Does Man have an IMMORTAL SOUL that lives on after his death?

Although this is a very common belief even among Bible students, the Scriptures do not support the belief that man has an immortal soul.

Man does have a spirit that animals do not have, which does return to God at death, but this spirit is not a conscious presence. It is this spirit, the spirit of Man that sets man apart from the animal kingdom, it is what gives man a mind, the ability to think and plan. Notice Job 32:8,- "But it is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding." Man alone understands his presence in the Past, Present and future.

Ezekiel Chapter 18 states twice that the "soul" that sins shall "die". If the soul was immortal, it could not die. Notice what Solomon said,- "For the sake of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other, indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All GO TO THE SAME PLACE. All came from dust and all return to the dust." (Eccles. 3:19-20)

The word "soul" is translated from the Hebrew word "nephesh" which simply means "breathing animal." Three times in the first chapter of Genesis animals are called "nephesh" but rendered "creatures" by translators.

Notice Solomon again,- "For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten." (Eccles. 9:5)

This certainly does not picture the event of a newly deceased departing his body as an immortal soulfloating off to meet his Maker as a conscious being. But shows that man is mortal and must hope in the resurrection from the dead.

Have you ever wondered why there would be a resurrection from the dead if there really are no dead? If those who have died are really already living in Heaven or Hell, then where is the need for a resurrection? If man is an immortal being in a fleshly body, who is in the grave awaiting the resurrection to life? The resurrection pictures conscious life from thoughtless death. If man is already immortal, how could he pass from death to life? Wouldn't it be impossible for man to really die at all?

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that the soul possesses no thought or memory after death. Notice Psalms 6:4-5,- "Return, O Lord, rescue my soul; Save me because of They lovingkindness. For there is NO MENTION OF THEE IN DEATH. In Sheol (Hebrew for Grave) who will give Thee thanks?"

Daniel said,- "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake." (Daniel 12:2)Daniel was speaking of the resurrection from the dead. Jesus also spoke of death as sleep,- "Our friend Lazarus has FALLEN ASLEEP, but I go, that I may AWAKEN HIM out of SLEEP. The disciples therefore said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep he will recover." Now Jesus has spoken of his DEATH; but they thought that He was speaking of literal SLEEP. Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead." (John 11:11-14)

One may read through the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation but will find very little to substantiate the concept of the immortal soul. What will be found is ample reasons to conclude that the dead are asleep in the grave waiting to hear the gracious words that brought Lazarus forth.

 

For additional information: 

"What Happens at Death?" 

"Is There Hope for the Dead?"