Lesson 29

Jesus compared death to a deep sleep. A person in a deep sleep is not aware of what is happening around him. How is death similar to sleep? After someone dies, he does not feel pain. He does not feel lonely, no matter how much he loved his friends and family. “The dead know nothing at all,” says the Bible.

Read Ecclesiastes 9.5: For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten.

Many people are afraid of death—and even of the dead! But you can be comforted by what the Bible says about death. Jesus said: “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

Contrary to what some religions claim, the Bible does not teach that a person has an immortal soul that lives on after death. Thus, no one suffers after death. Also, since the dead are not aware of anything, they cannot harm us. So there is no need to appease or worship the dead, and there is no need to say prayers for them.

Some people say that they can communicate with the dead. But this is impossible. As we just learned, the dead “know nothing at all.” Those who think that they are communicating with dead loved ones may actually be communicating with demons who pretend to be people who have died. So knowing the truth about death protects us from the demons. Jehovah warns us about trying to communicate with the dead because he knows that contact with the demons will harm us.

Read Deuteronomy 18.10-12: There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, anyone practicing magic, anyone who looks for omens, a sorcerer, anyone binding others with a spell, anyone who consults a spirit medium or a fortune-teller, or anyone who inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to Jehovah, and on account of these detestable practices Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you.

Learn more about what the Bible teaches regarding death, and strengthen your faith in a loving God who does not torment those who have died.

Around the world, people have different beliefs about what happens when we die. Of course, not all of those beliefs can be true.

What beliefs about the condition of the dead are common in your area?

To see what the Bible teaches, play the VIDEO.

Read Ecclesiastes 3.20: All are going to the same place. They all come from the dust, and they all are returning to the dust.

Discuss these questions:

According to this verse, what happens when a person dies?

Does any part of a person survive death?

The Bible tells us about the death of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus. As you read John 11:11-14, notice how Jesus referred to the condition of Lazarus.

Read John 11.11-14: After he said these things, he added: “Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.” The disciples then said to him: “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.” Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazarus has died,

Discuss these questions:

To what did Jesus compare death?

What does this comparison tell us about the condition of the dead?

Do you find the Bible’s description of death to be reasonable?

Knowing the truth about death frees us from fear of the dead.

Read Ecclesiastes 9.10: Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might, for there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave, where you are going.

Discuss this question:

Can the dead harm us?

Bible truth also protects us from the belief that the dead must be appeased or even worshipped.

Read Isaiah 8.19: And if they say to you: “Inquire of the spirit mediums or of the fortune-tellers who chirp and mutter,” is it not of their God that a people should inquire? Should they inquire of the dead in behalf of the living?

Read Revelation 4.11: “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created.”

Discuss this question:

How do you think Jehovah feels about a person who worships or seeks the help of someone who has died?

Many people have been taught that when they die, they will suffer as a result of their past actions. But it comforts us to know that no one suffers after death—not even someone who has done very bad things.

Read Romans 6.7: For the one who has died has been acquitted from his sin.

Discuss this question:

If, as we read in the Bible, death acquits, or releases, a person from sin, do you think anyone who has died is suffering because of past mistakes?

The more we get to know Jehovah, the more we realize that he would never allow the dead to suffer.

Read Deuteronomy 32.4: The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; Righteous and upright is he.

Read 1 John 4.8: Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love.

Discuss these questions:

Would a God with the qualities mentioned in these verses ever approve of tormenting those who have died?

Do you find the truth about death to be comforting? Why?

What comforting Bible verses could you share?

When a person dies, his life ends. The dead do not suffer, nor can they harm the living.

What happens when we die?

How does the truth about death benefit us?

How does the truth about death comfort us?

Lesson completed on:

Try to memorize one scripture from this lesson so that you can explain the condition of the dead.

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 29, memorize Ecclesiastes 9:5: For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten.

1. See what the word “soul” really means in the Bible.

“What Is the Soul?” (Web article) Open explore 1 in new page

2. Find out if God uses hell to punish the wicked.

Is Hell a Real Place of Torment? (3:07) Open explore 2 in new page

3. Do we ever need to be afraid of the dead?

Spirits of the Dead—Can They Help You or Harm You? Do They Really Exist? (brochure) Open explore 3 in new page

4. Find out how a man was comforted when he learned the truth about what happens when we die.

“I Was Impressed by the Bible’s Clear, Logical Answers” (The Watchtower, February 1, 2015) Open explore 4 in new page