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 15:53-54

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality (deathlessness). So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality (deathlessness), then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Philippians 3:20-21

“…the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

CONDITIONAL, NOT INHERENT

As humans we are mortal and do not possess immortality. It is a quality brought within reach through Christ by the gospel. It will only be attained on condition of both believing the Gospel and obeying the Divine commandment.

Key Bible Verses

2 Timothy 1:10

“…and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality (deathlessness) to light through the gospel…”

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

A PROMISE OF INHERITANCE BASED ON HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Immortality is not possessed now, but it is a matter of promise and hope for the future, granted by Jesus.

Key Bible Verses

Titus 1:2

“…in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began…”

Titus 3:7

“…so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

GRANTED AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD ON THE EARTH

Key Bible Verses

John 5:28-29

{Jesus said} “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

Matthew 5:5 (quoting Psalm 37:9,11)

{Jesus said} “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10

“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.””

In Summary

ImmortalIity means deathlessness

God, the Father is the only one who has always possessed immortality (1 Tim. 6:13-16)

Immortality is a changed/transformed body from corruptible to incorruptible, like Jesus’ body (1 Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 3:20-21)

Immortality is conditional, not inherent (2 Tim. 1:10; Jn. 3:16)

Immortality is a promise of inheritance based on hope of the future (Titus 1:2; 3:7)

Immortality is granted at the resurrection of the dead when Jesus returns and is based on what one has done (Jn. 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:51-52)

Immortality will be experienced on the earth (Psa. 37:9,11; Mat. 5:5; Rev. 5:9-10)