The facts are: The Bible does not say that souls are immortal, and that at death they go to heaven or hell or purgatory. The early Christians did not believe in such pagan things. The following event in the life of Jesus while on earth gives us some insight on the matter: John 11:11-14 shows that Jesus likened death to sleep, unconsciousness. John 11:17-44 tells of the events leading up to the resurrection of Jesus friend Lazarus. We are particularly interested in the conversation between Jesus and Martha. John 11:23, 24 "Jesus said to her: `Your brother will rise.' Martha said to him: `I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day."
Yes, that's right! Martha and other faithful ones of that time, expected a resurrection on the last day. Until that time, they would rest in death in a condition that Jesus likened to sleep. No heaven and no hell.
Of equal importance to unstanding the concept of death and the soul, are the following scriptures. As you read these, please keep in mind the statement of Martha mentioned above.
Ezekiel 18:4 tells us: "Look! All the souls to me they belong. As the soul of the father so likewise the soul of the son, to me they belong. The soul that is sinning it itself will die."
Acts 3:23 adds: "And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, will be destroyed from among the people." Yes, the soul is not immortal, it dies. This of course adds to the facts that show the hell-fire doctrine to be false. Since the soul dies, and at death we feel and know nothing, eternal torment is impossible!
When the King James was translated from the Latin, the word 'soul' was removed from many passages. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance puts the use of the term 'soul' back into the Bible.
Click on the following link to see how returning the term soul to where it belongs in the passages of the Bible, clarifies what the SOUL really is. STRONG'S CONCORDANCE
I of course welcome your comments, views, and hopes. If you want to show your support for my views, or if you want to take me to task over them, well, you know what to do. Let me have it!
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