Natalie McCrea-Brown

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1 CORRINTHIANS  15:54-58

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Death is an unconscious state (a “sleep”): Seventh Day Adventists believe that death is like an unconscious "sleep"; a period in which the breath of life (not a living soul) returns to God, while the body remains in the grave until the ressurection.

At death, all consciousness ends. The dead person does not know anything and does not do anything (Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10). Jesus and the apostles (as well as writers in the Old Testament) frequently referred to death as sleep (e.g., Matt. 9:24; Mark 5:39; John 11:11-14; 1 Cor. 15:51,52; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 2 Peter 3:4; Dan. 12:2; Job 14:10-12; Ps. 13:3). The image of sleep emphasizes that death is not the end, but is rather an unconscious state prior to the resurrection (note in this regard the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:11-14, 23-25, 43). 

Funerals are a great emotional time for individuals and families. The Victory Seventh-day Adventist Church is available to offer counsel and assist in planning for your departed loved one's funeral. If needed, our fellowship hall can be made available for a repast. Usage of these resources must fall within the guidelines of the Seventh-day Adventist Organization's principles, beliefs, and standards, and the policies and procedures of the Victory Seventh-day Adventist Church. These details can be obtained from our Church Clerks' Office.