Yes, it says that people can die before their time, according to the Bible. According to the Book of Job, God shorted Job’s life as a result of his sin (Job 42:10). And in the New Testament, Jesus said that some people would be killed for their faith (Matthew 24:9). So yes, this happens according to the Bible. But no, it doesn’t happen often enough for us to say that everyone who died before their time in the Bible died this way.
In fact, most of us will live longer than we should have been expected to live when we were born. That’s because we don’t know how long our lives will be when we’re born—and neither does God! He knows what’s going to happen in our lives but not exactly when it will happen because He wants us to have free will (Deuteronomy 30:19).
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Can A Person Die Before Their Time According To The Bible?
According to the Bible, it is believed that God has complete authority over life and death. In Psalm 68:20, it is written, “Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.” This verse implies that God has the power to deliver someone from death. However, it does not explicitly state that God decides when a person dies.
There are various instances in the Bible where it is mentioned that God has the power to take away life. In Deuteronomy 32:39, it is written, “See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.” This verse showcases God’s authority over life and death, indicating that He has control over when someone dies.
Although God has the power to determine life and death, it is unclear whether He specifically decides when each individual person will die. The Bible emphasizes that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Therefore, the exact timing of a person’s death may remain a mystery known only to God.
You Will Not Die Before Your Time Bible Verse
In the Bible, there is a verse that provides reassurance that believers will not die before their appointed time. Ecclesiastes 3:2 states, “a time to be born and a time to die.” This verse suggests that just as there is a specific time designated for a person’s birth, there is also a predetermined time for their death. It implies that each person has a set lifespan determined by God.
Furthermore, in Job 14:5, it is written, ”A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” This verse reinforces the belief that God has predetermined the length of a person’s life. It indicates that there are limits set by God that no individual can exceed. Therefore, if a person were to die before their appointed time, it would mean exceeding the limits that God has established.
List of You Will Not Die Before Your Time Bible Verse
List of Bible Verses About Not Dying Before Your Time
1. Psalm 139:16
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
2. Job 14:5
“A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
3. Hebrews 9:27
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
4. Psalm 91:16
“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
5. Proverbs 3:2
“for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”
6. Isaiah 65:22
“No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.”
7. Ecclesiastes 7:17
“Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—why die before your time?”
8. Matthew 6:27
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
9. Ephesians 6:3
“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
10. Deuteronomy 30:19
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.”
From the above list of Bible verses, it is clear that God has ordained the number of days that we will live on this earth. By trusting in Him and following His ways, we can rest assured that we will not die before our time. God promises us long life and blessings if we remain faithful to Him. It is important to remember that worrying about the length of our life is futile, as only God knows the number of days we have on this earth. As it is written in Matthew 6:27, worrying cannot add a single hour to our life.
By choosing to obey God and follow His commandments, we can have the assurance that we will not die before our time. Let us trust in His plan for our lives and seek His guidance in all that we do.
Can a Person Die Before Their Time According to the Qur’an?
In Islam, the belief regarding death is similar to that found in the Bible. The Qur’an teaches that God is the ultimate authority over life and death. In Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:80), it is written, “It is He who gives life and causes death, and to Him is due the alternation of night and day.” This verse highlights that God has complete control over life and death, similar to the beliefs expressed in the Bible.
According to Islamic belief, every individual has an appointed time of death that is known only to God. In Surah Al-A’raf (7:34), it is written, “And every nation has its appointed term; when their term comes, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede it.” This verse suggests that every individual’s lifespan is predetermined, and they will not die before or after their appointed time.
Therefore, both the Bible and the Qur’an share a belief that God determines the length of a person’s life and the time of their death. The concept of dying before one’s time is not supported in either religious text.
Nobody Dies Before Their Time
The concept of dying before one’s time is a belief that suggests individuals may die prematurely or have their lives cut short against what was intended for them. However, according to biblical teachings, there is the assurance that nobody dies before their appointed time. In Job 14:5, it is written, ”A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” This verse affirms that each person’s lifespan has been predetermined by God, including the exact time of their death.
It is important to note that the Bible also acknowledges tragic and untimely deaths. The deaths of individuals like Abel, who was murdered by his brother Cain, or John the Baptist, who was beheaded, are examples of tragic deaths in the Bible. However, these instances do not imply that these individuals died before their appointed time. Rather, they emphasize the presence of sin and evil in the world, which can lead to tragic circumstances.
Furthermore, the Bible encourages believers to trust in God’s sovereignty, even in the face of tragedy. In Romans 8:28, it is written, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse reminds believers that God can bring good out of even the most tragic situations, providing comfort and hope in times of sorrow.
What Does the Bible Say About Tragic Death?
The Bible acknowledges the reality of tragic deaths and does not shy away from addressing the pain and suffering that can accompany them. Tragic deaths are often a result of sin and evil in the world, not necessarily a departure from the appointed time of a person’s death.
In the Old Testament, there are several examples of tragic deaths. One notable example is the story of David and Bathsheba’s first child. In 2 Samuel 12:15-23, it is recounted that after David committed adultery with Bathsheba, their first child fell critically ill. Despite David’s fervent prayers and fasting, the child died. This event is considered a tragic death, but it does not imply that the child died before their appointed time.
Another example is found in the New Testament with the tragic death of John the Baptist. Herodias, the wife of Herod, held a grudge against John the Baptist and asked for his beheading. While this event is undoubtedly tragic, it does not indicate that John the Baptist died before his appointed time. It serves as a reminder of the persecution faced by believers and the presence of evil in the world.
The Bible teaches believers to find solace and hope even in the face of tragic deaths. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, it is written, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” This verse encourages believers to grieve with hope, knowing that there is a future resurrection and eternal life promised through Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, the Bible offers comfort and assurance to those who have experienced tragic deaths, reminding them of the presence of God’s love, comfort, and hope in the midst of sorrow.
Can A Person Die Before Their Time According To The Bible
The answer is no. God has a plan for your life and all things work together for good for those who love God, according to Romans 8:28. The word “all” means that nothing can happen outside of the will of God, so you cannot die before your time.
It says in Jeremiah 29:11 that “I know the plans that I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you” (NIV). In John 10:10, Jesus said “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (NKJV). He also said in Matthew 6:25–34 that we should ask Him for what we need instead of worrying about material things because He knows our needs better than we do. We should trust Him with our lives and always remember His promises!
If any situation seems impossible or beyond our strength, remember this passage from 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says it is through difficulties that grace develops maturity in us (NIV).
What Does The Bible Say About Tragic Death
It’s true that the Bible doesn’t specifically say you can die before your time, but it does teach that we all die in our own time. The Bible also teaches that we are born in our own time, and these two principles seem to be contradictory if you interpret them literally.
For example, if someone dies at age 50, then they could have died at any age since they were born at age 0 (and thus were “born” much later than their death). However, if a person was born at 80 years old and dies at 90 years old—which is quite common—then it seems clear from those facts alone that there was no way for them to have died before their birth!
The answer lies in understanding what it means for something or someone to be “in its own season.” God has ordained each season of life for us; each one has been appointed by Him as part of His plan for us individually. Therefore, when we die according to God’s appointment (e.g., at age 90), He has given us exactly what He intended: a full lifespan of 80+ years from beginning until end!
Can A Person Die Before His Time
It is a common misconception that the Bible teaches that God knows when we will die, but this is not true. In fact, the Bible says just the opposite:
“No one knows his time.” (Job 14:5)
“A day to you means as a thousand years.” (Psalm 90:4)
What does the bible say about time of death
The Bible says that we will die when our time comes.
The Bible says that we will die when we are old.
The Bible says that we will also die when we are old and grey.
It even goes so far as to say that you might live until you are very, very old, but one day your life will end nonetheless.
No
The answer is no. No, a person can’t die before their time according to the Bible.
The Bible says that death is an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). That means death was not part of God’s original creation and it’s not supposed to be here now. So if you’re worried about dying too early or close to home, rest easy! You are safe in God’s hands as long as you trust him and follow his commands (Hebrews 13:5).
Bible Verses About Early Death
It is God’s will to allow some people to die early. Even though you might not know, God knows what He is doing. I’ve noticed that sometimes one death saves the lives of many just like the story of Benji Wilson.
One of the effects of sin in the world is death and it happens. Some people die early because of their own sins. God’s Word is to protect us, but many people disobey it. God tells us to be set apart from the world, but on the news I’ve seen many people get shot and die from one night of clubbing.
If they would have listened to God it would not have happened. Sometimes people die early because of their smoking sin. Sometimes teens die because of underage drinking. Sometimes people catch diseases because of sexual immorality. Remember God doesn’t cause sin, but He allows it. When we see people die at a young age it is a constant reminder that life is short and you never know when you will go.
Are you prepared? If you died today are you 100% sure that you would go to Heaven? If not please, I plead with you to click on this link. Most people are expecting Heaven, but will go to Hell. Make sure you’re saved!
What does the Bible say?
1. Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity. he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.
2. Psalm 102:24-26 So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.”
3. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God doesn’t cause it He allows it.
4. John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
5. 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Sin in the world
6. Romans 5:12-13 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned – To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.
7. Romans 5:19-21 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
8. Ecclesiastes 7:17 But don’t be too wicked or too foolish, either—why die before you have to?
9. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Reminder
10. Romans 14:8-9 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
Bonus
Hebrews 2:9-10 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
Great Christians Who Died Quite Young
Why is it that some great men and women of God live to a ripe old age while others seem to be struck down far too early? A number of great saints who were so mightily used of God died – or were killed – at a rather young age. Their incredible stories deserve a wide hearing.
Thankfully of course many amazing Christians have lived to be quite elderly. Think of just a few contemporary Christians who may well have been slowed down quite a bit of late, but are still alive and edging up to be a hundred:
-Evangelist Billy Graham is 98 years old.
-Theologian J. I. Packer is 90 years old.
-Family expert James Dobson is 81 years old.
But there have been plenty of great saints who died while still in their prime, and one wonders how things would have panned out had they lived to be much older. But God knows the days of our lives, and he is in charge of our time here on earth. Here then are a dozen great saints who had terrific ministries for Christ, only to have had their lives cut short, either by natural causes or by enemies of the faith:
Perpetua, ???-203, said to have died at age 22.
We do not know too much about Perpetua, a married noblewoman who lived in Carthage. But we do have a record of her last days and her martyrdom. Emperor Septimius Severus wanted to stop the spread of the new faith. She and some other new Christians preparing for baptism were arrested and imprisoned.
Her non-Christian father wanted her to renounce her faith so she could go free. Perpetua said: “Father, do you see this vase here? Could it be called by any other name than what it is?” He said “No”. She replied, “Well, neither can I be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.” Even though she was still breastfeeding her child, she refused to recant. So Perpetua and her friends were condemned to die in the arena. As one account puts it:
[They] were dressed in belted tunics. When they entered the stadium, wild beasts and gladiators roamed the arena floor, and in the stands, crowds roared to see blood. They didn’t have to wait long. Immediately a wild heifer charged the group. Perpetua was tossed into the air and onto her back. She sat up, adjusted her ripped tunic, and walked over to help Felicitas. Then a leopard was let loose, and it wasn’t long before the tunics of the Christians were stained with blood. This was too deliberate for the impatient crowd, which began calling for death for the Christians. So Perpetua, Felicitas, and friends were lined up, and one by one, were slain by the sword.
Lady Jane Grey, 1537-1554, died at age 16.
This is someone who died the youngest of all on my list. Known as the Nine-Day Queen, she was an English noblewoman who briefly ruled in July 1553. She was a great grandchild of Henry VII and the niece of Henry VIII. She received a top notch Protestant education, learning Latin and Greek as a child. Just before he died, King Edward VI was convinced to make her the Queen, instead of his Catholic half-sister, Mary Tudor.
But Jane was soon deposed and Mary made queen. “Bloody Mary” ruled for five years, repealing many religious freedoms and burning at the stake hundreds of Protestants. Lady Jane and her husband were tried for treason, imprisoned, and condemned to death.
On February 12, 1554 her husband was beheaded. When she saw his body being carried away, she said, “Oh Guildford! Guildford … that is nothing compared to the feast you and I shall this day partake of in Paradise.” Before she was executed she told the watching crowd, “I look to be saved by no other means but the mercy of God in the blood of his only Son, Jesus Christ.”
Augustus Toplady, 1740-1778, died at age 38.
The English hymn writer is most noted for his classic hymn “Rock of Ages”. He was converted at age 16 under a Methodist lay preacher, and graduated from Trinity College in Dublin in 1760. He was ordained an Anglican minister and pastored several churches, including a French Calvinist chapel in London. As a preacher he became a vigorous defender of Calvinism, and wrote much on the issue.
He was never in good health, and he contracted tuberculosis while a young man. It was during this time that he wrote “Rock of Ages,” the opening verse of which goes like this:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
A few years after the hymn was published he died. He said this to friends in his final hour: “No mortal can live having seen the glories which God has manifested to my soul!”
David Brainerd, 1718-1747, died at age 29.
Noted for his work as an American missionary to Indians in the northeast of the country, Brainerd was not always so inclined. He was raised in a Puritan home but rebelled against much of his upbringing. However, while walking through a forest in his early twenties he saw himself as a lost sinner in need of salvation.
He entered Yale and then became a licensed minister in 1742. He bravely and devotedly ministered to various Indian tribes for a few short years, despite all sorts of hardships and sufferings. But he died of tuberculosis while just 29. His life and his spiritual diary became well known throughout the world when Jonathan Edwards published The Life and Diary of David Brainerd in 1749. It has become a spiritual classic and is still touching lives even today, leading many into missions work. William Carey was just one of many who was greatly touched by Brainerd’s Life.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne, 1813-1843, died at age 29.
M’Cheyne was a minister in the Church of Scotland from 1835 to 1843. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, and was licensed to preach in 1835. He was keen on missionary activity to Jews in Palestine, and held a number of evangelistic campaigns in Scotland and North England. As an evangelist and pastor he had a remarkable impact for the Kingdom, even though he died so young. He left behind plenty of memorable quotes, such as: “It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likenesses to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
The Memoirs of Robert Murray M’Cheyne were used mightily since then to touch many. For example, Jonathan Goforth (1859-1936) devoted his life to missions and evangelism after reading the book, and his decades of service in China and Korea were mightily used of God, even though he paid a heavy price for it (five of his eleven children died while he was ministering in China).
Oswald Chambers, 1874-1917, died at age 43.
The Scottish born preacher led a full but short life. After becoming a Christian in his teenage years, he tutored in philosophy, did a worldwide preaching tour in 1906-1907, was the Principal of a Bible college, and ministered to soldiers in Egypt with the YMCA. He is most noted for his devotional classic, My Utmost for His Highest which was edited by his wife and released ten years after his death. Let me share just one portion of that book. Even though he knew much about suffering, he could write this:
Does it really matter that our circumstances are difficult? Why shouldn’t they be! If we give way to self-pity and indulge in the luxury of misery, we remove God’s riches from our lives and hinder others from entering into His provision. No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges— always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied.
William Borden, 1887-1913, died at age of 25.
Bill Borden was born into a wealthy Chicago family. He was converted as a young man at Moody Memorial Church under the preaching of R. A. Torrey. He graduated from high school at 16 and travelled to Europe, Africa and Asia. He developed a deep burden for missions and wished to minister to unreached Muslims in China.
He went to Yale, and then studied at Princeton seminary. While there he was involved in a number of Christian ministries and works. He then joined the China Inland Mission and went to Cairo to study Arabic before heading to China. But soon thereafter he contracted cerebral meningitis. After a few weeks of great suffering, he passed away on April 9, 1913, never having made it to China as a missionary.
He left his large fortune to various home and foreign mission agencies. After he had died, it is said that his friends found a note under his pillow with these words: “No Reserve! No Retreat! No Regrets!”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1906–1945, died at age 39.
The Lutheran pastor who resisted the Nazis and ultimately fell victim to them accomplished a lot in his brief life. After gaining several theological degrees in America and Europe, including studying under Karl Barth, he pastored German churches in Barcelona and London.
He lectured at the University of Berlin from 1930–1936 and helped draft the 1934 Barmen Declaration of the Confessing Churches which pitted the church against the Nazi state—a risky move at that time. He was part of the resistance movement and was busy with the work of underground seminaries. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1943 for plotting against Hitler and he was hanged by the Nazis in April 1945.
While his theological views were still evolving, and we do not know how they would have fully developed were he allowed to live longer, he wrote a number of important works, some of which appeared in English after his death, most notably, The Cost of Discipleship (1948). Other volumes include Life Together and Letters and Papers from Prison.
Eric Liddell, 1902-1945, died at age 43.
Liddell is best known because of the 1981 film Chariots of Fire which featured his life, especially as an Olympic runner. He was born to missionary parents in North China but did most of his studies in England. While at Edinburgh University he became known as the fastest runner in Scotland. He participated in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Because of his devout Christian beliefs, he is remembered as the one who refused to run in his best event, the 100-metres race, because it was held on a Sunday.
In 1925 he returned to China as a missionary, doing a lot of work with children. He married in 1934 and had several children, but they had to flee while he remained as Japanese aggression increased there. In 1943 he was put in a prison camp by the invading Japanese, but he continued to teach children and preach the Bible. He died of a brain tumour while there in February, 1945 at age 43.
Jim Elliot, 1927-1956, died at age 29.
The American missionary was one of five young men killed in South America while faithfully serving the Lord. His story has been told often, especially in detail by his wife Elisabeth Elliot in her 1957 volume, Through Gates of Splendor and in the 1958 book, Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot.
She had met him at Wheaton College in Chicago. He was a sold-out, on-fire Christian with a passion to reach the lost. He and four young men and their wives ended up ministering to the Auca Indians in eastern Ecuador in the early 1950s. However, early in 1956 the five men were speared to death by the Indians.
Incredibly, some of the wives (with their very young children) kept on working there, as well as other missionaries, and eventually some of these Indians became Christians, including some of those who had helped to kill the five. One of them, giving his testimony at a meeting, said, “I have killed twelve people with my spear! But I did that when my heart was black. Now Jesus’ blood has washed my heart clean, so I don’t live like that anymore.”
Paul Little, 1928-1975, died at age 46.
Little is the person who was the oldest to die on my list. But I often wonder what he would have gone on to do if he lived longer. I heard him speak as a newish Christian back in Wisconsin, and I always appreciated his ministry. News of his death (he died in a tragic car accident) was hard to take.
He worked for 25 years with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and was an associate professor of evangelism at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School near Chicago. He was also InterVarsity’s director of evangelism from 1965 until 1975. He wrote a number of important books which became best sellers and are still widely used today. These include:
–How to Give Away Your Faith, 1966.
–Know Why You Believe, 1967.
–Know What You Believe, 1970.
Keith Green, 1953-1982, died at age 28.
Green of course is the well-known musician, song writer and evangelist who impacted so many in his short life. I have told his story elsewhere: billmuehlenberg.com/2012/07/29/notable-christians-keith-green/
He was born the same year I was, and went into the hippy scene as I did. Thankfully we were both converted at a relatively young age, and I did meet him once while serving as a missionary in Holland. He had the privilege of being discipled – in part – by Leonard Ravenhill, which helps explain his great passion for God, for holiness, and for discipleship.
Tragically a plane crash cut his life short, and we only have a few albums of his wonderful, soul-stirring music, but his songs still touch millions of people today. We don’t know why he was taken from us so soon, but we certainly can thank God for the rich legacy he left behind, and which his wife Melody continues in.
Conclusion
All this to say that the Bible does not teach us about a person’s death in advance, nor does it give us any indication of when a person will die. The Bible teaches that we are appointed to die once and after that comes judgment. So even though you may not know how long you have left here on this earth, you should make sure that you are living for eternal life with the Lord Jesus Christ!
Or as a young Jim Elliot put it: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”