A. Physical Death
“What is the meaning of physical death?” Physical death is separation of the immaterial part of man from the material part of man (Eccl. 12:7; Jas. 2:26). It is not a cessation of existence or consciousness as those who teach “soul-sleeping” believe, rather, it is merely a separation of the immaterial part of man from the material part of man.
Physical death is specifically a penalty for sin (Gen. 3:19; Num. 27:3; Ps. 90:7–10; Rom. 5:12–21; 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:21–22). Perhaps the best example of physical death as a penalty for sin is Genesis 5, where the words and he died are recorded over and over again, with the exception of Enoch (vv. 21–24).
For the believer, however, death is no longer viewed as a punishment, but rather as the means for entering into Heaven. That is why the Bible describes death for the believer in terms of “sleeping” (Mk. 5:39; 1 Thes. 4:13–14).
When the Bible uses the term “sleep” in reference to death it is not teaching soul-sleeping, because the word “sleep” does not refer to the soul, but to the body. For example, in physical sleep, there is a temporary cessation of physical activity, but not spirit soul activity. The mind, for example, keeps on operating and other facets of the material part of man, such as the vital organs, continue to operate. So physical sleep is a temporary suspension of physical activity until the body wakes up. “Sleep,” in the sense of death, is also a temporary suspension of physical activity, but not spirit soul or mind heart activity, because death is not a cessation of consciousness or of existence. So for the believer, death is no longer a punishment; it is the means of entering into Heaven. For the believer, therefore, it is viewed as “sleep,” a temporary suspension of physical activity until the body awakens in the resurrection.
The remedy for physical death will be a physical resurrection; physical resurrection will remedy the effects of physical death (Rom. 5:17; 8:23; 1 Cor. 15:22).
Excerpt from Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum:
MBS091 THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF DEATH: Pg 4-5
