Dust to eternity

 

      Ever since man first fell into sin, the thoughts of what lay beyond the grave have plagued him. What is death, and just what are the effects of death concerning man? Why it is that man has to die? What about the eternal life that Christ offered to man, was it just a religious statement to get people to follow him, or is there some truth to what Jesus offered to those who follow him? Is it possible to receive that eternal life without first tasting of death? If not than are we saying that it is possible for a man to die and yet still live?

     In order for us to fully receive a clear understanding of these questions and to properly grasp an understanding of just what death is and its effects toward mankind, we must look at the manner in which man was first formed into existence. The single most important fact concerning the life of Adam (who was the first man formed in the Garden of Eden, and the first ancestor of all mankind who have ever been born on earth) is that he was born a "triune being".

     1 Thess 5:23

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

     Here we see, clearly mentioned, the full triunity of man: "body - soul - spirit".

     I must with all good conscience mention here that I believe it is important that we realize that Paul (the writer of Thessalonians) is directing his letter and this particular verse to the church (the body of born again believers in Jesus Christ). The reason I believe this to be so important is that in my studies of scripture I have found where the scriptures tell us that there is "one" spirit. Eph 4:4 there is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (KJV) 

     The importance of this will be seen clearly as we study through the scriptures concerning death and its effects on man; it is that one spirit by which we have our life in Christ. Without that spirit we are incomplete, we are not the triune being that we were meant to be when God formed Adam in His own likeness. Gen 1:26-27

 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)

     As we look at the triunity of man and the effects that death has on him, the importance of this one spirit becomes very evident, for it is this one spirit that has great governance over the effects of death on our life.

     So, let us take a quick look at the triunity of man and see just what relevance each portion of this triunity has concerning man's life.

    

     1. Body:  The body is the tangible portion of man which actually performs the physical working functions of man's thoughts. It is the body which forms the vehicle in which man is able to travel and move about on earth in the tangible manner of which we are accustomed.

     2. Soul:   "Human consciousness" the soul is actually the part of man that consists of his natural consciousness (or self awareness), the part of man which allows him to breath, think, and to communicate in humanly form one with another. The soul is the seat of man's emotions and his five senses.

     3. Spirit:   "God consciousness" it is the spirit which unites man with his father "God". It is the spirit which gives man the ability to communicate with God, allowing him to both speak with God and hear God speak to him in return. It is the spirit which makes man one with God.

 

     In the study of these separate entities of man's fullness as a complete human being, we notice something of importance concerning the soul and spirit. The spirit is simultaneously mentioned with the soul, being separated only by the word of God. Heb 4:12

  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV)

     In this scripture we see the close bonding of soul and spirit, so close are these two united, that scripture makes reference of them comparatively to bone and marrow. In the study of the human body we learn that the bone is unable to function “properly” without the presents of marrow. Though the bone is still functional, it is destined for destruction without the marrow. So it is when the soul is without the spirit, the soul is consciously functional but is destined for destruction.

     While we see the closeness of the spirit and soul and how they are not separate one from the other accept through the dividing by the Word of God, it is different with the body. Though the soul when separated from the spirit still has functionality, the body without the soul has no functionality at all, it is dead in the since that it is totally without any ability to function at all. Without the soul, or consciousness, the body becomes still and lifeless and will soon decay. The body has absolutely no life within it self at all. Without the soul, the body is simply a massive lump of lifeless chemicals made up of the same substance and matter as the clay (or earth) from which it was taken.

 Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, ... (KJV)

Gen 3:19 ... till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (KJV)

     Throughout the bible when referring to the soul, death is not a state of conscious inexistency; it is simply a state of separation. However, the same cannot be said of the spirit and body. The body without the soul will become consciously inexistent and decay back into the natural form of earthly elements from which it came. How can this be possible, one might ask? To answer that question we must remember that the soul is the consciousness of man and not the body, the body is just the form or shell in which the soul of man dwells.

     It is the death of the body which we will first examine. Sense the body is the portion of man which dies and decays without consciousness, is it meant than for man to be eternally conscious without a body in which to dwell? Secondly, the question arises, just what was the cause for man's body to die in the first place and is there anything that can be done to prevent this death of the body?

     Let us look here at a few passages of scripture concerning the body and its dying.

1 Cor 15:35-37

  35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

  36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

  37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: (KJV)

     Scripture clearly tells us that the dead are raised, not in the body which they entered death with, for that body is "that which thou sowest", but rather they are raised in a different body "that body that shall be". So, what does all this mean?

     I think the best example of understanding to this is found in nature itself and is exactly what the Lord used to explain it to us as well when He spoke of the body which is sown being grain that will chance of wheat or some other grain. Let's look for example at the oak tree, when it is planted in the ground it is not first planted a tree but rather as a small acorn. Inside that little acorn is the essence of life that will come back in the form of a tree, it does not come back as another acorn but comes back in a form which resembles the tree that formed it (or gave it life) to begin with. So it is with man, the body that is planted in the ground at physical death is not that body which will be raised for the soul to dwell in throughout eternity, but rather a body of eternal essence in the likeness to God who formed it originally will be raised in place of that natural or physical body which we sow in death. This new body in-housing the "believing" soul will be one with God even as the spirit is one with God, where as the natural body we now dwell in is actually at war with God and continually desires to do that which is displeasing to God. The unbelieving (or lost) soul will receive the same type body in that it will be eternal in essence (but will still be separated from God) for the lost soul will have no spirit, leaving one to believe that the war in the flesh which Paul spoke of in Romans 7 is instituted or controlled by the mental consciousness of the soul inhabiting it.

Rom 7:18-25

  18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

  19. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

  20. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

  21. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

  22. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

  23. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

  24. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (KJV)

     Seeing that this natural body in which we now dwell is conceived of sin and wars so diligently against the laws of God, it is clearly understandable that God would not allow it to be raised as a dwelling place for the eternal soul "that will dwell with Him". Yet, we ask, how did this body come to be found in such condition of death?

Rom 5:12

  12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

KJV

     Death we see here is the resulting consequence of sin: "by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world (mankind)," and with that sin came death, resulting in the separation of man from God. This separation from God brought corruption to the condition of man. Being now in the state of corruption or worthlessness because of sin, man must be some how restored to the state of incorruption. Concerning the body or housing of man's soul this incorruption must be obtained through the resurrection of a new body, which we mentioned earlier and will examine more thoroughly a little later.

     For now it is important that we understand that physical death is the result of Adam's sin, (his willingness to violate the Will of God) and not the result of our personal sin against God. We inherit this sinful nature and become sinners ourselves because we are the descendants of Adam and we inherited his nature through natural child birth, his nature being sinful, or fallen, nature of mankind. For it is the seed of the father which bears life to the egg in the woman's ovary, than that union forms the baby in the mother's womb. In this way sin and death has been passed on to all mankind. This rule bears true in every child ever born on earth with acceptance to Christ, the Messiah, who had no earthly father, but was conceived of his Father's seed, which was not of this earth, but was God Himself. His physical death was not mandatory but was completely voluntary, by this act of voluntary death on Jesus' part he was not only able to raise his own spiritual body from the grave, but is able to offer the same form of resurrection to all those who believe and fallow after him.

     By all this we see clearly that physical death is a mandatory result of sin in our life and can not be avoided by any who are descendant of Adam. (All must die, "for that all have sinned" Rom 3:23 & Rom 5:12)

     But what of the soul and spirit of man, is there any form of death in which the soul and spirit is confronted? If the soul is the very consciousness of man and it is the eternal mind of man, can it die?

     Let us first consider the spirit, remember how that earlier we said the spirit as well as the body were different from the soul in reference to death? We stated that death in reference to the soul was simply a form of separation and not a state of conscious inexistency. We have seen how that the body when separated from the soul does in fact become consciously inexistent having no life source of its own. Is the same true concerning the spirit?

     The spirit is somewhat the same in that it becomes consciously inexistent to man when separated from the soul, but is not consciously inexistent within itself. When separated from the soul of man, the spirit consciously returns to its very source of existence which is God himself. It is the spirit of life or Holy Spirit which was breathed into the nostrils of Adam by God when He (God) first gave life to man, man became a living soul (the body received a soul or self consciousness along with the spirit of life). With the spirit came the individual seed of existence (the soul or “breath”), that portion of God's own seed of existence which birthed man in nature of His (God's) own likeness yet giving him (man) individuality from God, thereby having the ability to think and reason for himself by the use of his own self will.

     When considering spiritual death we are again not referring to the conscious inexistency of the spirit, rather we are talking of the condition of man without the spirit. Let’s look at the account of where man actually died spiritually.

     Going back in time to when Adam was still living in the Garden of Eden, before he willingly disobeyed God's command, we see where Adam had regular communication with God on a daily basis. During this time of communication God told Adam that he was allowed to eat from every tree in the garden with acception to the tree which produces the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil (or write and wrong).

Gen 2:16-17

 16. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

 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.

(KJV)

     Very clearly God tells Adam not to eat of this particular tree, He gives Adam a clear warning that in the day he should ever eat of this tree he would surely (or certainly) die. Now in the very next chapter of Genesis we read where both Eve and Adam eat of the very tree in which God warned them not to eat of, for if they did eat of it God said, they would die that very day.

 Gen 3:6

 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (KJV)

     Adam here in verse 6 clearly violates the command of God not to eat of this tree; the result of this act of disobedience is immediate death. Yet, how can this be when we find in chapter 5 it says that Adam lived for 930 years before dying?

Gen 5:5

5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. (KJV)

     Is there a contradiction here in what God said would happen and what really did happen? Was God wrong when He told Adam he would die in the day he ate of that tree? Was Satan right when he told Eve “Ye shall not surely die:”? Just what did God mean when He told Adam he would die in the day that he ate of this tree?

     In reaching out to understand this clearly we must remember that man was formed originally a triune being, body-soul-spirit. It is the presence of all three that forms man in his completion, each having its own purpose to the existence of man's life. So if any one of the three is removed than man is not alive in the sense of life as he was meant to be.

     At this time I would like to say that as we study man's relationship to death we will find three individual deaths that man is confronted with, each death being every bit as real or literal as the others. In the study of scripture we find that two of these deaths are the direct result of Adam's sin and is inherited by all who are descendant of him, and only one of the two inherited from Adam is unchangeable. The third death man is confronted with is solely a result of his own decision and cannot be blamed on heritage from Adam but is rather a choice of our own self will.

     In discussing the death that Adam experienced when he ate of the forbidden tree we discover that God was referring to the death of Adam's spirit. The spirit being that part of man which comes from God and directly connects man with his Father "God" and gives to man life as apposed to simple animation with consciousness (the awareness of one’s self existence “as seen in all other animals”). It is that Holy Spirit of God, that spirit of life that was breathed into man's body along with the soul (or self consciousness) which makes man a "living" soul. Without the spirit, man simply finds himself having conscious existence and not true life, for he has no spirit of life in him, he has only body and soul. It is the spirit which separates us from all other beings on this planet; it is the spirit which makes us one with our Father "God". That very spirit gives man life (or communication, fullness, unity) with his father “God”, enabling him to be a true son of God. Without communication with God man is spiritually dead, and it is only the Spirit which enables man to have “God consciousness” or spiritual communication, no other part of man brings this form of life into existence.

     We know that Adam died spiritually when he ate the fruit of the tree forbidden him, for we see where when God came to have His regular communication “fellowship” with His son Adam there was a separation between them. God was not able to walk with Adam and Adam was unable to stand in the presence of God as before. Instead Adam had the need or desire to hide himself from the presence of God, this is the same desire we all have before receiving the Spirit of God as our own, (feeling the need to hide from, or avoid God, sometimes rejecting, or denying His existence all together).

Gen 3:8-10

8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (KJV)

It is this state of existence that we are born in from our mother’s womb, a state of separation from our father “God”, a literal death (the lack of spirit resulting in separation from God). It is not until we receive the Spirit of life that we are able to stand in the presence of God and have regular communication or “fellowship” with Him.

“Let me say here, that this is in no wise meant to refer to the state of innocence in which a child dwells from birth until coming to that accountable age (or age of accountability) when each of us must decide for our self to accept or deny Christ as our personal savior, (being from that time forward held in account for what we do in our body). This state of innocence is without doubt the very state of innocence that Adam lived in before his own recognition of right and wrong, in that the child, during this stage of life, has no recognition or awareness of what right and wrong (or good and evil) even is, the child during this time of innocence is not held accountable for it’s actions in the body”.

     In analysis we see that the second death confronting man is in similitude to the first death confronted by man, as in the death of the body being the result of Adam’s decision and not the direct result of our individual decision, so also is Spiritual death the result of Adam’s decision and not the direct result of our individual decision. For when Adam died spiritually his very nature changed in that he was no longer complete as he was in his conception. His descendants would all receive his fallen nature, not having the nature “spirit” of God to pass on through his procreation of life. However, the difference between this death (death of the spirit) and the first death confronted by man (the death of the body) is tremendous. Though both deaths are the result of Adam’s decision originally, only one is unchangeable because of Adam’s decision.           

Man can chose to live again!

     This death of the spirit (separation from God because of the lack of spirit) is changeable in that God has made a provision that through man’s self will we can make an individual decision to accept life in Christ, thereby renewing the Spirit of God into our life.

 Titus 3:5

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

KJV

Eph 2:1

2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

KJV

Eph 2:5

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

KJV

     (Quickened: Brought to life; made to live)

This personal decision of life and death is also connected directly to the third death that man is confronted with, the death of his soul.

     Let's look for a moment at this third death in which man is confronted. How does it compare with the death of the body or with the death of the spirit.

     First off let us remember that we made mention earlier that while man is confronted with three literal (or real, actual deaths) he is unchangeably forced to suffer only one of those three.

     We have seen where that the death of the body is irrevocable (unavoidable, unchangeable).

     In order to assure that man would encounter the death of his body and not continue to live for ever in this fallen state of sinfulness, God removed man's access to the one substance or source that would allow him to continue for ever in a sinful state of life in the body (that source being the tree of life).

     Gen 3:22-24

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:

23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

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.

KJV

     God undoubtedly seeing that man living in this body of sinfulness would, (no matter how diligently he sought to live in righteousness), eventually fall prey to his fallen nature of the lust of the flesh, thereby separating himself from the fellowship God intended for man to have with his Father "God". So God in His wisdom cut off man's access to the one source (tree of life) that would allow him to continue (or live) for ever in separation from God. Only when man is made the full righteousness of God would he be allowed access to this wonderful source of eternal life once more. Thus God put into action His great plan to bring His children (mankind) back into His presence in order to be one with Him for eternity. Giving each individual the opportunity to revoke (or change) this status of separation which came upon him without choice through regeneration (or procreation) of Adam's descendants.

     Thus we look into the eyes of the third death that man is confronted with and challenge it's authority over man's eternal existence.

     This death deals directly with the soul (or consciousness, self awareness, and individuality of man). This is the most important aspect of death in which man will encounter, for the decision made concerning the soul (or perhaps better referred to as the decision made by the soul, for the soul is the decision making essence of man's intellect) has complete jurisdiction over man's eternal status. We recall here that how the soul without the spirit is dead (has no life, but only self awareness or consciousness of existence and surroundings) and is so extremely close to the spirit in association that the death of one is the direct result of the other.

     By the soul being the very consciousness of man, (the part that thinks and reasons in his decision making efforts), it is the soul that makes the decision to either accept or refuse Jesus as his Messiah (Savior). This decision is the most important decision that man can ever make for himself. If he accepts Jesus as his savior than the very Spirit of Life (Holy Spirit) comes to live within his body 1Cor. 3:16-17, making him (man) one with God, thus man receives the fullness of God within himself, making him a true son of God by adoption.

    Rom 8:15

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

KJV

Gal 4:4-7

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

KJV

     However, if the soul (mental, emotional, consciousness) of man refuses to accept Christ as his savior, he is making the conscious decision to refuse the acceptance of the Spirit of Life (Holy Spirit) to come into his being. In making this decision man causes himself to remain dormant (or lifeless) in his communicational ability with his Father "God", (thereby remaining totally separated from God). He (man) is found in this state of existence to have self awareness but no life, (for the spirit is life), without the spirit man is only mechanically mobile having the awareness of his own existence and surroundings, much like any other animal on earth. The body is alive in the since that it has mobility and feeling simply because the soul is the life of the body (the seat of man's emotions and 5 senses) but the soul itself is dead because it is completely separated from the source of life (the Holy Spirit of God) which brings life to man so that he (man) can be one with his Father "God" receiving the mind of Christ within himself.

We see here how that this third death is a direct result of man's own choice having the ability to choose for him self to receive life or to deny life by the acceptance or refusal of Christ (Messiah) as his own savior.

     If man encounters physical death in this state of non-acceptance of Christ as his savior he refuses for himself the spirit of life, thereby condemning himself to an eternity of non-communication with his own father, the creator of life "Almighty God", Yahweh himself. It is important that man make this decision before he encounters physical death, for there is given to him no other chance after he dies in the body. Once a man tastes of physical death, the only thing left is for him to receive judgment for the decisions and actions he has taken while here on earth, there is no second chance.

Heb 9:27

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

KJV

     Entering into eternity without the Spirit of Life brings a solemn reality of the death of the soul to man's consciousness, for the results of this judgment man encounters in Hebrews 9:27, having decided for himself to reject Christ as his savior, brings forth a grave consequence. Physical death without Christ is not mere nonexistence, but is the eternal conscious existence of the soul without the spirit of life, and forces man to eternally experience what was purely meant for Lucifer (the devil) and his angels to experience and not man (the child "or procreation" of God). Man finds himself encountering this existence meant for the demons of darkness simply because without the Spirit of Life than man is condemned to an eternal existence outside the presents of God. The only place outside the presents of God is this place created for Lucifer and his angels which is known in scripture as the "lake of fire". We read about this lake of fire in the last book of the Bible "Revelation".

Rev 20:11-15

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV)

     In this account given to us by John is a very vivid understanding or foresight of the eternal destination issued to the soul that encounters physical death without Christ as their savior.

     "Death" which is in reference to the grave (or body) and "hell" (referring to a place of discomfort where the person or "the soul" of one who dies without Christ is held awaiting the judgment) are brought together before God at the great white throne of judgment and are judged according to the decisions and actions made or taken in the flesh. Note that there is no mention of spirit when dealing with the lost soul, for there is no spirit of life connected to the soul without Christ, it is dead or separated from God (remembering spirit is that part of man which unions "or connects with communication and fellowship" man with God).

     Here at this seat of judgment the degree of punishment is apparently issued to the individual, and with this sentence of punishment, the lost soul together with a resurrected eternal body is cast into the lake of fire to be eternally separated from God. This is the third and most decisive death in which man is confronted. For the death (or separation) of the soul is a direct result of the conscious decision made by the individual solely on his own, it is not affected by anyone else from his heritage nor can it be a decision made for him by anyone else around him. This is a decision to accept Christ as one's own savior or to deny Christ as Messiah (savior of mankind).

     Just as the decision to “deny” Christ as savior brings “death” to the soul, the decision to “accept” Christ as savior brings “life” to the soul. By accepting Christ as savior man is reintroduced or reunited to the Spirit of Life (or Holy Spirit) threw the renewing of the Holy Ghost "which is the spirit of life".

Titus 3:5

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

KJV

     Note that it is not by the introduction of the Holy Ghost for the first time ever into man kind’s existence that he is brought to life, but rather through the "renewing" of the Holy Ghost. This is the reintroduction (insemination, quickening) of the Holy Ghost to man's consciousness, remembering that in Adam’s original conception of life God breathed into him the “Spirit of Life” along with his soul (or consciousness) allowing him full communication and fellowship with God, being born in the full likeness of his Father “God”. Through the finished works of Christ on Calvary we are given the opportunity to receive once more that which was forfeited (removed, given up) through the decision of our first ancestor, Adam. That which Adam gave up by his choice of sin was returned to us through Christ's choice of righteousness. Through Christ we can each decide for our self to receive life (communication, fellowship, or oneness with God) or continue on in a state of death (separation from God). It is through God's act of love and mercy that we are granted this opportunity to be saved (receive life). This is accomplished by the washing of regeneration (which is repentance and baptism calling on the name of Christ Acts 2:38, the only begotten of God John 1:14, 1John 4:9, the first born of many brethren Romans 8:29) and receiving the fullness of the Holy Ghost.

     By the acceptance of Christ as our savior we are able to reestablish our communication and fellowship with God, thereby enabling our soul upon departure from the body we now inhabit (this being physical death) to enter into the very presents of Almighty God by the union of our soul with the Spirit of Life, making us one with God St. John 17:21, Ephesians 4:6. Upon the encounter of physical death through the regeneration of the Spirit of Life we are able to be ever-present with the Lord 2 Cor. 5:8. In this manner man is able to exchange the "death" of his soul for the "life" thereof.

     But, it was not always so. Before Christ was sacrificed for sin on Calvary, man was not able to enter into the presents of God when he encountered physical death, sin had not yet been paid for, the separation between man and God had not yet been done away with. Though they had the promise of receiving the Spirit of life, those who met with physical death before Christ, had not yet fully received this promise Hebrews 11. (notice here that those who are being spoken of in this chapter are all old testament saints who died prier to Christ, than take particular note of verses 39 & 40), ("some better thing for us" is in reference to the Holy Spirit, and the word "perfect" at the end of this sentence simply means complete or whole), this than refers back to where we saw that man "Adam" in his original birth was complete (or perfect) having "body, soul, & spirit". When he sinned, the spirit was no longer with him (his soul was dead in that it had no more communication or fellowship with his Father "God"). Therefore, even though their hope was in Christ which was to come, they were not yet re-united with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was not given unto man until Acts 2:1-4 after Christ rose from the grave (see also Acts 1:4-5). Redemption of the soul had not been made until Christ completed His work on Calvary.

     So what happened, suffering physical death before Christ, to the soul that chose to receive life through the hope of the coming Messiah? If not allowed in the presents of God did that soul just go into limbo somewhere or simply float around on earth like some type of ghostly being or something? The answer to these questions, as always, lies within the study and understanding of the scriptures.

     There is a portion of scripture when looked at that gives us great clarity to the understanding of this subject.

Luke 16:19-31

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 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;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 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.

25 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.

26 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.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

KJV

     There are several points of consideration that we need to bring into focus concerning this account while accepting the strength of its proclamations.

     The first point of consideration is whether or not this is an actual account which took place at some point in time or if it is simply another one of Messiah’s parables which He often used to clarify the understanding of a statement He had made to those to whom He was speaking.

     There are two specific facts which when considered, brings us to the certainty that this is in deed an actual account of a true event which had taken place and not simply a parable.

1.     The first fact considered here is that nowhere in the teachings of Christ during His ministry did He ever use a person’s proper name when speaking forth a parable. A parable was always restricted to a general reference which could have been thought to be most anyone, never a direct reference to a specific person by the use of that person’s proper name. In this particular account Christ uses Lazarus’ name specifically, leaving us to realize that this is an actual account that Lazarus did in deed experience.

2.     The second fact of consideration is that when speaking a parable Christ would always let the people to whom He was speaking know that it was a parable by making a statement such as “hear ye therefore the parable” Matt. 13:18, or “hear another parable” Matt. 21:33, or again “now learn a parable” Matt. 24:32. In this account of Lazarus Christ never makes any such statement, again leaving us to realize that this is an actual account and not a parable.

     God was very clear in having the writers of the Bible specify clearly that what they were writing was either a parable spoken by the Lord or whether it was an account where Christ was speaking about an individual in particular. He never leaves us to wonder whether what is being spoken is an actual account or not. After all, God would not leave us in a state of confusion for He is not the author of confusion 1Cor. 14:33.

     Having settled in our mind that what we read in Luke 16 is in fact an account of definite certainty, we want to examine some other considerations which concern the soul of man that this account brings to understanding.

     The next consideration of importance would surely be the time era in which this account has taken place. The reason this consideration is important to us is that there are 2 major time eras concerning the departed soul of man from this earth. The first being the span of time from Adam unto Christ (Calvary), the second being the span of time from Christ unto present. These two time eras are important to us due to the very fact that they are separated by the works of Christ on Calvary in order to abolish (do away with) the separation between God and man. Before that separation was abolished (sin was paid for), we learned earlier, that man could not enter into the presence of God, thus revealing to us the very reason for Christ having shared this particular account of Lazarus and the rich man and what they experienced upon their encounter with physical death. This account allows us considerable insight to the dwelling place and condition of existence of the soul after physical death.

     So, which time era is this account in reference to, one might ask. The answer is simple, we know for certain this account clearly took place before Christ went to Calvary due to the very fact that Christ is the one speaking. He was sharing this intimate experience of Lazarus and the rich man with others during His 3 years “or so” of personal ministry on earth so as to allow us not only the understanding of where those who encountered physical death before He came were at and just what they were experiencing, but also to allow us an understanding of just where He (Christ) was going to spend the three days while His body lay in the grave after His crucifixion before He raised it up (which we will examine a little later).

     For now let us examine the other facts of consideration presented to us in this account of Luke 16.

     We must consider that these ones spoken of in this account were of very different origin. Though Lazarus was a very poor man during his life on earth, he placed his trust and acceptance in God and thus when encountering physical death, his soul was carried into a place of comfort known here as Abraham’s bosom (Abraham being the father of all them that believe Rom 4:11, Rom 4:16, Rom 4:17). The rich man, on the other hand, experienced a very lavish life style during his existence on earth and apparently placed his trust in his riches and not in the coming Messiah as Lazarus did. In verse 22 we read where both men died (this being in reference to physical death) so naturally their bodies were both placed in the grave. The difference between these two men becomes as apparent after their encounter with physical death as the difference between their life styles on earth while still inhabiting their physical body.

     The rich man when leaving his body found himself (his soul “consciousness”) in a place known as Hell, a place of torment verse 23. From this place of torment he could see off in the distance another place where other souls were dwelling in comfort, we know they were in comfort by reading verse 25. Now, we also know that this place of torment where the rich man was located was a place of fire for we read in verse 24 that he was being tormented in a flame.

     These verses of scripture reveal to us a considerable understanding of the very content or nature of the soul of man. We see how that man does not lose his consciousness or his individuality when encountering physical death, nor does he apparently lose shape (or form) and become simply some massive form of unidentifiable energy. The rich man saw very recognizable individuals in this other location that he saw afar off (or off in the distance). This account also allows us the understanding that the soul of man is his very intellect (the part of man which allows him to think and reason and to communicate with one another in an intelligent manner), the soul is also the seat of man’s 5 senses. We know these things by the fact that the rich man and Abraham were talking and communicating intelligently with one another and that they were using their 5 senses in that the rich man felt pain (or torment) and Lazarus was feeling comfort, the rich man showing also a sense of emotion in that he was concerned with (or feared for) his brothers. They were exercising their sense of sight in that they saw each other, the sense of speech in that they were talking to one another, the sense of hearing in that they were listening to what each other had to say, the sense of tough in that the rich man requested that Lazarus touch his tongue with water. However, the rich man’s sense of desire was apparently still that of selfishness, for he asked for Lazarus to dip his finger in water in order to sooth “himself” and in verses 27-31 he shows concern only for his own family and not for the others whom he undoubtedly also remembered still being on the earth.

     The next consideration we might notice here is that these two places, one place of comfort and the other place of torment, were in some what near proximity to one another in that they were close enough for these men to see and hear one another. The separation of these two places being a great gulf fixed between them verse 26. This verse also allows us the understanding that no one in either group could enter into the area where the other was at, the gulf between them was not at all crossable.

     At this point we must raise the question: why were the souls of those who accepted and trusted in the coming Messiah being held in this location and not ascending into Heaven to be in the presence of God?

     The fact of the matter is that God has not revealed any where in His word just why He chose this particular place for them to dwell, however He does clarify the reason why they were not allowed to ascend into Heaven, which was as we saw earlier that sin had not yet been paid for by Christ’s finished works of Calvary. This is the very reason why Christ endured the Cross, so that He could pay for the sins of man and do away with the separation between God and man (the wall of partition or division between us and God) Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; KJV, allowing man to immediately enter into the presence of God when he encountered physical death, considering that he (man) had chosen to trust in the works (shed blood) of Christ “before” he (man) encountered physical death.

Matt 26:28

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

KJV

Heb 9:22

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

KJV

Rom 3:25

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

KJV

Rom 5:9

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

KJV

Eph 1:7

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

KJV

These verses of scripture teach us that Christ was crucified for the sole purpose of shedding his blood on Calvary so that man might receive the remission of sin (Christ had to remove that which separated man from God). Until this act was accomplished, sin was not paid for, and man was not able to enter into the presence of Almighty God, thus the reason for God having to provide this special place of comfort for those who met with physical death, even though they had believed and accepted the coming Messiah.

     So, having seen where that the soul of man was not allowed to enter into Heaven (God’s immediate presence) but was held captive in this place of comfort, our next question is; where is this place of comfort located? Does the Bible give us any indication where these believing souls were being held? I believe the answer is yes.

     In order to understand clearly just where this place of comfort is, we must first understand the journey which Christ Himself took when He encountered physical death.

      Again, the only reason Christ encountered physical death is so that the barrier of separation between man and God would be removed (redemption was made whole), so when He had accomplished this act of redemption He undoubtedly entered immediately into this place of captivity where in the believing soul was waiting for redemption to be made complete, and there He ministered unto them that sin had indeed been paid for and that these souls could now leave this place of captivity and enter into the immediate presence of God. When He left this place where in these souls were being held in captivity He took these very souls with Him, making them captive to Himself, thus we read where Christ lead captivity captive.

Eph 4:8-10

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

KJV

     Here we see in verse 8 not only where Christ led captivity captive, but scripture goes on to let us know from where He led them, verse 9 clearly states that before Christ ascended into Heaven which is the very presence of God, that He first “descended” into the lower parts (or center) of the earth. Then going on into verse 10 scripture again tells us that He who descended also ascended far above all heavens, which is to enter into the very presence of Almighty God. This is wonderful news pertaining to those who met with physical death in hope of the coming Messiah (Christ) and His finished work of Calvary, for when the scripture says that the same one who descended also ascended it was including those who Christ brought with him, for these souls had first descended into the lower parts of the earth to this place of comfort to wait for the day when Christ would free them and they would be allowed to enter into the very presence of God.  This ascending of Christ while leading captivity captive is seen also in Psalm 68:18.

     There is also another scripture that offers some insight to the location of this place of comfort and its close proximity to hell.

  Jonah 2:6

6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

KJV

     Many people today will argue that this passage of scripture refers only to Jonah being in the belly of the fish, but I believe it to be so much more. If it were an account of Jonah just being in the fishes belly, than the most that scripture could say pertaining to Jonah is that the waters surrounded him, but it didn’t. Scripture says that the earth itself surrounded Jonah, in this manner we see the journey that Christ would take also.

I believe that Jonah was taken on a journey in the same manner of which Paul was taken in 2Cor. 12:2-3. Paul was supernaturally allowed access into Paradise in order that from there He might see the things God would show him to share with those on earth who would believe. I believe the same supernatural experience was shared by Jonah who was allowed to enter into Paradise in order that from there God could show him the souls in torment across that great gulf which divided the believing souls from the unbelieving souls. This place which Jonah entered was the same Paradise which Paul entered into, only in a different location, remembering that Jonah’s journey here was “before” Christ and Paul’s journey was “after” Christ, understanding that God specifically used the word “hell” in reference to the journey which Jonah took so as to allow the reader to grasp hold of just where this place that Jonah entered was located, giving us the understanding that Christ when descending into the lower parts of the earth, was actually entering this place of Paradise to lead those held there out and into the very presence of God.

     In the same manner of which Paul was given a great revelation to share with the church that many might be saved who would believe, Jonah was shown a great revelation of what the soul without faith in the coming Messiah would suffer, allowing many in Nineveh to believe and be saved. Jonah, after seeing the suffering of the lost souls in hell, preached with such power that the entire city of Nineveh repented of their wickedness and turned toward God.

Jonah 3:5-10

5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

KJV

     Not only did Jonah preach a message to the saving of a city called Nineveh, but he also showed us, the readers, the understanding of just where Christ would descend to in order to lead the captivity captive.

Notice also that David (a man after God’s own heart, a man greatly loved by God) when in hope of his own resurrection stated his faith in God, concerning the resurrection of Christ, that He would not leave his soul in “hell” nor allow his body to see corruption. David was shown (or foresaw by revelation) the journey Christ would take when encountering physical death. Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. KJV Now it’s clear that David is making reference to Christ and not himself in that David had been physically dead for many years when Christ was resurrected, his body had certainly decayed (or seen corruption) so when he said his flesh would not see corruption he was not speaking of himself but of Christ. Neither the soul of Christ nor the soul of David entered into damnation, so when David made this statement he could only have been speaking of this place of comfort in which the believing soul entered, which Christ Himself would also enter into in order that He might deliver them out of the bondage of separation from God. Again scripture uses the word “hell” in order that we might have an understanding of the location of the believing soul which departed from the body before the resurrection of Christ. This place of comfort being in the close proximity of the lost soul (place of suffering) being separated by the great gulf mentioned in Luke 16:19-31.

Than scripture offers us yet another reference to this place where believing souls were being held until Christ rose from the physical grave, He being the firstfruits (or the first one) of those who slept 1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. KJV. (slept - encountered physical death)

This scripture of reference is when Christ spoke to the believing man who hung on the cross next to Him when crucified and Christ promised this believing man that he would be in “Paradise” with Him that day in which they spoke.

Luke 23:42-43

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. KJV

     Through all this we see clearly what happened to the early saints (believing souls) which encountered physical death prier to the crucifixion of Christ, how that they entered this place of comfort called Abraham’s bosom or Paradise, and that how Christ released them from this place of captivity and led them into the presents of God. Yet what of the believing soul which encounters physical death today, where does he go?

     The answer to this question lies in the disclosure (revealing evidence) of an earlier scripture we looked at where Paul tells us that to be separate from the body is to be present with the Lord.

2 Cor 5:6-8

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

KJV

     Now again we must make note of the time era in which Paul is speaking. Paul is speaking here concerning the present age, the era of time from Christ to present, the time era in where Christ has already paid the price of redemption and the soul of the one who encounters physical death believing and trusting in Christ’s finished work of Calvary is now allowed to enter directly into the presents of God, having the wall of separation (or middle wall of partition) between God and man removed.     Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; KJV

     So it is that man once again enters into the presence of God as a “living soul” being both soul and spirit.

     Through this experience of rebirth (renewing of the Holy Ghost) the “soul” of the believer is allowed to be with God immediately when leaving the “body”. It’s important here that we understand that we have been made one with God by the renewing presence of spirit, for it is the presence or lack of presence of spirit that separates us from the soul which encounters physical death without Christ. Scripture never relates to the lost soul as having spirit, the reason for this, is that spirit is “God consciousness” that part of man’s existence which makes him one with God. So it is that the lost soul enters into hell without spirit, having no communion or fellowship with God, being totally separated from God.

     And so we see here that this place of separation known as Abraham’s bosom, or Paradise, which was located in the same proximity of hell (the place where lost souls are held while waiting for their coming judgment) was now made empty at the resurrection of Christ, and the souls which were held there, in captivity waiting for redemption, were now allowed to enter into God’s presence where the true Paradise is, the place where you and I will immediately enter into as we join those who have preceded us in physical death having faith in Christ.

     The lost souls however, are still to be found in the same location as they have always been, still waiting their coming judgment. Never are these lost souls shown to be taken out of or allowed to come forth from this place of torment until they are brought (both body and soul) before the Judgment seat of Christ, where they will be judged and sentenced to an ever lasting existence in the “eternal lake of fire” (more about that later).

     So what about this body of which we discard (or sew) back into the ground from which it came? 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. KJV

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. KJV

     Let’s look first at the body of the soul who meets with physical death having faith in Christ. We noted earlier that the body which we sow into the ground is not the same body which will be raised for the soul to dwell in for eternity. Let’s now look at that again;

1Cor 15:35-38

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. KJV

     The subject of just when the raising of this new body occurs brings some controversial differences. There are those who believe that the raising of the saint’s bodies comes in two or more events. This is based upon the concept that when Christ rose from the grave than those who were transferred from Abraham’s bosom into God’s Presence received their glorified body at that time. This idea is based on Matt. 27:52-53 and those who hold to this theory contend that when the scripture says “many bodies” it is in actuality meaning “all the bodies” holding fast than to the idea that all those who met with physical death prier to Christ’s resurrection, having hope in the coming of Messiah, received their new glorified body before entering into God’s presence, being raised from the grave with Christ which we know raised in His glorified body.

     Those who hold to the multiple part resurrection of the saints will usually also hold to the pre-tribulation and/or mid-tribulation theory also, wherein that the saints which live on earth at the time of the tribulation read about in Revelation are spared the agony of tribulation and are changed physically into their glorified body and caught up to be with the Lord in the air. This theory is based on the assumption that the event spoken of in 1Cor. 15:51-53 (known generally as “the rapture of the church”) takes place prier to the end of time when Christ sets up His kingdom on earth having all saints rule with Him over the nations of the world. Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: …

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Rev 2:26-27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. KJV

     Another theory is that this resurrection of the saints happens all at once, for all saints from Adam to present, at the end of time, after the tribulation spoken of in Revelation. This then is based on the scripture that says that the raising of the saints (or rapture) is not until the last sound of the trumpet of God which announces the return of Christ is sounded. 1 Thess 4:16 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: KJV

1 Cor 15:51-54 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

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.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

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. KJV

     Either way it is agreed upon that there will be a raising from the grave of those who encounter physical death and a changing of the body of those who are still alive in the natural body here on earth wherein that all believing saints will receive a resurrected body of eternal essence which will be in a glorified state of existence due to the essence of likeness to Christ when we see Him.

1John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. KJV

     But, backing up for a moment I wish to look at the scripture in 1Cor. 15:51 … We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. Paul tells us here that we will not all experience the normal natural process of “physical” death, (the phrase “we shall not all sleep” obviously means to be placed in the grave, seeing that from earlier study we saw where the body is the only part of man that sleeps, or returns to a state of non-consciousness).

     Again, this brings forth a controversial view point of just what happens in this changing of the body from the corruptible state in which it now dwells to that incorruptible state in which it will dwell in likeness to Christ for ever.

     Many people believe that this change occurs without physical death because scripture says that “we shall not all sleep”, while others believe that this transformation is simply death and decay of the body speeded up so quickly that the natural eye would not see the actual decay of the body but that it does happen based on; 1Cor. 15:35-38 in particularly (verse 36) “Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die.” And also in Gen. 3:19 “ … for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

     Either way, whether natural decay sped up or super natural change by the hand of God, it is agreed that the natural body will encounter death (in that it is separated from the soul “or consciousness of man”) in order that man may receive his new body in the likeness to Christ.

     Let’s look at this event more closely;

1 Thess 4:13-17

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 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:

17 Then we which 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. KJV

     According to these scriptures (verses 16 & 17) there is coming a time when Christ Himself will come from Heaven to a place in the air (or atmosphere) from where He will call all born-again believers out of this world to meet Him in the clouds.

     This is the change which we read about in 1Cor. 15 is concerned with, the time when we will receive our glorified “body” and are caught up to be with the Lord in the air.

Notice that the Lord takes special care to have Paul express to us who are alive when this event takes place, not to sorrow for those who have already encountered physical death, why?

Here we are about to experience the most spectacular event (the rapture of the church) since the birth and crucifixion of Christ Himself, and Paul tells us not to sorrow ourselves with the fact that our loved ones, who have accepted Christ as their savior, are not here to witness this marvelous event taking place. As born-again believers, there is nothing that we or they have ever looked more forward to than seeing Christ returning in the clouds of heaven and taking the “church” out of this world. Why then are we told not to have sorrow for those who are not here when this great event takes place? The answer lies in the 14th & 15th verses of the scripture we just read:

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

     Christ is going to bring those who have already experienced physical death with Him. (Remember, the “soul” or “breath” of the ones who have experienced physical death is still alive “having spirit – God consciousness” and that only the body is dead.) Than Paul continues even further to let us know that not only will Christ bring those who have already encountered physical death with Him, but that they will actually take part in this magnificent event before we who are still alive on earth do. (Verse 16 …and the dead in Christ shall rise first:)

     Yes, Christ is going to raise their glorified body which the soul “having the spirit of life” will enter to dwell for ever. Then, after these have been raised, we (that is the saints of God) who are still living on earth will be changed into our glorified body and will also gather in the clouds where we join with Christ and those whom He has already raised, from there we will ever be alive and present with the Lord. (Verse 17) …and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

     So then we see how that death for those who have accepted Christ as their savior is no more than a simple transformation from one location unto another and is nothing to fear “if” we have truly placed our trust in the finished works of Christ on Calvary accepting Him as our savior, thereby receiving the Spirit of Life (or the Holy Spirit) as our own spirit, giving us true life or true fellowship (communication, unity, oneness) with God.

     Now let us turn our attention toward those people (or souls) who encounter physical death without accepting Christ as their savior, thereby refusing the very Spirit of Life within themselves. We saw earlier that these souls would be forever separated from God and we also saw in Luke 16 that they were held in a place of torment known as Hell. Will they be held in this place of torment throughout eternity? For the answer to this question, let us return once more to examine a scripture referred to earlier. As we turn to this reference of scripture we want to remember some key notes we mentioned earlier.

     First; we noted that in 1Cor. 15:35-38 scripture tells us that each of us (as an individual soul) is given a body of our own. This body is referred to as the seed which is sown into the ground at the time of physical death, and we have seen where that this seed which is sown (belonging to the believing soul who has accepted Christ as savior) is raised back up with an eternal essence in likeness to that body which Christ Himself rose from the grave in. The same is true for the unbelieving soul who has rejected Christ as savior, he too will receive a resurrected body of eternal essence in which his eternal soul (consciousness) will forever dwell. This is that consciousness (or soul) of the rich man that we see in Luke 16 having conversation with Abraham. Remembering here also that this soul (or consciousness) of man without spirit (for remember that spirit is life “which gives us full fellowship and communication with God”) still has all the communicational skills and feelings including self awareness and sensations of touch, allowing him the ability to experience the condition of existence in which he is surrounded, so that when this soul is reunited with a body of eternal essence he will forever suffer what ever condition of existence he encounters in this new found body. This becomes a very important consideration to the conscious decisions we make as we continue to dwell here on earth in the temporary body of flesh and blood that we now have, for as we noted earlier that once we leave this body of flesh, we now dwell in, there is no more chance to accept Christ as our savior. We will experience the condition of existence we encounter upon physical death without a second chance.  Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: KJV

So let us continue now with the question of where this lost soul will spend eternity in this new body of eternal essence. There are two major portions of scripture we want to refer to here.

Rev 20:11-15

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. KJV

 

John 5:28-29

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. KJV

     Here in this first portion of scripture found in Rev. we are shown a glimpse into the future to a time when God sits in judgment from what Paul refers as “a great white throne” before which he sees the dead, “small and great” standing before God in order that they might be judged for the things which they did during their life on earth “according to their works” (verse 12 & 13). After these “dead” are judged “according to their works” (the decisions they made accepting or denying the truth as well as the things they did according to their behavior whether right or wrong during their time on earth) were “cast into the lake of fire”.

     Notice here that the term “death and hell” is used in reference to those who are cast into this lake of fire. This is important to the understanding of just what it is that is cast into this lake of fire (or place of eternal damnation, separation from God). The next set of scriptures we just looked at (John 5:28-29) tells us clearly that “all that are in the grave” shall hear His voice and come forth (raise from the grave). This gives us complete clarity that both the saved soul (those who accepted Christ as Messiah) and the lost soul (those who refused Christ as Messiah) are raised from the grave (referring to the body, for it is the body that is placed in the grave at the time of physical death). So than if it is the body that is referred to in these scriptures as death, than it becomes clear to us that “hell” is in reference the soul (or consciousness) of man. These terms are specifically used here in order to make it clear what is happening. The term “hell” as we discovered earlier in Luke 16 (concerning the rich man) is used in order to specify those who were being held in that place of torment, in like manner the term “death” is used to specify that part of man which is consciously dead (or decays without consciousness) which is, as we saw earlier, the body. Seeing how that the body decays completely without consciousness it becomes extremely important to understand how that the body (seed) which is sown in corruption (state of decay) is raised incorruptible (unable to decay). In this manner we see how that the eternal consciousness of man is united with a body of eternal essence in which we will spend our eternal existence (with or without the spirit of life).

     By all this we see how that Paul and John are used together by Christ to reveal to us the understanding that the lost soul is raised from the grave, united with it’s own eternal body and the two together (body and soul) are cast into the lake of fire. There is one other scripture I would like to consider in connection with the body and soul being cast together into this place of everlasting torment.

  Matt 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. KJV

     Here God gives us warning not to fear (concern or worry about) those who are able to put us to death in the body, this includes those who would reject us or ridicule us for our faith and profession in Christ as Messiah and our obedience to doing His will in our life on earth. Rather we are to fear (worry about, or concern ourselves with) the one who can destroy “both soul and body in hell” (this place of eternal separation from God, a place of everlasting torment).

     Notice again as noted earlier, that there is no mention of “spirit” in reference to those who are cast into the lake of fire, only body and soul. The reason for this, as we also learned earlier, is that the only purpose for “spirit” is in order that we might have complete union with God. Spirit is true life, that part of man that makes him one with God. The soul that is cast into the lake of fire is forever separated from the presence of God thereby having no spirit, (only self consciousness, awareness of one’s self existence, feelings, emotions and surroundings). There will be no communication with God in this final place of torment.

     The good news is that it doesn’t have to end this way for any of us, God doesn’t want anyone to suffer eternity in this place of torment and separation from Him. He would rather that we all repent of our sins and turn to Christ for salvation, thereby receiving eternal life in the presence of God. Unfortunately as we have learned earlier, by one’s own free will choice, they bring themselves into a position where God has no choice but to separate Himself from them for eternity, they resisted (refused to accept) the power of God through the finished works (shed blood) of Christ on Calvary as the covering atonement for their sins. Rom. 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. KJV

Their only possible destiny is eternal separation from God, condemning their own soul to damnation.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

John 3:16 For 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 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

2 Cor 6:2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) KJV

All these scriptures bring us to the acknowledgment that without Christ we are destined to eternal separation from God, but that through true faith and repentance God will forgive us.  

In Acts 2 they confronted Peter with a direct question as to what they must do to receive this eternal life (infilling of the Holy Ghost) and he responded in Acts 2:38 by telling them to repent and be baptized in the name (cleansing power) of Christ and they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (eternal life).

Simply believe that Christ has died on the cross of Calvary for the remission of all your sins, than ask Him to forgive you and to come into your life through faith in obedience of repentance and baptism and God will share with you His Spirit of Life (fill you with the Holy Ghost).

Yes, dear friend, right now you can receive Christ as your savior. God wants you now; you needn’t worry about making a lot of changes in your life before coming to Christ, you needn’t worry about not being good enough to be accepted by God. God is ready and waiting for you to make that decision to receive Christ as your own personal savior right now just as you are, don’t wait or hesitate, surrender unto Christ now. Ask Christ into your life.

It is God’s own privilege to make whatever changes He wants in your life. It is the Holy Spirit who will teach you right from wrong.

It is man’s responsibility to introduce you to God, it is not man’s responsibility to tell you how to live your life.

May God find us diligently watching for His return by working in the field of harvest leading souls to Christ.