Answer
Mortality is the state of being subject to death. Since Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden, all earthly life became subject to death (Genesis 2:16–17; Romans 5:12). Now, “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The biblical view of mortality is that it is an inevitable part of the curse. The death that comes is the wages of sin (Romans 3:23), but death is not the end of our existence.
All mortals die, and death ends the earthly phase of existence. But according to Scripture, when our bodies die, our spirits are instantly transferred to another place. There are only two possible destinations for our souls after we die physically: heaven and hell. Jesus’ story in Luke 16:19–31 plainly shows the difference between those destinations. Those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are, upon death, immediately in a place of comfort and rest in the presence of God until the resurrection of their bodies (2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:16–21). Those who rejected Christ’s sacrifice for sin or trusted in something other than the grace of God to save them (Ephesians 2:8–9) will, upon death, enter a place of torment commonly called hell. At the final judgment, all who died in their sin will be cast forever into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:41).
The Christian is aware of his or her mortality and is at peace with it. Death is not to be feared. Physical death merely ushers us into the presence of Christ (Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43). We should live in a state of prepared expectancy, investing our lives in that which is eternal (Matthew 6:19–20). We will give an account for what we did with what we were given (2 Corinthians 5:10). God wants to reward His faithful servants who invested their time, passions, and resources in His work (Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23, 35; 1 Corinthians 3:14; 9:18). For the Christian, physical mortality merely results in a change of address, as we move from the tent to the place of permanence (see 2 Peter 1:13–14).
For unbelievers, however, mortality opens the doorway to the worst part of their lives. Those who reject, ignore, or substitute something else for Christ have already lived their “best lives now.” Regardless of how miserable their earthly lives may have been, they face greater suffering when the righteous judgment of God falls upon unrepentant sinners (Mark 9:44–49; Revelation 14:10–11; Matthew 25:46). According to the Bible, there are no second chances after death. No purgatory. No possibility that those still on earth can “pray them into heaven.”
Some people are terrified to consider their own mortality, but ignoring it won’t make it less of a reality. Wise people consider their own mortality and adjust their lives so that they are prepared for it. “The prudent see danger and take refuge” (Proverbs 22:3). We don’t know how many days God has appointed for us (Psalm 90:12; 139:16). No one is guaranteed a long earthly life, nor are we guaranteed more opportunities to repent before we die (Hebrews 12:17). The biblical view of mortality is that all human beings will die physically, but only those who are not in Christ will also die spiritually.
