In part one of this blog series on why we care about the Bible we looked at what the Bible does for us. We saw how it helps us understand and appreciate life. In this second part we’ll see that we care about the Bible because it’s the sole source of the truth about death.

Going through the death of a loved one is emotionally devastating. For something that symbolizes such finality, it sure seems to only open up more questions. What now? What will happen to them? What will happen to me? Are they watching me from heaven? Are they suffering in hell? Or are they just nonexistent for the rest of eternity?

People deal with the trauma of death in lots of different ways. One of the most common I see is a passive resignation to death as just “part of life.” It’s natural, goes the idea. Not a big deal. You’re born, live out your time, and then you die. Short and sweet. It’s easy to see this as being a reasonable and realistic outlook.

But it’s not what the Bible says about death. We care about the Bible because, out of all the philosophies, belief systems and perspectives about death in the world, it’s the only one that tells the straight truth and gives us hope.

Get this idea of death being eternally “normal” out of your mind. The Bible describes death as an “enemy” (1 Corinthians 15:26). It’s an unnatural state of existence that only came about through Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden (Romans 5:12). When you have to face death, remember that it’s not supposed to be this way. God is the God of the living (Luke 20:38), and it’s His goal to make eternally deathless life a reality for every person (2 Peter 3:9).

The Bible shows us that, since death isn’t what God had in mind for His children, He’s giving us a way to overcome death. To prove it’s possible, Jesus the Messiah, God in the flesh, came to earth and sacrificed His sinless life to prove it can be done (1 Thessalonians 5:10). Once dead, Jesus is now very alive, sitting at the right hand of God the Father and continuing to give us hope in the battle against death (Hebrews 7:25).

Why do we care about the Bible? Because the Bible says that death is temporary and will be abolished one day (Revelation 21:4). We care about the Bible because it is a book of hope for everyone.