The Passover
When hearing about the Bible, the common assumption is that many of the Old Testament characters have perished. To the surprise of many, that isn’t true. There are a number of people mentioned in the Bible that either never died or were resurrected. One of the most notable examples is Moses, who appeared before the Israelites several times after his commission at Sinai. Miraculously, Moses was allowed to view the Promised Land although he was not afforded entrance to it.
Moses’s story is often cited as a one-off occasion in biblical literature, however it is far from the only instance. In fact, there are several cases of people being allowed to cheat death, thanks in part to the ancient Jewish holiday known as the Passover. The tradition is based on God’s instruction to the Israelites to avoid plagues that would be sent upon them by sacrificing a lamb, which they were then to smother in the blood of the sacrificial animal. Those who followed this practice were considered to be “protected”, so long as they stayed within the confines of their home and had followed other instructions issued by God. As such, Moses and several others had the chance to avoid death.
Jesus of Nazareth
The most well-known case of a person avoiding death in the Bible is Jesus of Nazareth. According to the New Testament, Jesus was the son of the Virgin Mary who was miraculously conceived in her womb. Jesus taught many spiritual lessons and often healed the sick, disabled, and those of poor health. He then proceeded to sacrifice himself for the betterment of mankind and their spiritual journey in his journey referred to as the Passion of the Christ.
Through his self-sacrifice, Jesus avoided spiritual death by ascending to heaven in order to be with God and other spiritual figures. His continued influence on the world and its religion is undeniable, as many believe that Jesus is still present in some form today, delivering spiritual lessons and providing guidance to those who seek it. As such, there are countless worshippers of the Christian faith who subscribe to the teachings of Jesus and believe that he did not actually die, but was famously resurrected.
Noah and his Ark
Notably, there are other, less well-known characters who managed to avoid death. For example, a man named Noah, who was famously commanded by God to save a group of animals by constructing an ark. The ark was designed to protect all the animals and humans onboard as the world would soon be consumed by a great flood. Upon completion of the task, Noah and his family were the only survivors who stayed safe inside the ark and escaped the destructive flood.
While it is true that Noah and his family were saved from the flood, scholars have suggested that Noah and his family may have been the only ones spared from death in the Bible more generally. This is because God ensured that Noah and his family remained in the ark until the world had revolved itself, and the waters had subsided. In the aftermath, Noah and his family rebuilt the world without fear of punishment, as they had been proved God’s loyal servants.
Job and the Seven Star Constellation
Another characters in the Bible who did not die is Job, who was often referred to as the most patient man. Job was loyal to God and his faith, even in the face of dire consequences. Hence, as reward for his patience and faith, God protected Job from complete ruin. Thus, Job was exempted from death when God protected him with his spirit, avoiding a seven star constellation that could have easily cost Job his life.
Not only did Job escape complete ruin thanks to God’s protection, but he was rewarded with the restoration of his wealth and well-being. His faith paid off, and he ultimately became much wealthier than he had previously been. Thus, Job was a testament to God’s unfailing promise of protection for those who demonstrate loyalty and faith.
Jonah and the Whale
The final example of someone in the Bible who did not die is Jonah. Jonah has become famous for being swallowed by a whale and surviving the experience. While his story is often either comic or dismissed as nonsense, there is a great moral and spiritual lesson to be taken from it. Interestingly, Jonah survived by accepting his mistakes and believing in God’s mercy and understanding which ultimately allowed him to return home safely.
What the tale of Jonah teaches is that the transgressions of an individual hardly dictate how God or the Bible perceives them. Instead, it is all part of the spiritual learning process and a reminder of the power of faith and acknowledgement. As such, there is much to be learned from stories such as that of Jonah, who avoided death as a result of his newfound faith and appreciation of God’s mercy.
Elijah, Moses and the Transfiguration
Not only this, but famous biblical figures such as Moses and Elijah have been known to return from the dead in certain spiritual aspects. These “resurrections” have most notably been seen in Jesus’s Transfiguration, where he represents himself as the center of a trinity consisting of himself, Moses and Elijah. This type of claimed resurrection did not by any means grant these figures the ability to ever walk the Earth again, however, it did allow them to be present in the spiritual sense, conversing and interacting with the people who witnessed the event.
The Transfiguration further proves that, for those who believe in the power of God, anything is possible. It is a testament to the strength of faith as well as a reminder that death is not always necessarily the end from a biblical standpoint. The Transfiguration was arguably the most notable Spiritual revival in the Bible and represented hope for those who fervently believed in the world which the Bible had created.
Enoch, the Patriarch in Waiting
Finally, for those who believe the Bible to be infallible, one of the most significant and awe-inspiring portents of life everlasting has been the view of Enoch, who finds his position within the ‘patriarchs’; defined as those who were given special status as descendants of Adam. Enoch’s story is one that is continually referenced both in and outside of the bible – the concept being that he never died, but was instead removed from human knowledge and taken directly to be with God.
Enoch’s story is a powerful one and a testament to divine mercy and faithfulness. He has been given a special place in scripture, and his absence from the annals of documented time serve as an important reminder that death is not necessarily the end from a spiritual standpoint. God too can offer mercy, blessing and new life for those who earnestly seek it, as demonstrated by Enoch’s ascension.
