Does God decide who dies when?

[NotTheRock]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance. I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people. Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others. I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Do you share this view?

 

[Stash]

I definitely think there’s a connection in a tribal sort of way.
However, where is man responsibility for untimely deaths?
Since God is all knowing that is self-explanatory

Your reasons for why God allows it are logical

I believe sin has a life of its own
So I look at it more as a war going back-and-forth

If God wants to intervene
why couldn’t HE

For a reason, we probably couldn’t understand anyway

 

[lforrest]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance. I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people. Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others. I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Do you share this view?

I believe so yes, but we don't know what God knows and we can be surprised sometimes when someone pulls through and recovers.

 

[Johann]

I believe so yes, but we don't know what God knows and we can be surprised sometimes when someone pulls through and recovers.

"In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them had yet happened."
— Psalm 139:16

This verse reminds us that God has ordained every day of our lives, from beginning to end. Nothing is left to chance.

“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
— Job 1:21

Job's declaration shows a recognition that God is in control, even over life and death. His sovereignty is complete.

"For everything there is an appointed time, and there is a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die..."
— Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

These verses in Ecclesiastes further emphasize that God has appointed times for every event in our lives, including our deaths. This emphasize that our lives are in His hands, and He calls us home at the appointed time.

Your belief that God uses death to teach and test us is also reflected in Scripture:

"And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose."
— Romans 8:28 (LEB)

Even in the midst of loss and grief, God works through these experiences to bring about His good purposes in our lives and the lives of others.

Psalm 73:23-24 (LEB):
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you have held my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor."
This passage expresses the psalmist's confidence that God will guide him throughout life and ultimately receive him into His presence after death.

Isaiah 57:1-2 (LEB):
"The righteous one perishes, and there is no one who takes it to heart, and men of faithfulness are gathered, with no one understanding that the righteous are gathered from the presence of wickedness. They will go in peace; they will rest in their beds, walking straight ahead of them."
Isaiah speaks of the righteous being taken away in peace, implying they are gathered by God and enter into His rest.

New Testament
Luke 23:42-43 (LEB):
"And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!' And he said to him, 'Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"
Jesus assures the repentant thief on the cross that he will be with Him in paradise that very day, affirming the immediate presence with the Lord after death.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (LEB):
"Therefore, although we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—for we live by faith, not by sight—so we are confident and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
Paul expresses the belief that to be absent from the body (in death) is to be present with the Lord.

Philippians 1:21-23 (LEB):
"For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if it is to live in the flesh, this is fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer I do not know. But I am hard pressed between the two options, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for this is very much better."
Paul speaks of his desire to depart from this life and be with Christ, indicating that death brings the believer into the Lord's presence.

These passages together paint a picture of the believer's hope: that upon death, they will be received by God and dwell in His presence.

J.





Holding to these truths can bring comfort and peace, knowing that our lives are guided by God's loving hand, and that He has a purpose even in the timing of our departure from this world.

 

[NotTheRock]

"In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them had yet happened."
— Psalm 139:16

This verse reminds us that God has ordained every day of our lives, from beginning to end. Nothing is left to chance.

“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
— Job 1:21

Job's declaration shows a recognition that God is in control, even over life and death. His sovereignty is complete.

"For everything there is an appointed time, and there is a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die..."
— Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

These verses in Ecclesiastes further emphasize that God has appointed times for every event in our lives, including our deaths. This emphasize that our lives are in His hands, and He calls us home at the appointed time.

Your belief that God uses death to teach and test us is also reflected in Scripture:

"And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose."
— Romans 8:28 (LEB)

Even in the midst of loss and grief, God works through these experiences to bring about His good purposes in our lives and the lives of others.

Psalm 73:23-24 (LEB):
"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you have held my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor."
This passage expresses the psalmist's confidence that God will guide him throughout life and ultimately receive him into His presence after death.

Isaiah 57:1-2 (LEB):
"The righteous one perishes, and there is no one who takes it to heart, and men of faithfulness are gathered, with no one understanding that the righteous are gathered from the presence of wickedness. They will go in peace; they will rest in their beds, walking straight ahead of them."
Isaiah speaks of the righteous being taken away in peace, implying they are gathered by God and enter into His rest.

New Testament
Luke 23:42-43 (LEB):
"And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!' And he said to him, 'Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"
Jesus assures the repentant thief on the cross that he will be with Him in paradise that very day, affirming the immediate presence with the Lord after death.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (LEB):
"Therefore, although we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—for we live by faith, not by sight—so we are confident and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
Paul expresses the belief that to be absent from the body (in death) is to be present with the Lord.

Philippians 1:21-23 (LEB):
"For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if it is to live in the flesh, this is fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer I do not know. But I am hard pressed between the two options, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, for this is very much better."
Paul speaks of his desire to depart from this life and be with Christ, indicating that death brings the believer into the Lord's presence.

These passages together paint a picture of the believer's hope: that upon death, they will be received by God and dwell in His presence.

J.





Holding to these truths can bring comfort and peace, knowing that our lives are guided by God's loving hand, and that He has a purpose even in the timing of our departure from this world.

Phenomenal post, thank you!

 

[Johann]

Phenomenal post, thank you!

Only a pleasure-there are more references.
Johann.

 

[JohnDB]

Suffice it to say...

What God thinks is nothing like what man thinks. What we consider as "life altering" serious deviation is a "nothing" to God.

God knows the future better than we do our own past. We cannot throw a surprise party for God.

 

[Windmill Charge]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance. I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people. Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others. I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Do you share this view?

In genesis we read that God formed Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed the breath of life into him.
Life is a gift from God, it follows that God can at his pleasure or plan take back that gift.

Think, if life and death are not in God's hands, in his control. Then who does control them?

Job put it correctly:-
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance. I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people. Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others. I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Do you share this view?

Scripture explicitly says God knows when we will die. but it only intimates by peoples opinion that God decides when every one will die.

I am a firm- "can't say for sure". If He does, it doesn't say so explicitly and if He doesn't. it dson't say that either.

 

[marks]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance. I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people. Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others. I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Do you share this view?

Yes I do.

Acts 17:26-27 KJV
26) And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

God determines when and where we are to live, to give us the most conducive circumstances within which we would seek Him.

Much love!

 

[Bob Estey]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance. I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people. Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others. I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Do you share this view?

Off the top of my head, I would think the Lord decides when to take a life. I do wonder a little bit. What if a person is depressed and considering suicide? Might God have a Plan A - for if the person decides to commit suicide - and a Plan B - for if a person decides not to commit suicide?

 

[CC7799]

In second kings.

Isaiah prophet went to King Hezekiah. That he would die. God decides he wants him home.

Yes. God decides when when person dies.

 

[NotTheRock]

Off the top of my head, I would think the Lord decides when to take a life. I do wonder a little bit. What if a person is depressed and considering suicide? Might God have a Plan A - for if the person decides to commit suicide - and a Plan B - for if a person decides not to commit suicide?

I think God's plan is about persuading all people to follow him. I think it's possible that people who commit suicide are, even if they don't realize it, rejecting this life and this world in order to be with God. I believe we all have an innate desire to be with him.

 

[quietthinker]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance. I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people. Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others. I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

Do you share this view?

Why blame God when Jesus tells us that it is the Devil who steals, kills and destroys?

 

[Aunty Jane]

I guess I believe that, yes, God decides when everybody dies. I don't believe it's left to chance.

I would stop you there and ask if it was God’s will in the beginning, for anyone to die?
In the garden of Eden there was a “tree of life”…..and if the humans had simply obeyed God’s command, access to that tree would have meant living forever in paradise in their mortal flesh. (Gen 3:22-24)
How many ways are there to die???? Do you honestly believe that God is up there deciding who will die and how? How much tragedy in the world is God’s fault then?

I believe that God uses the deaths of people to test and teach other people.

There are less tragic ways to test and teach people….didn’t Jesus show us this?
Again, following his instruction would lead to everlasting life….

Everybody is touched by death in life and then, eventually, our own deaths touch others.

But was this God’s first purpose for us humans…? or was death something that happened because humans could not be told what to do? Death came as a consequence of sin…no sin would have meant no death.

I believe that God calls us home when he sees fit.

The earth was “home” for humankind…..it was carefully prepared for habitation by all kinds of life…..humans were assigned as caretakers for all that God created.
Jesus takes a chosen few to heaven to rule over the ones whom Jesus died to save.
What are they getting saved from?

Do you share this view?

No….I could never see that God would create so much tragedy for his own creation…..whom he love enough to sacrifice his son on their behalf. (John 3:16)

“Heaven and hell” are not opposite destinations for the human race…..God never once gave us that ultimatum. He put “life and death“ before humankind and told them to choose life…..(Deut 30:19)

He said he did not desire even the death of the wicked, let alone innocent babies…(Ezek 33:11)