What came first, the living or the dead?

Question

I mean, before life came about, is it fair to say that death was everywhere? Or can death only exist once life has ended?

Say that all life ends then- would death be everywhere then?

Answer 1

It depends on what is actually 'life'. If you think the body made of material elements is alive then death is when the body ceases to function. But if you accept that life is eternal, then death doesn't exist. There is no such thing. This is my view. The body is never ever alive to begin with because its elements are always the same whether they are being animated by a soul or not. The body's chemicals are exactly the same as those found in a lab. Its the spirit soul, which is symptomized by consciousness, that animates the body and makes it appear to be alive. So life is eternal, there is no death, only life.

Answer 2

Death is called "the last enemy" and it will be destroyed by Christ at "the end" (see the Bible book of 1st Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 12-26). That raises an interesting question: was death the first enemy, at some point near "the beginning"? It is described as an angel and as a rider on a pale horse, but is destined for destruction. Death is linked to sin, i.e. missing God's mark of perfection. (Romans 6:23). Living people can be described as "dead in transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) so death is not just physical - it can be spiritual too. The time is promised when there shall be "no more death, sorrow, crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4).
So, in answer to your first question (before life came about, was death everywhere) you assume there was a time when there was no life, but if God has always existed then there has always been life. In answer to your second question (can death only exist once life has ended) I would say death is at work in all life on our planet, corrupting it, even before death develops a stranglehold that snuffs out life completely. But ultimate victory over death has already been assured by Christ being raised from the dead, for death had no claim or hold on the sinless One.

Answer 3

What could be the answer if I ask – what came first our ability to see, or the eye to see with? We think about these questions but we do not find a definite answer. These questions only do the job setting our brains in a circular motion. The problem is that we tend to think subjectively. We confine ourselves within the parameters of a fallacious situation created by an inquiry. We should know what could be consolidated to our existing knowledge and understanding. If we try to know the unknown, or unknown able we will generate further questions until we reach the right question our inquiry will not end. If something can be known in more than one ways then that should be known the way that is most suited to an objective human standpoint.

We have beaten the concept of death, or the ultimate death by the power our faith. We have rid ourselves of the shackles of fear associated the thoughts of death. We humans regard all life, and especially our own, more than anything else in the world. Life to us is like a precious gift. We believe that life continues after the cessation of our earthly existence. This life to us is a transient state in existence, and death merely a transformation. We are capable of recognising things greater than ourselves, and relating them beyond the bounds of our knowledge and understanding. It has been witnessed countless times that we sacrifice life and show ultimate courage for the sack of our honour and faith and life. If such an ability or capacity exists within human mind and heart then it must not be overlooked. It must be taken into account while considering matters more serious in our nature.

In my personal view, life is not worth living if it is overwhelmed by the fear of death - that simply would not be a life. Human heart that has known hope, and has loved, wish to live forever. It yearns and strives for eternity. If there is anything closest to life than this is human heart. And if there is somewhere where life can be known better then that place must be in our heart. I believe in this, this is true. If life is a gift of God then hear is what makes us what we are - human beings. I also believe that our creation is the cause of all creation including the phenomenon of 'death'. If this is true then we can understand that life takes precedence upon all other notions at all times of creation - as it always have.

Answer 4

No,it is not fair to say death was everywhere before life appeared,because death is defined as the end of life,so it is conditioned by the prior existence of life. Besides life and death there is also another state,called nothingness,which is more difficult to understand,but which is the only thing that can be prior to life,in any of its forms.

Answer 5

Death can only be at the end of life. Something that does not exist cannot die. Therefor before life there was not death because was was no existance.

Answer 6

I believe that life had to come first, before death. I think that death can only exist once there is life, but when Jesus returns there will be no more pain of death - he offers us eternal life.
The Bible, says that at first there was a void, but during that time God existed and he was and is living - God has always existed he has eternal life, so death didn't exist until "the Fall" when Adam and Eve sinned, that was when death was introduced for earthly humans and animals.

I hope this helps:>)

Answer 7

Life has always existed and always will !
Existence can not be created out of absolute nothing ,there has to already be life ,death has no real true hold over life it is only the fear of man that believes that death is the beginning and end..its bull sh^t !

Answer 8

Well, death is the cessation of life. So it stands to reason that before life, there could not have been death, but only a state of existance in which life was absent.

Answer 9

in my opinion death can't exist before life, in the sense that death isn't everywhere if there hasn't been life there before, that doesn't mean everything wasn't dead though. Just that death wasn't everywhere.

Answer 10

Death is a term relative to life. So if there was a 'before life' time, there was no death because life did not provide it.