Straight to Heaven

[Cody]

When we die will we go straight to heaven or enter a thing called "soul sleep"?

I would like to raise this question up, so we could all look into this subject in depth. My belief is when we die our spirit goes straight to heaven, then when Christ comes our bodies will be rose and united with our spirits; making a glorified body. I would like to hear your views on this subject also. Here are the verses that lead me to the belief of our spirit going directly to heaven. If you have anymore verses about this subject, please share.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 "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.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 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.
16 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:
17 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." KJV

This verse says, when Jesus comes back he's going to bring those that are asleep. The Bible uses the word sleep a lot of times and is talking about death. Let's look at Stephen...

Acts 7:59-60
59 "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." KJV

Stephen said Jesus receive my spirit. This leads me to believe that when we die our spirit goes to heaven. Then on down in verse 60, it says that Stephen fell "asleep". I believe we can conclude that this meant Stephen died. I believe it says he fell asleep because when someone dies, their body appears as it's sleeping.


Matthew 17:1-4
1 "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." KJV

Right here it talks about Moses and Elias. It is clear that both of these men died. So it looks to me that these men of God are not "soul sleeping".


Matthew 22:31-32
31 "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." KJV

In the above verse it mentions Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It's also clear that all these men had died, but it says God is the God of the living. I believe these men are in heaven right now.


Ecclesiates 12:7
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." KJV

In this verse it tells us that our spirit returns to God.


Now lets look at some things Paul said about this subject...

2 Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." KJV

Paul says, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. When is the Lord Jesus Christ right now? The Bible tells us that Jesus is in heaven. So I believe Paul is saying when we die, we go to heaven to be with the Lord. It is not my belief that the Lord is "soul" sleeping.

Philippians 1:23
"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:" KJV

Again Paul talks about being with Christ. He says he has a desire to depart. Why would he desire to enter into "soul sleep"? My desire when I'm getting ready to die is to be with the Lord.

------

Luke 16:22-23
22 "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." KJV

Notice right when these two men died, they went to where they would spend eternity, not "soul sleep". Some people try to say this verse is a parable, but when I read other parables in the Bible, they never mention names. This verse actually says Lazarus, a name of a man.


Luke 23:43
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." KJV

Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with him in paradise that day. I believe the thief went to be with Jesus in heaven. There are some verses that tell us paradise means heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:4
"How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." KJV

Revelation 2:7
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." KJV

So there are some verses that I believe support, when we die our spirits go directly to heaven. I would like to hear your comments and thoughts on this subject. And again if you know any more verses about this subject, please share. Remember to pray before posting. We need to look at this subject in a humble manner. God bless

 

[Brotyler]

Well, The theif on the cross went to "Paradise"

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

So he died and his soul wasn't in "spirtual rest"

Christ said he shalt be in paradise with him.


Many other encounters of the bible makes me believe we go to be with our lord when we die.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

"Then Jesus said to him (the repentant criminal at Calvary), 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise." (Lk 23:43) The study notes in my Bible say that "Paradise" is not heaven. Rather it is a place of bliss and rest for the time span between death and resurrection. (see also Lk 16:22; 2 Cor 12:2).

We don't go straight to heaven at death. That won't happen until we are resurrected per ! Thess 4.

SLE

 

[Cody]

2 Corinthians 12:2
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven." KJV

The first heaven is the earth's atmosphere, the second is where the sun, stars and moon are and the third is a dwelling place of God.

First Heaven:

Deuteronomy 11:17
"And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you." KJV

Also see Deuteronomy 28:12, Judges 5:4 and Acts 14:17.

Second Heaven:

Jeremiah 8:2
"And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth." KJV

Also see Psalm 19:4,6 and Isaiah 13:10.

Third Heaven:

Matthew 5:16
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." KJV

Also see 1 Kings 8:30 and Psalm 2:4.


We're told in the Bible, that the third heaven is the highest.

1 Kings 8:27
"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" KJV

Deuteronomy 10:14
"Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is." KJV

 

[simpleman]

Jesus told his disciples he goes to prepare a place for them. Did he all ready have a place ready for the theif. I believe paradise is different than heaven.

 

[rjones]

Greetings and blessings to all, Cody2, I believe you have correctly expressed God's Word. When we leave this body, our spirit will be present with the Lord as Paul wrote in 2Cor.5:1-8. The repentant thief on the cross did go with Jesus to paridise that day. Jesus spoke these words to him BEFORE His death and resurection. Jesus had not yet descended to preach to the saints in prison (1 Peter 3:18-20) (Isaiah 61.1). Jesus talked about the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) which is where the thief went. (Eph.4: 8-10) Talks about Jesus ascending with those captives in His train.

 

[Faithful Son]

I'd like to ask a question, which has been burning inside me since a while now. Brother Cody or anyone else with the knowledge, please reply.

I saw a spirit, a man, in my room in 2004. The spirit was white, transparent almost, but I could clearly see it was a man. As you might think, I got a huge fright, I became afraid and switched on my light.

I've asked God about this and each time I think about the same thing. When I saw the man in my room, he had a staff in his hand, much like you would imagine moses with his staff, but the thought I get is David, King David. This was an old man, with grey hair, he had a long garment on and a quite big head, in proportion however.

If the disciples saw Moses and Eliah with Jesus on the mountain, could I have seen King David in my bedroom? Why would God show this spirit to me?

One thing I know, in order to answer my own question, I lived a sinful life at that stage, I think God really wanted me to become humble and fear Him, which I do, wholeheartedly.

Concerning this topic, thank you for sharing it with me brother Cody2, your insight is appreciated and you helped me understand. I also believe now that I will be with God, I think I've always believed it, but I've also given room for the "soul sleep" doctrine to influence me, so I started to become non caring about the matter, I said "let come what may come", which is wrong.

God bless
Much love
Faithful Son

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Jako, Did this apparition say anything to you? Speak any words?

SLE

 

[Faithful Son]

No brother SLE, he did not, he just stood there looking at me. God bless you.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

What emotions did you feel as he looked at you? (Very important!)

SLE

 

[Faithful Son]

It's hard to say brother SLE, mainly because I forgot. From the top of my head, I can say I felt fear and wonder. Fear was dominant. I believe I got such a fright that I didn't give time for emotions to come through.

I remember I was 20 at that time, I switched my light on and the spirit dissappeared. After that, I took my blanket, a matress and my pilows and I slept in the tv room. I lay awake for most of the morning and only fell asleep when the sun came up.

So I was mainly afraid. I don't know if it counts as an emotion or not.

God bless you

 

[Janette]

Test the spirits!

Here is what the Bible has to say about when you come into contact with a spirit:

1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3 NIV)

 

[Faithful Son]

Sister, I'm aware of that scripture, but until the day you see a spirit face to face, we'll have to speak again. I did not calculate to react and ask this spirit whether or not Jesus has come in the flesh.

Sorry to sound rude, it's not my intension, but your post does not help me however.

God bless

 

[Faithful Son]

Brother SLE, the spirit looked like Jesus in this image:

http://www.talkjesus.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1050&catid=4

The face was different, but to give you a better explanation would be pointless, it looked exactly like Jesus in that picture.

God bless you

 

[Richie]

When we die will we go straight to heaven or enter a thing called "soul sleep"?

I would like to raise this question up, so we could all look into this subject in depth. My belief is when we die our spirit goes straight to heaven, then when Christ comes our bodies will be rose and united with our spirits; making a glorified body. I would like to hear your views on this subject also. Here are the verses that lead me to the belief of our spirit going directly to heaven. If you have anymore verses about this subject, please share.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 "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.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 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.
16 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:
17 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." KJV

This verse says, when Jesus comes back he's going to bring those that are asleep. The Bible uses the word sleep a lot of times and is talking about death. Let's look at Stephen...

Acts 7:59-60
59 "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." KJV

Stephen said Jesus receive my spirit. This leads me to believe that when we die our spirit goes to heaven. Then on down in verse 60, it says that Stephen fell "asleep". I believe we can conclude that this meant Stephen died. I believe it says he fell asleep because when someone dies, their body appears as it's sleeping.


Matthew 17:1-4
1 "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." KJV

Right here it talks about Moses and Elias. It is clear that both of these men died. So it looks to me that these men of God are not "soul sleeping".


Matthew 22:31-32
31 "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." KJV

In the above verse it mentions Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It's also clear that all these men had died, but it says God is the God of the living. I believe these men are in heaven right now.


Ecclesiates 12:7
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." KJV

In this verse it tells us that our spirit returns to God.


Now lets look at some things Paul said about this subject...

2 Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." KJV

Paul says, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. When is the Lord Jesus Christ right now? The Bible tells us that Jesus is in heaven. So I believe Paul is saying when we die, we go to heaven to be with the Lord. It is not my belief that the Lord is "soul" sleeping.

Philippians 1:23
"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:" KJV

Again Paul talks about being with Christ. He says he has a desire to depart. Why would he desire to enter into "soul sleep"? My desire when I'm getting ready to die is to be with the Lord.

------

Luke 16:22-23
22 "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." KJV

Notice right when these two men died, they went to where they would spend eternity, not "soul sleep". Some people try to say this verse is a parable, but when I read other parables in the Bible, they never mention names. This verse actually says Lazarus, a name of a man.


Luke 23:43
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." KJV

Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be with him in paradise that day. I believe the thief went to be with Jesus in heaven. There are some verses that tell us paradise means heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:4
"How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." KJV

Revelation 2:7
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." KJV

So there are some verses that I believe support, when we die our spirits go directly to heaven. I would like to hear your comments and thoughts on this subject. And again if you know any more verses about this subject, please share. Remember to pray before posting. We need to look at this subject in a humble manner. God bless

Dear Cody,

Pretty interesting topic indeed.

I believe that paradise is a resting place for the people who are saved, but I think it is not our final destination, because our final destination is after Judgment and that is Heaven.

But Cody, one question for you.

Revelation 5:3: But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

What does "under the earth" mean?

God bless you.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

According to my study Bible, the paradise the repentant thief went to was not heaven as we know it, but a place of bliss and rest that the redeemed go to between death and resurrection.Because He was man as well as God, Jesus went there too upon His death on the cross. Note that when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden after His resurrection from the dead, He said to her, "Do not hold on to me for I have not yet returned to the Father." (Jn 20:17a)

It wasn't until forty days later that He returned to heaven (Acts 1:3 - "After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men (the apostles) and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God."

Finally, I don't think Paradise will be a "soul sleep". It will be a place of great joy that we hang out in as we await our heavenly bodies in the resurrection at Christ's coming.

SLE

 

[Cody]

Finally, I don't think Paradise will be a "soul sleep". It will be a place of great joy that we hang out in as we await our heavenly bodies in the resurrection at Christ's coming.

Amen, brother SLE.


Y5EE252_RICHIE, I believe under the earth is where Hell is located.

 

[gotime]

death

Death: Just might be one of the most misunderstood subjects today. To many it is shrouded in mystery and evokes dreaded feelings of fear, uncertainty, and even hopelessness. Others believe that their deceased loved ones are not dead at all, but instead live with them or in other realms! Still others confused about the relationship between the body, spirit, and soul. But does it really matter what you believe? Yes ... absolutely! Because what you believe about the dead will have a profound impact on what happens to you in the end-times. There’s no room for guessing, so this study guide will give you exactly what God says on this subject. Get ready for a real eye-opener!

Q1. How did we get here in the first place?
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Answer: God made us from dust in the beginning.

Q2. What happens when a person dies?
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.
Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Answer: The body turns to dust again, and the spirit goes back to God, who gave it. The spirit of every person who dies—whether righteous or wicked—returns to God at death. E.g. if I take some nails and wood and make them into a box then I have a box. But if I take the nails out again then I have what I originally had just wood and nails.
Q3. What is the “spirit” that returns to God at death?
Jam 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Job 27:3 All the while my breath [is] in me, and the spirit of God [is] in my nostrils;

Answer: The spirit that returns to God at death is the breath of life. Nowhere in God’s entire book does the “spirit” have any life, wisdom, or feeling after a person dies. It is the “breath of life” and nothing more.
Q4. What is a “soul”?
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Answer: A soul is a living being. A soul is always a combination of two things: body plus breath. A soul cannot exist unless body and breath are combined. God’s Word teaches that we are soul’s.
Q5. Do souls die?
Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Rev 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead [man]: and every living soul died in the sea.

Answer: According to God’s Word, souls do die! We are souls, and souls die. Man is mortal (Job 4:17). Only God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:15, 16). The concept of an undying, immortal soul foes against the Bible, which teaches that souls are subject to death.

Q6. Do good people go to heaven when they die?

Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Act 2:29 Men [and] brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Job 17:13 If I wait, the grave [is] mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

Answer: No, people do not go either to heaven or hell at death. They go to their graves to await the resurrection day. Note that King David will be saved in God’s kingdom, However, he is in his grave now, where he awaits the resurrection.

Q7. How much does one know or comprehend after death?

Ecc 9:5 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.
Ecc 9:6 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.
Ecc 9:10 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.
Psa 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

Answer: God says that the dead know absolutely nothing!

Q8. But can’t the dead communicate with the living, and aren’t they aware of what the living are doing?

Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Job 14:21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth [it] not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth [it] not of them.
Ecc 9:6 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.

Answer: No, the dead cannot contact the living, nor do they know what the living are doing. They are dead. Their thoughts have perished (Psalm 146:4).

Q9. Jesus called the unconscious state of the dead “sleep” in John 11:11-14. How long will they sleep?

Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Answer: The dead will sleep until the great day of the Lord at the end of the world. In death humans are totally unconscious with no activity or knowledge of any kind.

 

[gotime]

death part 2

Q10. What happens to the righteous dead at the second coming of Christ?

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
1Th 4:16 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:
1Th 4:17 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.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 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.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

Answer: They will be rewarded. They will be raised, given immortal bodies, and caught up to meet the Lord in the air. There would be no purpose in a resurrection if people were taken to heaven at death.

Q11. What was the devil’s first lie on earth?

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,

Answer: Satan told Eve that sin would not bring death. “Ye shall not surely die,” he said.

Q12. Why did the devil lie to Eve about death? Could this subject be more important than many think?

Answer: It is one of the cornerstones of the devil’s king-dom. He has worked powerful miracles down through the ages through people who claim to receive their power from the spirits of the dead. (Examples: Magicians of Egypt—Exodus 7:11; Women of Endor—1 Samuel 28:3-25; Sorcerers—Daniel 2:2; A certain damsel—Acts 16:16-18.)

A solemn Warning
In the end-time Satan will again use sorcery—as he did in Daniel’s day—to deceive the world (Revelation 18:23). Sorcery is a supernatural agency that claims to receive its power and wisdom from the spirits of the dead.

Posing as Jesus’ Disciples
Posing as godly loved ones who have died, saintly clergymen who are now dead, Bible prophets, or even the apostles or disciples of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13), Satan and his angels will deceive billions. Those who believe the dead are alive, in any form, will most assuredly be deceived.

Q13. Do devils really work miracles?

Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles,
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Answer: Yes, indeed! Devils work incredibly convincing miracles (Revelation 13:13, 14). Satan and his angels will appear as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and, even more shocking, as Christ Himself (Matthew 24:23, 24). The universal feeling will be that Christ and His angels are leading out in a fantastic worldwide revival. The entire emphasis will seem so spiritual and be so supernatural that only God’s elect will not be deceived.

Q14. Why will God’s people not be deceived?

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.

Answer: God’s people will know from their earnest study of His book that the dead are dead, not alive. Spirits of the dead do not exist. Therefore, God’s people will reject all miracle workers and teachers who claim to receive special “light” or work miracles by contacting the spirits of the dead. And God’s people will likewise reject as dangerous and false all teachings that claim the dead are alive in any form, anwhere.

Q15. Back in Moses’ day, what did God command should be done to people who taught that the dead were alive?

Lev 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood [shall be] upon them.

Answer: God insisted that wizards and others with “familiar spirits” (who claimed to be able to contact the dead) should be stoned to death. This shows how God regards the false teaching that the dead are alive.

Q16. Will the righteous people who are raised in the resurrection ever die again?

Luk 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Luk 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Answer: No! Death, sorrow, crying, and tragedy will never enter into God’s new kingdom.

Q17. Belief in reincarnation is expanding rapidly today. Is this teaching biblical?

Ecc 9:5 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.
Ecc 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any

Answer: Almost half the people on earth believe in reincarnation—a teaching that the soul never dies but is instead continually reborn in a different kind of body with each succeeding generation. This teaching, however, is contrary to scripture.

The Bible says
After death a person: returns to dust (psalm 104:29), Knows nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5), possesses no mental powers (Psalm 146:4), has nothing to do with anything on earth (Ecclesiastes 9:6), does not live (2 Kings 20:1), waits in the grave (Job 17:13), and continues not (Job 14:1, 2).

 

[gotime]

death part 3

Satan’s Invention
We learned in questions 11 and 12 that Satan invented the teaching that the dead are alive. Rein-carnation, channelling, communications with spirits, spirit worship, and the “undying soul” are all inventions of Satan, with one aim—to convince people that when you die you are not really dead. When people believe that the dead are alive, “spirits of devils, working miracles” (Revelation 16:14) and posing as spirits of the dead will be able to deceive and lead them astray virtually 100 percent of the time (Matthew 24:24).

Some popular objections answered.

Q1. Didn’t the thief on the cross go to paradise with Christ the day He died?
Answer: No. In fact, on Sunday morning Jesus said to Mary, “I am not yet ascended to my Father.” John 20:17. This shows that Christ did not go to heaven at death. Also note that the punctuation of the Bible is not inspired, but added by men. The comma in Luke 23:43 should be placed after the words “today” rather that before, so the passage should read, “Verily I say unto thee today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Or, “I’m telling you today—when it seems that I can save no one, when I myself am being crucified as a criminal—I give you the assurance today that you will be with me in paradise.” Christ’s kingdom is set up at His second coming (Matthew 25:31), and all the righteous of all ages will enter it at that time(1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) and not at death.

Q2. Doesn’t the Bible speak of the “undying,” “immortal” soul?
Answer: No, the undying, immortal soul is not mentioned in the Bible. The word “immortal” is found only once in the Bible, and it is in reference to God (1 Timothy 1:17).

Q3. At death the body returns to dust and the spirit (or breath) returns to God. But where does the soul go?
Answer: It goes nowhere. Instead, it simply ceases to exist. Two things must be combined to make a soul: body and breath. When the breath departs, the soul ceases to exist because it is a combination of two things. When you turn off a light, where does the light go? It doesn’t go anywhere. It just ceases to exist. Two things must combine to make a light: a bulb and electricity. Without the combination, a light is impossible. So with the soul; unless body and breath are combined, there can be no soul. There is no such thing as a disembodied soul.

Q4. Does the word “soul” ever mean anything other than a living being?
Answer: Yes, it may mean also (1) life itself, or (2) the mind, or intellect. No matter which meaning is intended, the soul is still a combination of two things (body and breath), and it ceases to exist at death.

Q5. Can you explain John 11:26, which says, “And whoso-ever liveth and believeth in me shall never die”?
Answer: This refers not to the first death, which all people die (Hebrews 9:27), but to the second death, which only the wicked die and from which there is not resurrection (Revelation 2:11; 21:8).

Q6. Matthew 10:28 says, “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.” Doesn’t this prove that the soul is undying?
Answer: No, it proves the opposite. The last half of the same verse proves that souls do die. It says, “but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The word “soul” here means life and refers to eternal life, which is a gift (Romans 6:23) that will be given to the righteous at the last day (John 6:54). No one can take away the eternal life that God bestows. (see also Luke 12:4, 5).

Q7. Doesn’t 1 Peter 4:6 say the gospel was preached to dead people?
Answer: No, it says the gospel “was” preached to those who “are” dead. They are dead now, but the gospel “was” preached to them while they were yet living. Past and present tense.

Q8. What about the souls crying out from under the altar in Revelation 6:9, 10? Doesn’t this show that souls do not die?
Answer: No. This cry was figurative, as was the cry of Abel’s blood (Genesis 4:10). The word “soul” here means people (or living beings) who had been slain for their faith. Surely no one believes that souls who die literally lie under the alter, nor do people believe that the righteous beg God toe punish their enemies. Rather, the righteous beg for mercy for their enemies, as Christ did on the cross (Luke 23:34).

Q9. Doesn’t the Bible say Christ went and preached to lost souls in hell between His crucifixion and resurrection?
Answer: No, the Bible passage in question 1 is 1 Peter 3:18-20. The preaching was done “by the Spirit” (verse 18) in Noah’s day – to people who were then living (verses 19, 20). The “spirits in prison” refers to people whose lives were in bondage to Satan. (See Psalm 142:7; Isaiah 42:6,7; 61:1; Luke 4:18.)