Are the dead alive?

The Dead are NOT Alive

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6,10 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

In the grave the dead have no:

knowledge, wisdom

reward

memory

love, hatred, envy

portion

work

device

The Word of God is the Will of God. What God says in His Word is true. He says what He means and means what He says. God's Word declares that the dead exist in a state of gravedom or unconsciousness in which they have no knowledge or wisdom. Their memory is forgotten. (This does not mean we have forgotten them - it means they have no memory). They earn no rewards. They do no work. They do not "invent things" (there is no device). They have no emotions - love, hate, or jealousy.

When someone says they have heard from someone who has died they are directly contradicting God's Word.

The dead can not tell you information. They have no knowledge.

The dead can not tell you about some new idea. There is no device in the grave.

The dead can not tell you they love you. There is no love, hate, or envy in the grave.

The dead can not come back for revenge. There is no hate or jealousy in the grave.

The dead can not earn redemption. There is no work in the grave and there are no rewards.

In short the dead have NO MORE PORTION FOR EVER IN ANY THING DONE UNDER THE SUN!

The dead have nothing to do with the living. They are DEAD!

Death is an enemy:

Genesis 2:17
    But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Death is the direct result of Adams disobedience to God's command.

Hebrews 2:14
    Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
    And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Death comes from the devil - NOT GOD. Jesus Christ came to destroy him that has the power of death - the devil.

John 10:10
    The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus Christ came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly: everlasting life.

The truth of God's Word must be our guide - NOT experience

Review this excellent teaching to see how King Saul was led by experience with "the dead" to reject God's truth: Truth VS Experience

The return of Jesus Christ will bring victory over the enemy: death

1 Corinthians 15:22
    For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:26
    The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:51-55
    Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
    For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
    So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
    O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Philippians 3:20-21
    For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
    Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
    But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
    For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
    For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
    Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
    Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Isaiah 26:8b...the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Psalm 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Isaiah 38:18-19a For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day...