Hello Shirley,
First I am very sad to hear about Butch, my condolences go out to everybody who knew him.
It is at times like this that it is only natural to ask the question 'why?'
Even though it is a sad fact of life at present that we have to experience suffering and death, the very fact that it is something that feels so unnatural and hard to understand is because it is not the way that things were originally intended to be. I understand that Butch was studying the bible before he died and so I feel that he would have learnt about the following, and would want others to know the hope that he had too.
In the bible, death is clearly explained. Furthermore, the Bible not only reveals why we die but also explains the condition of the dead and offers hope for our deceased loved ones. Finally, it speaks of a momentous time when it will be possible to report: “Death is swallowed up forever.”—1 Corinthians 15:54.
The Bible explains death in familiar rather than mysterious terms. For example, it repeatedly likens dying to ‘falling asleep,’ and it describes dead people as “sleeping in death.” (Psalm 13:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; John 11:11-14) Death is also identified as an “enemy.” (1 Corinthians 15:26) More important, the Bible enables us to understand why death is like a sleep, why death afflicts mankind, and how this enemy will finally be defeated.
Why Do We Die?
The first book of the Bible relates how God made the first man, Adam, and settled him into a paradise home. (Genesis 2:7, 15) When starting out in life, Adam received work assignments, along with one strict prohibition. Regarding a certain tree in the garden of Eden, God told him: “You must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.” (Genesis 2:17) Hence, Adam understood that death was not inevitable. It was the direct result of violating a divine law.
Tragically, Adam and his wife, Eve, disobeyed. They chose to ignore the will of their Creator, and they reaped the consequences. “Dust you are and to dust you will return,” God told them when he outlined the results of their sin. (Genesis 3:19) They became seriously defective—imperfect. Their imperfection, or sinfulness, would lead to their death.
This defect—sin—was also passed on to Adam and Eve’s offspring, the entire human race. In a sense, it was like a hereditary disease. Not only did Adam lose the opportunity to live a life free from the scourge of death but he also transmitted imperfection to his offspring. The human family was taken hostage to sin. The Bible states: “That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”—Romans 5:12.
“Sin Entered Into the World”
This hereditary defect, or sin, cannot be seen under a microscope. “Sin” refers to a moral and spiritual deficiency that has been transmitted to us from our first parents, and it has physical consequences. However, the Bible reveals that God has provided a remedy. The apostle Paul explains: “The wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul added an assurance that was very meaningful for him: “Just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.”—1 Corinthians 15:22.
Clearly, Jesus Christ plays a key role in eliminating sin and death. He said that he came to earth “to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.” (Matthew 20:28) The situation is comparable to a kidnapping, in which release of the hostage can be obtained only by a specified payment. In this case, the ransom that can free us from sin and death is Jesus’ perfect human life.—Acts 10:39-43.
To provide the ransom, God sent Jesus to the earth to sacrifice his life. “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might . . . have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Before dying a sacrificial death, Christ ‘bore witness to the truth.’ (John 18:37) And during his public ministry, he took advantage of certain events to reveal the truth about death.
“The Little Girl . . . Is Sleeping”
Jesus was no stranger to death while he was on earth. He felt the grief of losing people around him, and he was fully aware that he himself would die prematurely. (Matthew 17:22, 23) Evidently some months before Jesus was executed, his close friend Lazarus died. That event provides us with an insight into Jesus’ view of death.
Soon after receiving word of Lazarus’ death, Jesus said: “Lazarus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep.” The disciples assumed that if Lazarus was merely resting, he would get better. So Jesus said plainly: “Lazarus has died.” (John 11:11-14) Obviously, Jesus understood death to be like sleep. While death may be difficult for us to comprehend, we do understand sleep. During a good night’s rest, we are unaware of the passage of time and what is going on around us because we are in a state of temporary unconsciousness. This is exactly how the Bible explains the condition of the dead. Ecclesiastes 9:5 states: “As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.”
Jesus also compared death to a sleep because people can be awakened from death, thanks to the power of God. On one occasion, Jesus visited the home of a distraught family whose little girl had just expired. “The little girl did not die, but she is sleeping,” Jesus said. Then he approached the dead girl and took hold of her hand, and she “got up.” In other words, she rose from the dead.—Matthew 9:24, 25.
Jesus likewise raised his friend Lazarus from death. But before performing that miracle, he consoled Martha, Lazarus’ sister, by saying: “Your brother will rise.” She confidently replied: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11:23, 24) She evidently expected all of God’s servants to be resurrected at some point in the future.
What exactly does a resurrection imply? The Greek word for “resurrection” (a·na′sta·sis) literally means “standing up.” It denotes a rising from the dead. This may sound incredible to some, yet after saying that the dead would hear his voice, Jesus said: “Do not marvel at this.” (John 5:28) The resurrections that Jesus himself performed on earth give us confidence in the Bible’s promise that the dead in God’s memory will awake from their long “sleep.” Revelation 20:13 prophesies: “The sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades [mankind’s common grave] gave up those dead in them.”
Will these dead ones be resurrected back to life only to grow old and die again, somewhat like Lazarus? That is not God’s purpose. The Bible assures us that the time will come when “death will be no more,” so no one will be growing old and then dying.—Revelation 21:4.
Death is an enemy. The human race has many other common enemies, such as sickness and old age, which likewise cause much suffering. God promises to vanquish them all, finally passing sentence on mankind’s greatest foe. “As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing.”—1 Corinthians 15:26.
With that promise fulfilled, humans will enjoy perfect life, unmarred by sin and death. Meanwhile, we can take comfort in knowing that our dead loved ones are resting, and if they are in God’s memory, they will be resurrected in his due time.
I hope that helps, if you would like to know more about what the bible says about this and the hope we can have for the future please check out the links below.
2006-12-12 09:46:12
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answer #1
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answered by Frax 4
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I am very sorry for your loss.I am afraid I cannot give you an answer except to say that we all only have a certain amount of time here on earth.Your friend must have been an honorable man to be serving in the military.He must have believed that it was important to protect you and our freedoms and culture.The best thing you can do for him now is to live by the same ideals that he did and I know this is probably of no comfort to you right now but you will see him again.God Bless you.
2006-12-12 03:56:58
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answer #2
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answered by Mr Bellows 5
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I am sorry to hear about the death of your friend butch. I too know what it feels like to loose someone very special. My mom just died three months ago and it still seems like she is still here To tell you the truth you will never get over it and yes when you get to heaven you will see him again at least that's where i plan on seeing my mom at again your going to have good days and bad but with time it will get get better.
2006-12-12 04:39:00
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answer #3
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answered by CHERISH 3
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Acts 24:15 comforts us with the fact that there'll a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous. The unrighteous (individuals who have no longer had the possibility to be declared righteous by way of acts of religion closer to God since of loss of abilities) will accept the possibility to worship God actually. You will see your family once more. Once declared righteous, they'll reside right here on the planet (Ps 37:eleven But the meek ones themselves will own the earth, And they'll certainly uncover their extremely good pride within the abundance of peace.)
2016-09-03 07:26:38
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answer #4
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answered by darland 4
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its just life. Gods timing. Noone knows how long they have on this earth. even me. i dont know. but i pray that God will let me live till im 100. I know it hurts, but its life. life begins at some point and at another point, life has to end. it seems like we lose the best people in our lives. we sometimes can become confused and ask why did they have to die, they didnt deserve, they were good people. Good people have to die too. i wish it were different but unfortunately, that is how life is. it hurts my heart to see little children die. and babies being thrown into garbage cans before they even have a chance to live. but its life. i hate it when kids are kidnapped and murdered or they develop a terminal illness, but its life. we cant control, we can only live it to the best of our ability. live each day like its our last, love like theres no tomorrow, and do without regrets. i am really sorry for your loss, and i send my condolences, and i pray for your peace. i know you miss him and i know it hurts but you have to remember that its just life.
2006-12-12 03:54:51
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answer #5
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answered by DropdEadGorgEous! 2
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it's really heartbreaking to lose a loved one but such is life.Everybody will die one day no matter your status:good,bad,rich,poor and etc.If you ask me why do people die?my explanation will be that,the world never increases,it's only living things that increase and so someday,we will all have to die to make way for other generations period.As you deal with your lose,remember that your deceased would want you to go on and finish your mission on earth.He finished his and he's resting so you have to finish your part.someday,someone will come and continue from where you left.
2006-12-12 03:53:34
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Well, I know how you feel and its going to be hard. Many people asked that question and never got an answer, and so I will give you one. Love one die because its time to go home to GOD and be in heaven to rest, because many people don't know but they don't know when to stop what they do, they just keep going until they pass. But, you will get a chance to see him in Heaven when its your time to go.
2006-12-12 03:53:14
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answer #7
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answered by Lateasha b 2
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I hate to break it to you but everyone dies, Everyone its just a matter of when and how unfortunately his was sooner or later but he obviously chose to take the risk by going to Iraq anyway.
2006-12-12 03:48:29
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answer #8
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answered by Krayden 6
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he died because God had other plans for him...the work he needed to do on earth was done. now he has gone on to a better place, and when you die hopefully you will see him in heaven. so will you ever see him again there is a possibility...so all you have to do is believe!!
2006-12-12 03:47:26
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answer #9
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answered by Awesome girl 2
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there's a time to live, and a time to die, an time to laugh, and a time to cry. It's life. You'll see him again someday.
2006-12-12 03:48:13
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answer #10
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answered by Amber B 2
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everybody will die one day, only at the different time.
2006-12-12 03:51:01
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answer #11
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answered by Anonymous
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