Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Question 62 - "Absent from the Body - Present with the Lord" 
Before we begin, let's look at exactly how this verse is misquoted by everyone promoting immortality of the soul. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Now let's look at what Paul actually wrote: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent  from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor.5:8)! Do we see a difference?  The popularly quoted version gives more credence to the notion that the instant we die, we are immediately in Heaven, whereas the real text allows the possibility of this not being the case. In other words, we must look at other Scriptures in order to know exactly Paul's position really is. In fact, as we will see in a moment, Paul is very clear that he does NOT believe people immediately go to Heaven at death. 

 "Thoughts Perish"
 The Psalmist also wrote about death and his account leaves no room for any notion that persons are immediately in Heaven, or Paradise, communing with those who have died before them. Let's look: "His Breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day, his THOUGHTS PERISH" (Ps.146:4)! Many Preachers wish the Scripture would have been written as follows: "His breath goeth forth, his body returns to dust, but in that very day his thoughts are enhanced into higher abilities as he is instantly ushered into Paradise." The Orthodox view says, at death, our body perishes, our brains perish, BUT our, "Thoughts" are enhanced in Paradise or Heaven. The Psalmist obviously was shown by the Holy Spirit that this was not so! Almost all Christians diametrically disagree with the Psalmist! Pastor, as you know, most modern Ministers simply believe, and teach, that the Psalmist was incorrect. Actually Paul and the Psalmist are saying EXACTLY the  same thing. As we proceed, this will be clear.

Scripture Contradict Scripture?
Scripture does not contradict Scripture, EVER! In order to be sure what Paul meant, we'll need to look at other Scriptures from Paul himself. Let's do it. The majority of Christianity opposes the doctrine called, "Soul Sleep." What does Paul say?

Soul Sleep
 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are ASLEEP, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope" (1Thess.4:13)! "For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God! And the DEAD in CHRIST shall rise first! 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 so shall we ever be with the Lord! Wherefore, COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS!!"  (Vss.16-18).

 Did Paul tell the Corinthians that their dead friends and relatives were already in Heaven, then reverse and tell the Thessalonians their dead friends and relatives were asleep waiting for the resurrection? Pastor, we can be certain that, if Paul knew the departed Thessalonians were already in Heaven, he would have clearly told them so by writing something like the following? "Beloved, comfort one another by remembering that thy relatives are NOT asleep, but are now enjoying the company of Jesus in HEAVEN! When Jesus returns, He will bring their Souls back with Him, and at the Resurrection, their Souls will be united with their new bodies, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!"  

William Tyndale
  Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, and many others taught that the dead sleep till the resurrection. Following is an excerpt from William Tyndale’s answer to Sir Thomas More, a papal promoter of immortality-of-the-soul. William Tyndale, was a reformer who translated the Bible into English. Tyndale’s words here are addressing Paul’s text that we are presently studying: 
"Nay, Paul, thou art unlearned; go to Master More, and learn a new way. We be not most miserable, though we rise not again; for our souls go to heaven as soon as we are dead, and are there in as great a joy as Christ that is risen again… I marvel that Paul had not comforted the Thessalonians with that doctrine, if he had wist it, that the souls of their dead had been in joy; as he did with the resurrection, that their dead should rise again. If the souls be in heaven, in as great glory as the angels, after your doctrine, show me what cause should be of the resurrection? (An answer to Sir Thomas More's Dialogue; Parker's 1850 reprint; book 4, chapter 4 pages 180-181).

Aunt Martha's Funeral
Before we look in on Aunt Martha's Funeral, let's review the Serpents words to Eve. She told the Serpent she'd die if she ate from the Tree. "And the serpent said unto the woman,Ye shall NOT surely die; For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil"  (Gen.3:4-5). Now, Pastor, let's look in on Aunt Martha's Funeral. Perhaps you've spoken at a Funeral, and possibly used similar words: 
  • “Before she died, Aunt Martha lost her vision, but now her eyes are opened. She’s now billions of light years away in her Heavenly mansion as she looks all the way back here and sees each of you in this chapel. She feels your love and hears your thoughts! She's sending her Spirit to comfort each of you, as well as her many friends all around the world.”  
As we all know, only God can do all those things! Being in multiple places at once is called Omnipresence, and even angels, who actually are Spirits, cannot do this. We are going to assume that you do not believe, as some Christians do, that Aunt Martha could become our guardian angel. But such myths are being spread around. As you know, a huge portion of Christianity teaches that we can pray to various "Saints" that have died.  

Aunt Martha Comes Back to Visit Us 
Many Christians relate stories of their departed loved ones visiting them personally from time to time. So if our preachers are correct about Aunt Martha, then Satan spoke the truth when he said, "Ye shall not surely die." If Aunt Martha is able to do all, or any, of these things, the Serpent was right! Aunt Martha DID "become as a god." However, if the serpent lied, what about our preachers?

"Aunt Martha's" Message
If Aunt Martha is really dead, and not in an enhanced state in Heaven, and yet she appeared to us, could we assume it was her, or, should we KNOW it is a Demon? In a moment we will see from Scripture how God instructed Moses to make it a Hebrew Law that anyone practicing Witchcraft was to be put to death. In Old Testament times, a Witch had only one purpose, and that was to communicate with the so-called Dead. The reason the Witch was to be stoned was because she was NOT communicating with the Dead, but rather a Demon impersonating a dead person. Thus, if "Aunt Martha" comes to visit us, and it is NOT Aunt Martha, but a Demon, what should we suppose the thing is that Demon wants to tell us. In Revelation 18 we read about "Babylon," which is Antichrist's Last-Day False Church. In Verse 23 John tells how Babylon will be destroyed, and he tells the method Satan and Antichrist will use to deceive all nations. "For by thy (Babylon's) Sorceries (Witchcraft - Communing with Demons impersonation the Dead) were all Nations deceived!" 

Now back to "Aunt Martha's" visit. Satan will use millions of his Demons as they impersonate dead relatives in the Last Days. The Demon pretending to be Aunt Martha could say: "Dear Brothers and Sisters. Jesus sent me to tell you that this new world leader may look like an ordinary person, but he is actually Jesus Himself. He's preparing things for His Millennial Kingdom here on earth.  Brothers and Sisters, you MUST give him all of your support!" Then "Aunt Martha" would tell us everything Satan wants us to believe, in order for us to be deceived into becoming a part of Antichrist's Babylon World Church. A key part of "Aunt Martha's" message will be that the "Changed Times and Laws" (Dan.7:25) that this Wonderful World Leader has instituted are "Straight from the Throne of God Himself" and we must obey them!! And if we believe this REALLY is Aunt Martha, and if we believe that Jesus, Moses, and Paul sent her directly from Heaven, why would we doubt? "For by thy Soceries/Witchcraft were all Nations deceived." "And ALL the world wondered after (and worshiped) the Beast" (Rev.18:23; Rev.13:3).


What are Sorceries?
The words Sorcerie and Witchcraft are from the same Greek word, "pharmakeia." Around Halloween, we see cute little Witches on their cute little Brooms, and this is the way Satan wants us to see them; harmless! But watch any of the Movies and TV shows, and you'll see things a little closer reality. Even the comedy shows have Witches communing with supposedly dead people.


More Bible Warnings
There are many other Bible warnings concerning how Satan will use "Spirit Mediums" as his tool to draw people away from obeying God's Law.

Snakes and Dead Relatives
Satan's first and last Grand Delusions are the same. With Eve, he impersonated, probably possessed, a Serpent. His Last-Day Delusion will be dead relatives, dead friends, and famous individuals who've passed on. Could these cleverly disguised "dead" people repeat Satan's first lie in which he told Eve to Disobey God? Same lie, but from sweet little "Aunt Martha." Could it be that Scripture has already warned us about "Aunt Martha?" "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them who have familiar spirits [spirit mediums—claiming to communicate with the dead], and unto wizards (Ghost) that peep, and that mutter: Should not a people seek unto their God? Should they seek for the living to the dead? To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa.8:19-20). From every Biblical account involving communing with the so-called dead, disobeying God is always involved. Satan is obsessed with crafting Doctrines and Views that allow or demand disobedience to God!
"Familiar Spirit"
A person with a "Familiar Spirit" in Bible times would be called a "Spirit Medium" today. God said, "A man or a woman who hath a familiar spirit, or who is a wizard, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them" (Lev.20:27). "There shall not be found among you… anyone who useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch… or a consulter of familiar spirits, or a wizard or a necromancer" (Deut.18:10-11; See also Lev.19:31,20:6). All of these were communicators with the so-called "dead." Today, such people are given their own TV show. "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Ezk.22:18).

Dust to Dust 
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen.3:19).
When God said, "thou", did He mean the whole person? He could have said, "When thou diest, thou shalt leave thy body and the real thee shalt emerge in Paradise or Hell." Pastor, did God say it the way He meant to?

Scofield on - Sheol and Hades
The Scofield Bible is Pre-Trib's most widely accepted source. Following is Pre-Trib's position on Sheol and Hades. Pre-Trib says both are the same word. Sheol is Hebrew and Hades is Greek. In the Old Testament, the King James scholars translated Sheol as either Grave or Hell. Following is the opening statement and the ending statement from the Scofield Bible footnote for Habakkuk 2:5:
"Sheol is, in the Old Testament, the place to which the dead go"… "The Sheol of the Old Testament and the Hades of the New Testament are identical" (Scofield note under Hab.2:5).
Next is the note under Luke 16, the Rich Man and Lazarus:
"Though Sheol and Hades are sometimes translated 'grave', they never indicate a burial place but, rather, the state of the spirit after death" (Scofield Bible note under Lk.16).

Note the footnote says, "Sheol and Hades... never indicate a burial place, but rather the state of the spirit after death." Pre-Trib says the dead do not die, but the "spirit" or "soul" is immediately in Heaven or Hell where it is completely aware of its surroundings and, in either place, is fully able to think; in either place the person remembers God. 

"No Remembrance of Thee in Sheol" 
"For in death there is no remembrance of Thee; in the grave (Sheol) who shall give Thee thanks"(Ps.6:5). 
As anyone can see, something is not fitting together here. The Bible says there is no thinking, remembrance, or giving thanks in Sheol. If the Bible Verse had said there is no thinking or remembering in the burying chamber where the body is placed, it would be one thing. But the Psalmist very clear.

Pre-Trib on Sheol
If the Reader is a Pastor, you may already know, Pre-Trib says that, before Jesus died, all souls went to the same place; Sheol. Pre-Trib says it had 2-compartments; Paradise and Hell. They base this on the Rich Man and Lazarus. Pre-Trib says that, after Jesus died, the Paradise section of Sheol was then transferred to Heaven and the Hell section remained in the same place, somewhere deep beneath earth's surface. If this is correct, and all persons who died immediately awoke in Sheol, would not those in the Paradise section of Sheol "remember" the Lord and "thank" Him for sending them there instead of the hot portion? And those in the hot section wouldn't they "remember the Lord" and beg Him for mercy? But the Bible says, "For in death there is no remembrance of Thee; in the grave (Sheol) who shall give Thee thanks" (Psa.6:5). If we accept that the Bible is speaking of the "Grave," the chamber where dead person is placed, the Bible has no contradiction. Is that not the only way to harmonize Scripture? 

Rich Man and Lazarus
If the Reader is a Pastor, of course you've preached many stories about Lazarus and the Rich Man. Let's review several Scriptures, and as we do so, think of the details in the story/parable: "For in death there is no remembrance of Thee; in the grave (Sheol) who shall give Thee thanks" (Psa.6:5). "His Breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day, his THOUGHTS PERISH" (Ps.146:4)! "The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything" (Eccl.9:5), and, "For there is NO work, nor device, nor KNOWLEDGE, nor wisdom in the grave (Sheol) whether thou goest" (Vs.10).
If Jesus' story of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a real story; if it really happened and is not a Parable, then all 4 of the above Scriptures are completely WRONG! Not just a little "oops" wrong! These Bible texts are saying the complete OPPOSITE of truth!! If this is so, how can we feel safe that hundreds of other Bible texts are wrong also? Pastor, as you know, we can have 100% confidence in Scripture, and there are NO contradictions - NONE!!! 
Let's look at another Verse from Solomon: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it" (Eccl. 12:7). This appears to contradict the above verses. Let's look again at what the Psalmist David, Solomon's father, wrote: "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." If Scriptures appear to disagree, which seem to be the case here, we are the problem, not the Scriptures. The Hebrew word "ruwach," pronounced, roo`akh, is the word used for both Spirit and Breath in these Texts. "Ruwach" has a variety of meanings. Strong's Concordance includes, "breath, wind, air, tempest, whirlwind, cool, anger, courage, mind, and spirit." When God, "formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath (ruwach) of life; man became a living soul" (Gen.2:7). "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the (ruwach) spirit (breath of life) shall return to God who gave it" (Eccl.12:7).  
Pastor, we will always be fair and honest in every point, thus we must say  that there are certain Scriptures in which "ruwach" actually does mean spirit as in a living, thinking, entity.  For example, the "Holy Spirit" is the "Holy Ruwach." We simply must read the word "Ruwach" in the proper context.

Scofield Footnotes Concerning Solomon
The following passage was written by Solomon, and leaves no possible way for there to be any thinking or activity in Sheol. The Scofield Bible Footnotes tell us we CANNOT have any confidence in things Solomon wrote because, according to Scofield editors, Solomon was a wicked man. Solomon wrote: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave (Sheol) whither thou goest" (Eccl.9:10).
The Scofield Editors bypass this Bible Verse. They say Solomon wrote these words and he can't be trusted. They say it's like when Scripture records the words of Satan. Pastor, you may say, "No!! You're making this up!" Following is the Scofield note under the text:
"This statement is no more a divine revelation concerning the state of the dead than any other conclusion of the 'Preacher' (1:1) No one can quote 9:2 as a divine revelation. These reasonings of man apart from divine revelation are set down by inspiration just as the words of Satan (Gen.3:4;Job2:4;etc) are so recorded. But that life and consciousness continue between death and resurrection is directly affirmed in Scripture (Isa.14:9-11; Matt.22:32; Mk.9:43-48; Lk.16:19-31; 2Cor.5:6-8; Phil.1:21; Rev.6:9-11)" (Scofield Bible note under Eccl.9:10).
Are the words of Solomon the same as the words of Satan? How strange! Satan says, "Ye shall not surly die…your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods" (Gen.3:4-5). Should we reject Solomon’s Doctrine, and accept Satan’s Doctrine instead? Satan is a grand deceiver, for he has almost the whole of Christianity believing he is right and Solomon is wrong.

Thief on the Cross
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise" (Lk.23:43).
This seems a powerful statement for the Orthodox View, but we know Jesus never cast aside Truth, for any reason. Also punctuation as we know it was not in the original Greek text, so the comma wasn't there. Also the words were a continuous flow, thus pauses and ends of sentences were understood only by content. The King James translators added punctuation marks where they felt it would clarify the meaning in English. The text reads:"Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." It could be translated: "Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." If we look closer it becomes clear that, wherever the comma is placed, it  is impossible that Jesus and the Thief were together in Heaven that Friday.   
    If the Thief went to Heaven that same day, both he and Jesus must enter Paradise before sun set that Friday. A day ended and the next day began at sundown in Jewish time keeping. We don't know when the Thief died, but Jesus died that afternoon. The Orthodox View says, if the thief died that afternoon, he was instantly transferred to Heaven, but Jesus immediately awoke in Hell! Pastor, we never hear our Popular Preachers speak too much about it, but if Jesus took our punishment, the moment he died on the cross, He was immediately transferred to Hell, bellowing and screaming for mercy. Again if Orthodox is correct, Jesus stayed there till Sunday morning when His Soul returned to His body and He arose. Thus, if the thief awoke in Paradise and Jesus awoke in Hell, the thief and Jesus could NOT see each other in Paradise that day. Thus the words, "TODAY shalt thou be with Me in Paradise," was not what Jesus said.  If, however, Jesus died on the cross and went to Paradise for 3 days, He did NOT take our punishment at all. For a closer look at this, see “Did Jesus Endure Your Hell for You?” Now let's continue looking at what happened to the thief on the cross. 
Some have suggested that Jesus went to Heaven before descending into Hell. This seems unlikely because when Jesus met Mary immediately after His resurrection, He said to her, "Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father" (Jn.20:17). 
The most likely explanation is that the verse should read, "Verily I say unto you today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." This makes perfect sense, and agrees with all other Scripture.   
    Actually, it is not necessary to move the comma. Jesus could’ve really said, "You'll be with Me in Paradise TODAY." We need only to accept the Biblical definition of death that says, "In that very DAY his thoughts perish" (Ps.146:4; See Ps.6:5). If this Scripture is true, time is nothing, zero, in death. Thus, two thousand years would be but a moment. If the thief died that Friday afternoon, the very moment his life stopped, he would awake at the resurrection and meet the Lord in the air, at the Second Coming (1Thess.-17). Thus, for the thief, that very day—that Friday afternoon, the very moment he died, he would look up and see Jesus coming in the air to take him to Paradise!  Two thousand years could pass, but, for the thief, it would be the same day—the same minute. Wherever we place the comma or whatever we do with this passage, it does NOT nullify the plain truth from Scripture. Should we let Scripture say what it says and not what we wish it would say?
   
 Paul on Soul Sleep
This whole chapter is about, "Absent from the Body - Present with the Lord" (2Cor.5:8). And, it's found in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. There may be a reason Paul was not concerned that the Church might be confused by him writing,  "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent,  from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor.5:8)! Paul had previously written to the Corinthians explaining exactly his position about death. He clearly told them, as he did the Thessalonians, that Death is a "Sleep."
"Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (1Cor.15:51-52).
Pastor, have you ever read this Scripture and wanted to say, “But Paul, we already have immortality! We were born with it! We’ll be "changed" when we die! When we awake immediately in Heaven, we get a temporary body to accompany our souls until the Second Coming!”
    Paul prophesied that, "At the last trump… then (at that time) shall be brought to pass the saying, Death is swallowed up in victory." It is clear that the Orthodox view completely disagrees with Paul! Popular Preachers would say, "No Paul!! Death has already been swallowed up in victory! This is not something that happens when Jesus comes!"
Jesus and Lazarus
Was Lazarus asleep during those 4 days in the tomb, or was he enjoying Paradise? Jesus said he, "sleepeth" (Jn.11:11), and when His Disciples question Him, He explained. "Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead" (Vs.15). If Lazarus was in Paradise, would Jesus have said he "sleepeth?" If Lazarus had spent 4 days in Paradise, would he not have told everyone? Why does Scripture have no record of his adventure in Paradise? Could it be there was no story to tell?
    Pastor, you may still be saying, "How about absent from the body, present with the Lord."  Preachers hurl this text at all who dare to question their doctrine. Let's take another close look at this:

Absent From the Body = Present With the Lord
Lets' finish with a look at what Paul wrote that has caused such a stir. We've seen that Paul's true position is that people, "Sleep" till Jesus comes. We've seen that he does not dispute the Scriptures saying, "For in death there is no remembrance of Thee; in the grave (Sheol) who shall give Thee thanks" (Psa.6:5). "His Breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day, his THOUGHTS PERISH" (Ps.146:4)!  Always, when we think Paul is disagreeing with other Scripture, we need only to let him finish his sentence. Let's read the whole passage all the way through. A casual reading should be enough to clear up any confusion, but, if not, we will go through it afterwards thought by thought.
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, If so be that, being clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up in life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given to us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (For we walk by faith, not by sight); We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore, we labor that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2Cor.5:1-10). 

Of course Paul understood that time between death and resurrection will seem but a fleeting moment. If we go step by step through Paul's message above, there are clear illustrations that show he was not promoting what is now considered Orthodox. His use of such phrases as, "Mortality swallowed up in life," and "clothed" "unclothed" "house not made with hands" and "eternal in the Heavens," should make it clear what Paul is referring to.
  "Love Christ's Appearing"
When Paul knew he was going to be martyred, he wrote to Timothy the following: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but to all them who love His appearing" (2Tim.4:6-8). Paul said that he, along with all who love the appearing of Jesus the Righteous Judge, will receive a "crown of righteousness." Would it be safe to say that Paul knew he would die soon, and, because time is nothing for those who are asleep/dead, his very next moment would be the "Appearing of Jesus?" 
 
 Scriptures using "RUWACH"
"Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their (ruwach) breath, they die, and return to their dust" (Ps.104:29).
"And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the (ruwach) breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die" (Gen.6:17).
"And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the (ruwach) breath of life" (Gen.7:15).
"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the (ruwach) breath of His mouth" (Ps. 33:6).
"Let everything that hath (ruwach) breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord" (Ps.150:6).
"His (ruwach) breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish" (Ps.146:4).
  
Only God Has Immortality 
 "Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen" (1Tim.6:16-17).

 The Greek word for "immortality" is "aphtharsia", (pronounced, af-thar-see`-ah). The Greek word for, "immortal" is aphthartos", (pronounced, af`-thar-tos). The two words are used fifteen times in Scripture. If humans are naturally Immortal, one of these 15 uses would have referred to a human. None did so. 

Conclusion
Pastor, we have really only scratched the surface of Scriptures showing that we humans are not immortal at this time. One of the most common responses from those who have carefully studied this subject and concluded that the Bible does not support the so-called Orthodox view is as follows: "I just can't stand to think of my Mom and Dad laying there in that box in the cold ground all this time. I like to think of them in the presence of Jesus now." Let's be honest with ourselves and our congregations. Paul made it perfectly clear to the Thessalonians and the Corinthians that the resurrection at Christ's Coming is what they should comfort each other about.  This Author's Dad died in October of 1988. This Author is 73 at the present and is aware that he too will pass away. This Author is comforted knowing nthat when his Dad fell asleep that October evening in 1988, his very next thought, which will but a moment, will be when he and I will, "meet the Lord in the air, and so they shall ever be with the Lord!" It will be a Day that this Author is looking forward to more than words can tell!

Dear Reader, let's agree to make this subject a matter of deep Bible Study and Prayer. Thanks so much for your time and interest.
Your Brother in Christ
Walter C. Martin Jr.
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Check Our Other Blogsites:

Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Post-Tribulation Second Coming of Jesus
Will We Eat Pigs During the Millennium?

Planet Earth WILL be Destroyed After the 1000 Years!
New Jerusalem - How BIG is It?
Great White Throne Judgment Seat - When and Where
Christ's Kingdom - Millennial or EVERLASTING?

 Hell Fire
Is God Torturing People Now
Did Jesus Suffer ALL of Your Hell?
The Rich Man and Lazarus?
Death
The Dead - Dead or Alive - What is Death?
Did Jesus Die YOUR Death for You?
Will Satan Ever Die - Bible Says "YES!"
Testing Our Doctrine About Death
The Dead Stand Before Great White Throne Judgment Seat

 The Gnostics Attack the Sabbath
Were Gnostics Really Christian?
Were Gnostics Satan's Implants into the Church?
Is Gnosticism Alive and Well in Today's Churches
Church is Israel - Israel is Church
Is the Church Israel and Israel the Church?
Is the Bride of Jesus the 144 Thousand?
Did Jesus Offer the Jews a Millennial Kingdom in His Ministry?
Will New Jerusalem Sit in Israel? How Big is It?
Christ's REAL EVERLASTING Kingdom is for ALL Believers!

The Sabbath
Is it a Sin to Observe the Sabbath?
Is There a Connection Between the Rapture and the Sabbath?
Will the Sabbath Be Observed By God's People During the Tribulation?
Who REALLY Changed the Sabbath in Early Christianity?
Un-Answered and Un-Answerable Sabbath Questions For Popular Preachers
How to Test Your Doctrine Concerning the Sabbath

Heaven
Marriage in Heaven - Millennial Kingdom?
Strange Animal/Demons the Millennium?
Why Jesus Hasn't Come to Take Us To Heaven?
Teachers of Anomia (Law Annulling)
Good Ministers Teaching Against God's 10 Commandments?
Teaching of Anomia - The Reason Jesus Hasn't Come Yet?
Pre-Trib Rapture and Sabbath
Pre-Trib Rapture and the Sabbath?

Walter C. Martin Jr.
Everlasting Gospel Ministries

These are just a few of the questions we examine in our Websites.
Thank you, Dear Reader,  for checking them. Please feel free to give us your comments and feedback if you look at our Sites.  If you send us your questions or comments, we will try to answer and add your question to these Websites. We will Not give your name or E-Mail address to ANY ONE or ANY Church Group or Denomination! Nor will we send you ANY annoying E-Mails!! It is NOT our purpose to get you to withdraw from your present Church, but to invite you to present things you learn here to your Pastor and Friends.
Let's pray that God will continue sending His Holy Spirit to guide as we prepare for Jesus to come. Thank You!
Your Brother in Christ!
Walter C. Martin Jr
rify it. They do not. Nowhere in Scripture do we find the term, immortality of the soul. Not once do we find the word "immortal" or "immortality" used in speaking of unrepentant sinners who die. We only find immortality as an attribute of God and a future promise to the Redeemed.

Conclusion
When all is said and done, we must decide. If the Dead are not Dead, but more alive than when they were alive, the Bible is full of contradictions. If the Dead are Dead, sleeping till their resurrection, the Bible has No Contradictions on the subject of Death; NONE Whatsoever!

Thank you Dear Pastor, for your time and interest. Let's pray that God's Spirit will inspire us with the truth about this vital subject so that Satan will NOT be able to delude us in these last days of Earth's History. God promised we will know the truth if we truly see His Spirit!!
Your Brother in Christ
Walter C. Martin Jr.
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Check Our Other Websites:

Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Post-Tribulation Second Coming of Jesus
Will We Eat Pigs During the Millennium?

Planet Earth WILL be Destroyed After the 1000 Years!
New Jerusalem - How BIG is It?
Great White Throne Judgment Seat - When and Where
Christ's Kingdom - Millennial or EVERLASTING?

 Hell Fire
Is God Torturing People Now
Did Jesus Suffer ALL of Your Hell?
The Rich Man and Lazarus?
Death
The Dead - Dead or Alive - What is Death?
Did Jesus Die YOUR Death for You?
Will Satan Ever Die - Bible Says "YES!"
Testing Our Doctrine About Death
The Dead Stand Before Great White Throne Judgment Seat

 The Gnostics Attack the Sabbath
Were Gnostics Really Christian?
Were Gnostics Satan's Implants into the Church?
Is Gnosticism Alive and Well in Today's Churches
Church is Israel - Israel is Church
Is the Church Israel and Israel the Church?
Is the Bride of Jesus the 144 Thousand?
Did Jesus Offer the Jews a Millennial Kingdom in His Ministry?
Will New Jerusalem Sit in Israel? How Big is It?
Christ's REAL EVERLASTING Kingdom is for ALL Believers!

The Sabbath
Is it a Sin to Observe the Sabbath?
Is There a Connection Between the Rapture and the Sabbath?
Will the Sabbath Be Observed By God's People During the Tribulation?
Who REALLY Changed the Sabbath in Early Christianity?
Un-Answered and Un-Answerable Sabbath Questions For Popular Preachers
How to Test Your Doctrine Concerning the Sabbath

Heaven
Marriage in Heaven - Millennial Kingdom?
Strange Animal/Demons the Millennium?
Why Jesus Hasn't Come to Take Us To Heaven?
Teachers of Anomia (Law Annulling)
Good Ministers Teaching Against God's 10 Commandments?
Teaching of Anomia - The Reason Jesus Hasn't Come Yet?
Pre-Trib Rapture and Sabbath
Pre-Trib Rapture and the Sabbath?

Walter C. Martin Jr.
Everlasting Gospel Ministries

These are just a few of the questions we examine in our Websites.
Thank you, Dear Reader,  for checking them. Please feel free to give us your comments and feedback if you look at our Sites.  If you send us your questions or comments, we will try to answer and add your question to these Websites. We will Not give your name or E-Mail address to ANY ONE or ANY Church Group or Denomination! Nor will we send you ANY annoying E-Mails!! It is NOT our purpose to get you to withdraw from your present Church, but to invite you to present things you learn here to your Pastor and Friends.
Let's pray that God will continue sending His Holy Spirit to guide as we prepare for Jesus to come. Thank You!
Your Brother in Christ!
Walter C. Martin Jr
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