The question of whether we have an appointed time of death is an interesting biblical question. The Bible does not give a definitive yes or no answer, but provides some insights that can help us think through this issue.
God’s sovereignty over life and death
First, the Bible is clear that God is sovereign over life and death. Our lives are in His hands, and appointed by Him (Job 12:10, 14:5; Psalm 139:16; Acts 17:26). Several verses indicate that God has determined the length of our lives:
“You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” (Job 14:5 NLT)
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16)
From this, we can conclude that God knows the number of our days and has an appointed time for our death. Our lives are not random or open-ended, but under God’s sovereign direction.
The timing of death
However, some verses indicate there is a fluidity in God’s timing of our death. In some cases, a person was meant to die but their life was extended:
“King Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will happen in my lifetime?” Now Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “This is what the Lord says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple. I will add fifteen years to your life.” (2 Kings 20:1, 6)
“The Lord replied, ‘I have heard your prayer and your petition. I have seen your tears, and I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the Temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life.” (Isaiah 38:5-6)
In these verses, God is clearly shown to have appointed one time for Hezekiah’s death, but then extended it by fifteen years in response to his prayer and weeping. This demonstrates that the timing of a person’s death, while appointed by God, can be fluid based on circumstances.
We also see this principle in Nineveh, where Jonah proclaimed judgment and yet God relented and extended mercy when they repented (Jonah 3:4, 10). Their appointed time of judgment was delayed by their change in heart.
The means of death
The Bible indicates that while God may have an appointed time for our death, the means by which we die can vary. God may have appointed the day of our death but not necessarily decreed how we will die.
For example, Elijah was told by God that King Ahab’s death was appointed to take place at a certain time. However, the prophet Micaiah discerned that Ahab could choose whether he died in battle at Ramoth Gilead or somewhere else (1 Kings 21:19, 22:15-28). The time of his death was fixed, but how he died was conditional based on his own choices.
Similarly, God told David he would die a natural death, but later decreed a plague on Israel of which David said “these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and my father’s family” (1 Chronicles 21:17). David recognized that while his natural death was appointed, the means could be affected by circumstance.
So in certain cases, the Bible indicates God may have a set time in mind for our death while still allowing flexibility in the means by which we die.
The purpose of appointed times
Why does God appoint set times for events like our death? Scripture points to His wisdom and sovereignty:
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
God’s plans and appointed times flow from His love and wisdom for our lives. Even difficult things like death are meant for our good in God’s economy, though we may not understand.
Practical conclusions
In summary, while the Bible does not provide complete clarity, several conclusions can be drawn:
- God has appointed a time for our death, but may allow flexibility in the timing
- God determines the time of our death, but not necessarily the means
- God’s plans are motivated by love and ultimately for our good
- We should seek to live wisely in light of eternity and God’s sovereignty over our lives (Psalm 90:12)
- God may extend grace and mercy when we seek Him earnestly, even from an “appointed time” of death
The sovereignty of God over our appointed times should lead us to trust in His wisdom and seek to redeem the time we’re given (Eph 5:16). While the timing of our death has some fluidity based on various factors, we can rest assured that our lives and deaths are in God’s loving hands.
Possible objections
Some may object that this view limits human freedom – if God has appointed our time of death, do we really have free will? A few responses:
- God’s sovereignty and human freedom operate in tandem rather than opposition in Scripture. God working out His plans does not preclude real human choice.
- God incorporated human decisions and actions as part of His appointed times. Hezekiah’s prayer changed a time initially appointed.
- God may have different degrees of flexibility related to various appointed events. Some may be alterable based on human choices, while others are fixed regardless.
While we cannot fully reconcile divine sovereignty and human responsibility, we need not see them in opposition. God remains all-powerful and good even as He grants us significance through our choices within His appointed times.
Others may claim this makes God out to be dictatorial or harsh. But Scripture reveals God’s deep love for us through Christ and His desire for our good even in difficulties. We must remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9).
Practical implications
What practical impact does this issue have on our lives?
- We can find comfort that our lives and deaths are in God’s hands rather than randomness
- We can have assurance that God will work all things for our good (Romans 8:28)
- We should avoid carelessness with our lives, and earnestly seek God in prayer
- We should make the most of our time on earth and seek to live wisely
- We can trust God even in the difficult circumstance of death, knowing He has appointed our times out of love
Though the complexity of this issue remains, we can rest in God’s total sovereignty coupled with His infinite love and wisdom. By walking closely with Christ day to day, we can trust Him completely whenever our appointed time comes.
Conclusion
The Bible indicates that God, in His sovereignty, likely has an appointed time for our death. However, there seems to be some fluidity and conditionality related to its timing and means. We must avoid extremes of completely fixed fatalism or complete openness without purpose. As in many areas, Scripture maintains the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Ultimately, we can trust our loving Creator and Redeemer as the Lord of our lives – including both their span and end. He will shepherd us through life’s journey until our appointed time, whenever that may come.