The ultimate issue for the naturally born mortal human is the matter of Eternal Death or Eternal Life to come.

Adam was created mortal, meaning subject to death. There was always a possibility that death could take him. He was made of dust, a very unstable material, to say the least. So, in order that he might prolong his life indefinitely, or at least till his probationary period was over, he was given access to “the tree of life,” a metaphor for the Lord Jesus Christ as “THE LIFE” (John 1:4, 11:25, 14:6).

Therefore, if Adam had been created already immortal, then there would have been no need for “the tree of life.” The “tree of life” in the garden was representative of that “tree of life” which is found at the end of the Bible in the New Jerusalem on earth, by the “river of life” that flows from the throne of God. (Rev. 2:7. 22:2, 14) on the “new earth.”

But Adam sinned and there can be no argument about that. It was much more than a mistake. He exercised his own free will in place of being obedient to the will of God. Crossing the known will of God can result in nothing but death. This has been and still is a truth for all mortal men.

Actually, we can say that when Adam sinned, he committed murder. He brought death upon all his offspring. He killed the whole human race. Historic figures have killed millions in wars and massacres, but not all of them put together have caused as many deaths as did Adam. Paul wrote: “in Adam ALL die” (1Cor. 15:22).

“For since by man [Adam] came death, by man [Jesus] came also the resurrection of the dead.” 1 Cor. 15:21 (KJV)

The Scripture is clear, ‘Resurrection LIFE’ cancels out DEATH. “But now is Christ RISEN from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept [died].” 1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV)

All, without a single exception, who will have resurrection life will be like Christ; and the reverse is true,

“And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18b (KJV).

“[Christ] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:21

Now Adam must have believed the gospel which was pictured in God slaying of an innocent animal, shedding it blood, to make a covering of skins for the Sin of Adam and Eve. Adam then must have followed suit, for we see this kind of animal sacrifice repeated by Adam’s son, Able. Is it possible that all Adam’s progeny inherited this belief and hope of a LIFE beyond DEATH?

Question: Are all the dead in Adam to be made alive?

After Adam and Eve sinned and received the promise of a Redeemer, a restorer;

• Did Adam receive immortality at that very moment. Did Adam then pass immortality on to his progeny? No, to both questions
• Or, is it true, that all, like Adam, must individually make the decision to believe God in this matter?

Today the latter is the truth, “… Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved...” Acts 16:31

It’s plain to see that, God did not want sinners to live forever since He removed Adam from the presence of “the tree of LIFE.” From that day till now, no one has had the privilege of eating of that “tree of life” and living forever.

The issue remains: Mortality and Immortality!

Yet, there are those religious denominations, sects, folks who believe, or at least think they believe, that God will give immortality to unbelievers whose sins have not been dealt with. They actually believe such lost unsaved folks will LIVE forever in some kind of Tormented Sinful State, in a so-called ‘hell.’ They deduce this from Jesus’ parody story of ‘the Rich man and Lazarus,’ that derides the corrupt Pharisee’s manmade doctrine. (See: http://www.artlicursi.com/articles/real-meaning-%E2%80%98-rich-man-and-lazarus%E2%80%99-0 ) The real issue is eternal life or eternal death, not life or eternal punishment as purported by the vast majority of religion. (‘Hell’ is well defined in this article: http://www.artlicursi.com/series/what-exactly-death-and-hell )

From Scripture… it is pretty hard to put SIN and IMmortality together.

An ‘IMmortal SINNER’ would be an absurdity, according to the abundance of Scripture. Just consider these verses:

“The sting of DEATH is SIN…” 1 Corinthians 15:56a (KJV)

“… SIN, when it is finished, bringeth forth DEATH.” James 1:15b (KJV)

Furthermore, if all who remain “in Adam” (in sin) were to be made alive, resurrected, then by the very nature of immortality there could be no difference between the lost and the “saved.”

Hence the unbiblical dream of the Universalists religionist would be realized. We say again, that if all “in Adam” (still in their sinful standing) were to be RESURRECTED ALIVE… then none would have his sin imputed [counted] against him.

What we mean to say is … the difference between the believer and the unbeliever is ETERNAL LIFE and RESURRECTION FOR THE BELIEVER, there is no hope of Eternal Life and Resurrection for the Unbeliever.

In the simplest of terms, it is ether have Christ’s Eternal LIFE, or, “perish” (cf. John 3:16).

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us Eternal Life, and this LIFE is in his Son. ¹² He that hath the Son hath LIFE; and he that hath not the Son of God hath NOT life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (KJV)

The issue for mankind is “ETERNAL LIFE” in union with Christ or … ultimately come to “Everlasting Destruction” (2 Thes. 1:9) for those who will not trust in Christ.

(Concept adapted from Oscar Baker)