Mysteries of the Afterlife Introduction This is

Mysteries of the Afterlife

Introduction This is a collection of the many scriptures which speak about what human beings are and what happens to them after death. - All scriptures are from the New King James Version, unless indicated otherwise -

Topics of Discussion - Just what is a human being ? Body, Soul and Spirit - Do we have an immortal soul? - What happens to someone at the point of death? - Are ghosts real? - Descriptions of the places of the dead - What the state of the dead is like - The resurrection of the dead - How the dead are judged

The make-up of man If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. Job 34: 14 -15 Spirit - Strong’s #H 7307 – - רוח Ruach Definitions: Wind, Breath, Mind, Spirit Breath – Strong’s #H 5397 - - נשמה Neshama Definitions: Breath, Spirit Flesh – Strong’s #H 1320 - – בשר Basar Definitions: Flesh (of humans or animals), the Body itself (of humans or animals) -Note that the Spirit and Breath both come from God and both keep our bodies alive.

The Body And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh ( – בשר Basar); yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years. ” Genesis 6: 3 And all flesh ( – בשר Basar); died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping that creeps on the earth, and every man. Genesis 7: 21

Man is a Soul 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. Genesis 2: 7 Soul – Strong’s #H 5315 – - נפש Nephesh Definitions: A living being (that which breathes), an individual, self, life, person, the seat of emotions and passions – נפש Nephesh comes from – נפש Naphash – Strong’s #H 5314

– נפש naphash – Definition: to take a breath Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed ( – נפש naphash) themselves there. 2 Samuel 16: 14 ‘It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed ( – נפש naphash). ’ ” Exodus 31: 17

God Creates Souls (breathing creatures) Isaiah 57: 16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made. NKJV For I will not contend for ever, nor will I always be angry; for from me proceeds the spirit, and I have made the breath of life. RSV spirit: רוח souls/breath of life: נשמה

Neshamot – Those who breathe air So Joshua conquered all the land: the mountain country and the Southfn and the lowland the wilderness slopes, and all their kings; he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed ( , ) נשמה as the LORD God of Israel had commanded. Joshua 10: 40 These Canaanites had a neshama, which could be destroyed. It seems that neshama is simply an “airbreathing” person or animal.

The Body’s Soul-life is in it’s Blood For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life. Leviticus 17: 11 כי נפש הבשר בדם הוא ואני נתתיו לכם על־המזבח לכפר על־נפשתיכם כי־הדם הוא בנפש יכפר׃ All animals are/have a nephesh, which is in their blood and keeps them alive.

Proof of an Immortal Soul Burning in Eternal Hell Fire? Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul ( – נפש Nephesh) from hell ( – שאול sheol). Proverbs 23: 13 -14

God is/has a Soul Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul ( – נפש Nephesh) hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. Isaiah 1: 14

Souls Can Die “The soul ( – נפש Nephesh) who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Ezekiel 18: 20

Breath and a Spirit in Man as long as my breath ( - נשמה As long as my breath ( נשמה Neshama) is in me, and the -Neshama) is in me, And the spirit ( -רוח Ruach) of God is breath ( -רוח Ruach) of God in in my nostrils, Job 27: 3 ESV NKJV But there is a spirit ( -רוח Ruach) in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Job 32: 8

The Soul – Greek Usage For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4: 12 The soul is different from the spirit. They are not the same thing and can be divided from one another. Soul – Strong’s #G 5590 – ψυχή - Psuche Definitions: Breath, Life, the Soul Spirit – Strong’s #G 4151 – πνευμα - Pneuma Definitions: (Holy) Spirit, (Man’s) Spirit, a Spirit Being, the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one, a movement of air

The Soul (psuche) cannot be destroyed by Man, but it can by God And do not fear those who kill the body (σομα – soma) but cannot kill the soul (ψυχή – Psuche). But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10: 28 Body – Strong’s #G 4983 - σομα – soma Definition: The body (both of men and animals) Is the Soul therefore more than just the body or a person?

3 components of Human Beings? Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit (πνευμα – Pneuma), soul (ψυχή – Psuche), and body (σομα - soma) be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5: 23

A Summary of Hebrew Definitions Flesh – Strong’s #H 1320 - – בשר Basar Definitions: Flesh (of humans or animals), the Body itself (of humans or animals) Soul – Strong’s #H 5315 – - נפש Nephesh Definitions: A living being (that which breathes), an individual, self, life, person, the seat of emotions and passions Breath – Strong’s #H 5397 - - נשמה Neshama Definitions: Breath, Spirit - Strong’s #H 7307 – - רוח Ruach Definitions: Wind, Breath, Mind, Spirit

A Summary of Greek Definitions Body – Strong’s #G 4983 - σομα – soma Definition: The body (both of men and animals) Soul – Strong’s #G 5590 – ψυχή - Psuche Definitions: Breath, Life, the Soul Spirit/Breath – Strong’s #G 4151 – πνευμα - Pneuma Definitions: (Holy) Spirit, (Man’s) Spirit, a Spirit Being, the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one, a movement of air

Relationships Between Hebrew and Greek Words Hebrew Flesh בשר Basar = Greek σομα soma Hebrew Soul נפש Nephesh = Greek ψυχή – Psuche Hebrew Spirit רוח Ruach = πνευμα – Pneuma

Do we have an Immortal Soul? For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 23 Eternal life is a gift, through faith in Yeshua, it is not something that we have already. Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? Job 4: 17 KJV Man is described by the adjective “mortal”. Man is mortal. Nowhere do the scriptures say that man is immortal or that he has an immortal soul.

I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 1 Timothy 6: 13 -16 Only Yeshua alone (among men) has immortality. This is written by Timothy years after the resurrection of Yeshua, when He supposedly led the faithful dead to heaven, as is often taught. If the dead were in heaven at the time that Timothy wrote, then would they not have immortality?

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. ” 1 Corinithians 15: 51 -54 It is at the resurrection that the dead will be raised and those who have been believers will be made immortal only at that point in time

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. Genesis 3: 4 That we are like Yahweh in the sense of being immortal (“you will not surely die”) is one of the lies of the devil Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” - therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3: 22 Man was prevented from having access to the tree of life – so that he could not live forever.

Soul Capture in Ezekiel 13: 17 -23 Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their sleeves and make veils for the heads of people of every height to hunt souls ( – נפש Nephesh)! Will you hunt the souls of My people, and keep yourselves alive? And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies? Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against your magic

charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds. I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life. Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD. ”

Douay Reims Translation of Ezekiel 13: 17 -23 And thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people that prophesy out of their own heart: and do thou prophesy against them, And say: Thus saith the Lord God: Woe to them that sew cushions under every elbow: and make pillows for the heads of persons of every age to catch souls: and when they caught the souls of my people, they gave life to their souls. And they violated me among my people, for a handful of barley, and a piece of bread, to kill souls which should not die, and to save souls alive which should not live, telling lies to my people that believe lies. Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I declare against your cushions, wherewith you catch flying souls: and I will tear them off from your arms: and I will let go the souls that you catch, the souls that should fly.

And I will tear your pillows, and will deliver my people out of your hand, neither shall they be any more in your hands to be a prey: and you shall know that I am the Lord. Because with falsehood ye have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and have strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, to save his life: Therefore you shall not see vain things, nor divine divinations any more, and I will deliver my people out of your hand: and you shall know that I am the Lord.

Soul Capture in the Book of Enoch This place, O Enoch, is prepared for those who dishonour God, who on earth practice sin against nature, which is child-corruption after the sodomitic fashion, magic-making, enchantments and devilish witchcrafts, and who boast of their wicked deeds, stealing, lies, calumnies, envy, rancour, fornication, murder, and who, accursed, steal the souls of men, 2 Enoch 10: 3 He who works the killing of a man’s soul, kills his own soul, and kills his own body, and there is no cure for him for all time. 2 He who puts a man in any snare, shall stick in it himself, and there is no cure for him for all time. 3 He who puts a man in any vessel, his retribution will not be wanting at the great judgment for all time. 4 He who works crookedly or speaks evil against any soul, will not make justice for himself for all time. 2 Enoch 60: 1 -4

Simon Fraser University Animism is the belief that not only living creatures but also inanimate objects have life and personality; these supernatural persons are referred to as spirits, ghosts, or gods. Such beings are believed to behave as people do: They are conscious, they have will, and they feel the same emotions as human beings feel. Such spirits may reside in features of the physical environment, such as trees or stones, or they may reside in animals. The idea that the spirit resides in the animal is significant to hunting societies. The spirit of the hunted animal, for instance, is worshipped because it is believed that a hunt will be successful only if an animal allows itself to be killed. Souls, which may also reside in human bodies, are believed to be able to leave the body at will, temporarily during sleep or permanently as in death. Spirits or souls that leave the body at death turn into ghosts, which come in a variety of forms and relate in various ways to the living in different cultures. www. sfu. ca

Native American Soul Catchers Traditionally, soul catchers were used by Northwest Native Americans, who believed that the loss of one's soul or spirit -- if it became separated from the body during a dream, for instance, or was driven out by witchcraft -- causes disease. Soul catchers were usually made of hollowed animal leg bones, carved at each end to resemble the open mouth of the animal, with cedar bark plugs to trap the captured soul. Shamans or healers were hired to track down the missing soul, capture it in a soul catcher, and restore it to the body in order to prevent illness from invading the "empty" body. Small soul catchers were often worn around the neck as medicinal charms; larger soul catchers were sometimes placed in the smokeholes of houses to prevent souls from leaving prematurely. © 2001 -2008 University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine

The Spirit and Death No one has power over the spirit ( )רוח to retain the spirit ( , )רוח And no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it. Ecclesiastes 8: 8

The Golden Bough, Sir James Frazer Chapter 66, The Eternal Soul in Folk Tales Regarding the soul: Paragraph 1: “the savage thinks of it as a concrete material thing of a definite bulk, capable of being seen and handled, kept in a box or jar”…So long as this object which he calls his life or soul remains unharmed, the man is well; if it is injured, he suffers; if it is destroyed, he dies…man takes his soul out of his body and deposits it for security in some snug spot, intending to replace it in his body when the danger is past. ” Paragraph 4: “Thossakan or Ravana, the King of Ceylon, was able by magic art to take his soul out of his body and leave it in a box at home, while he went to the wars. Thus he was invulnerable in battle. ” Paragraph 13: “The notion of an external soul has now been traced in folk-tales told by Aryan peoples from India to Ireland… the same idea occurs commonly in the popular stories of peoples who do not belong to the Aryan stock. ”

What happens to each person’s spirit (ruach, pneuma) at death ? And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit. ’ Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23: 46 Yeshua committed His spirit into His Father’s hands at death. That means His spirit actually went to God the Father. Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Eccl. 12: 6 -7 At death the spirit will return to God who gave it. God is in heaven. Therefore the spirit that initially came from heaven returns to heaven.

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ” Acts 7: 59 Yeshua was then in heaven at the right hand of the Father. Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Ps. 146: 3 -4 Man’s spirit departs at death and his body returns to the earth (dirt), in the day of his death.

A person’s spirit returning to their dead body While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. ” But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well. ” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping. ” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand called, saying, “Little girl, arise. ” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. Luke 8: 49 -55

A part of us “flys away” at death He (the wicked) will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. Job 20: 8 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; we finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Ps. 90: 9 -10 Our soul and/or spirit flies away after death? With the sigh of our last breath?

No one has immortality yet - recap “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. John 3: 13 No man had ascended to heaven by that point in time. (Christ) “who alone has immortality” 1 Timothy 6: 16 No one other than Yeshua had yet been granted immortality by the time this was written, decades after the resurrection in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinithians 15: 52 -53 Paul told the Corinithians believers that they would receive immortality “at the last trump”

What is the grave like? Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; Prov. 1: 12 Those who die are swallowed up alive. They go down into the pit whole. That implies consciousness during the journey to “the pit”. Are not my days few? Cease! Leave me alone, that I may take a little comfort, Before I go to the place from which I shall not return, To the land of darkness and the shadow of death, A land as darkness itself, As the shadow of death, without any order, Where even the light is like darkness. ’ Job 10: 20 -22 We go to the place from which we will not return, “the land of darkness”.

But some who die do not immediately go to the land of darkness. They seem to wander about for a while. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, `It is a ghost!` And they cried out for fear. Matt. 14: 26 (the parallel account is Mark 6: 49) “Ghost” here is the Greek word Phantasma. The disciples obviously believed that such a thing as ghosts existed or they would not have been afraid. Why would they be afraid of something that they did not believe existed? If they did not believe that it was a ghost, they believed that it was one of the spirits that come from hades to take the living down there. Their fear shows that they believed that a very real and imminent danger was present.

The ghost/demon connection - Alexander Campbell’s comments “We have, from a careful survey of the history of the term demon, concluded that the demons of Paganism, Judaism, and Christianity were the ghosts of dead men. 1. All the Pagan authors of note, whose works have survived the wreck of ages, affirm the opinion that demons were the spirits or ghosts of dead men. 2. The Jewish historians, Josephus and Philo, also avow this conviction. Josephus says, “Demons are the spirits of wicked men, who enter into living men and destroy them, unless they are so happy as to meet with speedy relief. ” Philo says, “The souls of dead men are called demons. ” 3. The Christian Fathers, Justin Martyr, Ireneus, Origen, &c. depose to the same effect. Justin, when arguing for a future state, alleges, “Those who are seized and tormented by the souls of the dead, whom all call demons, and madmen. ” Lardner, after examining

With the most laborious care the works of these, and all the Fathers of the first two centuries, says, “The notion of demons, or the souls of dead men, having power over living men, was universally prevalent among the heathen of these times, and believed by many Christians. ” The term demon…is of Grecian origin…and, according to some etymologists, is legitimately descended from a very ancient verb pronounced daioo, which means to discriminate, to know. Daimoon, or demon, therefore, simply indicates a person of intelligence – a knowing one. ” Demonology, Alexander Campbell, 1841 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Demon in NT Greek is Daimon, Strong’s #G 1142 Definitions: 1. a god, a goddess A. an inferior deity, whether good or bad 2. In the NT, an evil spirit

Chris Putnam’s Comments “The original Greek term daimon from which we render “demon” in the New Testament had a wide range of meaning. In fact, in popular Koine Greek, the word commonly referred to human ghosts. According to a leading scholarly lexicon (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Kittel, Bromiley and Friedrich, Eerdmans, 1964), “So far as concerns popular belief and its animistic basis we may simply say that demons are fundamentally the spirits of the departed. ” This is rooted deep in antiquity as Hesiodus of Ascra (c. 700 BC), the oldest Greek poet to emerge as a tangible figure, called the souls of the departed daimones. This is generally consistent with Jewish beliefs. In the Hebrew Bible, the spirits of the dead consulted in witchcraft are called elohim, as seen in the invocation of the witch of Endor, who marveled: “I saw gods (elohim) ascending out of the earth” (1 Samuel 28: 13). ” pp. 320 -321, The Supernatural Worldview, Chris Putnam, 2014

The Demon/Elohim Connection They sacrificed to demons (Sheddim), not to God (Eloah), To gods (elohim) they did not know, To new gods (to chadashim), new arrivals That your fathers did not fear. Deuteronomy 32: 17

Yeshua appearing to His disciples after the resurrection But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit (pneuma). Luke 24: 37 Here they were also afraid because they thought that Jesus was the spirit of a human being. As a spirit, He would have appeared to them in somewhat of a bodily form, just as some ghosts do. A ghost is a disembodied spirit that sometimes manifests itself as an apparition and rarely even in actual physical form.

Yeshua Taught about Ghosts Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have. ” Luke 24: 39 NIV Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do. ” Luke 24: 39 NLT The word for “ghost” here is pneuma.

Ignatius’ letter to the Smyrneans Iganatius, disciple of John, quotes Luke 24: 39 as; “Handle me and see, for I am not a daimoon asomaton (disembodied demon)” – a human spirit without a body This shows that Ignatius believed that the spirit or ghost mentioned in Luke 24: 39 was a demon.

Peter’s Angel ? But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel. ” Acts 12: 15 The believers thought that Peter was killed and that it was his angel that appeared to them. The text says “angel” (aggelos in Greek).

Contacting the dead is forbidden “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, “or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. “For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. Deut. 18: 10 -12 Establishing contact with familiar spirits, and necromancy (establishing contact with the dead) are two separate practices that are forbidden. They are obviously two different things in order to be listed in this way. Familiar spirits are the spirits of demons, while necromancy is summoning the spirit of a dead human being. If it were not possible to contact the spirit of a dead human being, then why would God condemn this practice? To fill the Bible with commandments against things aren’t even possible? It is possible, indeed, to summon the spirit of a dead person - but it is a forbidden practice!

Josephus’s Comment on Necromancy “For this sort of necromantic women that bring up the souls of the dead, do by them foretell future events to such as desire them”. Antiquities 6. 330

Places of the Dead The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Rev. 20: 13 There are 3 places for the dead: the sea, Death and Hades The dead are in deep anguish, those beneath the waters and all that live in them. Job 26: 5 NIV

The grave as a house/home For I know that You will bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living. Job 30: 23 All living are appointed to their “house” once they die For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. Eccl. 12: 5 Man goes to his eternal home at death

Sheol has Gates I said, “In the prime of my life I shall go to the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the remainder of my years. ” Isaiah 38: 10 Hell (the grave) has gates at it’s entrance Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Job 38: 17 The gates of death. Throughout chapter 38 we see descriptions of actual geographical locations on Earth, astronomical localities in the heavens, meteorological and scientific realities in the material realm and the animal kingdom. Are we to believe that the gates of sheol are the one single insertion of pure fantasy or allegory into a chapter that consists entirely of tangible realities? Would that not be a complete abberation within the narrative?

they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Ps. 107: 18 ESV The gates of death is a place that fools and the wicked are in danger of being sent prematurely. (v. 17 -20) “Before I go to the place from which I shall not return, To the land of darkness and the shadow of death, A land as darkness itself, As the shadow of death, without any order, Where even the light is like darkness. ” Job 10: 21 -22 A land of darkness. A land without order. Even the light there is like darkness.

For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead; Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. Proverbs 2: 18 NKJV Proverbs 2: 18 NIV For a fire is kindled in My anger, And shall burn to the lowest hell; It shall consume the earth with her increase, And set on fire the foundations of the mountains. Deut. 32: 22 The lowest hell. Is there more than one level in sheol?

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. Ps. 86: 13 KJV The lowest hell. That means there must be at least two upper levels (not “lower”, but “lowest” is the word used here), making a total of at least three levels of hell.

What is it Like to be Dead? As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalm 17: 15 KJV Death is like sleep So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, They will not awake nor be roused from their sleep. “Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. Job 14: 12 -14 Sleeping until one’s change comes. Let it be mentioned here that sleep is definitely not a state of complete unconsciousness. When we sleep we are semi-conscious. We have the ability to influence and direct our own dreams, to make decisions in our own dreams, which then steers the course of the dream. We also remember our dreams once we awake, especially if we make the effort to try to remember them. If death is analogous to sleep - and that is the analogy that we see throughout the Bible - then death too is a semi-conscious state.

A Dark Place – just what we need for a Good Rest Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. Eccl. 11: 7 -8 Many days of darkness after living many years in the light. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell ( ) ישב in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. Ps. 143: 3 Those who have been dead for a long time are still dwelling in darkness. ישב can also be translated as to “remain” or “abide”.

An Overview of Life, Death and Resurrected Life The description found in Job 33: 13 -30 Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words. For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. In order to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man, He keeps back his soul from the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. “Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, and with strong pain in many of his bones, so that his life abhors bread, and his soul succulent food. His flesh wastes away from sight, and his bones stick out which once were not seen. Yes, his soul draws near the Pit, and his life to the executioners…

“If there is a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand, to show man His uprightness, Then He is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom’; His flesh shall be young like a child’s, he shall return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, he shall see His face with joy, for He restores to man His righteousness. Then he looks at men and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it did not profit me. ’ He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, and his life shall see the light. “Behold, God works all these things, twice, in fact, three times with a man, To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life. Job 33: 13 -30

The Pit - שחת Strong’s #H 7845 - - שחת Shachath Definitions: a. A Pit b. A Cistern c. An underground prison d. A sepulchre/grave Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon

Both Body and Soul Remain in the Grave For our soul ( ) נפש is bowed down to the dust; Our body ( )בטן clings to the ground. Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake. Ps. 44: 25 -26 Body and soul are in the grave until the resurrection. Yeshua, Himself, arose from the grave in order to help us and redeem us from death. בטן technically means “belly” but it often refers to the whole body and, interestingly, can itself refer to the “depth of sheol”. Therefore we see it used poetically here. A rough equivalent would be “our innards (meaning our very core-us in our entirety) to the bowels of the earth”

Consciousness in the Grave – Ezek. 32: 17 -32 It came to pass also in the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying: “Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt, And cast them down to the depths of the earth, Her and the daughters of the famous nations, With those who go down to the Pit ( ‘ : )בור Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down, be placed with the uncircumcised. ’ “They shall fall in the midst of those slain by the sword; She is delivered to the sword, Drawing her and all her multitudes. The strong among the mighty Shall speak to him out of the midst of hell ( ) שאול With those who help him: ‘They have gone down, They lie with the uncircumcised, slain by the sword. ’

“Assyria is there, and all her company, With their graves all around her, All of them slain, fallen by the sword. Her graves are set in the recesses of the Pit, And her company is all around her grave, All of them slain, fallen by the sword, Who caused terror in the land of the living. “There is Elam and all her multitude, All around her grave, All of them slain, fallen by the sword, Who have gone down uncircumcised to the lower parts of the earth, Who caused their terror in the land of the living; Now they bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit. They have set her bed in the midst of the slain, With all her multitude, With her graves all around it, All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; Though their terror was caused In the land of the living, Yet they bear their shame With those who go down to the Pit; It was put in the midst of the slain.

“There are Meshech and Tubal and all their multitudes, With all their graves around it, All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, Though they caused their terror in the land of the living. They do not lie with the mighty Who are fallen of the uncircumcised, Who have gone down to hell with their weapons of war; They have laid their swords under their heads, But their iniquities will be on their bones, Because of the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. Yes, you shall be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised, And lie with those slain by the sword. “There is Edom, Her kings and all her princes, Who despite their might Are laid beside those slain by the sword; They shall lie with the uncircumcised, And with those who go down to the Pit.

There are the princes of the north, All of them, and all the Sidonians, Who have gone down with the slain In shame at the terror which they caused by their might; They lie uncircumcised with those slain by the sword, And bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit. “Pharaoh will see them And be comforted over all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, Slain by the sword, ” Says the Lord GOD. “For I have caused My terror in the land of the living; And he shall be placed in the midst of the uncircumcised With those slain by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitude, ” Says the Lord GOD. Ezek. 32: 17 -32

When rulers and their armies die they are lying in their beds (v. 25) in the grave. Each nation has it’s own section in the pit. There is communication and speaking going on between different parties (v. 21), and when Pharaoh goes down to the pit he will be seeing his own army and be comforted (v. 31). All these things involve consciousness, the faculties of sight and dialogue, and interaction between different beings.

Consciousness in the Grave – Isaiah 14: 9 -11, 15 -20 “Hell ( ) שאול from beneath is excited about you (the king of Babylon), To meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, All the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones All the kings of the nations. They all shall speak and say to you: ‘Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us? Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, And the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, And worms cover you. ’ Isaiah 14: 9 -11

Verses 12 to 14 are an inset portion, speaking of Lucifer(. )הילל This is similar to the Prince of Tyre ( / )נגיד צר King of Tyre ( )מלך צר (Lucifer) passage in Ezekiel 28: 1 -19 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. “Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners? ’ Isaiah 14: 15 -17 (It is recognized that verses 15 to 17 above may be speaking, at the same time, of both Lucifer and the King of Babylon)

Now, back to the king of Babylon: “All the kings of the nations, All of them, sleep in glory, Everyone in his own house; But you are cast out of your grave Like an abominable branch, Like the garment of those who are slain, Thrust through with a sword, Who go down to the stones of the pit, Like a corpse trodden underfoot. You will not be joined with them in burial, Because you have destroyed your land And slain your people. The brood of evildoers shall never be named. Isaiah 14: 18 -20

We see here that the dead are alive in the grave and conscious. These dead kings are having a conversation with the king of Babylon. There is no basis to allegorize this away. Are we to believe that God inspired Isaiah to describe the dead as having consciousness, even this is, as some say, a false teaching, just because it serves as an interesting literary device? That makes no sense at all.

Consciousness in the Grave – The Book of Revelation There are two different passages in the book of Revelation that describe souls of the dead being at the throne room of the Father in heaven. This scenes take place before the tribulation ends and before the time of the return of Jesus and the general resurrection (Rev. 11: 15 -17 – the “last trumpet” of 1 Cor. 15: 52) 1 st Passage: When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? ” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Rev. 6: 9 -11

These souls that are under the altar are having a conversation with The Most High at the throne room in the 3 rd Heaven. Their brethren have not been slain yet, as they were. This means this conversation must be taking place before the great tribulation is over. We know that the resurrection occurs after the great tribulation has taken place (Matt. 24: 21 -31/Mk. 13: 19 -27). Therefore this scene clearly precedes the resurrection. What are these souls doing holding an actual detailed conversation with The Most High if they have not been resurrected yet and they are supposedly completely unconscious and still in the grave? To dismiss this as mere symbolism, such as some people interpret in the case of Abel’s blood “calling out” from the ground, is to ignore the fact that this is a very detailed account of back and forth intelligent and thoughtful communication between these souls and their Maker. They ask a question and are given an answer from Him who sits on the throne.

2 nd Passage: Rev. 7: 9 -17 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen. ” Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from? ”

And I said to him, “Sir, you know. ” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; “for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. ” Rev. 7: 9 -17 A great multitude of human beings from every nation, tribe, people and tongue that are before throne of God in heaven. These people were killed in the great tribulation. They do not yet have Yeshua dwelling among them and shepherding them. These people are in heaven and are not yet ruling with Yeshua on the earth (Rev. 5: 9 -10).

3 rd Passage: Rev. 20: 4 -5 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. This seems to be describing the same souls of Rev. 6: 9 -11, and possibly Rev. 7: 9 -17, just before the moment of their resurrection. Revelation 15: 1 -8 also describes saints who were slain for not taking the mark of the beast, they are conscious in heaven, and are praising God.

Sheol – Not a Pleasant Place for the Wicked Job 26: 5 -6 “The dead tremble, Those under the waters and those inhabiting them. Sheol is naked before Him, and Destruction has no covering. “The dead are in deep anguish, those beneath the waters and all that live in them. The realm of the dead is naked before God; Destruction lies uncovered. The shades tremble beneath the waters and the inhabitants thereof; Sheol is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. Job 26: 5 -6 NKJV Job 26: 5 -6 NIV Job 26: 5 -6 Darby The “dead” are rephaim , רפאים Strong’s #H 7496, which is defined as: ghosts of the dead, shades, spirits

But, what about the dead “knowing nothing”? This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more 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. Ecclesiastes 9: 3 -6

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9: 10 These verses, in light of what we have seen already, could mean that the dead know nothing of what happens in the land of the living. Likewise they no longer have any might or power to accomplish any works in the land of the living. Job 8: 8 -9 says “For inquire, please, of the former age, And consider the things discovered by their fathers; For we were born yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow. Here are people who are alive and yet “know nothing”.

John 11: 49 says And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, I am sure that we all know someone who “knows nothing”, yet they are very much alive. Sometimes they may even think a bit. ☺ “Knowing nothing” does not necessarily mean that one has no consciousness at all. Or, if we put it as an equation: knowing nothing ≠ lack of consciousness Not necessarily. Not always.

Complete Silence in the Grave? Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. Ps. 31: 17 This verse doesn’t prove that the dead are completely silent. We could say of people who are making a noise; “let them be silent”. This verse may even imply that the wicked dead are not silent to begin with and David is asking that to happen. David continues on to say in the next verse: Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

No more memory of the dead But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more. ” Jeremiah 11: 19

What Happened to Enoch ? Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5: 21 -24 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11: 5 KJV

Enoch was Taken / Translated Taken – Strong’s #H 3947 – - לקח laqach Definitions: to take Taken/Translated – Strong’s #G 3346 - μετατίθημι – metatithemi Definitions: to transpose, transfer, change These words are never used in the Bible in the sense of anyone being taken or translated to heaven.

How Takenis Used in Other Bible Verses “And they (Jacob’s and the father’s bodies) were carried back (μετατίθημι) to Shechem and laid (τίθημι) in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Acts 7: 16 For the priesthood being changed (μετατίθημι), of necessity there is also a change (μεταθεσις) of the law. Hebrews 7: 12

Enoch Died and is Still Waiting for the Promise the Resurrection) (of These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11: 13 Moses is mentioned in verses 23 to 29 and “the prophets” are mentioned in verse 32. Elijah is not excluded from being one of “the prophets”. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11: 39 -40

Moses also Died and his Body was Hidden by God So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. Deuteronomy 34: 5 -7

How Could Enoch have “died” (Heb. 11: 13) and also “not see death” (Heb. 11: 5)? There are two deaths! 1. The first death And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9: 27 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15: 22

2. The second death “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? ” John 11 : 26 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. ” Revelation 21: 8 The first death is a physical death. Those who have been resurrected, judged and not allowed into the kingdom of God will experience the second death in the lake of fire.

“that he should not see death” By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Heb. 11: 5 This is probably referring to the second death. Just as is promised to all believers – escape from the second death, through faith in Jesus. “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death. ” John 8: 51

Which Heaven was Elijah Taken up to? There are three heavens in scripture: 1. The atmosphere and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens. Genesis 1: 20 ESV 2. Outer Space When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, Psalm 8: 3 3. God’s Abode “Our Father in heaven” Matthew 6: 9 I know a man in Christ who…was caught up to the third heaven…he was caught up into Paradise 2 Corinthians 12: 2 -4

Elijah Taken Up to the Sky Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2: 11 The Sons of the Prophets thought that God dropped Elijah down on some mountain or valley and that he could have been found. “Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley. ” 2 Kings 2: 16

When was Elijah Taken Up? Elijah was God’s prophet to Ahaziah, King of Israel. So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. Because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. 2 Kings 1: 17 Ahaziah’s brother Jehoram starts his reign in the second year of Jehoram (same name, different person), king of Judah. It is at this point in time (2 Kings, chapter 2) that Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into “heaven”. Elisha takes up Elijah’s mantle, is given a double portion of the Spirit, and is thereby commissioned by God as His prophet to Jehoram (2 Kings 3: 11), the new king of Israel. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 21: 5 The 8 th year of Jehoram of Judah = the 6 th year of Jehoram of Israel

Elijah’s Letter to Jehoram, King of Judah And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD God of your father David: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, or in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot like the harlotry of the house of Ahab, and also have killed your brothers, those of your father’s household, who were better than yourself, behold, the LORD will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions; and you will become very sick with a disease of your intestines, until your intestines come out by reason of the sickness, day by day. 2 Chronicles 21: 12 -15 This letter was written by Elijah at least 6 years after he was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Therefore he was only taken up to the sky and brought down somewhere far away. Elijah completed the commission that God gave him to Jehoram, King of Judah by writing him this letter. At some point in time after that Elijah died, not having yet received the promise of the resurrection (Hebrews 11: 39 -40).

The Transfiguration Matthew 17: 1 -9 / Mark 9: 1 -9 / Luke 9: 27 -37 Matthew Mark Luke comments And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power. ” Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. “But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God. ” Some disciples would see the kingdom of God before they died. (Daniel 2: 44 - God’s kingdom on Earth, from the onset of the Millennium to eternity) Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, 6 days + 1 day on the mountain = 6000 years of man’s rule, followed by 1000 years of Christ’s rule on this Earth = 6 days of work + 1 day of rest

Matthew Mark Luke His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. His clothes became and His robe became white and shining, exceedingly glistening. white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. comments “His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ” Revelation 1: 16

Matthew Mark Luke Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. ” Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— not knowing what he said. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” comments God, The Father speaks. He is the third witness, besides Moses and Elijah, of Jesus’ being the Son of God in His glory.

Matthew Mark Luke comments And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid. ” When they had lifted up Suddenly, when they had their eyes, they saw no one looked around, they saw no but Jesus only. one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead. ” Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. This was a vision.

Matthew Mark Luke But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen. Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. comments After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Peter, James and John would be three living human witnesses of Jesus in His future glory at His kingdom.

The Transfiguration: 3 Possibilities 1. Moses and Elijah visit Jesus from the present resting place of their soul (the grave), and Jesus is transfigured. However, the kingdom of God would not have been established yet, so this cannot be the right answer. 2. Moses and Elijah came back from the future to visit Jesus. They had already been resurrected at Jesus’ future return, so they can appear in their own glorified state. (1 Cor. 15: 42 -43; Dan. 12: 3) Jesus is transfigured. But does this really qualify as the disciples seeing the actual kingdom of God having been established on Earth? Not really. 3. The third possibility is that the disciples vision consisted of being transported by time travel, into the future, to the time that the kingdom of God would have already been established and Moses and Elijah would have already been resurrected. When Moses and Elijah speak of Jesus future death there is a time loop created. People from the future are speaking of a past event as if it had not occurred yet. Nevertheless, this seems to be the best option.

The Conclusion of the Matter The key to understanding the Transfiguration isn’t determining when Moses and Elijah would be resurrected, and if they came from Heaven, but rather, selecting a time period after the future kingdom of God would be established. Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power. Mark 9: 1 Three disciples saw that future time in a vision.

Lazarus and the Rich Man Luke 16: 19 -31 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. ’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in

your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. ’ Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment. ’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. ’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent. ’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead. ’ ” Luke 16: 19 -31

Bosom – it can be figurative or not He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40: 11 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. John 1: 18 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13: 23

Points of Interest -Jesus did not call this a parable. -No parables have names given to the characters involved. This account says; “there was a certain beggar named Lazarus”. -The word “certain” is used in parables and also not in parables, so that is inconclusive. -After Lazarus died, he was carried by angels to “Abraham’s bosom”. This implies traveling over distance and ending up in a specific location. -After the rich man died, he was buried and was being tormented in Hades. In verse 28 the rich man calls Hades a “place of torment”. -Neither Lazarus or the rich man have been resurrected yet. Judgment takes place after the resurrection, so this must be some sort of holding place. -Why would Jesus relate a story that is full of Biblical untruths?

Were the Saints Resurrected to Eternal Life in Matt. 27? And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27: 50 -53 It is left up to interpretation as to the exact point in time when the saints were actually resurrected. They did come out of their graves until after Jesus’ resurrection. If they preceded Jesus in resurrection to eternal life, then that would contradict other scriptures. Jesus would not have had preeminence. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1: 18

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, Revelation 1: 5 Jesus has to be the firstborn from the dead, the first one ever resurrected to eternal life, or this scripture isn’t true. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 1 Corinthians 15: 20 -23 Christ was resurrected after 3 days of being in the grave. He had preeminence as the firstfruits/firstborn from the dead. Those who are His will be resurrected at His coming. They are asleep (dead) until then.

Did Jesus Preach to Dead People in Prison ? For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. 1 Peter 3: 18 -22

It is not certain when or where the “weekend in Hell” teaching first originated, but it crept into the Apostle’s Creed around the year 750 A. D. , after first appearing in an Arian creed in 360, and in some other creeds and doctrinal statements. 1 The older version of “weekend in Hell” held that Jesus visited the abode of the dead to preach to the “spirits in prison. ” https: //bible. org/article/where-was-jesus-spirit-when-his-body-was -tomb

Were these the Spirits of Dead People? These spirits were probably the fallen angels that are mentioned in Jude 6: And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; And in 2 Peter 2: 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

What was Proclaimed and to Whom? Preached – Strong’s #G 2784 - κηρύσσω – kérussó Definitions: to herald, proclaim, announce, preach, declare, publish “made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, ” These are disobedient spirits, not the spirits of dead believers. It was by the Holy Spirit that Christ was resurrected. The fact of the resurrection served as a proclamation to the fallen angels that he reentered heaven (unlike them) and that he was worthy to sit at “the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. ” (unlike the fallen angels) Jesus didn’t even need to go to Tartaros (the angel’s place of restraint). His resurrection itself served as the message. We also see an interesting contrast in this passage between the Holy Spirit (πνευμα – Pneuma) and the fallen angels (also πνευμα – Pneuma).

He Led Captivity Captive? Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men. ” You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there. Ephesians 4: 8 Psalm 68: 18

Ephesians 4: 8 isn’t even about the resurrection. In Psalm 68: 18 evil men are mentioned as giving gifts to God. Did Jesus also bring the rebellious men to heaven with Him? That makes no sense at all. Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. Judges 5: 12 Barak delivered Israel from the captivity of the Canaanites. Likewise, Jesus, by being God’s sacrifice on our behalf delivered us from being in bondage to sin.

Are O. T. Saints Already Resurrected? Peter said; “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day…For David did not ascend into the heavens Acts 2: 29, 34 a Would not David had been one of the “Old Testament Saints”? That is an invented term, anyhow, created to give a sense of support for the false doctrine of replacement theology. (Christ), who alone has immortality 2 Timothy 6: 16 Would not these “Old Testament Saints” have been given immortality when Jesus brought them to Heaven? And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11: 39 -40

Present with the Lord? - 1 Cor. 5: 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 5: 8 This verse is often misquoted as; “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. That’s not what it says! There is no is. In verses 1 to 6 Paul is contrasting our earthly bodies with spiritual bodies we will receive when we are resurrected. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15: 42 -44 Nor did Paul say that these spiritual bodies are given to us immediately at the point of death.

To be with Christ Phil. 1: 23 ? – For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. Philippians 1: 21 -24 Paul did not say that he would be immediately with Christ after he died. People read that into the text. Here is an alternate explanation of the context of these verses: “Paul was preaching in jail, and the Christians outside were taking courage because of Paul’s example. So Paul concludes that Christ would gain glory, whether he (Paul) would be executed or acquitted. These were the two “choices” that Paul mentioned. If he was executed, Christ would be magnified; if he was acquitted, Christ would be

Magnified as well. Paul says that he did not know which would be the most gain for Christ, so he decided not to state any preference to the Philippians: “yet what I shall choose I cannot tell” (literally, “I am not making known”). Thus, the entire verse, translated properly, reads: Yet I am pressed out of the two, having the desire for the return and together with Christ to be, for it rather is much better. ” Philippians 1: 23 Thou Shalt Surely Die, G. Marsh Hilbourne and Michael T. Wark, pp. 59 -60 This alternate view of Phil. 1: 23 puts Paul’s focus on Christ being magnified no matter which of the two (whether Paul was to be acquitted or executed). “He introduces a third choice, which was his real desire – “the return” of Christ. ” Thou Shalt Surely Die, G. Marsh Hilbourne and Michael T. Wark, pp. 59 -60

Paul Taught Christ’s Return First and thenthe Resurrection For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 -17 For Paul to have believed that he would have been immediately with the Lord after his death would have been against his own teachings!

Unusual Scriptures Concerning the Dead The Gospel Preached to the Dead ? They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Pet. 4: 6 This probably just means that the gospel was preached to people who were alive when they heard it and they are now dead. According to Colossians 1: 23, the gospel “was preached to every creature under heaven” already. Why would people need to hear it again after they had died?

Baptism for the Dead ? Speaking of the certainty of the resurrection, Paul says; “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? ” 1 Cor. 15: 29 Apparently people were being baptized for the dead or the point that Paul is making here would be invalid.

Were believers or unbelievers baptized on behalf of the dead? Epiphanius of Salamis (Panarion 28) and John Chrysostom (Homilies 40) attributed the practice respectively to the Cerinthians and to the Marcionites, whom they identified as heretical "Gnostic" groups. The Council/Synod of Hippo, in 393, declared that baptism was not to be given to the dead. That declaration tells us that it was a known practice at that time. It turns out that it could have been both misguided believers as well as unbelievers who engaged in this practice.

The Resurrection of the Dead Christ is the First to Rise from the Dead “that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles. ” Acts 26: 23 (Jesus) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Col. 1: 15 -18 Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. Cain was the firstborn physically, so this must be a different type of birth being spoken of here - the born again experience of physical to spiritual described in John 3: 1 -21 and the “change” described in 1 Cor. 15 (see below).

1 Corinthians 15: 12 -58 – The Resurrection Chapter Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet. ” But when He says “all things are put under Him, ” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is

excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits. ” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? ” Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. There also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars;

for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being. ” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. ”

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? ” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15: 12 -58 Those in Messiah will receive a spiritual body at the resurrection, which occurs at the last trumpet, when the seventh angel sounds the last (7 th) trumpet (Rev. 11: 15). The dead will rise first, followed by the living that are “in Messiah”.

Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain. Isaiah 26: 19 -21 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8: 11

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. ” John 11: 24 Martha knew that the resurrection would be at “the last day”. But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians. 4: 13 -18

The Judgment of the Dead - All Die and All will be Judged And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Heb. 9: 27 -28 After death each one is eventually judged. We die once and are judged once. This disproves the notion of reincarnation - successive lives and deaths. This verse does not say that we are judged immediately at the point that each one of us dies, but rather that judgment does follow death (at some unspecified – in this verse – point of time). ``For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah , that each one may receive things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. `` 2 Corinthians 5: 10

Yeshua Will be the Judge “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5: 21 -30 The Father will raise the dead to life so they may be judged. The Father has committed all judgement of the dead to the Son. The Son will give life “to whom He will”. v. 24 If we follow the commands of Jesus and we believe that the Father sent Him, then we already have eternal life dwelling in us. See 1 John 5: 11 -13

When Will the Judgment Take Place? – The Parable of the Dragnet “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ” Matt. 13: 47 -50 The judgment of the just and the wicked will be at the end of the age. The end of this present age is when Jesus returns, and not at the end of the Millennium, which is another age to come. That means that the wicked will be given no further opportunity to change. They will simply be judged. At the end of this age. No wonder Jesus stressed the urgency to gather the harvest while it is ripe and there is still time to do that. Even to the point of additional labourers being needed to get the harvest in before it was too late. If a harvest is not gathered in time, it perishes. Likewise, Jesus told the general population that if they did not repent, they would indeed perish.

When Will the Judgment Take Place? – The Parable of the Servant And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming, ’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12: 42 -48 The unfaithful servants of Jesus will have their punishment at the time of the Master’s (Jesus’) return, along with the unbelievers. Unbelievers will be judged at the time of Jesus’ return. It won’t be only “those who have been called”. Acts 17: 30 shows that all men everywhere were called to repent at the time that scripture was written.

When Will the Judgment Take Place? – The Sheep and the Goats “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. ’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? ’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. ’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and

you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. ’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You? ’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. ’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. ” Matt. 25: 31 -46 The judgment of all nations (all living) will occur at the time that Messiah returns to Earth with His holy angels and He sits on the throne of His glory. This is not only a time for rewards for faithful believers. The righteous will inherit everlasting life, but the cursed will go into the fire of everlasting punishment.

When Will the Judgment Take Place? – The Parable of the Tares Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares? ’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this. ’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up? ’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn. ”… Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. ” He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the

devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matt. 13: 24 -30, 36 -43 The whole world will be judged at the end of this age, not just the believers. The field in this parable represents the whole world, and not just the “Christian world” or “believers”, or even “those who have been called”. All the living are judged at Messiah’s return. Those who practice torahlessness will be cast into the fire and everlasting punishment. Those who were righteous will inherit everlasting life and the kingdom of God.

When Will the Judgment Take Place? – More Scriptures I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom`. 2 Tim. 4: 1 Are these just the dead believers or all the dead? It seems that it is all the dead because there is no mention of it being only a portion of the dead. From what we have seen earlier, it also seems that all the living will also be judged at this time. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Pet. 4: 3 -5 It appears that all the dead, including those who never knew God will be judged at His return, along with the living.

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12: 1 -3 At that time (of the greatest trouble on the nation of Israel) both the righteous and the wicked will be resurrected and judged.

And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth. ” Rev. 11: 16 -18 The dead are judged after the time that Jesus has begun His reign.

The wicked will be punished on the day of judgment then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 2 Pet. 2: 9 God is reserving punishment for the unjust at the day of judgment “But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. Luke 10: 12 -14 It will be more tolerable for some people than other people in the judgment. This means that there are degrees of punishment. Anything other than instant annihilation necessitates a time period, during which people will experience varying degrees of judgment. Therefore punishing probably extends beyond just one day. We don’t know how long people will be punished for.

Is Punishment for a Period of Time? “Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? ’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. ” Matt. 18: 32 -35 The wicked servant in this parable will be given over to the torturers “until he should pay” his debt. This strongly implies a time period. Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. ” Revelation 14: 9 -11 Here are people being tormented day and night with fire and brimstone. If they were just in physical bodies would they not have died quickly? This could be part of their final judgment, or it happens before their final judgment, while they are waiting to be resurrected – I am not sure.

The righteous will be rewarded with rulership with Messiah on the Earth And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Rev. 20: 4 -6 These dead souls will be given life and they will live and reign with Messiah for 1000 years For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. ” Rev. 5: 9 d-10 They will reign with Jesus on the Earth.

“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ‘ He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’as I also have received from My Father; ’ ” Revelation 2: 26 -27 Overcomers are promised rulership over the nations with Yeshua. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. ” Revelation 3: 21 Yeshua will have a literal throne on Earth, in Jerusalem (Jer. 3: 17). “Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas. ’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. ’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas. ’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities. ’ ” Luke 19: 16 -19 The degree of rewards depends on one’s faithfulness in this life.

The physical resurrection of Israelites on the day of judgment (as we saw from earlier scriptures) and at the onset of the millennium Ezekiel 37: 1 -14 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live? ” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know. ” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. ” ’ ” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live. ” ’ ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are

the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it, ” says the LORD. ’ ” Ezekiel 37: 1 -14 The whole house of Israel (all 13 tribes) will be resurrected to physical life one day. They will inhabit the land of Israel. This is not a resurrection to eternal life. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Corinthians 15: 50

2 Deaths 1. The First Death – Physical Death And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9: 27 2. The Second Death – Complete Destruction in the Lake of Fire “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. ” Revelation 21: 8 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. ” Revelation 2: 11

2 Resurrections 1. The First Resurrection – At Christ’s Return and the Beginning of the Millennium Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20: 6 2. The Second Resurrection – At the End of the Millennium But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. Revelation 20: 5 (this verse should be in brackets, by the way, as it is a side comment to the narrative) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20: 12 -25 The reason that “Death” and “Hades” (which are not people) are symbolically destroyed in the Lake of Fire is that after the Millennium there will not be any more physical human beings. Each person will have either gained eternal life or have been destroyed in the lake of fire. Since there will be no more physical human beings there will be no more physical death or any further need of a place to hold the dead until their judgment.

Death and Hades So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. Revelation 6: 8 “Death” here depicts physical death. We know that Hades is the holding place of the dead. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. ” Revelation 21: 4 A time will come when there is no more physical death. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15: 24 -26 The “end” here is after the Millennium.

Revelation 20 Timeline Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded (1 st Death) for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived (1 st Resurrection) and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (the Millennium period). But the rest of the dead did not live again (2 nd Resurrection) until the thousand years were finished (at the end of the Millennium). This is the first resurrection. (there should be a colon here instead of the period which the translators put - we are given here further information about the first resurrection) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing (2 nd Resurrection) before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them (2 nd Resurrection). And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast (2 nd Death) into the lake of fire. Revelation 20: 1 -15 The First Resurrection is for all those who lived before Christ’s return. The Second Resurrection is for all those who lived throughout the Millennium. Both groups of people are immediately judged at the time of their respective resurrection. One cannot be in both resurrections!

Then comes the Eternal Kingdom Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. ” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new. ” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful. ” Revelation 21: 1 -5 A new Heaven, a new Earth, a new Jerusalem, and God The Father, coming down from Heaven so He can dwell with His children forever and ever. How wonderful that will be!

A Sobering Thought Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Revelation 22: 14 -15 This is after the Millennium. Outside the city (the new Jerusalem) - (see Rev. 21 & 22: 1 -5), are the wicked - who are still being punished? How can the wicked be outside the city if the new Jerusalem has not even come down yet? Is this telling us that punishment of the wicked will indeed last into the Eternal Kingdom, depending upon whom is being punished for what? It is interesting that sexually immorality, murder and idolatry are described as the three cardinal sins in Judaism (sins that cannot be committed no matter what). Lying and sorcery are also mentioned here.