“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Eccl. 12:7.
Note.—That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man was made a “living soul” in the beginning, goes back as it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this sense “all live unto Him” (Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.
17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12.
Note.—The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life eternal. That can be received only through Christ.
18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and excluded from the tree of life?
“And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” Gen. 3:22.
19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?
“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Verse 24.
20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?