THE TRUTH ABOUT DEATH

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=145 BGCOLOR="#3366CC" TEXT="#080000" background="083ff483.gif"> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="05f496d0.gif" border=0 width="73" height="109" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> Any Questions?  Just E-Mail Me.</div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="084ff483.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#6666FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>HE IS LORD Ministries</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#663399" FACE="Times New Roman" >    </FONT> |    <B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HE IS LORD Ministries"><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLE STUDIES AVAILABLE"><U>BIBLE STUDIES AVAILABLE</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABORTION"><U>ABORTION</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE APOCRYPHAL BOOKS"><U>THE APOCRYPHAL BOOKS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL BAPTISM"><U>BIBLICAL BAPTISM</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLE PERVERSIONS"><U>BIBLE [PER]VERSIONS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FOR HONEST CATHOLICS"><U>FOR HONEST CATHOLICS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHRISTMAS AND THE LORD OF THE MOON"><U>CHRISTMAS AND THE LORD OF THE MOON</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS"><U>THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHRONOLOGICAL CHART"><U>CHRONOLOGICAL CHART</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL CHAPTER TWO"><U>DANIEL CHAPTER TWO</U></A>   |   <B>THE TRUTH ABOUT DEATH</B>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DINNING GODS WAY"><U>DINNING GOD'S WAY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EVOLUTION"><U>EVOLUTION</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PROCLAIM A FAST"><U>PROCLAIM A FAST</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE HOLY SPIRIT"><U>THE HOLY SPIRIT</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IS THERE AN INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT?"><U>IS THERE AN INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT?</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE RETURN OF ISRAEL"><U>THE RETURN OF ISRAEL</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LETTER TO A JEHOVAHS WITNESS"><U>LETTER TO A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FOR JEWS TO CONSIDER"><U>FOR JEWS TO CONSIDER</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE MILLENNIUM"><U>THE MILLENNIUM</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MORMONISM"><U>MORMONISM</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MUSIC GODS WAY"><U>MUSIC GOD'S WAY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="QUESTIONS FOR MUSLIMS"><U>QUESTIONS FOR MUSLIMS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NAMES"><U>NAMES</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED"><U>ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PREREQUISITES FOR ANSWERED PRAYER"><U>PREREQUISITES FOR ANSWERED PRAYER</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE RAPTURE THEORY"><U>THE RAPTURE THEORY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id78.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="REASONS TO BELIEVE"><U>REASONS TO BELIEVE</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RESURRECTED, WHICH DAY"><U>RESURRECTED, WHICH DAY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE SUNDAY SABBATH"><U>THE SUNDAY SABBATH</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="UNDERSTANDING BIBLE SALVATION"><U>UNDERSTANDING BIBLE SALVATION</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HOW TO BE BIBLICALLY SAVED"><U>HOW TO BE BIBLICALLY SAVED</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SIGNS OF THE SECOND COMING"><U>SIGNS OF THE SECOND COMING</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND COMMON SENSE"><U>THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND COMMON SENSE</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TESTS OF A TRUE PROPHET"><U>TESTS OF A TRUE PROPHET</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GODS TITHE"><U>GOD'S TITHE</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE GIFT OF TONGUES"><U>THE GIFT OF TONGUES</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BIBLICAL WINE"><U>BIBLICAL WINE</U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="085f0050.gif" border=0 width="496" height="5" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> THE TRUTH ABOUT DEATH</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="1fe6e350.gif" border=0 width="110" height="53" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Most educated people know that the doctrine of the immortal soul came from pagan tradition and mythology.  For example, the ancient Chinese ancestor-worship was rooted in the belief that the soul did not die.  India's Hindus have reincarnation and transmigration of the soul.  African voodoo ceremonies are structured around the concept of an undying soul.  Moreover, Egyptian pyramid hieroglyphics reveal that the false doctrine of a natural immortal soul was basic to their worship of the sun god.  Nevertheless, the Bible does tell us where this doctrine got started;  "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die."  Gen. 3:4.  "This was Satan's first lesson upon the immortality of the soul," 1SG:113.  Of the 1700 Biblical occurrences of the words "soul" and "spirit," not once are they referred to as being "immortal," "undying," or any other like conjectures.  "It is a marvel to me that Satan could succeed so well in making men believe that the words of God,  'The soul that sinneth it shall die,' mean that the soul that sinneth it shall not die, but live eternally in misery."  1SG:114.</div> <bR> <div> It is reasonable to assume that if God is concerned with giving us insights on life, He will also give us some insights on death.  Although there is no one place that gives us all of the answers about death, there are many clues in God's Word that, together, enable us to form a composite picture as to the truth about death.  On a side note, our English word “cemetery” comes from the Greek word “koimeterion,” which means “a sleeping chamber.”</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="29450390.gif" border=0 width="80" height="57" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>A LITTLE COMMON SENSE PLEASE</B></div> <bR> <div> "Come now, and let us reason together," Isa. 1:18.  What really happens after you die?  Since God is the One "Who only hath immortality," 1Ti. 6:16 (Webster:  "not subject to death," see also 1Ti. 1:17), how is it that "mortal man," Job 4:17 (Webster:  "being subject to death"), puts on immortality and goes to heaven or hell when he dies?  The fact is - he doesn't!  For Peter stated the mater quite clearly when he said:  "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day."  Acts 2:29.  And verse 34:  "For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand."  Now if righteous David is "not" yet "ascended," how do we justify other people being in heaven or hell after death?  Even the ones who are in heaven had to be resurrected with Christ at His resurrection (Mat. 27:52-53), meaning they were still dead and in their graves waiting to be resurrected.  That man remains “mortal” until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a correct understanding of Biblical anthropology (the study of human nature).</div> <div>    According to Revelation 20:5, “the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.”  This verse (and many others) clearly testifies to the fact that the wicked dead are not alive again until after the 1000 years, acknowledging also that the righteous dead were already resurrected at Christ's Second Coming, 1000 years earlier.</div> <div>    Christians are described as seeking after immortality in Romans 2:7, which indicates that they do not innately possess immortality (as noted above).  And although Paul teaches us “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality,” 1Co. 15:53, the question is WHEN, which is clear from the proceeding verses (51 & 52, see also 2Ti. 1:10), which is at Christ's Second Coming.  For all practical purposes, the doctrine of the resurrection of the righteous dead is of no comfort to immortal Christians.  The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead appears to have been more highly valued and of more consequence among the apostles and early Christians than it is now.  And why would we want a resurrection of our old body (even though glorified) if we are already living in a new one in heaven?  Also, what need of a future judgment, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Heb. 9:27,” if the dead are already enjoying the bliss of heaven or writhing in the flames of hell?  Will the righteous need to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” Mat. 25:21, when they are already dwelling there?  And are the wicked to be summoned out of the fires of hell only to hear, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,” Mat. 25:41, just to receive and already acquired sentence and a brief reprieve from the flames of God's justice?  Thus, how is Christ, at His Second Coming, going to “reward every man according to his works,” Mat. 16:27, if they already have been?</div> <div>    If man is already immortal, what need is there for a "tree of life?"  Why would God need to send angels to guard it, "and a flaming sword," Gen. 3:24, if they were to live forever anyway?  First Corinthians 15:26 states:  "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."  By this we are to conclude that death still reigns.  If the dead do not die, then God lied to Eve while Satan told the truth.  And even more startling than that, Jesus did not die for our sins.  Logic alone tells us that if hell-fire burns "for ever" (Rev. 14:11; 20:10), then it would be impossible for God to create a "new earth... [from the] first earth," (Rev. 21:1), because the fire would still be burning on it.  But Rev. 20:9 states it correctly when it says:  "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city:  and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."  Note, the fire "<B>devoured them</B>!"  Also, Jesus would fail in His mission to rid the earth (universe) of sin.  Instead, He would perpetuate it by keeping sinners alive.  And how could the new earth be without "sorrow" or "pain," (Rev. 21:4) with "the wages of sin" (Rom. 6:23) being eternal life, not Biblical "death"  (See also Eze. 18:4).  The most convincing and unmistakable understanding of this entire subject to me, the writer, is contained in the statement "second death" (Rev. 20:6,14; 21:8).  Once it becomes clear in our minds that non-existence is the final abode of the unrighteous, then we can also know and understand the condition of the dead now.  Because, if the dead are to die again, as it were, a "second death," then it would stand to reason that they died a "first death."  However, nowhere in the Bible does it state that at each death - the first and the second - that the wicked would be cast into "the fire that never shall be quenched" (Mark 9:45-48) twice!  Else they could never get out of the first, because they must burn forever in it.  What need of a "second" "eternal fire" (Jude 7) if you can not get out of the "first," et cetera, et cetera, and on and on the ridiculousness goes.  I never could understand the need of a resurrection if your "soul" is in heaven or hell at death.  Why would we want our old one on earth when we have a new one in heaven?  Also, Acts 2:29,34 teaches us that "David, that he is both dead and buried... David is not ascended into the heavens."  These texts clearly teach us that you do not go to heaven when you die.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>TO THE BIBLE</B></I></div> <bR> <div> In the Old Testament there is only one word that is translated "hell" in our Common Version of the English Bible. That word is "sheol."  This word appears in the O.T. a total of 65 times.  It is translated "hell" 31 times, "grave" 31 times, and "pit" 3 times.  Obviously, this inconsistency of translation has added to the confusion with respect to the condition of the dead.  True, the translators were not Catholics, but they lived at a time when the Papal-inspired doctrine of hell-fire and damnation was quite generally accepted, even in Protestant circles.  Naturally, this influenced their work to a large degree.  The original meaning of the word "hell" was, "to conceal" or "to cover," and not that much different from that of "grave," or "pit."  The translators found it impossible to use the word "hell" in every instance for the Hebrew word "sheol."  To do so would have put some of the most faithful servants of God in a place of torment, hence they switched back and forth from "hell" to "grave" as suited their understanding best.  Gen. 37:35 states, "I will go down into 'sheol' unto my son mourning."  In this text, the translators have given us the word "grave," for "hell."  Otherwise, it would have put Jacob in "hell" with Joseph.  See also Gen. 42:38; 44:29,31.  Job prayed to go to "sheol," but it is translated "grave," where Job knew he would be at rest, Job 14:13; 17:13.  Had the translators given us the word "hell," readers would have learned that the "hell" of the Bible is not a place of torment, but a condition of unconsciousness (see Job 3:17-19).  Solomon defines "sheol" for us in no uncertain words, saying, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in 'sheol,' wither thou goest,"  Ecc. 9:10.  What a wonderful revelation of truth this text would have been had they translated this passage with the word hell.  Other verses to consider are:  1Ki. 2:6; Psa. 30:3; 31:17; Isa. 38:18.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="1dc210e0.gif" border=0 width="33" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> The New Testament was written originally in Greek, and here the word "hades" corresponds to the Hebrew word "sheol."  We know this from the fact that Peter quoted a text from the O.T. in which the word "sheol" appears (Acts 2:31 - Psa. 16:10), and in so doing, he translated "sheol" by the Greek word "hades."  This prophecy declares that Jesus' soul would not be left in "sheol."  This proves that Jesus went to the O.T. "hell" of unconsciousness.  In Rev. 1:18, Jesus Himself makes a very interesting statement in this connection, saying, "I am He that liveth, and was dead;  and behold, I am alive for evermore... and have the keys of <B>hell</B> and death."  The point is that "sheol" and "hades" are the same - "hell."</div> <bR> <div> There is another Greek word in the N.T. which is translated "hell," and that is "Gehenna." It is worth noting that for the majority of times the word "hell" is translated in ALL of Scripture, it literally means "the grave."  Only 12 times when we read the word "hell" does the original word mean "a place of burning."  The 12 times is from this Greek word "Gehenna."  To find the true meaning of this word, consider how Jesus used it.  For the purpose of symbolizing the ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION of the wicked He said:  "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:  but rather fear Him who is able to <B>destroy both soul and body</B> in Gehenna," Mat. 10:28.  And for torment He said it would be better to cut off one's hand, et cetera, than to be cast into "Gehenna," "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched,"  Mark 9:43-48; Mat. 18:9.  So we see that "Gehenna" is the Bible "hell" of torment, but also of eventual destruction (called the "second death" in Rev. 2:11; 20:6; 21:8).</div> <bR> <div> <B>GRAVE SECRETS, OR, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DIE?</B></div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>The KEY to understanding this Bible truth is in Gen. 2:7</B>:  "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground," [<B>man's body</B>] "and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life," [<B>plus God's breath, also called spirit - Job 27:3</B>] "and man became a living soul."  Man's body, <B>PLUS</B> God's breath (or spirit), <B>EQUALS</B> a living soul.  Take one away (Jam. 2:26), and you no longer have a living soul.  To illustrate, we use wood (for the body), plus nails (for the breath), put them together, making a box (the soul).  Take one away (wood or nails), and you no longer have a box (soul).  <B>Please re-read this paragraph again if this truth is still not clear</B>. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="1a937280.gif" border=0 width="55" height="40" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>MORTALITY AND IMMORTALITY</B></div> <bR> <div> Man has a mortal (dictionary = subject to death) nature, and God an immortal (NOT subject to death) nature.  Example, Job 4:17 states, "Shall mortal man be more just than God?"  Whenever "immortal" is used in the Bible, it ONLY refers to God.  1Ti. 1:17, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God."  1Ti.  6:15-16:  "King of kings, and Lord of lords;  <B>Who only hath immortality</B>."  At this point someone may raise the objection that man has a mortal body but an immortal soul. Therefore, at death (of the flesh) he/she can go to heaven/hell.  Eze. 18:4:  "Behold all souls are Mine:  the soul that sinneth, it shall <B>die</B>."  Mat. 10:28:  "fear Him which is able to <B>destroy both soul and body in hell</B>."  Notice Christ's word "destroy."  This is what He literally means that He will do to the "soul that sinneth."  Christ places the matter beyond all question.  The soul can die and will die.  Therefore, it cannot be immortal by nature.  Psa. 89:48:  "...shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?"  Jesus "poured out His soul unto death," Isa. 53:12.  "For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?"  Job 27:8.  The Greek word "psuche" (pronounced psue-KAY), is often translated "life" or "soul."  By contrast, another Greek word used in the Bible and translated as "life" is "zoe," from which we get our English word "zoology."  When God's Word is referring to eternal or immortal "life," the Greek word of choice is ALWAYS "zoe," never "psuche."  Examples in the book of Matthew only are:  7:14; 18:8,9; 19:16,17; 19:29; 25:46.  Nowhere in the New Testament is there ever the slightest hint that "psuche" has immortal implications, which is significant considering it is the only Greek word that is translated "soul" into English.</div> <bR> <div> The clearest definition of death could be Ecc. 12:7:  "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:  and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it."  Regarding the "spirit" which goes back to God, Jam. 2:26 states, "For as the body without the spirit is dead."  The word "spirit" has a marginal reference which reads "or breath."  The root word in the Greek is "pneuma," meaning "breath" or "air."  We take our English word "pneumonia" (disease of the lungs) from "pneuma."  However, "pneuma" has another meaning.  It means, "spirit."  So the words "breath" and "spirit" are often used interchangeably in the Bible.  Examples:  Job 27:3, "all the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils."  Job 33:4:  "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."  The marginal note for Gen. 7:22 refers to the breath of life as "the breath of the spirit of life."  The Psalmist describes death in these words, "Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.  Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created."  Psa. 104:29-30.  Here the order is reversed, and their breath returns to God at death and God gives His spirit to create.  It all makes sense when we understand that the two words are used interchangeably and mean the same thing.  "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."  Job 33:4.  See also how Daniel understands God's breath in Dan. 5:23.  We need to learn what is meant by the expression, "God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life," Gen. 2:7.  When God created the heavens and the earth, He simply "spake, and it was done."  Psa. 33:9.  God said, "Let there be light, and there was light," et cetera.  The whole creation was made by the "word of the Lord" and "the breath of His mouth."  These are one and the same things.  His breath has the same power to create as His word.  His word is life, John 6:63.  It was the "breath of His mouth," His "word," by which all things were created;  and it was by the same breath or word that man lived.  Saul was said to breathe "out threatenings," Acts 9:1.  This breathing out was simply speaking.  From these considerations, you can conclude that man lives or dies from God's "breath."</div> <bR> <div> <B>OBJECTIONS, CONSIDERATIONS AND YOUR TEXTS</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Consider</B> the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, Jesus was NOT telling him that he would go to heaven that day.  Jesus was telling him "<B>today</B>," <B>THAT DAY</B>;  he would eventually go to heaven and "be with" Jesus.  Because, even 3 days later, Christ had "not yet ascended" to heaven, John 20:17.  It depends on where you put the comma in the sentence, after "thee," as it is, or after "today," as it could be.  Either way, Jesus still assures him of eternal life - the context and the meaning of the verse.  It is <B>WHEN</B> (how about the resurrection of the dead) that will take place that is in question.  In 2Co. 5:8 Paul desires "to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."  I have no conflict with Paul's desire to be with our Lord, but with <B>WHEN</B> that will take place.  And Paul states clearly when that will be.  Let's look at Phi. 1:21-23.  "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour:  yet what I shall choose I wot not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ;  which is far better."  Paul is not here saying that at death that he would go to heaven to be with Christ, because he states in Phi. 3:11:  "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."  Clearly, by this statement, Paul is teaching us that he would die, and that he hoped to be resurrected when Christ shall return again.  Again he clarifies this in 2Ti 4:8:  "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me <B>at that day</B>:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."  What else would "at that day" be but "His appearing," or Second Coming.</div> <bR> <div> The Bible presents Adam as a complete unit.  The soul is not a separate entity;  rather, it is an integral and indivisible part of what it is to be a living being.  Adam could have lived forever in his state before the fall.  Sin did not separate his "soul" from his body.  It separated his entire being, his living soul, from God.  Those who use Ecc. 12:7;  "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:  and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it," to assert that your soul now goes to heaven, must continue that thought.  If your soul is now going back to heaven to live with God, then you were also living with God in heaven before you were condemned to be born, live, and die on this earth!  False doctrine indeed.  Finally, what does the Bible really teach?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>When You Die You Neither Go To Heaven Or Hell, You:</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Gen. 3:19</B> - "unto dust shalt thou return"</div> <div> <B>Job 3:12-22</B> - "they hear not"</div> <div> <B>Job 7:9-10</B> - "he shall return no more"</div> <div> <B>Job 7:21</B> - "I sleep in the dust... I shall not be"</div> <div> <B>Job 10:21</B> - "Shall not return"</div> <div> <B>Job 14:1-2,10-13</B> - "continueth not, man... riseth not"</div> <div> <B>Job 21:32</B> - "remains in the tomb"</div> <div> <B>Job 26:14</B> - "dead:  they shall not live;  they are deceased, they shall not rise"</div> <div> <B>Job 34:14-15</B> - "gather... His breath [spirit];  All... perish... unto dust:"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 6:5 </B>- "in death there is no remembrance"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 13:3</B> - "sleep of death"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 30:9</B> - "I go down to the pit?  Shall the dust praise Thee?"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 37:36</B> - "Passed away... was not... could not be found"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 78:39</B> - "cometh not again"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 88:10-11</B> - “shall the dead arise and praise Thee?  Shall Thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave?”</div> <div> <B>Psalm 103:15-16</B> - "Man... is gone... no more"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 104:29</B> - "Thou takest away their breath [spirit], they die, and return to their dust"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 115:17</B> - "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence."</div> <div> <B>Psalm 146:4</B> - "thoughts perish"</div> <div> <B>Ecclesiastes</B> <B>3:19-21</B> - "all turn to dust"</div> <div> <B>Ecclesiastes</B> <B>9:5-6,10</B> - "dead know not any thing"</div> <div> <B>Ecclesiastes. 12:7</B> - "dust return to the earth... spirit [breath] shall return to God"</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 26:14</B> - "dead... shall not rise"</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 38:18</B> - "The grave cannot praise Thee"</div> <div> <B>Mark 5:39</B> - "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth."</div> <div> <B>John 11:11-14</B> - "Lazarus sleepeth... Is dead"</div> <div> <B>Acts 2:29,34</B> - David, that he is both dead and buried... David is not ascended into the heavens"</div> <div> <B>Acts 7:60</B> - "he fell asleep"  (Note: died).</div> <div> <B>First Corinthians 11:30</B> - "sleep"</div> <div> <B>First Thessalonians 4:13</B> - "them... asleep... have no hope"</div> <div> <B>James 2:26</B> - "body without the spirit [breath] is dead"</div> <bR> <div> The following texts are the ones that give any Bible student the most difficulty in trying to understand the condition of the "soul" throughout "eternity."  Don't forget what the Bible teaches about "the second death," Revelation 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8.  But most say:  "No, not death, but:"</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 66:24</B> - "their worm shall not die neither shall their fire be quenched"</div> <div> <B>Matthew 3:12</B> - "unquenchable fire"</div> <div> <B>Matthew 25:41</B> - "everlasting fire"</div> <div> <B>Matthew 25:46</B> - "everlasting punishment"</div> <div> <B>Mark 9:45-48</B> - "fire that never shall be quenched"</div> <div> <B>Jude 7</B> - "eternal fire"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 14:11</B> - "torment… for ever and ever:  and they have no rest day nor night"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 19:3</B> - "And her smoke rose up for ever and ever."</div> <div> <B>Revelation 20:10</B> - "tormented day and night for ever and ever"</div> <bR> <div> Yes, I believe there will be punishment, and “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” Mat. 8:12.  But eternally? - <B>No</B>.  However,  the Bible does not contradict itself.  Otherwise, how are we to understand these statements:  “Who shall be punished with everlasting <B>destruction</B> from the presence of the Lord,”  2Th. 1:9.  Because “no<U> </U>murderer [or any sinner] hath eternal life abiding in him.”  1Jo. 3:15.  And God will eventually “<B>destroy</B> both soul and body in hell,” Mat. 10:28.  Rev. 20:9 states that:  “fire came down from God out of heaven, and <B>devoured them</B>.”  Thus, finishing the context of <B>Rev. 20:10</B>, we see that “the lake of fire” brings/is “the <B>second death</B>,” Rev. 20:14.   Revelation 20:15 finalizes it by stating:  “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire,” which is “the <B>second death</B>” (verse 14 again).  That Satan dies, and is consumed like everyone else not found in “the book of life,” is clearly spelled out in Eze. 28:18.  “Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick;  therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, <B>it shall devour thee</B>, and I will <B>bring thee to ashes</B> upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.”  You can't have it both ways.  Either Satan dies and is turned into “<B>ashes</B>,” or he lives to burn “for ever.”  So how is it that Satan is cast into “everlasting fire” “that never shall be quenched,” and yet be devoured by that fire and turned into “<B>ashes</B>?”  Because, the <B><U>PERMANENCE</U></B> and destruction of sin and Satan are clearly seen in Eze. 28:18-19, <B>NOT</B> the <B><U>CONTINUATION</U></B> of sin or the “fire.”  Christ's solemn declaration about “everlasting punishment” is understood by the Greek word “aionios.”  This word “eternal [aionios]” refers to the <B><U>permanence</U></B> of a result rather than the <B><U>continuation</U></B> of a process.  As an example, <B>Jude 7</B> states that Sodom and Gomorrah underwent “eternal [aionios] fire.”  However, they are not experiencing this “everlasting [aionios, Mat. 25:41; 25:46] fire” or “punishment,” now, because the <B><U>process</U></B> of destruction does not continue forever.  By contrast, the <B><U>results</U></B> are “eternal [aionios]” and <B><U>permanent</U></B>, as Peter states:  “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah <B>into ashes</B> condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly,” 2Pe. 2:6.  No one gives any Biblical argument that Sodom and Gomorrah are still burning today!  God's purpose for hellfire then, has always been to <B>destroy sin</B> and its consequences, not to perpetuate it throughout eternity.</div> <bR> <div> If we look at <B>Isaiah 66:24</B> we can better understand these terms because this text puts them all together into one complete setting.  It is the <B>KEY</B> to unlocking our problem texts.  In <B>Mark 9:45-48</B>, Jesus is actually quoting <B>Isa. 66:24</B>, “their worm shall not die neither shall their fire be quenched.”  The first part of <B>Isaiah 66:24</B> states that “they shall go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against Me.”  How much clearer can God's Word be?  They are dead (“<B>carcasses</B>”).  Yet the last part of the verse states that their “fire” will never “be quenched.”  How can that be, and what is its true meaning and purpose if they are already dead?  It is because the <B>PROCESS</B> of punishing the wicked (“unquenchable/everlasting/eternal fire,” and “everlasting punishment” “for ever and ever”) will <B>not</B> last forever, but the <B>PERMANENCE</B> and <B>RESULT</B> will last forever.  Even if the fire kindled by God Himself did last forever throughout the eternal ages, what purpose would it serve to burn dead “carcasses?”</div> <bR> <div> At this point you might ask:  “If `aionios' refers to a temporary condition when applied to punishment for the wicked, then can we trust this term to imply the permanence of “eternal life” when applied to believers?  An important point to note indeed, for “aionios” refers both to a period of existence that may be - but isn't necessarily - eternal.  See for example <B>Mat. 25:46</B>:  “And these shall go away into everlasting [aionios] punishment:  but the righteous into life eternal [aionios].”  However, the Bible explains this punish<I><B>ment</B></I> in 2Th. 1:9:  “Who shall be punished with <B>everlasting destruction</B> from the presence of the Lord.”  Also, in <B>Mat. 25:46</B> we read:  "These shall go away into everlasting punishment,” the Greek word for “punishment” being, “ko'la·sin.”  “Kolasin” is derived from “kolazoo,” which signifies:  1) To cut off; as lopping off branches of trees, to prune 2) To restrain, to repress 3) To chastise, to punish.  If we allow the correct translation of this word to be “cut off,” then the text would fall more inline with the rest of God's Word.  It is said of God that “His mercy endureth for ever,” 1Ch. 16:34, et cetera.  How long is this “for ever?”  For the righteous it holds true, for He “will remember their sin no more,” Jer. 31:34 (see also Isa. 43:25; Heb. 8:12; 10:17).  But for the wicked there comes a time when even the long-suffering forbearance of God can no longer save them.  Back to your question:  “If the eternal life of the righteous is endless, then in order to form a logical contrast, the punishment of the wicked must also be endless.”  I agree!  However, consider that there is a difference between punish<I><B>men</B></I><I>t </I>and punish<I><B>ing</B></I>.  The <B><U>PROCESS</U></B> of punishing the wicked will <B><U>NOT</U></B> last forever, but the <B><U>permanence</U></B> and result will last forever.  Perhaps the difference between punish<I>ment</I> and punish<I>ing</I> will be a bit clearer to you if we look at similar words having to do with salvation.  Heb. 9:12 says that Jesus “obtained eternal [aionios] redemption” for us through His blood.  Jesus' redeem<I>ing</I> act on the cross lasted only a few hours.  It wouldn't make sense to say that Jesus will hang on a cross throughout eternity.  However, it does make sense to say that redemp<I>tion</I> - the result of His redeeming act - is eternal.  </div> <bR> <div> The term “unquenchable” as found in <B>Mat. 3:12</B> may be similarly understood.  Jeremiah predicted that God would kindle a fire in the gates of Jerusalem that would “not be quenched,” Jer. 17:27.  This prophecy was fulfilled in 586 BC through Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon, Jer. 52:12-12; Neh. 1:3) by the overwhelming <B><U>destruction</U></B> of Jerusalem “to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah,” 2Ch. 36:19-21.  However, the fire is quenched while the true meaning is not, that God's retributive justice cannot be extinguished until it fully accomplishes His divine purpose, as in “everlasting destruction.”  Clearly than the meaning of “not be quenched” is in the lesson to be learned throughout all eternity as to what will happen to the wicked who refuse to turn toward God's extended hand of love and continue in their course of sin.  We need to understand the Biblical meaning of the duration of these terms (eternal fire, everlasting fire, et cetera) in relation to the correct Biblical thought when related to death.  For instance, Hannah pledged that she would give her son Samuel to serve in God's house “for ever” (Isa. 1:22).  But she explains this as meaning for “as long as he liveth” (verse 28).  Jonah said he was in the belly of the fish “for ever” (Jon. 2:6).  But he clarifies it by the statement:  “yet hast Thou brought up my life from corruption” (same verse).  And we know it was only for “three days and three nights,” Jonah 1:17.  Therefore, we begin to see how these words are symbolic.  In Hebrews 6:2 we read of God's “eternal judgment,” but surely we do not believe that throughout the eternal ages our Father will be judging, possibly condemning us again.  I hope you can now see that this can only mean in <B>PURPOSE</B> and righteous judgment forever, and His judgment is final.  These terms are used characteristically today to describe this Bible study that is going on eternally and is unquenchable in its torment with everlasting punishment for ever - or at least until you finish reading this last page.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>THE GOOD NEWS OF DAMNATION</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Recheck</B> the nine "everlasting" (et cetera) verses above, then compare them with the overwhelming evidence of the verses below, and see if you can agree that the physical fire will finally go out.  <B>Because the wicked will finally:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Exodus 32:33</B> - "him will I blot out of My book"</div> <div> <B>Deuteronomy 32:24-25</B> - "devoured... destruction... destroy"</div> <div> <B>Deuteronomy 32:33</B> - "shall consume... devoured... destruction... destroy... cease"</div> <div> <B>Job 4:9 </B>- "perish... consumed"</div> <div> <B>Job 7:9</B> - "consume and vanisheth away"</div> <div> <B>Job 15:30</B> - "flame shall dry up... go away"</div> <div> <B>Job 15:34</B> - "consume"</div> <div> <B>Job 18:5-18</B> - "cut off... perish"</div> <div> <B>Job 20:7</B> - "perish for ever"</div> <div> <B>Job 20:26</B> - "fire... shall consume"</div> <div> <B>Job 21:30</B> - "destruction"</div> <div> <B>Job 27:8</B> - "God taketh away his soul"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 1:6</B> - "shall perish"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 20:6 </B>- ""fire shall devour them"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 20:10</B> - "devour them from the earth"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 21:9-10</B> - "fire shall devour them... destroy"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 37:9-10</B> - "shall not be... be no more"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 37:20</B> - "shall perish... consume into smoke... consume away"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 37:22</B> - "shall be cut off"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 37:38</B> - "destroyed... shall be cut off"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 37:34</B> - "shall be cut off"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 37:38</B> -  "destroyed... shall be cut off"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 50:3</B> - "fire shall devour"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 73:17-19</B> - "end... destruction... desolation... utterly consumed"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 73:27</B> - "shall perish... destroyed all them"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 88:5</B> - “...the slain that lie in the grave, who Thou rememberest no more:  and they are cut off.”</div> <div> <B>Psalm 92:7</B> - "destroyed for ever"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 103:15-16</B> - "is gone... no more"</div> <div> <B>Psalm 145:20</B> - "the wicked will He destroy"</div> <div> <B>Proverbs 12:7</B> - “The wicked are overthrown and are not.”</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 1:28</B> - "destruction of the transgressors... shall be consumed"</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 26:11</B> - "fire... shall devour them"</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 26:14</B> - "destroyed... perish"</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 51:6</B> - "shall eat them up"</div> <div> <B>Isaiah 66:17</B> - "shall be consumed"</div> <div> <B>Ezekiel 18:14</B> - "soul... shall die"</div> <div> <B>Ezekiel 26:21</B> - "shalt be no more... never found again"</div> <div> <B>Ezekiel 28:18</B> - "devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes"</div> <div> <B>Daniel 2:35</B> - “no place was found for them”</div> <div> <B>Daniel 2:44</B> - “consume all these”</div> <div> <B>Obadiah. 16</B> - "they shall be as though they had not been"</div> <div> <B>Nahum 1:9-10</B> - "He will make an utter end"</div> <div> <B>Malachi 4:1</B> - "shall be stubble... burn them up... neither root  nor branch"</div> <div> <B>Malachi 4:3</B> - "they shall be ashes"</div> <div> <B>Matthew 7:13</B> - "leadeth to destruction"</div> <div> <B>Matthew 10:28</B> - "destroy"</div> <div> <B>John 3:36</B> - "shall not see life"</div> <div> <B>Romans 3:23</B> - "come short"</div> <div> <B>Romans 6:16</B> - "sin unto death"</div> <div> <B>Romans 6:21</B> - "end is death"</div> <div> <B>Romans 6:23</B> - "wages of sin... [=] is death"</div> <div> <B>Second Thessalonians 1:9</B> - "everlasting destruction"</div> <div> <B>Second Thessalonians 2:8</B> - "shall destroy"</div> <div> <B>Hebrews 10:27</B> - "shall devour"</div> <div> <B>Second Peter 2:6</B> - "to ashes"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 2:11</B> - "second death"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 20:6</B> - "second death"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 20:9</B> - "fire... [=] devoured them"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 20:11</B> - "no place for them"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 20:14</B> - "fire... [=] second death"</div> <div> <B>Revelation 21:8</B> - "fire... [=] second death"</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="1d96b230.gif" border=0 width="107" height="35" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>