The concept of the "Declaration of Mortality" in the Bible refers to the acknowledgment of human mortality and the inevitable reality of death as a consequence of sin. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, beginning with the account of the Fall in Genesis and continuing through the teachings of the New Testament.

Genesis and the Fall

The origin of human mortality is found in the Book of Genesis. God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, granting them access to the Tree of Life. However, they were forbidden to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In Genesis 2:17 , God warns, "but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die." This command underscores the connection between disobedience and death.

When Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation and ate the forbidden fruit, sin entered the world, and with it, death. Genesis 3:19 declares, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it were you taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This pronouncement marks the first explicit declaration of human mortality, emphasizing the physical return to dust as a consequence of sin.

The Psalms and Wisdom Literature

The Psalms and Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament frequently reflect on the brevity and frailty of human life. Psalm 90:10 states, "The length of our days is seventy years—eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." This verse highlights the transient nature of human existence and the inevitability of death.

Similarly, Ecclesiastes 3:20 observes, "All go to one place: All come from dust, and all return to dust." The writer of Ecclesiastes contemplates the futility of life under the sun, recognizing that death is the great equalizer for all humanity.

The Prophets

The prophetic books also address the theme of mortality. Isaiah 40:6-8 proclaims, "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This passage contrasts the fleeting nature of human life with the enduring word of God.

The New Testament

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul expounds on the theological implications of mortality. Romans 5:12 explains, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." Paul identifies Adam's transgression as the source of death for all humanity, reinforcing the link between sin and mortality.

However, the New Testament also offers hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 , Paul writes, "For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." This passage presents the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ, who conquered death.

Conclusion

The Declaration of Mortality in the Bible serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the temporal nature of human life. Yet, it also points to the hope of redemption and eternal life through Jesus Christ, offering believers the assurance of victory over death.