Why Reincarnation is Unbiblical

Reincarnation is the belief that when we die we reincarnate into a new body to live a new lifetime. Oftentimes, this concept is paired with the idea of karma, whereby you get many opportunities to reincarnate and rid yourself of bad karma from previous lifetimes by doing more good works in new lifetimes. In the Bible, we see the view of reincarnation is not held.

Hebrews 9:27 – This verse is a clear statement against reincarnation: “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” This suggests a linear view of human existence: life, death, and then judgment, without the cycle of rebirth.

2 Corinthians 5:8 – Paul talks about being “away from the body and at home with the Lord,” suggesting a direct transition to the afterlife rather than re-entering a cycle of life.

Luke 23:43 – Jesus tells the thief on the cross, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise,” implying an immediate transition to an afterlife rather than reincarnation.

John 5:28-29 – This passage speaks of a resurrection where those in the graves will hear Jesus’s voice and come out to be judged. The concept of resurrection is fundamentally different from reincarnation, as it involves returning to life in the same body, glorified in eternity, not a new one to relive a lifetime.

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Revelation 20:12-15 – Describes the final judgment where people are judged according to what they had done, as recorded in books, and then face eternal destiny based on those deeds. Not the opportunity to rid their bad karma through more lifetimes.

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

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