Does Man Become Extinct at Death?

by Charles E. Murray

Jehovah's Witnesses, and a few other groups, teach that at death man ceases to exist. Quoting from a Jehovah's Witness pamphlet with the heading, "WHAT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE," the following is found: "The soul ceases to exist at death, Eccl. 9:5, 10; Ezek. 18:4."

Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that there is an eternal part of man that lives on after death. In fact, there is no difference between a man and an animal when it comes to death and what happens when each die. They simply cease to exist, according to this false doctrine.

Please notice carefully the above passages which are given as proof-texts of this doctrine. Eccl 9:5 "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten."(NIV) Eccl 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." (NIV)

At first glance, it may appear that the Jehovah's Witnesses are correct in their interpretation of these passages. The Bible does say that the dead "know nothing" and even the "memory of them is forgotten." Also, "there is no working or planning or knowledge or wisdom" in the grave. But to properly understand these statements it is necessary to look at the context of the passage. JW's are masters at ignoring context and lifting verses out of the context in an attempt to prove their doctrines.

This entire section of Ecclesiastes is talking about what is called, "life under the sun." Notice verse 3: "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun." Also, consider verse 6: "Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun." The expression "under the sun" occurs twice in verse 9 and again in verse 11. Whatever this expression means it is the key to properly understanding the passage.

The writer is stressing the common destiny of all men. In verse three he says, "The same destiny overtakes all." But what "destiny" is under consideration? This expression "under the sun" has reference to life on earth. The wise writer is pointing out that when a person dies, all physical or earthly activity ceases. All men live and then they die, verse 3. When they no longer live "under the sun" they know nothing about earthly activity, they have no further reward, and they are not remembered. Just walk through a cemetery and observe the tombstones. Who are these people that no longer live "under the sun"? They have been long forgotten. There is no longer a memory of them. All of their physical activities have come to an end. They no longer hate, love or do any work.

Because all physical activities stop with death, the wise writer advises, "eat your food with gladness, drink.... with a joyful heart....enjoy life with your wife....under the sun" (verse 7), because at death these activities will cease.

The writer continues, "in the grave there is neither working nor planing nor knowledge nor wisdom," therefore he concludes, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."

It is obvious that the Bible is not teaching that a person ceases to exist after death, but rather that all physical activity comes to an end when we die. This is what is common to all men.

The next passage used in an attempt to prove the false doctrine that man ceases to exist after death is Ezekiel 18:4. It is said in this passage "the soul that sins shall die." But again, we have to look at the context. God's prophet is teaching the lesson that each person is responsible for his own sin. The father will not be held accountable for the sins of his son, and a son will not be called into account for his father's transgressions. Notice the contrast throughout this passage between "living" and "dying." In verse 17, if a person refrains from the sins mentioned "he will not die......he will surely live." Again in verse 21, "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is right and just, he will surely live and will not die." The whole message of the passage is that the wicked will die and the righteous will live. Also, the context plainly shows that the word "soul" is not referring to the eternal spirit of man. "Soul" is used synonymously with "man," "son," and "father." Look carefully at verses 19 and 20. The "son" does what is right and just and keeps God's decrees will live. In contrast the "soul" that sins will die. The "son" will not share the guilt of the father. The words, "soul" and "son" are used interchangeable and obviously refers to the person and not the eternal spirit of man.

The passage is talking about personal responsibility before God. Sin results in separation from God and it is in this sense that death is used in this context. All "souls belong to God" (verse 4) and sin separates the soul from God (Isa. 59:1,2). JW's attempt to prove that the soul ceases to exist at death to support another false doctrine that hell is man's common grave. They do not believe in a place of eternal punishment. When a wicked man dies, that's all there is. The wicked just cease to exist. Only the righteous will live forever. To prove this they cite Job 14:13 and Rev. 20:13. Let's look at these passages:

Job 14:13 "O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!" (KJV)

Rev 20:13 "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." (KJV)

First, Job prays that he would be hidden in the grave until God's wrath was passed. This does not teach that man ceases to exist at death nor does it teach that hell and the grave are the same.. In the very next verse, Job asks, "If a man dies, will he live again?" Job answers his own question: "All the days of my hard service, I will wait for my renewal..." What renewal does Job refer to? He is talking about his resurrection. Will there be life after death? Yes, and Job is waiting for that "renewal."

The passage in Revelation says that death and hell gave up the dead that were in them. This passage actually refutes the very doctrine JW's attempt to prove. If hell and the grave are the same, and man becomes extinct when in the grave, what is there for the grave to give up? If man no longer exists, there will be nothing in the grave to be delivered. Yet the passage states that hell and death delivered up those who were in them and they were judged according to their works.

Interestingly, when the JW's cite these passages, they insist on the King James Version being used. This is understandable when other versions are read. The word "hades" is used for "grave" in Revelation, and the Hebrew word "Sheol" is used in Job. These words better translate the original than does the word "grave." Both "hades" and "Sheol" refer to a place for "departed spirits," not the grave or resting place of the physical body.

What does the Bible teach about the spirit of man? In I Thess. 5: 23, we read, "May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus." In Hebrews 4:12 notice what God's Word says: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

It is easy to see that the Bible recognizes that man has a soul, spirit and body. The soul is the animated life that God breathed into Adam at creation (Gen. 2:7) The spirit is the eternal part of man that is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). The body was formed from the dust of the ground and is the dwelling place of the spirit (Jas. 2: 26).

Jesus taught in Matthew 25 that the wicked "will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life" (verse 46). Notice one of the very passages used by JW's: "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20: 14,15).

Friend, do not be deceived. Man does not become extinct at death. We have an eternal spirit that lives on after death and will be judged by God at the resurrection of the dead. "It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgement" (Heb. 9:27). There is a hell, a lake of fire, an eternal punishment to be avoided and there is a heaven, not here on earth, but in the heavenly Paradise of God, to be gained. All men will live somewhere after death, either in heaven or hell. Do not let any man rob you of your eternal salvation.