Reincarnation is a philosophy that is taught and believed by many people in the world. It is the belief that once a person dies, the soul or the consciousness of that person is reborn into another existence – and this process can continue for ever. Some religions even believe that a human can be reincarnated as an animal and so forth. Given the very wide spread acceptance of this philosophy, it is important to consider, “Is Reincarnation Biblical?”
In order to answer this question, let’s start with what is said in Ecclesiastes where Solomon speaks of death.
Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun. [ESV]
So, very simply, the Scriptures tell us that once a person dies, they no longer know anything – their love, hate, envy and all else has perished – and very specifically, the no longer have any more share in anything that is done under the sun. There is no mention here of their soul or their consciousness continuing to exist in any form whatsoever. No more share in all that is done under the sun means just that – no more share.
So the dead, to put it bluntly, are dead – and as far as the Bible is concerned, they stay that way until the return of Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 4:13
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [ESV]
This says that when Jesus Christ returns, those who died as Christians will rise first – and then note the next verse.
I Thessalonians 4:14
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [ESV]
Then it says that those who are Christians when Jesus Christ returns will next be caught up together with those who went first and so all of us will be with the lord. So those Christians who died and those who are living will all be raised from the dead when Jesus Christ returns. In addition to that, the Bible also speaks about the final judgment when all other people who have died will be raised as well. So in entirety, the Bible deals with all people who have died and how they will be brought back to life. There is no mention anywhere of any sort of continuing consciousness or soul that comes back in some other life form. If that was the case, there would be no need for the return of Jesus Christ or for the final judgment.
In short, reincarnation is totally contrary to what the Bible teaches. Just like all other doctrines that are contrary to the Scriptures, the originator of this philosophy was called “the father of lies” by Jesus Christ – and that is the devil. He is forever attempting to place false hopes before people to steer them away from the truth of Scripture. Reincarnation is another one of his clumsy attempts to do just that. Unfortunately, his attempts are supported by a whole framework of evil arts including tarot cards, palm reading, astrology, seances, and numerous others. Pay no mind to them – don’t be distracted by the smoke and mirrors that are nothing but a false veneer over a dark and evil core. Instead follow the advice that Paul gave to Timothy when he reminded him that from a child he had known the holy Scriptures …
2 Timothy 3:15-17
… which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Scriptures are profitable in every regard and it is the Scriptures that equip you to handle every situation of life; reincarnation and all that other nonsense is profitable for absolutely nothing. Stay vigilant and have nothing to do with all that spiritual junk.