Showing posts with label eternal death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eternal death. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

On the Side of Salvation.


Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 

Children of wrath.  That sounds like us, doesn't it? And when we hear those words- children of wrath we kinda like the sound of it, don't we? It has a catchy ring to it, making us feel as if we are cool, tough, someone to be contended with, not easily mistreated, not wimpy and soft. Children of wrath is kind of like a group super hero name, and those children aren't going to take any nonsense from anyone.  Here in the context given in the Word of God it says by nature we are children of wrath - and the children of wrath walk in the lusts of their flesh, seeking to fulfil the desires of their flesh and mind- these are NOT good things, these are not super hero attributes at least not on a God desired level. On a Satan level, yes, they are welcomed attributes. Satan, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit of disobedience, the one to whom all who are dead in their sins and trespasses obey knowingly or unknowingly.

We are all children of wrath by nature until we are quickened by our Savior. Our natural propensities will be towards evil, towards self-serving, towards contention, towards upset and Satan will do all he can to instigate this nature in us. Being a child of wrath is being Satan's child and all too many today embrace this even knowingly.

God who truly is rich in mercy, loving us with great love knowing our natural state as children of wrath, has given us His Son and through His Son we are given a new life- no longer to be among the children of wrath, ruled by Satan.

God, through the grace of our Lord and Savior has offered us a new life as His children. God wants to save us from Satan, from our natural state of wrath. God wants us to be raised up in our lives even right now here on earth, God wants us to realize that when Jesus Christ was raised from the grave we were raised with Him- no longer under the death sentence of sin. We live with Christ in us, and Christ is in heaven ministering there for us- we are there with Him. Christ is living on our behalf right now! We are saved by His grace. We can't deserve it, we can only believe it is so. If we stop and question how it can be possible when we still feel as if we are under the heavy yoke of Satan's wrath, then we are trying to figure out a way on our own to be released from the death sentence. We have to trust that Christ is working that all out for us, saving us through His grace, not through our ability to defeat Satan- He defeated Satan for us.

Choosing Christ Jesus doesn't take us out of the battle, but it puts us on the side of salvation. Choosing Jesus, choosing through it all to believe that He will work the good works in us.

God forgive us for falling so far short of being the love you would have us be so others witness Your love not our bitterness. Do in us all we cannot do ourselves and if there is something we need to do, please, Lord, please help us to do that, keep us from evil in all its many forms.

We are saved through grace, help us to live saved in Christ Jesus, and any works we do that are acceptable to Him, let all the glory go to HIM, because we are by nature children of wrath and we don't want to be! We want to belong to Jesus Christ living for Him, living with Him in us always! Please!

Thank you! All glory, honor and praise to You Lord, to You Father, to You Holy Spirit now and forever!!!!!!!

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Fear of Death.


Heb_2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

We are in bondage to death. Bondage-  a few dictionary definitions are -

  1. Slavery - the condition of being enslaved.
  2. Restriction- the condition of being controlled by something that limits freedom.

The verse above talks about delivering those who through FEAR OF DEATH are all their lives subject to that FEAR, they are enslaved to that FEAR, they are controlled by that FEAR of death knowing it is inevitable.

I want to talk a little bit about the fear of death because yesterday I came closer to that fear than I'd ever been before. I swallow a large vitamin pill the wrong way and it was stuck in my throat and I truly thought I might die. As my son rushed me to the ER, I kept saying and thinking, 'I DON'T WANT TO DIE.' Yes, you might sit there all comfy with your non-pill stuck throat and think, well if she can talk she's not choking. Wrong and right. I was as close as you can come to choking without choking, a moment away from that pill possibly moving and blocking off my air way as it lodged there in my throat with my throat contraction over and over trying to dislodge it. The woman at the ER kindly explained to me AFTER the drama, that they kept me sipping hot water and then carbonated soda because 1- they keep that flap which decides which way to go- food or air - open to the food side so there is less chance of it heading towards the airway.  And 2 - it helps dissolve the pill.  Of course they monitored my oxygen the entire time too, just to be sure.

I was TERRIFIED.  As I entered the ER I expected instant care in my terrified state but that's another story for another time. I was terrified of dying. I felt as if I were on the edge of cliff with a fraying rope ready to break at any moment. Fear of death was right there! People say your life flashes before your eyes and maybe it does if you're a little closer to death than I was, who knows. I do know I prayed not to die, I prayed for God to help me. I thought about my family and not wanting to leave them. I thought about my cousin, who was six months younger than me who died tragically a few months ago. I asked God to use me for His purpose and please keep me living. My mind kept shouting, I DON'T WANT TO DIE!

Fear of death.  Maybe that verse doesn't mean the dramatic circumstance of possible imminent death, but the more broad sense of our inescapable outcome of inevitable dying over all.  We will all die. Unless our Savior returns during our lifetime, we will all die. Death is possible for each of us at any moment. We are subject to death, we are enslaved to death. The healthiest person alive will still die from something. Our bodies no matter how well they are kept up will wear out in time.

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 
Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

We can find deliverance from the permanence of death and this is our hope, yes? To be one day resurrected by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I suppose, and I could be very wrong, that having a terminal illness and slowly edging closer and closer to death- feeling your body breaking down, has to be terrifying as well. Does a reconciliation to death occur, a preparation as it draws closer? Does the terror remain? Does that longing to live remain right to the end, or is there a welcoming relief of being pain free, of struggling to keep living? I suppose it varies individually, and situationally.

Jesus will deliver us- people who truly are in bondage to the fear of death.

We are temporary beings in our flesh and blood and the only way we will ever truly be more than temporary beings is if we have faith in salvation through Jesus Christ.  Jesus was in fear of death…

Mar 14:34  And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 
Mar 14:35  And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 
Mar 14:36  And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 

Jesus did NOT want to die. He knew what was coming, and He PRAYED to the Father to be able to escape from what was to come. He didn't want to die! He resigned Himself to God's will and the cup that lay before Him to drink- the cup that meant His suffering and death, but He didn't want it.  Jesus also was subject to that fear of death we are all subject to, and His overcoming death is the hope we have to cling to as we acknowledge death at any time during our own lives. Whether it is through a sudden, unexpected fearful experience such as the one I had, or a knowledge of death creeping over us slowly, we must have HOPE in Jesus Christ, that one day DEATH WILL BE DESTROYED!

Heb_2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil

He has the POWER to DESTROY the ONE WHO BROUGHT DEATH INTO OUR LIVES- the Devil!

1Co 15:54  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. 
1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 
1Co 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 
1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

Death will be swallowed up in victory, the victory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! 

All praise, glory and honor unto our Savior, now and forever!!!!!!!

Thank you, Lord, thank you, Father, and thank you Holy Spirit!

Thank you for keeping me alive, and please, please use me for Your purposes whatever they may be!

Saturday, November 2, 2019

STRIVE to Enter In At the Strait Gate


Forever before us is the gospel. The good news, and that good news is one of salvation. What is salvation? It is being saved from the life of hopelessness. It is a realization that something went terribly wrong in this world. It's the knowledge that things are not how they are supposed to be. It is recognizing that a flaw exists and because the flaw exists there must be a correction, a fixing of the flaw, a doing away with the flawed so the fixed can take its place. We need to recognize the need to be saved before we can be saved.

There are many people in the world that are resigned to their existence and the existence of others around them, and the existence of those to yet be born, and they believe this is just how it is and can be no different. 

History to them has proven time and time again a striving by mankind to improve how things are and they believe it will forever be a striving until hopefully one day, somehow things will fall into place and everyone will find a peaceful existence.

I personally recognize that this world as a whole is extremely messed up. There are not too many people (at least among the sane and logical) that would say this world is a perfect place, that all is right in our world.

From the gravest of grand scale tragedies, to the tiniest private heartbreak- there is no possible way that all is as it should be in our world.

Salvation offers the hope of that perfect existence, one which we can all share in should we choose.

I lay before you the Word of God and found in the Word of God is the knowledge of the truth, the hope of Salvation from this evil existence.

The way that is right must be the way offered by God to us all, and we must take heed to His way given to us through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

An entire way of life is outlined in the Word of God, and should we pick out only the bits and pieces that sound good to us we are in danger of being caught up in deception.  Too many claim the title of Christian and fall far short of recognizing what a true Christian life is. To be a Christ follower is to do just that, follow Christ and Christ's way. To follow Christ's way you have to know Christ's way, and once you know Christ's way if you veer from following His way, you can no longer truly lay claim to the title Christian. Daily sacrifice, daily recognition of our need of salvation, of repentant, of forgiveness, daily putting God first, others second and ourselves last. A Christian has a daily walk following Christ's way, not a weekly way, not a monthly way, not a yearly way- but a daily forever walk, a striving to enter the narrow way all through Christ.

Pro 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 
Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

Luk 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 
Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 
Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 
Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 
Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 
Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 
Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Lam 3:40  Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. 

Eze 18:27  Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 
Eze 18:28  Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 

1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 
1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 
1Co 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 
1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 
1Co 11:32  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 

Rev 3:2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 
Rev 3:3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 


Sunday, October 27, 2019

Are You A Spiritual Baby?


1Co_13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Grown men and women can be like babies.  This isn't news to us on a secular level. We all know very immature people we don't believe will ever 'grow up'. Physically they may have been mature since they were 13 years old (younger or older than that but not by too much). Mentally, emotionally, behaviorally they continue well into adulthood to act like babies, children.

In the above passage it sites that children will speak like children, understand like children, think as children- we should expect no less from them because they are children. However, once a child grows into adulthood we expect them to stop speaking like a child, stop understanding like a child, stop thinking like a child and think like adults.

Every single adult knows that children are filled with a lot of silly notions about things - a monster under the bed for example. Not a single adult will fear an imaginary monster under their bed- their minds have matured to rationalize the scary monster imagined is just that- imaginary. The child's mind falls short of that rationality and night after night their imagination makes the monster real enough to be extremely fearful of its reality.  As the child grows the ability to separate the real from the unreal, the imaginary from the reality, will take place.

There may be exceptions to the rule, but that is usually due to mental, emotional handicaps not those who lack such disability.

Heb 5:11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 
Heb 5:12  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 
Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Growing up into adulthood we are expected to increase our knowledge as a natural course of living. Even the unschooled have a natural increase of knowledge through life experience. One might not have book learning but they could have great skill in a trade, great skill in the ways of making a living off the land and such. Knowledge increases as we mature from babies to adults.

When a certain age is reached one can refuse to mature, preferring their life of childhood- of being taken care of rather than caring for, playing rather than working, leaving responsibility to others not to themselves. When a person chooses this course they've deliberately chosen to stunt their maturity.

Spiritually we can choose to stop learning, we can choose to dull our own understanding. We can take all the things we learned as children, as those new to the word of God, and stop our spiritual life right there in the comfort of the things taught to children. We can choose to believe in fables over reality, we can hold fast to traditions passed down to us that have no place in the truth of God's word. We can close our minds off to comprehension because we feel comfortable with the snuggly blanket of our youth. We would rather forever drink milk that is the only thing infants can process in their bodies, than stop drinking babies milk and start eating real solid food- spiritually speaking.

1Co_13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Children are supposed to grow up.
We are supposed to desire meat over milk.
Yet some refuse both.
Their spiritual life is set in the stone of stunted beliefs, so when they are given an opportunity to grow they refuse outright.

The following long, worthwhile article is filled with spiritual meat and demands a deep dive into the word of God. If you're not prepared to study in depth, to open God's word, to search it deeply for meaning beyond superficial feel good, conscience soothing verses, then read no further.  I want you to prepare to SEARCH, to read every verse given, to pray so hard for understanding like you've never prayed before. Pray for the blinders to come off your eyes, pray for your ears to be unstopped so you can hear, beg for spiritual comprehension, for the enlightenment that can only come from the Holy Spirit. I do not want you to read the article below (not written by me but another) unless you are truly seeking to be led by God, not by preconceived notions. The Pharisees of old refused to see any truth in Jesus, they were blinded by their own beliefs taught to them from generation to generation. They refused to believe because they held fast to their upbringing and stopped seeking spiritual truth. They were filled with the milk of their ancestors teachings and never moved on to the meat of salvation in Christ.

God help us all seek truth and only truth, hard truth over anything easy to digest if it means us knowing all God would have us know, and us no longer being spiritual babies refusing to grow up.


*******
The Rich Man and Lazarus

Much argument has taken place over whether the words of Jesus in Luke 16:19-31 were intended to be understood literally or as a parable. Some Christians feel that in this story, Jesus was offering His hearers a glimpse of what existence in the afterlife is like. Others, citing numerous passages of Scripture that seem to contradict the portrayal of heaven and hell contained in this passage, feel that Jesus was teaching an altogether different kind of lesson. Unfortunately, many modern religious teachers have isolated the story from its original context and used it as a device for scaring people. Religious “conversions” resulting from a fear of hell as it is depicted in this passage have indeed occurred, but are based on a foundation sorely in need of the strength that comes only from a genuine appreciation of God’s character and a proper understanding of Scripture. To begin this study, we’ll take a closer look at just what a parable really is, and then examine the setting in which Jesus told this story. Perhaps then we will better understand what lessons there are for us in the story of the rich man and Lazarus.

The Random House College Dictionary describes a parable as “a short, allegorical story designed to convey a truth or moral lesson.” Cruden’s Complete Concordance further expands this concept, saying that parables in the Bible were used “more generally than elsewhere.” We know that the Bible writers used situations both imaginary—as in the trees asking the bramble to be king over them (Judges 9:8-15)—and realistic in parables. Whatever form the parable took, it was only a vehicle for the moral lesson being taught.

Jesus recognized the value of parables in teaching the people. He desired to stimulate their deepest thought and contemplation, and He knew that if He spoke too literally, certain of His hearers would quickly forget His words. Not only that, but others, for whom certain of His parables contained stern rebuke, would be so angered by straight speaking that they would attempt to silence Him by violence. Wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove, Jesus recalled the words of Isaiah 6:9 and told His disciples, “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” Luke 8:10. Cruden’s Concordance explains: “Our Saviour in the gospels often speaks to the people in parables. He made use of them to veil the truth from those who were not willing to see it. Those who really desired to know would not rest till they had found out the meaning.”

It is appropriate here to ask to whom Jesus was speaking in Luke 16:19-31. Which category of people was He dealing with? The last verse before Jesus’ voice begins in this passage tells us. Verse 14 says, “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, a class of men who were notorious all through the Gospels for their refusal to deal honestly with Him and the truths He taught.

We can be sure that of all the people Jesus taught, none were handled more guardedly than the wily Pharisees. They dealt in deception and subterfuge, but Jesus dealt with them wisely and truthfully. The safest way for Him to do this was by parable and allegory. Evidence that they did not understand many of His teachings can be found in Jesus’ prayer in Luke 10:21, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hath revealed them unto babes.” Mark 4:33, 34 clearly shows that Jesus’ lessons were almost invariably couched in parables: “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them: as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them; and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.”

Now we are ready to examine the story of the rich man and Lazarus itself, and try to ascertain the real message Jesus was seeking to convey through it.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21.

Who was the symbolic rich man? The Jews had been blessed above measure by a knowledge of God and his plan of salvation for all mankind. They had received “the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.” Romans 9:4. Only a Jew would pray to “Father Abraham,” as we find the rich man doing later in the story. The Jewish nation was clearly represented by this character.

By contrast, Lazarus symbolized all those people in spiritual poverty—the Gentiles—with whom the Israelites were to share their heritage. The words of Isaiah were well known to the Jews. “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6.

Unfortunately, the Jews had not shared their spiritual wealth with the Gentiles at all. Instead, they considered them as “dogs” that would have to be satisfied with the spiritual crumbs falling from their masters’ tables. The metaphor was known. Jesus had used it before in testing the faith of the Canaanite woman. “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” She responded accordingly: “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ tables.” Matthew 15:26, 27.

The rich Jews had hoarded the truth, and in so doing, they had corrupted themselves. Only moments before relating this parable, Jesus had rebuked the Pharisees for their spiritual conceit. “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15. What was to be the result of this terrible conceit?

“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Luke 16:22-26.

The Jews had enjoyed “the good life” while on earth but had done nothing to bless or enrich their neighbors. No further reward was due. “Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger.” Luke 6:24, 25.

Conversely, the poor in spirit, symbolized by Lazarus, would inherit the kingdom of heaven. The Gentiles who hungered and thirsted after righteousness would be filled. The “dogs” and sinners, so despised by the self-righteous Pharisees, would enter heaven before they would. “Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Matthew 21:31.

The parable concludes with the rich man begging for his brethren to be warned against sharing his fate. Asking Abraham to send Lazarus on this mission, he alleges “if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” Luke 16:30. Abraham replies, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Verse 31.

Jesus thus rebuked the Pharisees for their disregard of the Scriptures, foreseeing that even a supernatural event would not change the hearts of those who persistently rejected the teachings of “Moses and the prophets.” The miracle of raising the real-life Lazarus from the dead soon afterward confirmed the accuracy of Jesus’ conclusion. One did rise from the dead, yet the brothers of the “rich man” did not repent. In fact, the Pharisees even plotted to kill Lazarus after his resurrection. His very life was a reminder to them of their own hypocrisy.

Today many Christians believe that the story of the rich man and Lazarus is a historical account of two individuals’ literal experiences in the afterlife. Based on this belief, some people teach that those who are consigned to the fiery torments of hell will never stop burning throughout all eternity. As with the parable of the trees and the bramble (Judges 9:8-15), however, serious problems arise with a literal interpretation of the story elements.

Can we believe that all the saints are even now gathered in Abraham’s bosom? If they are, in whose bosom does Abraham rest? And if there is really a great gulf fixed between heaven and hell, how could the rich man possibly have been heard by Abraham? Perhaps more disturbing, how could the saints enjoy the comforts of heaven while enduring the cries of the wicked being tormented?

Another dilemma that arises with a literal interpretation of this story could be called “the mystery of the empty graves.” If this is taken literally, apparently neither of the two leading characters spent very long in the grave—both being whisked away rather quickly to their respective places of reward. Their bodies obviously came along, for we find the rich man lifting up his eyes, and desiring to have his tongue cooled by a drop of water from the finger of Lazarus who was resting, as we have seen, in Abraham’s bosom. Enough graves have been exhumed in recent years to know that the bodies of the deceased are carried neither to heaven or hell after burial. They finally turn to dust and await the resurrection.

From these few examples, we begin to see that in this parable, Jesus was not trying to explain the physical realities of the afterlife. Instead, He was referring to the unfaithfulness of the Jews regarding their assigned responsibility. As stewards of the special message of truth, they utterly failed to share it with the Gentiles, who were eager to hear it. In fact, the entire chapter of Luke 16 is devoted to the subject of stewardship.

Beginning in verse one, Christ gave another parable about stewardship of money or property. “There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.” After dealing with the principle of being entrusted with material goods, Jesus opened up the issue of being entrusted with the truth. By the parable of another rich man, He graphically illustrated how they had proven just as unfaithful with spiritual riches as the steward had been unfaithful with physical wealth.

To attempt to stretch the parable of the rich man and Lazarus to cover the doctrine of hellfire is to miss the point Jesus intended to convey. The Bible speaks with unmistakable clarity on the subject of hell in many other places. Nowhere do the Scriptures teach that the wicked will continue to suffer in the fires of hell through the ceaseless ages of eternity. Rather, they will be utterly destroyed. Jesus never would have compromised the integrity of the Holy Scriptures by teaching a doctrine contrary to its own overwhelming testimony on the subject.

The truth about hell may be ascertained by examining even a few of the many Bible texts that speak directly on the subject. Before examining these, however, we must remember that “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.” Romans 6:23. There are only two alternatives for every soul. Those who accept Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice will live forever; those who do not accept Jesus will die. If the wicked suffered without end, eternal life—however painful—would be theirs. But we know that eternal life is available only to those who accept Jesus.

Consider these clear texts of Scripture that speak of the reward of the wicked: “But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.” Psalm 37:20.

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1.

“And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 4:3.

“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.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8.

Many other texts could be cited, but these clearly illustrate that the ultimate fate of the wicked is death. Notice that the Scriptures choose the strongest possible words to describe the complete annihilation of the wicked. In no way should these clear words be misunderstood by one who honestly desires to know truth. There is a fire reserved for the wicked, but a fire so hot it will utterly destroy all who are engulfed by it. When the fire has done its work, it will go out. Eternally burning fire is not taught anywhere in the Bible—not even in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. (Some people have wondered what the expression “for ever” means in the usage of Revelation 20:10. Other similar passages demonstrate this merely to mean as long as a person lives. See Exodus 21:6; 1 Samuel 1:22; Jonah 2:6, etc. Also, the expression “eternal fire” may be understood in terms of consequences rather than duration, as in the example of Sodom and Gomorrha in Jude 7).

It would be tragic to miss the actual point of the parable by removing it from the setting in which Jesus gave it. Let’s accept the lesson He was trying to teach and apply it to our own lives. Are we doing all we can to spread the message of salvation to others? Do we have a genuine love for those around us, and have we invited them to share our spiritual inheritance? If we hoard our riches, like the Jews of old, we will become self-righteous and corrupt. In contrast, by active, loving service, our relationship with Christ as well as with others will become stronger and more meaningful.

Let us not make scary stories the basis of our Christian experience. Instead, let us understand that “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.

Some Difficult Texts Explained

1 Samuel 28:14: “And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.”

This spiritualistic séance has been cited as evidence for life after death. However, here are points to the contrary:
  1. Wizards had been sentenced to death and banned from the land (verse 3; Leviticus 20:27).
  2. God had left Saul and would not communicate with him (verse 15).
  3. Samuel was supposedly “brought up.” Other expressions: “ascending out of the earth,” “Cometh up,” and “Bring … up.” Is this where the righteous dead are—down in the earth? Not according to those who believe in the immortal soul. 4. Samuel is described as “an old man covered with a mantle.” Is this the way immortal souls appear? And where did the soul get the body? They’re supposed to be disembodied. Was there a resurrection? Did God obey the beck and call of the witch, and raise up Samuel? If not, can Satan raise the dead?
  4. The apparition of Samuel told Saul, “Tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me.” Saul committed suicide on the battlefield the next day. Where did Samuel dwell, if the wicked Saul was to go to the same place?
  5. The record never says that Saul saw Samuel. He received his information as second hand from the witch, and only concluded it was Samuel from her description. The truth is that the devil deceived the dissolute old woman, and she deceived Saul. It was nothing more than a devil-generated séance.
  6. The enormity of Saul’s sin is revealed in these words, “So Saul died for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; And inquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him.” 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14.

Matthew 10:28: “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.”

Jesus clearly teaches in this text that the soul is not naturally immortal. It can and will be destroyed in hell. But what does He mean about killing the body, but not the soul? Is it possible for the soul to exist apart from the body? Some say it is, but the Bible indicates otherwise.

The Greek word “psuche” has been translated “soul” in this text, but in forty other texts it has been translated “life.” For example, Jesus said, “Whosoever will lose his life [psuche] for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:25. Obviously, “psuche” could not mean soul in this instance, or people could be said to lose their soul for Christ’s sake. It is properly translated “life.”

But what of Matthew 10:28? Put in the word “life” instead of “soul” and the text makes perfect sense in its consistency with the rest of the Bible. The contrast is between one who can take the physical life, and He who can take away eternal life. Here is proof in the words of Jesus: “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell.” Luke 12:4, 5.

In other words, the word “soul” here means not only life, but also eternal life. Notice that Luke says everything just like Matthew except that he does not say “kills the soul.” Instead, he says, “cast into hell.” They mean the same thing. Men can only kill the body and take away the physical life. God will cast into hell and take away eternal life. Not only will their bodies be destroyed in that fire, but also their lives will be snuffed out for all eternity.

Matthew 25:46: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

It is well to notice that Jesus did not say that the wicked would suffer “everlasting punishing.” He said “everlasting punishment.” What is the punishment for sin? The punishment is destruction, and it is of eternal duration (2 Thessalonians 1:9). In other words, it is a destruction which never ends, because there will be no resurrection from that destruction.

Paul says, “the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. John describes that death as “the second death” in Revelation 21:8. That death or destruction will be eternal.

Mark 9:43, 44: “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

In this verse, the word “hell” is translated from the Greek word “Gehenna,” which is another name for the Valley of Hinnom just outside the walls of Jerusalem. There the refuse and bodies of animals were cast into an ever-smoldering fire to be consumed. Maggots that fed on the dead bodies were constantly destroying what might escape the flames. Gehenna symbolized a place of total destruction.

Jesus taught in this verse that the fire of hell could not be quenched or put out by anyone. Isaiah said, “They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame.” Isaiah 47:14. Yet, he hastened to say in the same verse, “There shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before it.” So the unquenchable fire will go out after it has finished its work. Jerusalem burned with unquenchable fire (Jeremiah 17:27) yet it was totally destroyed (2 Chronicles 36:19-21).

The flames and worms of Gehenna represented the total annihilation and obliteration of sin and sinners. With the fires of Gehenna burning before their eyes, Jesus could not have spoken a more graphic word to the Pharisees to describe the final total destruction of sinners.

Those who cite this text to support their doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul are thrown into a real dilemma. Why? Because the fire and worms are working, not upon disembodied souls, but bodies! In Matthew 5:30 Christ said, the “whole body” would be cast into hell.

In Isaiah 66:24, the same Gehenna picture of hell is presented with the unquenchable flame and the destroying worms. But in this case, the word “carcasses” is used, revealing the fact that the fire consumes dead bodies, not disembodied souls.

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

Some have assumed from this verse that souls go to their reward immediately after death, contrary to scores of other Bible texts. But notice two things wrong with this assumption. First, even though Jesus told the thief, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise,” three days later He told Mary that He had not yet ascended to His Father. Here is the evidence that His Father was in Paradise: Revelation 2:7 says the tree of life “is in the midst of the paradise of God,” and Revelation 22:1, 2 describes the tree of life by the side of the river of life which flows, in turn, from the throne of God. So there is no question about Paradise being where the Father’s throne is located. The question is: How could Jesus tell the thief that he would be with Him in Paradise that day, when He did not go there until three days later?

In the second place, Jesus and the thief did not even die on the same day. When the soldiers came just before sunset to take the bodies off the cross, Jesus was already dead (John 19:32-34). The thieves were very much alive, and their legs were broken to hasten death and to prevent them from escaping. They undoubtedly lived on past sunset into the hours of the Sabbath and possibly longer. So how could Jesus assure the thief of being with Him in Paradise that day when they did not both die on “that day”?

The apparent contradictions clear up when we consider that the punctuation of Luke 23:43 was added by uninspired men when our English Bible was translated. They placed a comma before the word “today,” when in reality it should have been placed after “today.” Then the verse would correctly read, “Verily I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise.” In other words, Jesus was saying, “I give you the assurance today, when it seems I can save no man; today when my own disciples have forsaken me and I’m dying as a criminal dies—yet I assure you of salvation right now.”

Please notice that the thief did not ask to be taken to Paradise then. He asked, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” That’s exactly when he will be remembered and taken into that Kingdom.

2 Corinthians 5:6, 8: “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: … We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

In verses 1-8, Paul is contrasting the present mortal state with the future immortal life in heaven. Notice the expressions he uses for the two conditions:

Mortal
Immortal
earthly house
building of God
this tabernacle
house not made with hands
mortality
our house from heaven
in the body
absent from the body
absent from the Lord
present with the Lord

He also speaks of being clothed with “our house which is from heaven,” (verse 2) and again, he longs “that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” Verse 4. But the key to the entire discourse lies in the description of a third condition. After desiring to be clothed upon with immortality, Paul states that “being clothed we shall not be found naked.” Verse 3. Putting it yet another way, he said, “not for that we would be unclothed.” Verse 4.

Clearly, the naked or unclothed state was neither mortality nor immortality, but death and the grave. Paul realized that one did not pass instantly from being clothed with this tabernacle into being clothed with our house from heaven. Death and the grave came in between, and he referred to it as being unclothed and naked.

In another text, Paul spelled out exactly when that change from mortality would take place. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, 53 he wrote, “The trumpet shall sound and this mortal must put on immortality.” That will be when Jesus comes.

1 Peter 3:18-20: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”

There has been considerable misunderstanding of these verses of Scripture. It has been preached that Christ actually descended into the lower regions of the earth and preached to lost souls that were imprisoned in some purgatory or limbo.

This is very far from what the text actually says. Let’s look at it closely now and get the real message of these verses. It says that Christ suffered once for sin that He might bring us to God by being put to death in the flesh. But He was quickened by the Spirit by which also He went and preached.

First of all, notice how Christ preached to those spirits in prison. He did it by the Spirit, and that word is capitalized in your Bible. It actually refers to the Holy Spirit. So whatever Christ did in preaching during this period of time, He did it through or by the Holy Spirit.

With that in view, let’s ask this: When was the preaching done? The answer is plainly given in verse 20, “When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing.” So, the preaching was actually done while the ark was being built—during the preaching of Noah to that antediluvian world. Now, one more question: To whom was the preaching done? The text says here “to the spirits in prison.” Throughout the Bible, we find this terminology used in describing those who are bound in the prison house of sin. David prayed, “Bring my soul out of prison.” Psalm 142:7. Paul spoke of his experience in these words: “bringing me into captivity to the law of sin.” Romans 7:23.

What Peter is telling us here is simply that Christ through the Holy Spirit was present while Noah preached; Christ was there through the Holy Spirit to speak conviction to their hearts and appeal to them to come into the ark. There is absolutely nothing here that indicates that Jesus departed from the body during the time He was dead to go to any subterranean place to minister to wicked spirits. The three questions are clearly answered in the text itself, that He preached by the Holy Spirit, He did it while the ark was being prepared, and He did it to the spirits in prison or to those individuals whose sinful lives were bound in the prison house of sin.

Revelation 14:10, 11: “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” The words “for ever” do not necessarily mean “without end.” In fact, the Bible uses the term 56 times (“for ever” can be found in your biblical concordance under “ever”) in connection with the things that have already ended. In Exodus 21:1-6 the Hebrew servant was to serve his master “for ever,” but it was obviously only as long as he lived. Hannah took her son Samuel to God’s house to abide “for ever,” but she plainly limited that time to “as long as he liveth.” 1 Samuel 1:22, 28.

The term is very clearly defined in Psalm 48:14, “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” The desolation of Edom was to continue “for ever and ever.” Isaiah 34:10. Christ is called “a priest for ever” (Hebrews 5:6), yet after sin is blotted out Christ’s work as a priest will end. The Bible states, “The wicked … shall be destroyed for ever.” Psalm 92:7.


From <https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/71/t/the-rich-man-and-lazarus#Some-Difficult-Texts-Explained>



Saturday, October 26, 2019

Are You Wearing Satan's Blinders?


God is spirit.

Joh_4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God did not make us in spirit form.

God made angels in spirit form.

Psa_104:4  Who maketh his angels spirits

God created us out of the dust of the earth.

God put the first breath in our lungs which infused our entire being with life. We cannot live without air in our lungs, without air infusing our body.

Gen_2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The first body created out of dust was lifeless as it lay there on the ground. There was no thought in the newly created brain, why? Because there was no breath of life in the body. God did not separately created another being made of spirit with the same brain as that in the lifeless body and merge them later intending to divide the two when the body ceased to function. There is no mention of such a thing at all in the Word of God.

Why would death be considered a punishment for separating ourselves from God's will if it isn't a punishment but rather a transition to another way of life?

What makes death a punishment?
What makes death an unwanted state of being?

God did not tell Adam and Eve if they sinned and ate of the fruit from that single tree then they would enter a new phase of living, and a good one at that if they were sorry for what they did.

God did not say He would strip them of their flesh, but let them continue living in spirit form.

Adam without the breath of life in his dust created body was not alive in anyway at all. The body lying there did not breathe, he did not have a single thought in his head, there was no awareness of anything, no heart beating. Adam was a husk made of dirt until God breathed life into Him awakening his entire body and all its miraculous attributes. The breath of God entered and Adam's lungs filled, his heart beat that first of many continuous beats, his brains sparked to life waking from the nothingness just as our brains do when we wake from being asleep.

Think about it, wouldn't living on after death in any form make us immortal beings? If our thoughts which make us each unique to ourselves are unending, that makes us immortal, yes? Not immortal flesh but immortal in spirit. Yet there is no mention of us being able to live on as spirit beings after death. We are not given any immortality not until Jesus returns.

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMP: for the trumpet shall sound, and the DEAD SHALL BE RAISED incorruptible, and we SHALL BE CHANGED. 
1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY.

Again, I have to ask, why is death considered a punishment if you believe that you transition from flesh to spirit form instantly upon your body dying?

God could have said 'in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely lose your flesh body and there will be a physical divide between you and those who haven't lost their flesh bodies, at least until they lose their flesh body too and join you.'

God said-

Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 

Die. As if it's something not to desire, yet who wouldn't want to desire a spirit existence over a pain fill physical existence?

Die. As if it's something to dread and shun at all cost.

God most assuredly did not give a word of warning as a pleasantry.

Eat of every tree- do this- eat of every single tree in the garden BUT…

Do NOT eat from this one tree.

DON'T DO THIS ONE THING.

Why shouldn't they want to do this thing, what was the deterrent to doing this? Punishment.

God was giving them an unending existence it was theirs for the taking. God was there in the garden with them, communicating with them.  However, God told them that unending existence would end if they disobeyed His direction.

Life or death.

Living or dying.

And if dying isn't the end of living, what is it?

God held out hope to the couple AFTER they chose to die, and that is what they did when they did the very thing God told them not to do, they chose death.

Gen 3:14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 
Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 

A hatred would be placed between humanity that belongs to God and the humanity that belongs to Satan, and that hatred would ultimately destroy Satan even as Satan hurts the humanity belonging to God.

The hope held out to Adam and Eve along with their future descendants was for the ultimate destruction of the one who caused the disobedience to God's command.  The hope was that there would be those who belong to God, who lived with a hatred for Satan.

Meanwhile… until that destruction…

Gen 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 
Gen 3:17  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 
Gen 3:18  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 
Gen 3:19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 

They would continue to live until such a time they returned to the ground.

Where?

Until they return to the ground… until they returned to dust.

What would they be?

Dust.

Could it be any clearer?

Did God say… they would eat until they split from their flesh body and lived on in spirit form, like Him?

They were told they would return to dust because they were created out of dust. They were NEVER told they would return to dust but live in heaven in spirit form, not once!  What God said sounded awful. Being returned to dust after a lifetime of hardship all because they chose not to obey God but to obey Satan.  A drastic punishment for a drastic action.

However, there was that hope left to them of Satan being destroyed at some point, but for now they would suffer in their dust created bodies, and then return to the dust they came from, their body no longer maintaining a shape but ultimately decayed to the very dust they were created from.

They would create more dust created creatures, and they too would live in a world where Satan would ultimately be destroyed. The destruction of Satan meant hope for the end of evil, the end of what caused disobedience between the creature and Creator. The end of the separator between God and man. The end of death.

Until then…

You will return to dust.

Now there is a punishment.

You will be dust.

Pickup a handful of dust from the ground… what is it? Does it think? Does it praise God? Does it have memories? Does it love? It's dirt.

You will have no form at all because you will be dust.

God even said this…

Gen 3:22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 
Gen 3:23  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 
Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. 

NO longer will man be allowed to eat from the tree that keeps him living forever. NO longer will man have access to what would keep him from turning back to dust.

So, tell me if God went to such great lengths to keep man from living forever, why would man continue to live after death? What would the point be? It is ludicrous to think there is immediate life after death, because then there is no death, no real downside.

Man wasn't told he'd be changing shape and get sent to a new location after he turned to dust.  If that was the case, the end of living wouldn't really be the end of living.

Jesus would have NO ONE to call out of the grave, NO ONE, if no one is in their graves.

Why people want to believe they don't turn to dust without any ability to think any longer is beyond my comprehension.

The alternative to not believing you return to dust- is believing you live on and then comes the whole where do you live on? Of course most believe they'll go to heaven, some believe they'll go to a place in-between heaven and a fearful burning forever place, a waiting penance filled place so they can earn their way to heaven, and some believe they'll go on to that fiery burning place. There are others who believe they just jump into another body and we are all just endlessly repeating people. Some believe they'll take on animal form, and so on and so forth. There are numerous beliefs for those choosing to believe they go on living after their bodies turn to dust.

All those beliefs are not of God though, they are lies from the very one who told Eve she would not die leading to the original sin of mankind.

Satan has wrapped up his grand lie in pretty packages and offered them to everyone and so many have taken the pretty packages, unwrapped them and cling to their contents refusing to believe the pretty packages are filled with eternal death, eternal non-existence. Deception by the greatest of all deceivers.

If I'm called to return to dust, I want to stay dust until my Savior calls me from my grave and I rise up to meet Him in the air- that is what I want my first thought to be upon my resurrection- Jesus!  And what joy there will be as all those who are His are raised from the dust at the same time, and those blessed not to have tasted death are changed to immortality. What a perfect, love filled return to life- no living on right after death in any form especially not in a form that can continue to witness the pain and heartache of loved ones still living- how disgustingly morbid to think there are no more tears after death and yet you can witness horrific things. That is NOT of God! That is pure deception and why such deception can bring people comfort is beyond my comprehension.

Please Lord, remove the blinders that Satan has placed upon the eyes of so many! Please open their understanding before it's too late and they are caught up in Satan's deceptions leading to their eternal nothingness. Please!

Come, Lord Jesus, come and raise the dead in You to life, and raise the living in You to You.