In China, there is the Terracotta Army of eight thousand life-sized soldiers, 520 horses, 150 cavalry horses, and 130 chariots guarding the massive tomb complex of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Of course, there were musicians and officials too. When the Lord Jesus Christ was placed in the tomb, the Jewish leaders were afraid that He would rise again. Hence, appealed to Pontius Pilate to seal the tomb and place soldiers to guard. Interestingly, the emperor would not rise again, and hence the soldiers were just statues. The theory is that the emperor needed protection in afterlife, and so the army was deployed.
Lifeless statues: The Terracotta Army soldiers are lifeless, hence powerless, to protect themselves or others. Life in this world is limited to certain years. (Psalm 90:10) No one could live forever, so neither can the sub-human beings.
Life after death: The Bible teaches that flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 15:50) The life after death is with human fragility, but glorified bodies for believers who die in Christ. For others, it is the Second Death in the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:15)
Preparation: It is good to prepare for life after death. However, the emperor thought the next world would be similar to the present world, his status would be the same, and his servants and soldiers also would be similar. Perhaps, he prepared physically and materially, and did not prepare spiritually to meet God for judgment. Only one life, and after that is the judgement. (Hebrews 9:27)
Right preparation: To prepare for after life, is to receive the truth revealed. God has been gracious to reveal Himself through Nature, Scripture, and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ignorance of the truth is no excuse. Those who do not listen to any of the revelations of God will perish for rejecting Him, His truth, His love, and His Way of salvation. (John 3:16; Romans 1:23-25) Prophet Amos writes: Prepare to meet your God. (Amos 4:12)
Am I prepared for life after death?