Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
- 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Death is a condition that all living beings must eventually experience. It is a condition through which all memory, thought and other bodily functions cease to exist. It is the condition that causes the body to decay and return to the dust of the earth.
- Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
When death comes upon a person, he no longer exists until he is remembered on the day of resurrection. He will be resurrected whether he is good or bad. Some will be resurrected to life and some will be resurrected unto damnation.
- Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
- 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
- 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
- John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
- 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
When man dies his breath goes forth and he ceases to exist. He becomes a dead soul. There is no soul that goes forth, only his breath of life. Man is only dust of the earth and the breath of life. Death is the separation of the dust and the breath.
- Psalms 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish