Hebrews 9:15-17

15And for this reason he is mediator of a new covenant, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, the called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

16(For where [there is] a testament, the death of the testator must needs come in.

17For a testament [is] of force when men are dead, since it is in no way of force while the testator is alive.)