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Death and Resurrection

Halloween, Spirits, Death, Jesus, and Resurrection

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Halloween is approaching…that great holiday of celebrating ghosts, spirits, and gore. Get out the candy, costumes, and crazy thoughts about ghosts and wispy spirits from the dead. Why does this fascinate us? It may be because there are so many unreliable ideas about death, spirits, and the afterlife. Subconsciously, perhaps, we want to be able to communicate with the dearly departed.

Mystery of Life and Death

Probably the greatest mystery about life is death. It falls upon all rich, poor, blind, healthy, black, white, tall, short…you name it. It will get everyone regardless of their culture or color. It does not discriminate! This we understand, albeit reluctantly. We push back against dying, we try to postpone it, but eventually, it will win.

What happens at the moment of death and beyond remains a mystery to most people despite the subjective, anecdotal experiences of people who claim to have seen the great beyond (light, heaven, or hell). They write books and give TV interviews. Are they giving false hope to everyone about communicating with the dead and their soul living forever regardless of the life they lived on this planet? Is eternal life for everyone? Is it true, as the scary preacher warns, that everyone will live forever in one of two places-heaven or a place of torture called hell?

These are questions that often run through the minds of human beings, but firm answers seem to be impossible to know.

There has been a multitude of books, movies, ancient philosophies, and personal experiences on death and beyond, but somehow, they fail to give a consistent description of the other side satisfactorily. How can we put stock in those people who “died” for only a few seconds or minutes before the defibrillator jumped-started their hearts, returning oxygen-deprived brains? Or the preacher who wants to scare and threaten you into a saving relationship with Christ?  Isn’t death scary enough?

The only people who know about death and then live again are those described in the Bible. They were not dead for just a few seconds or minutes but extended periods:

1.) Jesus- 3 days; (John 2: 19-21)

2.) Lazarus- 4 days; (John 11:17)

3.) Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter- the Bible doesn’t disclose the time she had been dead. (Mark 5: 21-43), but Jesus walked to Jarius’ house and stopped to heal a woman, so it had to be more than a few minutes.

4.) Widow of Nain’s son-(Luke 7: 11-16). He was already in the casket!

5.) Many of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised” (Matthew 27:51). They had likely been dead for some time.

But, all of these did not write a book or have their words recorded by other writers about the “afterlife.” Why? The answer is revealed by Jesus and His disciples.

Opinions and Philosophy

Human beings have varying opinions and philosophical reasoning about death; but how does that compare with God’s word? Do we believe the great philosophers about death as a “friend”(Socrates 470 BC – 399 BC, dead at age 71) or his student Plato (427 BC – 347 BC-dead at age 80) who taught that the grave is a step to a higher existence? A promotion, as it were, from the pain of physical presence to the carefree joy of a spiritual reality. Or do we believe Paul, who said that death is the last enemy and it will one day end? (1 Corinthians 15:26)

How about reincarnation or the nihilist’s view? A nihilist proposes that our existence has no particular reason or purpose. Their approach to death would be pretty different from that of Plato or Socrates. Nihilists don’t expect to move up to another plane of existence. They don’t expect to go anywhere at all. Their mantra would be,

“Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”

This seems to be the attitude of most people, including atheists. But in our hearts, we feel this is just not right. Death seems to be an unplanned invader of life.  There must be more.

Vain Philosphoses have entered the Christian church. It is as subtle as the often-used words,

“He is in a better place,” or those who say,

“we will never see them again.”

Even the idea that we have an immortal soul that will live somewhere forever comes from ancient Egyptian teachings.

It is sad to hear a preacher describe what the dearly departed are doing in heaven at this very moment. They don’t know. With good intentions, they attempt to comfort the bereaved by saying that they are looking down on them. I’m not sure how that is heaven to the one looking down.  Where is the Biblical evidence?   This idea of immortal souls opens wide the door to Spiritism and unclean deceiving spirits (Revelation 16:13). The idea that we can talk to the dead has its roots in the first lie of the Bible…”You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4)

God forbade His people from such people who claim to have this power. Instead, He asked them to seek Him.

‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God…..And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God?

Leviticus 19:31 and Isaiah 8:19

Interestingly, the phrase “immortal soul” is not found in the Bible. Actually, it says the opposite:

“…the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23

“The soul who sins shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4.

God can (and does) destroy the soul of the unrepentant and lost (Matthew 10:28).

Nevertheless, Jesus gave hope of eternal life with a real body, God has the best plan. “He doesn’t want any to perish…”2 Peter 3:9. Perish is the operative word here that is also included in that famous passage of John 3:16, where “perish” is the penalty for unbelief. One last question before we turn to the Bible for answers: How does the second coming of Jesus fit into all this? Does it, as some suppose, reunite the body with their spirit/soul?

Comfort About Death

The comfort for the living over the loss of a loved one is found in the Bible in the words of Jesus, the prophets, and the disciples. In their united context, they give satisfaction and consistency to the truth of death and the afterlife. God’s revealed truth about death is troubling. But there is comfort and hope in God’s word, unlike any philosopher or skewed religious thinking. 

Death and the Resurrection

While living a decade in Mississippi, I attended a few funerals.  They are included comforting words for the bereaved.  Most were not Biblical, and most excluded the resurrection and the second coming of Christ.  They ranged from a combination of truth and untruths to the ridiculous. 

“They are resting peacefully. They are watching over you.” 

How can that be?  Resting in peace and actively observing all your movements?

“Old Uncle Harry is up there right now enjoying his favorite cigar and hunting with his best dogs.” 

While people laughed, it was a poor attempt to comfort the family of a man who never indicated a desire to know Jesus, much less follow Him.  Heaven has become a place where any person can indulge in the human activities of worldly happiness.  This raises the question of what the saved will be doing in eternity.  Playing harp on a billowy cloud forever is not very interesting to me. Next time, we will explore the Bible to understand a few things God has revealed about activity in heaven, the new heavens, and the new earth.

Biblical Comfort for the Bereaved

The Apostle Paul gave words of comfort and hope to a group of mourning believers in the Corinthian church.  They were concerned that the brothers and sisters in Christ, who were dying, would miss the second coming.  He told the truth about those deceased followers and ended with this phrase: “comfort one another with these words.”

It all centered on the return of Christ and the resurrection.  Paul recorded letter to the Thessalonians gives us one of the most straightforward descriptions of the return of Christ as found anywhere in the Bible.  Listen closely and imagine the scene of Christ’s return.  It is plain, simple, and addresses their concerns.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring (raise up) with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thess 4: 13-18

 Paul wants the brothers and sisters to be informed.  This would mean they didn’t understand the return of Christ and the condition of those who had died.  He encourages them not to grieve like those who go to funerals with no hope of ever seeing their loved ones again.  Then he begins to describe that glorious scene of Jesus’ return found many places in the Bible (another study for another time). 

Then he uses an interesting phrase, “…will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.”  “Precede is an interesting word.  It answers the Corinthian believers’ questions about the timing of eternity for everyone.  The Greek word (phthanō) has been translated as “precede” or “prevent.”  It means “to come before.”

This answers the implied question about some getting to heaven before others. Paul describes a grand reunion of the dead (those fallen asleep) and those alive when at Jesus’ promised return.  Both groups are “harpazō,” translated as “caught up” or lifted up and carried off to meet in the air and be with the Lord! 

What a great reunion day that will be!  No one “precedes” or comes before the other; we all go to the Lord and eternity at the same time….” We will be with the Lord forever!” starting then. 

Another interesting phrase not often discussed is “we who are still alive and are left.”  The coming of Christ is destructive (See especially 2 Peter 3, especially Verse 7).  The lost are being “kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”  So those who are “left” are similar to a library fire.  Some books are burned, and there are those remaining (KJV) and those “left” or left over…not left behind as some would try to teach.

If a pastor wants to comfort those who have lost a loved one, use the words of Paul that he told would give comfort in 1 Thess. 4:18.

“Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” 

Jesus said it too!  He doesn’t want our hearts to be troubled, so he describes the many rooms and points us to the fact that he is preparing a spot for each of us, and He is coming back to get us in the future at His second coming!  Those mansions must wait until He returns, but what a glorious hope we have!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14: 1-3

The return of Christ is the comfort and hope of all Christians!  No other imagined words can comfort like the truth of Jesus’ return to unite both the living at that time and the dead of all ages and take us as one group to where He is now. 

Rest in Peace.  Death and Sleep

Both Jesus and Paul describe the dead as “asleep.” This is radically different from the ancient philosophers who saw the soul leaving the body to a higher plane…an ancient serpent’s lie. Sleep seems to be Jesus’ and the disciples’ favorite description of death.  This, my friends, should comfort us to know that death is like an unconscious state where the passage of time is a mere wisp of a second, and then Jesus takes us out of our graves to be with Him. Below are some of the Bible references to death:

  1.  Matthew 9:24, Luke 8:52- The little girl that had died, Jesus described as sleeping
  2.  Matthew 27: 51- The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  
  3.  John 11:11- Jesus describes Lazarus as sleeping, then He plainly says, “he’s dead.”
  4.  1 Corinthians 11:30- Paul describes the sick and those who sleep (dead)
  5.  1 Corinthians 15: 6- Over 500 hundred who had seen Jesus were still alive, but some had “fallen asleep.” 
  6.  1 Corinthians 15: 18- Those who have “fallen asleep” have perished if there is no resurrection.
  7.  1 Thessalonians 4: 13- Paul doesn’t want us to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep.
  8.  1 Thessalonians 4:14 and 15. Those who sleep waiting for the return of Christ
  9.  Acts 7:60- Stephen was stoned and fell asleep
  10. 1 Corinthians 15:20 -Jesus has become the “first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

In 2004, I had to have open heart surgery. When they wheeled me into the operating room, they hooked up the anesthesia that would put be asleep during the procedure. Just before the nurse injected me, she said,

“Good night Mr. Armstrong.”

In what felt like a nanosecond, I heard,

“Wake up, Mr. Armstrong,”

I asked,

“When are you guys going to start the procedure?”

The nurse replied,

“Honey, you have been asleep for over two hours!”

This is what death is like for those who have died, regardless of how long they have been dead.

The After Death Experience of A Man Dead Four Days

The story of Lazarus, Martha, and Jesus in John Chapter 11 gives us insight into the state of the dead and what transpired for Lazarus for those four days he had been dead (sleeping).  It also provides us with the hope that Jesus gave Martha.  Jesus had told the disciples that Lazarus was sleeping and that he would wake Him up.  They were confused, and Jesus finally told them He was dead. Verses 11-14.  Again, Jesus’ favorite description of death, i.e., sleep.

Let’s focus on the comfort Jesus gave Martha starting at verse 21:

 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, God will give you whatever you ask.”  Verse 22

Martha was so glad to see Jesus.  If He had been there, Jesus could have healed her brother.  Martha also had great faith and hinted that God could bring Lazarus back to life if Jesus asked God the Father.  Then Jesus pointed her to the great resurrection day at the end of time as a source of comfort:

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Verse 23

Martha understood, from the teachings of Jesus, about the resurrection at the end of time. 

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Verse 24

Her theology was correct.  There is a resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ on the last day.

Jesus then reminds her that He is the one who will give life to the dead on the last day:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Verses 25 and 26

Look closely at Jesus’ words. It almost seems like a contradiction. Even though they die, they will live again, but then He says if you believe in Him, you will never die. So what is it? Die or never die? This becomes clear when you understand that we are all subject to death, but for those who don’t believe, they die forever (the second death) after their resurrection of the condemned that Jesus spoke of in John 5:29. John makes it even clearer when He was inspired to write these words:

There are two resurrections! You are blessed if you are in that first one because you will live forever. But in the second one, you die twice. The second death is eternal.

Now back to our story…

Martha then acknowledges her belief in the identity of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and the power of Jesus to raise people back to life:

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” Verse 27

Jesus looked upon the people weeping and felt their sorrow for the dead and rotting Lazarus. Jesus called out with a loud voice.

 “Lazarus, come forth!”

Here is what Jesus did not say:  Lazarus come down or back from heaven.  If Lazarus was in heaven, how cruel would that be to snatch him out of paradise back to a sinful, dying planet?  If Lazarus was in heaven, we should have a book of Lazarus describing the place of angels and the throne of God.  But Lazarus is silent, as were the others raised from the dead during Christ’s time on earth.  Why?  Because they were in an unconscious state of sleep.  They knew nothing as one of the wisest men in the Bible (Solomon) stated:

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten….Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Ecclesiastes 9: 5,10

In Peter’s sermon to the Jews about the Messiahship of Jesus and His resurrection, he told them this:

“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day… “For David did not ascend into the heavens,

 Acts 2: 29, 34

Peter didn’t say David was in heaven…and he was not on the throne that Jesus now occupies because He had been resurrected, and the disciples were eyewitnesses of it. (verse 30:31)

Our Faith is Futile Without the Resurrection

Paul argues that if we don’t believe that Jesus was resurrected, we are wasting time with our belief in Him.  His resurrection gives us hope in our resurrection when He comes.  Follow Paul’s logic to the Corinthian church and group of Sadducees) who say, “there is no resurrection” (See Matthew 22: 23). 

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if, in fact, the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”  1 Corinthians 15 12-19

So, here are the consequences of what Paul is saying if there is no resurrection:

  1.  Paul’s preaching is useless, as are all preachers
  2.  Our faith is useless
  3.  The Apostles and disciples were all liars
  4.  Your faith is futile
  5.  You are still in your sins (lost)
  6.  Those who have fallen asleep (dead) are lost for eternity.
  7.  This type of Christ (non-resurrected) means He is dead, and we should be pitied for our belief!

Sadly, the resurrection is hardly mentioned in our churches anymore.  In many churches, Easter is the only time to talk about the power of resurrection, and the emphasis is only on Christ’s resurrection.  Our own resurrection through the power of Christ at the end of time is minimized, at the least, or ignored at the most. 

Instead, churches have adopted the pagan idea that the soul is separate from your physical body.  They claim the soul is immortal and goes to one of two places when you die (heaven or hell).  These are the teaching of that ancient Serpent who lied when he said, “thou shall not surely die.”  This theme has been around a long time and promoted by Greek philosophers like Hermes Trismegistus, Socrates, and Plato.

The Bible clearly teaches the opposite of Satan and those misguided philosophers who ignored the truth of the Bible.: You will surely die:

From Dust, We Were Taken

“For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19

“All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.” Job 34:15

“You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.” Psalm 104:29

All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust. Eccl 3:20

But praise God, He can take the dust of the ground, rebuild that which was lost, and give that person immortality at the second coming.  Even the oldest book of the Bible acknowledges this great hope.  Hope in the coming of the Lord.

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,

That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself,

And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me! Job 19: 26-27

Here is my hope, joy, and comfort.  God has a crown of eternal life waiting for me, not just me, but all those who love His appearing.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

Eternal life cannot be separated from the second coming of Christ. He is the life giver. At His return is when we receive immortality and not before. The mystery of death is solved. We sleep, awaiting Jesus’ return.

 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible (not subject to deay), and we shall be changed. For this corruptible (subject to decay) must put on incorruption, and this mortal (subject to death) must put on immortality (no longer subject to death). So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15: 51-54

We can never say, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” until Jesus returns. But hallelujah! Glory to God!.. Jesus has demonstrated the power and given us the proof that He will bring us out of the dust of the ground and breath into us the breath of life when we are resurrected. He will not forget you! Then we will be with Him forever and countless others who have put their faith and life on the line for Jesus. What a day that will be!

Next time, we will talk about what the Bible says we will be doing for eternity on the new earth that the meek inherit.

Pain and Suffering

WHY IS THERE SUFFERING AND DEATH IN THE WORLD?

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But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:24

‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.  Ezekiel 33:11

A Universal Experience

This morning, I looked at a statistical website called Worldometer As I write this, the number of people on this little earth is approaching 8 billion people. Probably by the time you read it, it will have surpassed this mark. When I was born back in 1951, there was only 2.5 billion people riding on this small blue planet. Our vehicle through space adds and subtracts people every second! Some get on and some get off. About 140 million are born every year. 60 million die.

Each and every person on planet earth has a date with death sooner or later. None are exempt. Of the 8 billion people on earth, there is little way to accurately calculate how many are suffering, dying, hungry, starving, suicidal, unhappy, depressed, wounded, sick, or victims of evil surmising.

Regarding hunger alone, the website of World Against Hunger indicates we are making little to no progress on feeding every person:

“Around the world, more than enough food is produced to feed the global population—but as many as 811 million people still go hungry. After steadily declining for a decade, world hunger is on the rise, affecting 9.9 percent of people globally. From 2019 to 2020, the number of undernourished people grew by as many as 161 million, a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Crimes against children, murder, rape, wars, drugs, alcoholism, and violence is evil’s base to sprout the seeds of sorrow and woe. At one time the cities was the cauldron for misery and sin, but it has now moved into the once protected rural areas. Despite the advances of sciences, things are not getting better in the area of suffering and death in the world.

There are many peripheral negatives to go along with physical pain and suffering In the world. Division, hatred, jealousy, pride. The “United” States of America, its people are divided down political parties, philosophical denominations, race, color and creed. In some countries, people are suppressed, persecuted physically, and managed like cattle. Paul’s statement of the earth in these times seem like a gross understatement.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5

Main Categories of Responses to Suffering

How do you explain suffering and death in the world? The answers will come in three main categories: “God“, “No God“, and “I don’t know.“ The “No God“ category of people ask a good question. although it is more like a rhetorical question designed to support their own philosophy about life. It usually starts with an “if.” The word “if” will always put the recipient in a defensive posture. But, maybe we all need to think a little deeper and consider something other than stock answers.

“If God is a loving God, then why is there suffering and death in this world?”

“If God is in control, then why are there wars and so much suffering?”

Two key elements in these questions: “love” and “control.”

Here is where the “God” people often stumble over themselves and fall for the easy response i.e.

“God has a plan and He is in control.:

But the question still goes unanswered for the unbeliever.

Hope in the Answers?

Is there any hope for a crippled and angry planet in rebellion? Is there a logical answer? In the experience of this writer, I trust the Bible and its clear teaching on this topic. Our Creator explains the source of suffering and why. Whatever our belief, it requires Faith It requires trust in the source of your belief system including those who say they don’t believe.

Having said all this, the discourse below primarily for the believer. Why? Because we may be sending the wrong message about God when we attempt to answer this question on life and death. So we must be careful to not give non-biblical answers or unintentionally bring contempt upon the character of God.

For those of us who are believers in the Creator God, what we understand about pain and suffering in this world reveals what we know about God…or what we don’t know about Him. As our opening verses indicate. knowing and understanding God should give us a correct world view about all the misery around us. But, more importantly a solution not just for the future, but for right now! As the ones who know God and understand the plan of salvation, it will be useless rhetoric and clichés unless we apply the balm for the souls of our fellow man!

____________________________________

Note: Much thanks to Ty Gibson for some of this information and the inspiration to explore more.

5 World Views

There are 5 main world-views about suffering that each person holds to be true. When a person is asked about pain and suffering, they will likely respond in 1 of these 5 ways. Please understand, there is a vast number that are not included here. They are those whose suffering is so great, they can’t think about doing anything, but finding food and water or they are mentally incapacitated.

The 5 primary philosophical groups are:

  • Atheism
  • Agnostics
  • Pantheism
  • Deterministic Theism
  • Benevolent Theism (A phrase coined by Ty Gibson)

Atheism

Its members are approaching 8 Million world wide. Most are in China and Russia.

Their Answer: It is just the way things are. Life is what you see. There is no God; No Creator. Everything is biology and physics. We are biological survival machines. Mankind came from the Big Bang and random chance. Everything is from stars and dirt. We will be dirt again.

Philosophy: Everything I do is right because it is self-actualizing, self elevating or at least educational We are probably alone in this accidental universe. Life on this earth had all the right conditions in the cosmos to produce life. There is no good; no bad. We define what is acceptable in this world. There are no morals unless we say it is or not. We are gods. We will solve all of these suffering issues at sometime in the future. Until then, we die, we decompose and that is the end for us, but things will get better for those afterwards. Ultimately, man will have all the answers.

Mantra: “Let’s eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”

Agnostic

There are approximately 7.6 Million in the world. (Depending on how you group them.)

Answer: I don’t know. I’m not sure. It is almost impossible to know God. They neither believe nor disbelief in God. Unless we see, we will not believe. We need more information to develop a world view and a response. To be honest, God is not high on our priority list.

Philosophy: They would say, “I deal with things as they come along. ” “I am just trying to make a life for myself and/or my family.” I have 70 or so years of life, if I am fortunate, so let me focus on living. While the atheist has a response to pain and suffering, the agnostic would not.

Mantra: They have the same mantra as the atheists “Let’s eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”

Pantheism

(2 Billion Buddhists, Scientologists, and Mormons)

Answer: Don’t worry, you will be continually reincarnated until you reach a state of Nirvana or something similar. You will then no longer be subject to pain and suffering.

Philosophy: God is in the rocks, the trees…everywhere. He is not a personal being. We are all part of God and will ultimately become gods. Jesus had, perhaps, reached this state. This view often accepts all gods, particularly those connected with the sun, the moon, the stars, and nature. But, it is sort of like a religious atheism.

Mantra: “Let us eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die, but we will come back better, hopefully.”

Appeasement Theism

(2 billion/Roman Catholic/Unbiblical Protestants/Aztec/Inca civilizations)

Answer: God is angry and must be appeased. Sacrifices are necessary to calm God down. In the extreme, this person will deprive themselves, whip themselves into being acceptable to God. A milder form is to repeat programmed prayers to receive blessings from God. To receive forgiveness and obtain blessings requires acts of good deeds assigned by priests and intermediaries. They count beads, go without meat, fast…all of these are essential in becoming worthy of God’s love and protection. Other experiences include penance, indulgences, purgatory. He will reward those who are His people and those who are not will suffer the flames of hell for eternity. God’s wrath will never be satisfied hence the ultimate suffering and torture to those who are lost, but there is no death even for the wicked. The soul is immortal and you will spend eternity either in bliss or torture.

Philosophy: Suffering elevates and purifies the soul. We must have the right behavior; the right set of beliefs; and be in the right church before God will accept us. We must take the first step towards God. God will not act nor answer our prayers unless we ask Him first.

This is an exclusive club that creates a feeling of superiority to all those sinners out there. It is mostly about self or good deeds to impress others.

Mantra: “Let us not eat nor drink for to please God. Tomorrow may be our last day.”

Sadly, there are churches filled with people who have this worldview or most of its components. Much of it was adopted from pagan beliefs to control people. This is the group the atheists like to pick on…and with good cause.

Deterministic Theism

(Greeks/Christian Calvinists/St. Augustine)

Answer: It is God’s will. It is not our fault. He determined (predestined) who will be saved and who will be lost. Who will suffer and who will not. God is all powerful and control. He is Sovereign.

Philosophy: God is a colossal puppet master. He manages everything. God or “other forces” direct every step we take for a purpose. Ultimately, the suffering and pain has a purpose for His people. God is OK with suffering and death because it will lead to something better in the long run for His people. There are no accidents, only acts of God.

God has a purpose for domestic abuse, car accident, physical suffering because it will do some good for someone else somewhere else. “Once saved always saved” – nothing you can do to be lost.

Mantra: Let us eat drink and be merry for we will all live forever (if you were pre-selected and simply believe).

Benevolent Theism

God is not all about power, but love. God created man with a free-will to choose who we will follow. The world is a free agency with the capacity to love. He is not happy with the death, pain, and suffering. It was never in His will. He has all power, but He does not force people to love Him or to seek Him. Death and suffering is the result of sin brought to this world through Satan and the first couple who chose to believe Satan’s lie VS the truth of God. “You will not die” (Satan) vs “You shall die” (God).

Philosophy: God is good and has no evil in him at all. Only good things come from Him. The bad things come from the enemy of souls who hates God and his followers. Rebellion against God first occurred through Lucifer in heaven. There was war in heaven and this rebellion moved to planet earth where man was deceived. Death and suffering passed upon all men. Planet earth and it’s inhabitants are in a war. God has provided a way to save the planet from deception about Himself and even an eternal death. He loved us so much that He took the first step towards salvation. He scarified His Son. We don’t have to earn His love. We can accept or decline God’s offer of peace and eternal life.

But, God often holds us responsible for our actions. We suffer the consequences of our own bad actions. Nevertheless God can bring healing even to the vilest of sinners. Once we are uncomfortable with evil, we will turn to Him for help.

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,
That it cannot save;
Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.

Isaiah 59:1

God requires freedom of choice in order for love to be real. God does not force people, he draws them especially as revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. God is not a control freak or puppet master. He is sorrowful when people use their freedom to abuse others. God asks for trust and love from us so that we can be partakers of relieving pain and suffering in the world within the context that God loves the world.

Mantra: Let us eat the word of God and drink His blood, that we might be like Him. For tomorrow, he will put an end to suffering and death.

Only One World View Gives Hope and an Explanation

The story of God in the Bible written by some 40 authors all knew Him and were inspired to write down what God revealed to them. God spoke through these men. They all agreed that knowing God and who He is or is not, will lead to trust and hope in Him and the future. Every person has an opportunity for forgiveness, and a change of heart known as rebirth.

God is benevolent and kind towards the suffering on planet earth. He does not create suffering. It is the natural condition of a world who has told God to go away. He is not the author of death. Satan is responsible for bringing death and destruction to the earth.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 5:12

It was Lucifer (the name of Satan before He fell from God’s grace) who was the originator of sin even though he was perfect!

You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you. Ezekiel 28:15

Iniquity and righteousness could not exist together. God could have wiped out Satan and those he deceived, but the element of love, choice, and redemption prohibited God from taking the life of Lucifer. So God cast him to earth.

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9

Adam and Eve had a choice to believe God and live or to trust Satan and die. But Satan said, they wouldn’t die. It was a lie. They chose to believe the lying serpent. it had consequences. Rebellion, sorrow, and death spread to the entire human race. Ever since then, there has been a war between Satan and his people and God and his people. Satan is the author of suffering and death. God is the author of life and redemption.

When something bad happens, it is not God’s will and He is saddened by it. Evil is proof that there is a God who is good. But Satan rejoices in both the suffering and the blame cast on God. God takes no delight in the death of even the wicked!

‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.  Ezekiel 33:11

Conclusion

To this day, every person who ever lived died. Every person who is alive on planet earth today has an appointment with death. Suffering abounds on many different levels. You may be suffering as you read this. This is not God’s will.

God in His great mercy and love, has a plan to redeem man from death and misery. To reverse the deadly course we set ourselves upon! He allowed Jesus to come and pay the penalty of the transgression of the law. Here is the beginning of grace towards sinful mankind.

Out of love and transformation of the sinner, life has meaning and purpose. Like Jesus, it is not all about self, but others that they may live even under the worst of circumstances. All can have peace and joy in Him regardless of their condition.

But even for the unbeliever, God does not take any joy in their demise. He desires that they might repent and live. He does not torutre people throughout eternity. The hell of the Bible is a place of destruction and perishing. The fate of the lost is in the most memorized verse in the Bible. It is mixed in with the greatest statement about God and His sacrificial love for all His creation.

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Notice the fate of the unbeliever in John 3:16. it is “perish.” Notice the contrast between “perish” and “everlasting life.” The lost do not have everlasting life…even in flames!

But, many of the Appeasement people would get angry at anyone or any other idea than the eternal flames of people who do not believe or accept Jesus. This leads me to my original verse.

God invites us to “know” Him. What is it that we are to know about him?

“….That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. ”

Jeremiah 9:29

Countless words about the perishing of the lost are dismissed or minimized in favor of a God who shows no mercy in the stinging torture of people every second for eternity while the saved life a life of bliss. If this is the God we serve, we don’t know Him. We will therefore not understand why their is pain and suffering in this world. We will blame God or give Him a pass because He controls everything.

The earth may have pain, suffering, and death. But it would be nothing compared to the pain and agony of living in flames every second. wanting the sweet release of death, but finding no rest forever. What a disgusting picture painted by people who should know better!

Only good comes from the hand of our Creator. He wishes no one to “perish.”

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” James 1:17

Conversely, only bad things comes from the workings of Satan and the heart that does not know God. But God’s plan of redemption will one day put an end to death and suffering.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Do you know God? Today, begin to search for Him and to know Him.


And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Essential Christian Beliefs, Hell, The Truth About The Fate of The Lost

Were Adam and Eve Immortal?

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  1. The Plan of God From the Beginning

The plan for mankind can be found at the beginning of the Bible (Genesis).  Often Jesus would refer back to the beginning when explaining the original desire of God for His creation.  For example, in the area of divorce, Jesus illustrates God’s accommodation for it, but this was not in the desire of God nor His original plan; it was because of our hard hearts:

 He saith unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered (allowed) you to put away your wives: but from the beginning, it was not so.

Matthew 19:8

God’s original will and His clarity on certain topics can be found by going back to the time before mankind sinned and fell from God’s desire for His creation.  For example, the debate over gender designation; the ceremony of marriage;  God’s law; and even the purpose of the Sabbath can be clearly understood by studying mankind’s beginnings.  Even death is made clear by going back to the beginning.

In the beginning, God made man upright; He gave him noble traits of character, with no desire for evil. He endowed him with high intellectual powers and presented before him the strongest possible inducements to be true to his allegiance. Obedience, perfect and perpetual, was the condition of eternal happiness. On this condition, he was to have access to the tree of life.

Patriarchs and Prophets p. 49

This was the desire of God.  His will was to give only happiness and the ability for satisfying production of life to the beings created in His image, but it was conditional on the law of God’s government.  The law of love and trust. Mankind would remain safe and free from death by listening to and believing His words.   Originally there was only one literal law designed to protect the holy pair from the wiles of the enemy of God (Satan). This singular prohibition would give Adam and Eve the ability to continue in happiness.  The law was quite simple:

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you[f] shall surely die.”

Genesis 2: 16-17

Death Passes Upon All

But, Eve left the side of her husband and began to converse with a disguised Satan made to look beautiful and intriguing.  Soon, Eve gave way and disobeyed God because she relied on her own sight and her own reasoning rather than exercising faith (trust) in God’s word…which contained a promise of death for disobedience.

In the garden of Eden, Satan tells the first lie that continues to this day,

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3: 4-5

Even to this day, it is proclaimed in man’s teaching or imagination that man does not die at death; He has an immortal soul that will live through eternity.  Or, the dearly departed returns in a different form, body, or person (reincarnation). Even the leaders of the Christian church tell the bereaved that the person’s “immortal soul” continues to live in the bliss in heaven or the pits of hell. Or, the dead person is now an angel that guards their loved ones.

The Bible has a different take on what happens to someone who dies. As death is understood from God’s word, it will give comfort to the saved or distress to the lost.

Death From The Beginning

What happens at death and after death has been a mystery to both believers and non-believers.  The images and ideas on this depressing subject have been influenced and shaped by superstitious pagans, unbelieving scientists, and sadly, the church itself (In its well-meaning effort to comfort the bereaved.) The Pagans point to tradition and made up scenarios to bring fear and control.  Some patients in the hospital can point to examples of people “dying” and being brought back to life after seeing a bright light.  Even the preachers/teachers paint a picture of life after death often not supported by clear scripture.  Lastly, the atheist or unbeliever simply says you die and that’s it…Nothing beyond…only death, dirt, and eternal meaninglessness. Who is right?

What is the most reliable source on this topic? Is it personal experience?  Tradition? Can you trust other people’s opinions?

  There have been “saved” people as recorded in the Bible who had been dead for more than three days and returned to life (Lazarus, Jesus, and the saints resurrected when Christ died. See-Matt 27: 51-53).  None described heaven or bliss after death.

If Lazarus had been in heaven for four days and then jerked back down to earth, one would think there would be a book of Lazarus telling us about the beautiful places he visited for a few days.

The Only Reliable Source To Explain Being Dead:

The Bible is clear.  It is supported from multiple inspired writers in both the old and new testament. God’s word cuts across tradition and popular, but erroneous, teachings…  But, an understanding of this often taboo subject includes not only God’s word but the common sense to understand it.  It is all made clear in the light of scripture and the character of God who desires all to repent and to keep all from “perishing”

The Bible discloses a loving God who would not have us be ignorant on this topic.  Once understood, it will reveal what we have to gain and what we have to lose.  Most importantly, the love of God as demonstrated in the plan of salvation gives us hope of something more than a mere grain of sand in time.

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

The Walking Dead

I have always been amazed by the title of the TV series, The Walking Dead.  The title contradicts itself.  Walking indicates life and the action of the brain telling the legs to move forward.  Dead means….well dead. Being dead means, you no longer have these abilities. No desires, no feelings…

The wise man Solomon said,

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.
 Also, their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;
Nevermore will they have a share
In anything done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9: 5,6

The Bible describes the elements of life and the reversal of these elements to produce death. The formula for the creation of life has never changed from the beginning except when God gave mankind, through a man and a woman the ability to procreate. Originally, God took elements/chemicals from the earth and made it come alive in the form of man:

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.

Genesis 2:7

This is a simple mathematical formula:

Dust of the Ground (Elements) + the breath of life (from God) = Living Soul. Notice man did not already have a soul, he was given life and he became a living soul.  The soul is the combination of the body and the life-giving breath of God (Spirit).  Man does not possess a soul separate from his body, rather he is a soul because of the combination of the two critical elements for life.

Image result for images of dust plus breath equals living soul

At death, the elements of life are reversed as explained by God to Adam and Eve after the fall and repeated by men inspired by the Spirit of God.

You will eat bread by the sweat of your face because of hard work until you return to the ground because you were taken from the ground. You are dust, and you will return to dust.”

Genesis 3:19

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

You hide Your face, they are troubled;
You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

Psalm 104:29

Here is the mathematical formula for death, which is understandably the opposite from the formula above:

Dust (body) minus God’s spirit (His breath) = Death. There is nothing indicating the soul continues to live on or is “immortal”.  In fact, it is the opposite for sinful man,

The soul who sins shall die.

Ezekiel 18:4

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10:28

(Note: the term hell here is the Greek word geenna.  Jesus refers to a place that was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned.  But, also noticed the keyword i.e. destroy.  The future of the lost is destruction, not life. More on that in other studies. )

How the Bible Describe The Condition of Death

If a soul can die, is it immortal? No!  Death is just what it is, death where man is not living or aware of anything done here or anywhere. They no longer participate in anything under the sun.

But man dies and is laid away;
Indeed he breathes his last
And where is he?…His sons come to honor, and he does not know it;
They are brought low, and he does not perceive it

Job 14:21

How God Describes the State of Death

In both the Old Testament and New Testament, the condition of the dead person is compared to unconsciousness. A dreamless sleep, where the passage of time is a mere micro-second for the redeemed.  At a point in the future, the dead in Christ are awakened to see the Coming of Jesus where they then receive immortality.  The lost are resurrected after 1,000 years later to meet their fate (Revelation 20:5).

Let’s start looking at a few Old Testament references beginning with the oldest book of the Bible.  Job’s “friends” have a multitude of words about God to make sure Job is correct in his understanding of God and why Job has all his problems.  But, only Job spoke the truth about God. Job 42;7

Job understood death and end-time events. In Chapter 14, he begins to talk about the mortality of man and what would take place when he would receive eternal life (Chapter 19). His description matches Paul and Peter’s description in the New Testament:

Job:

“Mortals, born of woman,
    are of few days and full of trouble.
 They spring up like flowers and wither away;
    like fleeting shadows, they do not endure. 

Job 14: 1,2

Only God has immortality.  As humans, we are mortals subject to death. Adam and Even had conditional immortality.  It was subject to a law meant to protect them from sin.  The tree of life perpetuated eternal life and immortality.

But a man dies and is laid low;
    he breathes his last and is no more.

Job 14:10

When a person dies, it is like they are no more, but Job knew there is a time when his mind and body would be renewed (restored)

If a man dies, shall he live again?
All the days of my hard service I will wait,
Till my change comes.

Job 14: 14

I know that my redeemer[ lives,
    and that in the end, he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet in my flesh, I will see God;
I myself will see him
    with my own eyes—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19: 25-27

Is this not clear that Job understands that man dies, his body returns to dust, he waits and then is resurrected, even “after [their] skin has been destroyed”? 

That great prophet Daniel also understood that man’s hope and future is in the resurrection that occurs when Jesus returns:

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:2

Job and Daniel’s statements were understood by the New Testament writers and believers. Paul’s statement is echoed in his letter to the Thessalonians;

 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18

Did you catch the last part of this verse?  We are to comfort one another with the words he just spoke, which is Jesus is coming back to resurrect those who died “in Christ.”  What a glorious family reunion day that will be!  The righteous dead of all the ages will meet at the same time, in the air, for a trip back to where Jesus is!  Father, sons, daughters, mothers, children, friends all come together for a family trip to heaven.  Jesus promised to come back and take us to where He is now (heaven).

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions (dwellings); if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14: 1-3

The false comforts from the pulpit and vain philosophies ignore or minimize the truth of the coming of Jesus and the joyous events around the resurrection. Instead, they make up words like,

“Uncle George is now looking down on us and enjoying hunting with his favorite dog.”

At one funeral I actually heard a pastor say, a deceased person was likely playing cards (his favorite past time) with Saint Peter.

The best comfort we can know is that the deceased person is resting from the pains of this mortal world (for a moment) before the Lord returns.  This is how Paul told us to look upon death.

Jesus refers to His resurrection as the hope of all those who died knowing Him when he resurrected Lazarus.

 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11: 21-26

What confuses people is the fact that there is a second death that is eternal, while the first death (the one that passes upon all men) is a death because of sin that started in the garden of Eden. But, immortality will be a gift at the 2nd coming of Christ. The second death is eternal.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 5:12

All of us die, but if we don’t trust and live in God, we won’t be part of the first resurrection and we will “perish”

 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20: 14, 15

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Often overlooked in this well-known passage is the truth about the penalty of unbelief in God i.e. They perish.

It does not say, they have an eternal life of torture in fire called hell. Only those who “have the Son” have life.  All others do not. When the lost are thrown into the lake of fire, it is a death, not a life of toruture.

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:12

Adam and Eve did not have unconditional immortality, neither do we. They could have maintained access to the tree of life which has elements to perpetuate life.  After they sinned, this tree was guarded by angels so they could not eat of it and live.

So He drove out the man, and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 3:24

The Bible opens up with the Tree of Life and it being taken away, but the Bible closes with the redeemed having access to it once again.

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22: 14

Summary Points:
  • Mankind is under the penalty of sin i.e death. It began in the garden of Eden.
  • Mankind is not immortal nor do they have an immortal soul.
  • The good news (gospel) is that Jesus paid the penalty for sin i.e death, but was resurrected the third day to become the first fruits of the resurrection.

But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:  20 

  • Death is exactly what the word means.  There is no life, no thoughts, no feelings. It is often referred to as sleep.
  • Our comfort at funerals, particularly if we know the deceased is a follower of Christ, is that they are in a very short sleep of peace from the sin of this world awaiting the return of Christ to bring the dust of their decayed bodies back to life and give them immortality.
  • The tree of life has a very practical application of perpetuating life and the healing of nations:

The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2

We end on the clearest verse regarding the return of Christ and when we receive immortality.

 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—  in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15: 51-54

Only when Jesus returns can it be said: “death has been swallowed up in victory.” The victory is the redeemed are brought back to life. At the second coming, we are “clothed in immortality”….not before!

If you don’t have the assurance of eternal life with Jesus, please let us know and we will help you, through God’s word, to find a saving relationship with Him and faith to live happy while you await His coming.

For a more entertaining view on this topic, please watch this short video:

Death and Resurrection

Beyond the Cross-The Complete Gospel

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As I watched the body of my friend laid to rest, I thought of the cross, the second coming, and the resurrection of the dead. My hope in seeing my friend and all my family members who have died in Christ…is based entirely upon the truth of God’s word and the good news (gospel). Then it occurred to me; the good news goes beyond the cross. Why don’t teachers talk about this more? Why are they not talking about the resurrection and the second coming in the light of the cross? All three of these topics make a complete gospel (Cross, Second Coming, Resurrection).
 
The death of Jesus provided a way out; a way to escape the penalty of sin i.e. eternal death. The punishment for sin is nothing more or nothing less than death.
“The wages of sin is death.”
Romans 6:23.
Only those with a saving relationship with Christ have eternal life. The lost have death.
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life,
John 3: 36.
 
Jesus paid the penalty by dying the death of a sinner who has no hope of ever living again. As he hung upon the cross bearing the sins of the world, He could not see any hope or look through the portals of the tomb. As gruesome as this was, it is good news (gospel) for those who desire to live for eternity. Jesus paid the price for our sins. If we believe it and accept, by faith, His sacrifice atones for our sins regardless of how gruesome the cross appeared physically. The prophets foretold through the sacrificial system and direct prophecies of the day the Messiah would die, but they also went further…
 
If we stop at the cross, we only hear part of the gospel. It is not complete unless Christ was raised from the dead. Without the resurrection, we have no hope, and our faith is useless. I didn’t say this; Paul did:
 
” And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” 1 Corinthians 15: 14.
Also, all those who have died in Christ have perished.  Again Paul says,
“Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”
1 Corinthians 15:18
 
Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is the basis of a saving relationship:
“if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9
 
The oldest book of the Bible proclaims the hope of the resurrection. Listen to Job. Where was his hope? It was in the coming of the Lord on the last day!
 
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! Job 19: 25-27
 
 
“For the Lord, Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18
 
But well-intentioned ministers give a false gospel when other words are used to “comfort.” They skip over the plain words of death being like sleep when the next moment of conscience, they see the coming of the Lord (Every eye shall see Him come). Instead, they proclaim that the dead are conscience with eyes and ears to see and hear the things of this sinful world. They falsely say that the reward of immortality is given at death. But the scripture is plain that the reward of immortality (eternal life) is given at the time of Christ’s return:
 
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me.”
Revelation 22:12
 
“For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15: 52,53.
Notice that immortality is given when Christ returns…not before.
 
Isn’t it so clear that the good news (gospel) is that Jesus died but was raised again to become the “first fruits” of the resurrection promised to all who “die in Him?” It places a different perspective on the second coming because He brings His reward of immortality with Him.
 
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” 1
Corinthians 15:20
 
“to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26: 22-23
 
Teachers and ministers fail to give the complete gospel if they stop at the cross. The coming of Jesus to bring immortality to those who have died in Christ is good news indeed! Without it, we have no hope and our loved ones have perished.
 
To me it is comfort to know that my death will seem like a twinkling of an eye. The passage of time will be imperceptible. It will seem like I had just closed my eyes for a moment, and then I awake to the glorious appearance of the Lord! Even though my body may have turned to dust, I know the Lord can create it again out of the dust…like He did when he created Adam from the dust. This is the gospel too!
 
 
The Soon Return of Jesus

Why Jesus Compared Death to Sleep

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Lazarus-A Friend of Jesus

 “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

Then His disciples said, “Lord,  if he sleeps he will get well.” However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him.”

John 11: 11-15

The message had come to Jesus from Mary and Martha (the sisters of Lazarus)  of their brother’s sickness.

“Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

John 11:3

But, did you catch that?  Jesus loves Lazarus and he called him friend! Doesn’t he love everyone?  Isn’t Jesus a friend to everyone? No doubt Jesus loves everyone, but how many can say they are friends of Jesus? Being a friend to Jesus is something we start as we are drawn by the Holy Spirit.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

This verse in James contains an important element in being close to God.  It means we choose to start the relationship by taking a step towards Him.  But God starts the process because He wants to be near us. So, He draws us with the Holy Spirit. But if we resist the pull of the Spirit we will go in an opposite direction. It is the elements of His nature of love and kindness (towards us individually) that we are drawn.

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness, I have drawn you.”

Jeremiah 31:3

Here is why Lazarus was special to Jesus. He made special effort to converse with Jesus in his own home!. Martha and Mary had similar close relationships with the Son of man.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

John 11:5

This family of three siblings opened their home up to Jesus  who “ha(d) nowhere to lay his head.” Luke 9:58. 

“At the home of Lazarus, Jesus had often found rest. The Saviour had no home of His own; He was dependent on the hospitality of His friends and disciples, and often, when weary, thirsting for human fellowship, He had been glad to escape to this peaceful household, away from the suspicion and jealousy of the angry Pharisees. Here He found a sincere welcome and pure, holy friendship. Here He could speak with simplicity and perfect freedom, knowing that His words would be understood and treasured.”  Desire of Ages, Page 524

The disciples were aware of this special relationship and were surprised when Jesus remained where He was for two more days after hearing His friend was sick!  He had the power to heal Lazarus, but He allowed Lazarus to die.  There was a reason for this even though he told his disciples that his sickness was not “unto death.”

“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

John 11:4

It is important to note that when death is described in the Bible, there are two types of death.  One is the death that has passed upon all mankind because of sin.  Then there is the eternal death or perishing.  This we will see as we go along in our study.

Why would Jesus say the sickness was not unto death even though he died?  Think about this.  Jesus never attended a funeral where there were dead people.  Why?  Because he raised them! He raised Jarius’ daughter and was ridiculed for saying she was “sleeping.” Let’s read the story:

And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying…

When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.  Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead but sleeping.”  And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.

But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Luke 8: 41, 42, 51-56

Then there was the time Jesus interrupted a funeral in progress!  The man was already in the casket!  Let’s read the story:

 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

Luke 7:11-17

The man was not called friend, it is possible Jesus did not know Him personally and vice versa, but Jesus resurrected Him because of the compassion he had on the widow.  The same could possibly be said about the twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus.

From these three resurrections, we can glean similarities that tell us something about how Jesus brings comfort to the dead and the family.

First, Luke makes the point of saying her spirit returned to the little girl.  Even though not stated with Lazarus and the Son of the widow, their spirit also returned to them. It is the Spirit of God that gives life to the body.  We know this from the creation of Adam:

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 being (soul).

Genesis 2:7 

At death, the opposite of Gen. 2: 7 occurs

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit (breath) will return to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

In the cases of the three brought back to life, their breath (spirit) returned to them and they became a living being again. Even when the decay of the body had begun (Lazarus had been dead four days!

 “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

John 11: 39

Most important he tells something about the condition of the person who is dead.  They are sleeping an unconscious sleep!  This was confusing to the disciples, they thought Lazarus was resting and it would do him good.  To the mourners for the little girl, they didn’t understand and laughed at the Savior!  But, if they had believed Jesus, they would have found great comfort and understanding about the dead person.  They are not suffering nor were they enjoying the bliss of heaven.  Wouldn’t it have been very cruel to bring them all from the pure happiness of heaven? But there are no “out of body” experiences recorded for them.  Why? Because they were dead.

In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, he made sure that the people understood the same thing Jesus was expressing about a person who is dead.  He did not want them to be ignorant about it.

 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14

Here Paul is referring, like Jesus, to the dead as those who have fallen asleep.  Because of this fact, we find comfort and don’t sorrow as those who have no hope.  Notice that the comfort does not come from the thought of them being in heaven enjoying the company of the other saints!  No!  The comfort Paul gives is that they are asleep in Christ and they will be resurrected to life one day.

Next, Paul gives the clearest picture in the Bible regarding the second coming and the resurrection. It demonstrates the hope we should all have in the resurrection:

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4: 15-18

The description of Jesus coming and resurrecting those “asleep” in Christ and then meeting Jesus in the Lord cannot be any clearer. This is a wonderful thought that no one will precede the other in meeting and seeing Jesus.  That great day will be a great reunion day of those resurrected and those who will be alive!  It is these words that Paul tells us to comfort one another.

If those who died were already in heaven, this would have been the perfect time for Paul to talk like modern preachers and say a falsehood about those dead (asleep) as being in heaven enjoying eternal life.  But the comfort comes from knowing they are resting in peace and not aware of the passing of time, but will one day be resurrected and we can all be in heaven together at the same time!

Non-Biblical things I have heard at funerals:

  1. He/she is looking down on us now.
  2. They are talking with Jesus and the saints face to face.
  3. They are enjoying their favorite food
  4. His is finally back with his wife
  5. He is enjoying his favorite whiskey and hunting with his old dog, Blue.

These are not biblical and are well-intended efforts to comfort the bereaved.  But, the comfort comes from the fact that they are sleeping and not feeling any pain or anxiety, waiting for that great reunion day when Jesus returns.

For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward,

Ecclesiastes 9:5

His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Psalm 146:4

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Let’s go back to the story of Lazarus to further understand about death and the importance of the resurrection.  Martha knew that she would see her brother again at the resurrection.  Her theology was correct, but she didn’t realize the power of Jesus who stood right there with her:

Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.  Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11: 20-26

Martha knew about the resurrection in the last day and found comfort in seeing her brother then.  But she didn’t realize that the source for that resurrection was right there in front of her!

Though we die, we “shall live.” But why did Jesus say, “whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”

The ultimate death is the second death where there is no hope.  It is those who are not part of the first resurrection:

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power

Revelation 20:6

He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

Revelation 2:11

This second death can be found in the most popular verse in the Bible

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

What is the fate of those who do not believe?  They perish (this is the second death).  Even though all die the first death, the second death is final (perish).

So why did Jesus and Paul compare death to sleep?  It is because there is comfort knowing that those in Christ are in a temporary sleep where they will rise again.  The passing of time, even though it be 100 or 1,000 years will be like a split-second.  The next conscience action will be to hear the trumpet sound and see the Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven.  They will rise up to meet those who are alive when Jesus returns and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Paul not only told the Thessalonians the truth about those who “have fallen asleep in Christ,” but he also told the Corinthians how important it is that we understand the power and hope in the resurrection.

 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty….And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. “

1 Corinthians 15 13-14, 17-18

Did you notice the word perished?  If Jesus were not resurrected, all those who have died are dead forever (perished)

Our entire hope for eternal life depends upon the fact that Jesus, as the first-fruits from the dead, was resurrected.  Because He died and was resurrected, we have the reality of being resurrected one day, even if our bodies have returned to dust!

Job (as described in the oldest book of the Bible) put his hope in seeing God in the last days as a result of the resurrection:

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19:25-27

This describes perfectly Paul’s end to his discourse on the importance of the resurrection.  It is at this point where we receive our new bodies no longer subject to death…Like Job, I say, “How my heart yearns” for that day!

This is where I find my comfort…In the coming of Jesus after a split second sleep in Him! Then I will be changed at the last trumpet.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

1 Corinthians 15: 51-54

The last part of this verse cannot be said, until Jesus returns and resurrects us.

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A personal experience.

I experienced what death must be like.  It happened when I had open-heart surgery.  They rolled me into the bright lights of the operating room and put a line into a vein for the anesthesia.  When they were ready to put me to sleep, the young nurse anesthetist said, “good night.”   The next moment I hear the nurse calling my name.  It was if the 2-hour surgery lasted less than a second before I heard my name called.

One day we will be called from our sleep to hear the voice of Jesus telling us to come forth.

Months after the surgery, I developed AFiB and was often awaken at night gasping for breath.  It bothered me greatly and I began to wonder if God would forget me when He came.  Like the thief on the cross, I said, “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 

Several sleepless nights passed and finally one night I slept the entire night, but I had a dream that put my mind at ease about God remembering me.  In this dream, I could see my funeral and the very next moment, I heard the joyful and playful voices of two angels pulling me up out of the earth.  In the distance, I could see the light of Jesus and all the holy angels even though it was still dark in the dirt around me.  Then I heard one of the angels say,

“See!  He didn’t forget you!”

Enjoy this Biblically correct song by Sandi Patti….This is our comfort

We Shall Behold Him

Essential Christian Beliefs

The Best Comfort Regarding Death

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God Compares Death to Sleep

None of the Bible writers believed that death is the time when the saints go to their reward in heaven.  They all looked forward to the resurrection when the reward would be given to all those who trust in Jesus. Jesus said,

“Behold I COME quickly; and My REWARD  is WITH me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Revelation 22:12. 

The holy men of the Old Testament did not contradict the writers of the New Testament:

“Behold the Lord God will come…Behold His reward is with Him.”

Isaiah 40:10,

Well-meaning people have used a few verses out of context to contradict the multitude of texts which illustrate death is compared to sleep.

God, the only one who knows everything—including what death is like–tells us over and over in both the Old and New Testament that death is a “sleep.” Note these consistent statements:

Writing under inspiration,

The Psalmist David prayed to God lest he “SLEEP the SLEEP of Death.”

Psalm 13:3


“Now shall I SLEEP in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.”

Job 7:21

“Them that SLEEP in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Daniel 12:2

(Note the reference to the two resurrections. The first is for those “dead in Christ.” The second one is for the rest of the dead and the final judgment where they will be dead forever (2nd death)

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. Over such the SECOND DEATH has no power.”

Revelation 20:6 

“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should DIE…So David SLEPT with his fathers, and was buried.”

1 Kings 2: 1, 10

Miracles occurred when Jesus died on the cross:

“The earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen ASLEEP were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

Matthew 27: 51-53

“AWAKE thou that SLEEPEST, and arise from the dead.”

Ephesians 5:14

When Stephen was stoned to death as the first Christian martyr, the Bible says,

“he fell ASLEEP.”

Acts 7:60

These are but a few of many examples from such diverse Bible writers as David, Job, Matthew, and Paul, and others who consistently speak of death as a “sleep.” Let’s hear and example from our Lord’s own lips.

One day Jesus received news that His friend Lazarus was very sick. After waiting two days before going to Lazarus, Jesus said:

“Our friend Lazarus has fallen ASLEEP; but I go, that I may AWAKEN him out of SLEEP.’ The disciples therefore (knowing how helpful bed rest is to sick people) said to Him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.’ Now Jesus had spoken of his DEATH, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly, ‘Lararus is DEAD.”

John 11-11-14 NASB

Jesus used the same comparison of death to sleep in regard to the daughter of Jairus, whom he miraculously raised from the dead.

“He said to them, ‘Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.'” Matthew 9:24. See also Mark 5:39, Luke 8:52

The words of the Master Himself should settle the matter beyond all debate.

Speaking of death as a sleep is an appropriate, beautiful metaphor. But when the Word of God uses that term so consistently, it becomes more than a convenient euphemism for an unpleasant subject. For all who take the Bible seriously, it becomes FACT. And death itself becomes nothing to fear: It’s comforting to realize that just as drowsy slumber comes at the end of day, so death quiet, restful sleep comes at the end of life.

Psychiatrists know that death holds a terror for many people. But “men fear death as children fear the dark”—because it is unknown. Once we know the truth about death, that it’s simply a sleep without consciousness of time, its horror is dispelled.

If you were told by the Lord Himself to be comforted by certain words about death, would you listen? Would it be that your loved one is enjoying the streets of gold? Would your loved ones miss you? Of course they would, but is that heaven? God has a better plan! We will all see the Lord and go to heaven at the same time!

Listen to the words written by Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. But notice that he ends his description of the second coming with the encouragement to get our comfort from his words:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead (sleeping) in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. THEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

What words are are to be comforting to us who mourn the death of a beloved?  Is it that they have gone to heaven and are looking down on us?  No!  The words that are to comfort us is that Jesus is coming!  He will resurrect us, not matter how long we have been sleeping the slumber of death.  And then there will be a reunion of all those who died “in Christ.”  Then we will receive immortality and new bodies:

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”[

1 Corinthians 15: 51-54

I once heard a preacher trying to comfort the mother and father of a young man who died suddenly.  He said, their son was in heaven enjoying eternal youth and that “Death was swallowed up in victory.” But, look closely at how the pastor took this portion of scripture totally out of context.  It is only when Jesus returns and the dead in Christ are resurrected that this saying that is written can be proclaimed.

We cannot claim that Death is swallowed up in victory until Jesus returns:

 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death

1 Corinthians 15: 26

Recently, I had surgery and was put under anesthesia. The doctor told me that they were administering the drug to put me asleep. That was the last thing I remembered. It seemed like a nanosecond had passed before the nurse was waking me up, but yet it had been a couple of hours.

The sleep of death is but for a second.  The next thing a Christian will see in their resurrected body is the Lord returning in the clouds of heaven to take us to where he is. Here are the words Jesus used to comfort his disciples.  May it comfort us too.  May it give us the longing to Jesus come again soon

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14: 1-3

“Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20

Comfort one another with these words….

Reformation 500

Reformation 500 Years-The Controversy Ended

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Today, October 31, 2017, marks the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation!  What does God have in store for us as we move forward in our journey?

I hope you have seen the importance of the Reformation period through these excerpts from the book, The Great Controversy.  We only scratched the surface in the last several days.  The book is over 600 pages. This inspired writing pulls back the curtains and exposes the working of the evil one over the centuries.

My prayer is that you will read the entire book.  But, more importantly, my desire is you will study God’s word daily. To help, you, we offer free online Bible studies.  If it is your desire to know more, just click on the link in the upper right-hand corner called “Free Online Bible Studies”

The Last Enemy Destroyed

 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.  The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15: 20-26

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The great controversy between Christ and Satan all started with war in heaven between Christ and Lucifer. (Revelation 12:7).  Soon Satan and His angels squeezed in on God’s new creation through his lies to Adam and Eve.  Then mankind came under the dominion of sin and death.  God’s first step in the plan of salvation was at that moment when HE asked Adam and Eve, “Where are you.”  (Genesis 3: 1-9). God came searching for us and asks us even today “where are you?” The question is more for us that it is for Him. When we realize we are separated from God, our heart will begin to change.

Then the first death occurred on earth when an innocent animal gave its skin for the covering of a naked, cold, and fearful creatures created in the image of God (Genesis 3:21). Since that time, death has reigned unstoppable on planet earth. The only hope we have is that innocent lamb of God who covers our sins and His resurrection that demonstrates his power over death.

The great controversy between Christ and Satan has continued throughout the ages even to our time. It is not over.  It will not be over until death is destroyed.  It is the last enemy…the last thing disturbing the peace God intended for the earth and universe.

The great controversy did not end with the cross nor the resurrection otherwise, Satan would not be effective in the destruction of souls today.  Today, he mars the image of God in people through his desperate lies and attempts to remove God from the very thoughts of mankind. But, the death of Jesus for our sins on the cross and His resurrection, not to mention the ministry of Jesus in the sanctuary in heaven, has forever sealed the fate of Satan and all those who have chosen a sinful life on earth in exchange for happiness and immortality on an earth made new. Jesus is the victor, because of His life, death, resurrection, heavenly priesthood, and His soon return to end the great controversy.

The rebellion continues, but the power of God’s word is stronger than all the evil of Satan and fallen angels.

The controversy will end when there is no more death and Satan and his followers are no more.  Until then, the battle for man’s soul will continue.  The beast will make every attempt to frustrate the desire of anyone to rely on Sola Scriptura and the direct access to Jesus as our mediator in heaven.

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Excerpts from the book, The Great Controversy stating on page, 636 and 662

God’s People Delivered

It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: “It is done.” Revelation 16:17.

That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty earthquake, “such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” Verses 17, 18. The firmament appears to open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury. There is heard the shriek of a hurricane like the voice of demons upon a mission of destruction. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands disappear. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wickedness are swallowed up by the angry waters. Babylon the great has come in remembrance before God, “to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.” Great hailstones, every one “about the weight of a talent,” are doing their work of destruction. Verses 19, 21. The proudest cities of the earth are laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the world’s great men have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asunder, and God’s people, who have been held in bondage for their faith, are set free.

Graves are opened, and “many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth. . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. “They also which pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.

Thick clouds still cover the sky; yet the sun now and then breaks through, appearing like the avenging eye of Jehovah.

Now is fulfilled the Saviour’s prayer for His disciples: “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” “Faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24), Christ presents to the Father the purchase of His blood, declaring: “Here am I, and the children whom Thou hast given Me.” “Those that Thou gavest Me I have kept.” Oh, the wonders of redeeming love! the rapture of that hour when the infinite Father, looking upon the ransomed, shall behold His image, sin’s discord banished, its blight removed, and the human once more in harmony with the divine!

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The Controversy Ended

At the close of the thousand years (Note: For a clear study of the thousand years, click here.), Christ again returns to the earth. He is accompanied by the host of the redeemed and attended by a retinue of angels. As He descends in terrific majesty He bids the wicked dead arise to receive their doom. They come forth, a mighty host, numberless as the sands of the sea. What a contrast to those who were raised at the first resurrection! The righteous were clothed with immortal youth and beauty. The wicked bear the traces of disease and death.

Every eye in that vast multitude is turned to behold the glory of the Son of God. With one voice the wicked hosts exclaim: “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!” It is not love to Jesus that inspires this utterance. The force of truth urges the words from unwilling lips. As the wicked went into their graves, so they come forth with the same enmity to Christ and the same spirit of rebellion. They are to have no new probation in which to remedy the defects of their past lives. Nothing would be gained by this. A lifetime of transgression has not softened their hearts. A second probation, were it given them, would be occupied as was the first in evading the requirements of God and exciting rebellion against Him.

Christ descends upon the Mount of Olives, whence, after His resurrection, He ascended, and where angels repeated the promise of His return. Says the prophet: “The Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with Thee.” “And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof, . . . and there shall be a very great valley.” “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one.” Zechariah 14:5, 4, 9. As the New Jerusalem, in its dazzling splendor, comes down out of heaven, it rests upon the place purified and made ready to receive it, and Christ, with His people and the angels, enters the Holy City.

Now Satan prepares for a last mighty struggle for the supremacy. While deprived of his power and cut off from his work of deception, the prince of evil was miserable and dejected; but as the wicked dead are raised and he sees the vast multitudes upon his side, his hopes revive, and he determines not to yield the great controversy. He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner and through them endeavor to execute his plans. The wicked are Satan’s captives. In rejecting Christ they have accepted the rule of the rebel leader. They are ready to receive his suggestions and to do his bidding. Yet, true to his early cunning, he does not acknowledge himself to be Satan. He claims to be the prince who is the rightful owner of the world and whose inheritance has been unlawfully wrested from him. He represents himself to his deluded subjects as a redeemer, assuring them that his power has brought them forth from their graves and that he is about to rescue them from the most cruel tyranny. The presence of Christ having been removed, Satan works wonders to support his claims. He makes the weak strong and inspires all with his own spirit and energy. He proposes to lead them against the camp of the saints and to take possession of the City of God. With fiendish exultation he points to the unnumbered millions who have been raised from the dead and declares that as their leader he is well able to overthrow the city and regain his throne and his kingdom. In that vast throng are multitudes of the long-lived race that existed before the Flood; men of lofty stature and giant intellect, who, yielding to the control of fallen angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the exaltation of themselves; men whose wonderful works of art led the world to idolize their genius, but whose cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth and defacing the image of God, caused Him to blot them from the face of His creation. There are kings and generals who conquered nations, valiant men who never lost a battle, proud, ambitious warriors whose approach made kingdoms tremble. In death these experienced no change. As they come up from the grave, they resume the current of their thoughts just where it ceased. They are actuated by the same desire to conquer that ruled them when they fell.

Satan consults with his angels, and then with these kings and conquerors and mighty men. They look upon the strength and numbers on their side, and declare that the army within the city is small in comparison with theirs, and that it can be overcome. They lay their plans to take possession of the riches and glory of the New Jerusalem. All immediately begin to prepare for battle. Skillful artisans construct implements of war. Military leaders, famed for their success, marshal the throngs of warlike men into companies and divisions.

At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves on–an army such as was never summoned by earthly conquerors, such as the combined forces of all ages since war began on earth could never equal. Satan, the mightiest of warriors, leads the van, and his angels unite their forces for this final struggle. Kings and warriors are in his train, and the multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its appointed leader. With military precision the serried ranks advance over the earth’s broken and uneven surface to the City of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of the New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city and make ready for the onset. 

Now Christ again appears to the view of His enemies. Far above the city, upon a foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits the Son of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and majesty of Christ no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal Father is enshrouding His Son. The brightness of His presence fills the City of God, and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance.

Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which now is theirs.

The aim of the great rebel has ever been to justify himself and to prove the divine government responsible for the rebellion. To this end he has bent all the power of his giant intellect. He has worked deliberately and systematically, and with marvelous success, leading vast multitudes to accept his version of the great controversy which has been so long in progress. For thousands of years this chief of conspiracy has palmed off falsehood for truth. But the time has now come when the rebellion is to be finally defeated and the history and character of Satan disclosed. In his last great effort to dethrone Christ, destroy His people, and take possession of the City of God, the archdeceiver has been fully unmasked. Those who have united with him see the total failure of his cause. Christ’s followers and the loyal angels behold the full extent of his machinations against the government of God. He is the object of universal abhorrence.

Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for heaven. He has trained his powers to war against God; the purity, peace, and harmony of heaven would be to him supreme torture. His accusations against the mercy and justice of God are now silenced. The reproach which he has endeavored to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly upon himself. And now Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence.

“Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.” Verse 4. Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy has now been made plain. The results of rebellion, the fruits of setting aside the divine statutes, have been laid open to the view of all created intelligences. The working out of Satan’s rule in contrast with the government of God has been presented to the whole universe. Satan’s own works have condemned him. God’s wisdom, His justice, and His goodness stand fully vindicated. It is seen that all His dealings in the great controversy have been conducted with respect to the eternal good of His people and the good of all the worlds that He has created. “All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee.” Psalm 145:10. The history of sin will stand to all eternity as a witness that with the existence of God’s law is bound up the happiness of all the beings He has created. With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: “Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.”

 The sins of the righteous having been transferred to Satan, he is made to suffer not only for his own rebellion, but for all the sins which he has caused God’s people to commit. His punishment is to be far greater than that of those whom he has deceived. After all have perished who fell by his deceptions, he is still to live and suffer on. In the cleansing flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and branch–Satan the root, his followers the branches. The full penalty of the law has been visited; the demands of justice have been met; and heaven and earth, beholding, declare the righteousness of Jehovah.

Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended. For six thousand years he has wrought his will, filling the earth with woe and causing grief throughout the universe. The whole creation has groaned and travailed together in pain. Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his presence and temptations. “The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they [the righteous] break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:7. And a shout of praise and triumph ascends from the whole loyal universe. “The voice of a great multitude,” “as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings,” is heard, saying: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Revelation 19:6.

While the earth was wrapped in the fire of destruction, the righteous abode safely in the Holy City. Upon those that had part in the first resurrection, the second death has no power. While God is to the wicked a consuming fire, He is to His people both a sun and a shield. Revelation 20:6; Psalm 84:11.

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” Revelation 21:1. The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin.

One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ in His glory: “He had bright beams coming out of His side: and there was the hiding of His power.” Habakkuk 3:4, margin. That pierced side whence flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God–there is the Saviour’s glory, there “the hiding of His power.” “Mighty to save,” through the sacrifice of redemption, He was therefore strong to execute justice upon them that despised God’s mercy. And the tokens of His humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare His power.

Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. “There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying: . . . for the former things are passed away.” “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24.

There is the New Jerusalem, the metropolis of the glorified new earth, “a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” “Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.” “The nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.” Saith the Lord: “I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people.” “The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Isaiah 62:3; Revelation 21:11, 24; Isaiah 65:19; Revelation 21:3.

In the City of God “there shall be no night.” None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its close. “And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.” Revelation 22:5. The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day.

And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:13.

The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.

 

What is God Like?

Life and Death Confusion-Part 1

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Elements of Confusion

The things we see and do every day incorporates our God-given ability to be logical.  He made us logical beings. But, what we see in movies and hear from some people is often not logical.  It is entertainment and may even have an agenda to express beliefs of the writer.  But, it is  God who invites us to “reason” with Him.

“’Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord”

Isaiah 1:18

Logic and good reason will come to those who seek it.  On the other hand, things like church tradition can overtake reason and dismiss plain scripture on the truths God wants to reveal.  Our great Creator brings light to things requiring deeper thought through the many writers of the Bible and His apostles and prophets.

“When you read this, you’ll see that I understand the mystery about Christ.  In the past, this mystery was not known by people as it is now. The Spirit has now revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.”

Ephesians 3: 4-5 (GW)

 Things such as church tradition about death, founded on something other than the word of God, has led many away from a true knowledge of God’s character.  It has hurt the ability of believers to present a true picture of the plan of God for those who may be seeking truth.

We might ask ourselves: “How do we present the story of sin and the solution as found in Jesus to a world so that they are drawn to him on their own free will?”

The short answer and the one that is the bed rock for the ideas set forth here is  beautifully summarized below:

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

John 12:32 (New International Version)

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Jeremiah 31:3 (King James Version)

It is the story of a giving  Creator God who greatly loved that He gave His Son to this world  condemned to die because of the law He initiated and cannot be changed i.e., “The wages of sin is  death.”  God demonstrated His great grace and compassion by paying the penalty of sin so that we would not perish.

Look carefully at John 3:16 and you will see something you might have missed.  It is the word perish.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

What is the reward of the believer?  It is eternal life or  “not perish(ing).” So if this is true, the unbeliever perishes.  Notice it does not say the unbeliever has eternal life in hell or anywhere else.  It says the reason God gave His only begotten son is that we might escape dying (perishing) forever.  Death passed upon everyone, but God made an escape through the death of His son His power to resurrect people.  When Jesus was around on earth, no one died in his presence.  He IS Life and Resurrection!  Eternal death (Perish) is escaped through Jesus only!  True, you may die once as a believer, but you will be resurrected at the end of time to live forever.  The unbeliever’s reward is here on earth.  There is no life for them…only eternal death.

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When Jesus died for us, he could not see through the “portals of the tomb.” (Desire of Ages, P. 753)  He believed He was dying this eternal death.  When the depth of the message about the death of Jesus comes clear in the mind of the sinner, it draws that person to Jesus and a decision.    Paul understood the power of the cross when he said.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 (New King James Version)

There is that word again (perishing).  The unbelievers or those who think the cross is foolishness will perish (die) forever.  It does not say they will live forever in hell.

Why is the message of the cross power to one and foolishness to another?

The answer may come in the choice of a person to study the message and respond. It is foolishness to the one who will not use his/her God-given gift of intelligence and scriptural logic. Those who are serious about finding truth and power will go forward looking for the “pearl of great price.” Matthew 13:46

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Once truth is found, the journey does not end.  There is more! Jesus gave to the disciples just enough truth for them to bear at that point in their relationship.  He said to them,

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.“

John 16:12 (NKJ)

Did you catch that?  Jesus purposely did not tell them some things because they were not able to “bear it” or as some versions suggest, “not ready to receive it.“

Paul repeated this idea when he said,

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1 Corinthians 3:2 (KJV)

Only those who come to Jesus like children; wanting to learn and follow Him will understand and move from truth to truth.

There is an passage in Isaiah that illustrates this beautifully.  This truth is revealed in a question and an immediate answer:

“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?

Isaiah 28:9

Children grow on a simple diet of  on milk, but as they get older, they must be drawn away from the milk to more substantial food or they will cease to grow.  A child would never grow if fed on milk all their lives.  While it was important to the baby at the start, it is the solid food that will lead to growth and maturity.

It is the food (God’s word) and the willingness to do what is taught that will set the stage for God to reveal even more truth.

Those who want to follow the will of God will know if what I teach is from God or if I teach my own thoughts.

John 7:17

Has your experience with church, with Jesus, and with God become routine?  Are you content with what you know?  Is your faith in Jesus not producing any type of peace?  Is your experience lukewarm? What can you do with your doubts?

If you are still searching and are having difficulty believing Jesus was all He and the prophets claimed Him to be, I invite you to learn more about Him as we study this topic of life and death.  For this is what the whole story is about.  Eternal life versus eternal death.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29

It is understanding the truth about the experience of death, as the Bible teaches it, that will help us deal with the doubts  and provide “rest for (our) souls.”

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Life and Death Confusion

Probably the number one reason people (including Christians) become discouraged and doubt God is the death of a loved one.  Some even come to hate God because of the death of a mother, father, son or daughter.  Doubters and Atheists have always asked this question,

“If there is a God, then why is there death and suffering?”  

As I write this, I have learned ISIS has beheaded 21 Coptic Christians. There are 21 families grieving in an intense way right now.  But there are many more who die every day.  Almost 7.2 million people died  in 2015. A dramatic clock showing  the population growth and the number of people who die can be found at this link:

World Population Growth and Decline

Why doesn’t God stop all the death and dying?   My prayer is that we will find some answers about death you may have not considered.  I believe that knowing the truth about death will bring more comfort than any made-up scene described by  well-meaning people.

Truth is always better!

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I have been to many funerals.  The last one was the funeral of a young man, 21 years old college student,  who was killed saving his girlfriend from a wall about to fall on her during a tornado.  I know his mother and step-father well.  A few weeks earlier I attended another funeral.  Again, a 21 year-old who died suddenly from aneurysm.  He was the son of my cousin.

When I went to the  funeral of my cousin’s son,  this grieving father laid his head on my chest like a little child.  I wept with him.  His pain was strong and deep.  The same with the mother of the brave young man who laid her head on my chest and wept.  Much later, in a meeting where I work, she came up to me and laid her head on my chest, again, in a room of stuffy executives.  I knew she was still hurting a year after the event and will continue to hurt, until they meet again.

I personally experienced the sting of death when my own father died in a car wreck on the day he retired.  We had just started to connect with each other.  My pain was almost too much to bear!

Oh Lord, why!

It is OK to ask why, but it is not OK to not search for answers and begin to hate God.

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At almost every funeral I hear things that contradict the simple word of God.  Tradition and well-meaning people who desire to comfort family and friends will of often say things like this:

“He has gone to a better place.  He is up there enjoying the streets of gold.”

or

“My daughter is looking down on us and watching over me.”

or

“My brother is up there teaching Peter how to play golf.”

or

“God called Him home.  He wanted Him more” (The man had died of a massive heart attack)

Recently, I heard a pastor say this,

“Old Bob is up there drinking his favorite whisky and listening to his favorite country music.”

Is this how the scripture describes death and the life hereafter?  Some say that the soul is immortal and it never dies. Is this what scripture teaches?

I don’t know about you, but I want to know what God’s inspired writers know about death. I want to know what Jesus knows about death.  I want to know how I can have real comfort when a loved one dies.

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History of Death

When did death start?  According to Genesis, death passed upon all men when Adam sinned by disobedience.

“Sin came into the world through one man, and his sin brought death with it. As a result, death has spread to the whole human race because everyone has sinned.”

Romans 5:12

Adam and Eve were meant to live forever.  But the serpent (Satan) told them the first lie recorded in the Bible and it is about death.  Satan contradicted the plain words of God:

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:2-5

Many today, even Christians, believe that no one ever really dies.  They live in either heaven or hell.

God says you will die, Satan says you won’t.  Adam and Eve did not die that very day, but they were banned from the Tree of Life which evidently helped perpetuate eternal life.  Eventually, they DID die.

“They must not be allowed to take fruit from the tree that gives life, eat it, and live forever.”

Genesis 3:22

The Tree of life is lost in the first book of the Bible (Genesis), but regained in the last book of the Bible (Revelation)

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bears fruit twelve times a year, once each month; and its leaves are for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:2

Here we get a sneak peak of heaven where the throne of God and Jesus (lamb) are located.  Could it be that God uses a very natural way to perpetuate eternal life and it is found in a steady diet of the tree of life and the water of life?  Could this be the place Jesus went away to prepare for us?

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The sin of Adam and Eve was not believing nor trusting the plain words from their Creator.  Although they sinned first, they were not the first to die.  The first death was Abel.  His brother (Cain) slew him because of uncontrollable anger and jealousy.

“Then the Lord asked Cain, “Why are you angry, and why do you look disappointed?  If you do well, won’t you be accepted? But if you don’t do well, sin is lying outside your door ready to attack. It wants to control you, but you must master it.”

 Cain talked to his brother Abel. Later, when they were in the fields, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Genesis 4:6-8 (GW)

How sad Adam and Eve must have felt knowing that it was their sin that led to the death of their son.  How much regret they must have had as they watched death begin to pop up all around them, even the death of plants and animals.

As a side note,  the Lord did not warn Adam and Eve, nor Cain that the cost of sin was living in hell.  If there was a place of eternal torment waiting for sinners, surely God would have warned them at the beginning.  His warning was about dying if they disobeyed His command. The wages of sin is death and always has been and the gift from God is eternal life where sin no longer raises its head a second time:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

Again, this verse does not say, the wages of sin is eternal life in hell.

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What is death? The answer can be found in understanding what is life as described in Genesis when God first made man:

“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.”

Here is God’s simple formula for what makes up life:

Dust (Elements of the earth) + Breath of Life  (life giving element from God) = Living soul.

Notice that God did not breath into man a soul, but rather the breath of life.  Man does not have a soul, rather man IS a soul. (Another topic for another time.)

Whatever the “breath of life” is, we know that when combined with the elements of the earth, we are formed into a soul or a living being.  This is where life started  in the beginning and then God gave Man and woman the ability to “procreate.”  This breath of life is passed from generation to generation through “procreation.”  When it is taken away, death results and all knowledge and activity stops for that person:

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10

 So if life is found in the Biblical formula of Living Soul = Dust + Breath of Life = living soul.  Then the formula for death should be the opposite.  We find it in this verse:

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

So now we see the Biblical formula for death:

Dead Soul = Dust -(minus) Breath of Life (aka spirit)

Now all this seems scary, but the Lord Jesus described death as a sleep that passes by very quickly,.  In fact the experience of death will pass like a flash for those who have died in Christ.  They will rise to see Jesus and all those they loved when they died. Here is where the comfort comes.  We are told to get our comfort from this thought, not the fanciful stories of well-meaning people.

“The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life. Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord. So then, comfort each other with these words!“

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

What a reunion day that will be!  Those two young sons who were followers of Christ will meet their fathers, mothers, and friends who believe in the air before going to the place Jesus has prepared for those who believed Jesus when he said,

 “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die;

John 11:25

Isn’t that comforting to know that the sleep of the saved is but for a second.

I remember being put to sleep when having surgery.  The two hours that passed were but a flash.  I was told to take a deep breath, then instantly I was asked to wake up.  So it will be for those who die in the Lord regardless of how long they have been dead.

But what about the lost?  Is God a cruel terrorist who will punish those who rejected Jesus to a life of non-stop frying?  Next time we will look at the topic of Heaven and the destiny of the lost.  How does the Bible describe the home of the saved and how He deals with those who have rebelled against Him?

Blessings and comfort as you consider God’s plan for life eternal.