What does the Bible say about someone committing suicide?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Concerned For Consequences

Dear Concerned For Consequences,

Suicide is murder, self-murder, and is therefore very clearly a sin (Rev 21:8). The only difference between suicide and murdering someone else is that you don’t get a chance to repent after suicide. Suicide is a final decision and leaves no room for correction or for asking forgiveness. Therefore, in most cases, it would be fair to say that suicide will send you to hell. It is a willful act of disobedience against God without opportunity for repentance.

We here at AYP only hesitate to say, “All people who commit suicide go to hell,” because God never specifically makes that statement. The final judgment belongs to God (Heb 12:23), but we certainly wouldn’t want to face that judgment with our own blood on our hands.

     The New Testament reference to ‘being asleep’ before Christ returns means what?  I have a friend who thinks souls are asleep in the grave waiting until His return.

Sincerely,
A Little Tired

Dear A Little Tired,

The term ‘fallen asleep’ used in 1 Thess 4:14-15, as well as other places, means that the person has died.  ‘Fallen asleep’ is a metaphorical saying that even Jesus used.  In Jhn 11:11-13, Jesus said that Lazarus had fallen asleep, and then clarified that meant that Lazarus had died.  Just like we sometimes refer to death as the ‘big sleep’, the people of Jesus’ day used that kind of language to refer to death.  It has nothing to do with their souls literally sleeping in the grave.  When we die, we immediately go to Paradise or torments (Lk 16:22-23), and our soul is separated from our physical body (Jas 2:26).

     After a Christian dies, can they contact their loved ones who are still living?  I need Scripture to look into.  I have a friend that thinks that she hears her husband say her name.  He has been gone four years, and I do not believe he is contacting her.

Sincerely,
Stop The Voices

Dear Stop The Voices,

God does not allow people to go back and contact others once they have passed away.  Jesus told the story of a wicked, rich man and a faithful, poor man named Lazarus in Lk 16:19-31.  When these two men died, the rich man immediately woke up in torment, and Lazarus was escorted to Paradise (Lk 16:22-23).  This is what happens when the righteous and the wicked die.  There is no wandering or ghostly haunting.  In fact, the rich man was specifically told that the dead aren’t sent back to the earth to preach or affect the course of events here (Lk 16:27-31).  We die, and then we wait to face the judgment (Heb 9:27).

Having said all of that, it is very common for those who have lost a spouse to imagine hearing them, seeing them in a crowd, and a thousand other things that make no logical sense but are consistent experiences with all that have lost loved ones.  Your friend’s dead husband isn’t speaking to her, but she is experiencing a very normal part of the mourning process.

     Did all of the people in the time of Noah go to hell after they drowned?  The Bible says that everybody will get a chance.

Sincerely,
That’s A Lot Of Death

Dear That’s A Lot Of Death,

The Bible says that during the days of Noah, the whole world was violent and every heart was evil – save Noah and his family (Gen 6:5-6).  The Bible gives us every reason to believe that all the people that died in the flood went to torments.  After all, during the hundred years it took Noah to build the ark, he was also preaching… and no one listened (2 Pet 2:5).

     There's a gal at work who is praying for Satan's salvation.  I told her that this is a lost cause; however, I could not provide biblical reference to his eternal fallen nature.  Will you please provide me with a biblical reference to study and pray over to help her in this area?  Thanks and God Bless!

Sincerely,
Rootin’ For The Good Guys

Dear Rootin’ For The Good Guys,

The Bible makes it clear that the devil’s fate is already sealed.  Matt 25:41 says that the eternal fires of hell are prepared for the devil and his angels… which humans join them is still up for grabs (Matt 7:13-14).  Rev 20:10 says the same thing.  Satan has already chosen his path, and he either has no opportunity or no desire to change course.