Life after Death?

[madhumsr]

Do you believe in Life after Death? If yes or No please let me know how?

[Nonson]

Madhumsr,


What was Satan's first lie on Earth? "You will not surely die." Gn.3:4

Many people have come to believe and accept Satan's lie about life after death; that when we die, a person’s "soul" goes floating up to Heaven or down to Hell or just stays earthbound.

The word "soul" in the Bible usually refers to "a person or a living being" (Lev.5:2; 7:18;20;21;25; 22:6); "soul" in the Old KJV and "person", in the New KJV; and sometimes it means "life" (Job 12:10); and sometimes it means "mind" or "intellect" (Ps.139:14); but it is never refer to as a "immortal spirit or entity" which lives outside a body after death.

When God formed Adam out of the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life, or blew the life-giving breath into his nostrils, Adam became "a living soul" or "a living being" (Gn.2:7); depending on what Bible translation you are using. Adam's body was formed out of the dust of the ground, then God added the breath of life, God’s spark or power of energy that gives a body life, and then Adam became a living soul or body or being or person.




The Word doesn’t say that God gave Adam a "soul" as if a soul exists totally separated from the body. Adam became a soul when God put the body and breath of life together.







Now before we continue you must understand the definition of the word "spirit", because Satan has been using it to establish his most deceptive scheme.

In the Bible, there are three meanings for the word spirit. The first refers to the mood, emotional, attitude or state of mind. For example: the poor in spirit {Mt.5:3}; groaned in the spirit {Jn.11:33}; no rest in the spirit {2Cor.2:13}; his spirit was provoked {Ac.17:16}; or as we might say: He is in high spirits: he is motivated.

A second meaning for spirit, is that of a spiritual being, such as a demon or angel (Mt.8:16; Heb.1:7).

But the third meaning of the word spirit, of which I'm referring too, comes from the Greek word "pneuma" which means "breath" or "air". For example the English word "pneumonia" comes from "pneuma" because it is a disease of the lungs or of breathing. In our language we also have "pneumatic tires" which comes from "pneuma", because they have air in them.

And this same Greek word "pneuma" also has another meaning, which is "spirit". For example the Greek term for "Holy Spirit" is "Hagios Pneumatos" which means "Holy Breath or Holy Spirit". Which brings us to a very interesting conclusion: the words "breath" and "spirit" are often used interchangeably in the Bible: All the while my breath is in me and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, Job 27:3-4; {OKJV}. There's no doubt that Job was describing the same thing with two words, "breath" and "spirit", since human beings, can only breathe air through their nostrils.

In other words when the Word of God tells us that the dust returns to the Earth from which it was taken and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ec.12:7), what the Bible is telling us, is that the body, which is made out of the Earth's elements, plus God’s "breath or spirit of life" will equal a living soul or a living being when God puts them together.

This Creative and Death Process is also described in Ps.104:29-30,OKJV: Thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit they are created.

Job 33:4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.







Ezek 37:12-14 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live,

In conclusion this breath or spirit of life that comes from God, is a special life-giving power, which the Creator puts into a body made out earth and water, and it becomes a living being or soul.

But when man loses his breath or spirit of life, the living soul or being, dies. There is no "ghost" or "spirit", "nor immortal entity" which goes out of the body to live in Heaven, Hell or Purgatory.

Especially since God said to Adam the following: For dust you are and to dust you shall return (Gn.3:19). God didn't say you are going to Heaven when you die or I'm so angry at you for your sins, and I'm so cruel, vindictive, spiteful and merciless that you are going to burn in Hell forever as soon as you die. No, no, no! Jehovah is not a God of hate, He is a God of love, compassion, and forgiveness. God said to Adam you are going back into the ground, when you die.



Hell is an Anglo-Saxon word used to translate one Hebrew word and three Greek words in the King James Version of the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew word "hell" translated was Sheol. (Compare NASB). The word Sheol occurs sixty-five times in the Hebrew Bible. The King James Version translates thirty-one of the occurrences as "hell"; another thirty-one occurrences as "grave"; and three occurrences as "pit".

According to the Bible, Hell will only exist after Jesus returns, (Mt.13:41-42; 25:41; Ap.14:9-11; 19:20; 20:9-10;14).

Further more, there's no verse in the Bible which uses the phrase "immortal soul", nor to describe a human being or anything else. Immortality belongs and is only attributed to the one and only Wise God, (lTi.1:17; 6:15-16). And the only time when True Christians will have immortality, is when Jesus returns! (Jn.5:28-29; lTh.4:15-17; lCor.15:42-44;50-53).

The fact of the matter, is that the "soul" is a living and conscious being of flesh and bones, which is the results of God adding the breath or spirit of life to a body composed of the Earth's elements; and not an spiritual entity or being, which comes out of the body when it dies.

A simple illustration or analogy will help us see and understand this truth more clearly. Let's say that a body is a light bulb, and that electricity represents the breath or spirit of life which God puts into the body, and that the light which shines represents the living being or soul which Adam became after God joined the breath or spirit of life with Adam's body.

As we look at the shining light, we can see a representation of a "living soul". Remove either the bulb or the electricity and the shining light dies out. Now where is the light? Did it go into the electric socket? No, it simply ceased to exist. The very same thing happens when we lose our breath or spirit of life; the living soul or being or body, dies and turns back into dust, from where it came; until Jesus returns and resurrects it.

Many Churches unconsciously are using a mistake in the Old Kings James Version of the bible to justify the doctrine of "life after death".

When Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross: "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Lk 23:43

The "coma" was placed incorrectly before the word "today". The correct translation would read: Assuredly, I say to you today, … In other words we can say that Jesus was verifying to the thief in that very moment, that he was going to be able enter paradise. This explanation makes perfect sense with what Jesus said to Maria Magdalene: "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father;

Now, we all know that there are no contradictions in the Word of God but wrong translations on man’s behave. If the translation: Assuredly, I say to you, today…, Jesus’ commentary to Mary: I have not ascended to My Father, would be in complete contradiction. But due to the fact that the correct translation is: "Assuredly, I say to you today," then there’s perfect harmony in all of the Bible’s concept on what happens to a "living soul or being" after death.

Another wrong interpretation is the one which is given to the parable of Lazarus {Lk.16:19}, in order to justify the life after death doctrine, but due to the fact that the parables use metaphors, this parable does not apply in this case.

Another good example is king David who was a man after God's own heart, of whom we are told that he is still asleep or we could say that he is still dead and buried; since the Bible tells us that David has not yet ascended into Heaven, (Ac.2:29;34; 13:36). Because he too is awaiting to be resurrected or should we say that he is waiting to be awaken by the Shout of Command, and the Archangel’s Voice and by the sound of God's Trumpet when Jesus returns, for the dead in Christ will rise first. (lTh.4:16).

In the Bible there's at least 50 times where death is also referred to as being in a state of sleep (Jn.11:11-14; Ac.7:59-60; 13:36; 1Gor.15:51-52; 1Th.4:14; Job 14:10-12; Ps.13:3. And just as when we are asleep, we are not conscience of what's happening around us, so are the dead: Yes, the living know they are going to die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Work hard at what ever you do, because there will be no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom in the grave and that is where you are going. Return, O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake!

For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks? (Ec.9:5-6; Ps.146:4; Ec.9:10; Psa 6:4-5).



But out of all these explanations there is just one objective, and that is to unmask just one of Satan's most deceptive scheme, which he has prepared for the last days. For since the beginning of the world, the Father of Lies, told Eve that she wasn’t going to die {Gn.3:1-5}; and ever since then, Satan has insisted to deceive, promote and convince multitude of people that when they die, they continue to live as immortal souls or spirits.

By means of his deceitful doctrine, the Great Deceiver of the World (Rev.12:9; ), has also managed to influence and mislead many nations, philosophies, sects, occults, the New Age Movement, mediums, channelers, psychics and yes, even Christian institutions, into believing in spiritualism; yes, deceived into believing in life after death, "ghost or spirits" of the dead roaming around, able to communicate with the living; in order to share their "supernatural knowledge" or "information on future events".

And so, by now you might be asking yourself: What purpose does Satan has in making so many people believe in this lie?

Well, because by spreading the teaching of the "immortality of the soul", Satan disguises his demon army so that they can appear as the "spiritual beings or souls" of "dead saints, relatives or friends". Which in turn try to make us believe in Satan’s lies by telling us personal information which were only known by us and the dead relative or friend; or by telling us future events which are known to them through Bible Prophecies, or of future events that they themselves will create!

Thereby the Great Deceiver contradicts the Bible and deviates faith in Christ, the only Way and Mediator between man and God (Jn.14:6; lTi.2:5-6), into faith in mediums, channelers, psychics, spiritist or "entities of the dead".

So then you must ask yourself, who really are these "spirits or entities" who speak through mediums, channelers, psychics and spiritist; especially now in these last days, more than ever?

The Holy Spirit says explicitly that in the last days some will abandon the faith, and obey deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons (lTi.4:1).

But thanks be to God, for in His Wisdom, Mercy and Love, He unmasked Satan's evil, perverted and deceitful intentions from the very beginning. By foreseeing how Lucifer would use his demons to mislead many, He alerts and warns us that there shouldn't be found among us anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through fire, or that practices witchcraft, or uses divination, or interprets omens, or an astrologer, or a wizard, or a enchanter, or a magician, or one who talks to the spirits, or a fortune teller, or one who talks with the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord. (Dt.18:10-12; Lev.19:31).



Hence, Satan’s deception is conceived! Astrologers and Psychic Hot Lines by the thousands, as never seen before, infiltrating their lies and deceitful influences upon Head of States {Rev 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world,}; massively bombarding the public through the media, admitting that they are being aid by "the spirits of the dead".

Also worldwide messages and apparitions of demons disguised as the Virgin Mary, Apostles and religious leaders spreading like wild fire, who in turn pose as mediators or guiding spirits, just to contradict and counterattack Jesus’ Grace, the Work of the Holy Spirit, Scripture and cause mass confusion.

When Jesus confronted Satan, Christ rebuked the Devil with a "It Is Written". And this, my dear friends and brothers should also be a rule of principle for us too: And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Cor 11:14-15

So even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Gal 1:8-9



Teachings From The Catholic Catechism On

The Immortality Of The Soul



I. THE PARTICULAR JUDGEMENT

1022. Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification [Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274): DS 857-858; Council of Florence (1439): DS 1304-1306; Council of Trent (1563): DS 1820.] or immediately,[Cf. Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000-1001; John XXII, Ne super his (1334): DS 990.]-or immediate and everlasting damnation.

III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030. "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031. "The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.[Cf. Council of Florence (1439): DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563): DS 1820; (1547): 1580; see also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000.] The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent.

1032. "This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: 'Therefore Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.'[2 Macc 12:46 .] * Apocryphal Books From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.[Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274): DS 856.] The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: Let us help and commemorate them.

IV. HELL

1035. "The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, 'eternal fire.'[Cf. DS 76; 409; 411; 801; 858; 1002; 1351; 1575; Paul VI, CPG # 12.] The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs."

From the 7th day.org

Nonson
2.13.01

[Dunga]

OK, I am confused. What is the blasted answer: Yes or NO?

[mandalin007]

Yes! there is life after death!

[Nonson]

Dunga,

Life after death is an oxymoron. Life is the absence of death; death is the absence of life. The only rational conclusion: there can be no life after death. Torturing one's mind with such silly contradictions is not really my idea of fun.

There are many other avenues which offer opprotunities for a sane investigation of a possible existence of something after the death of the body. But not many people wish to expend the effort doing so.

Nonson
2.15.01

[benCA]

Hello Nonson
If one doesn’t believe in life after death, then what is the point in believing in God? I mean, you going to die and your life ends, what is believing in God going to do for me?

[Nonson]

BenCa,

I have answered this question in a thousand different forms. Still people just don't see it. However, here it is again in another form.

One believes in G-d and uses rituals to entrain onself to the Harmonious Realm of Creation as opposed to an entraining of onself to the Satan?-ruled Inharmonious Realm. That which is harmony is positive and beneficial. That which is inharmony is negative and non-beneficial. That which is positive brings order. That which is negative brings disorder. Finally, skipping a number of steps, Creation is the result of the struggle between harmony and inharmony. On this is based all philosophies and religions.

Nonson
2.16.01