What is the main thing a Christian should look for when someone is teaching Scripture.  The Christian should be looking for “TRUTH”.   I will tell you where to find truth.  I will give an example of something someone wrote in the paper that is not scripturally correct and give scriptural reproof using the Bible why such statement is not scripturally true.  Many claim to teach and explain Biblical truths, but some of these are not in line with the Scriptures even when they quote a verse to validate their statements.  Most often the verse is taken out of context and once in a while the verse is just plain misused.   The condition of the proclaimer and also the reaction of the hearer concerns me.  The proclaimer is taking a position of authority or an elder of the Scriptures and what they say is most generally taken as truth by inexperienced Christians.  This can be very detrimental to the growth of new Christians.  It is a fact that most Americans do not like change, the same holds true with false teachings about scripture and doctrine, once someone believes one way it requires much more evidence to win over that individual to the truth. 

The example, I recently read in an editorial that the grave is the end of conscious existence for the unbeliever.  Does this raise a question with you?  It should!  Then we should look it up and find what the Scriptures say?  1 Cor. 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual”.  What one reads or hears from those who are supposed to know the “truth” is sometimes not scriptural.  So always compare man’s words to the Bible. 

Where do Christians go to find truth?  In Sunday School?  The church?  I wish that that one always heard the truth in church, but sometimes it is not the truth.  Some have succumbed to what Paul called social pressure, 2 Tim. 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but, after their own lusts, shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itchy ears; and they shall turn away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables”.    Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying “don’t go to church and listen to the sermons”.  What I am saying is for one to study and  become familiar with the Bible so you will recognize the “truth” when you hear it, 2 Tim. 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.  Then you can make a wise judgment to whom you want to listen and believe.  1 Jn. 4:12, “…try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world”.   What does the Bible say about seeking the truth?  Jn. 8:31-32, here Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.  And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”.  Jesus said that if we follow what He tells us then we are following the truth.  Jn. 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him. I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto Father, but by me”.  Again Jesus is saying follow me I am the truth.  And what is the best source to learn of Jesus?  The Bible.   Eph. 4:21, “If so that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus”.  Eph. 4:14-15, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive; But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ;”.  Become mature knowledgeable Christians to avoid the pitfalls of man.   Gal. 5:7-8, “Ye did well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?  The persuasion cometh not of him that called you”.  It didn’t come from Jesus, He does not mislead anyone.  In Gal. 1:7-9 Paul rebukes false teachers, “…but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again.  If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed”.  Christians are told to search for the truth by Dt. 13:14, “Then shall thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and behold, if it be truth, and the things certain, that such abominations is wrought among you”.   Ps. 33:4, “For the word of the LORD is right, and all his works are done in truth”.  Jn. 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth”.  The word, our Bible is truth, and who will guide us in the reading of his word?  Jn. 16:13, Nevertheless, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth;…”.  God the Holy Spirit indwells in us today and is our guide.   Rom. 1:15, “Who exchanged the truth of God for a lie,…”.  False teachers.  Gal. 3:1, “O Foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been openly set forth, crucified among you”?  1 John 4:1, “Beloved believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world”.   Here we have several scriptures telling us that Jesus is the “TRUTH”.   And the Bible is the truth.  And that many false prophets are telling things that are not true.  Jesus says that He is the way, the truth and life, Jn. 14:6.  Jesus also said that the devil has no truth in him, Mt. 8:44.  We must go to Jesus for truth and we will find Him in the Bible.

At the beginning I mentioned the editorial about the grave being the place where the unbeliever would remain in an unconscious state and I also said that I would present Scriptures that illustrate otherwise.  First of all let’s get a little background of man and his physical death.  Paul said that a believer has a spirit, soul and body, 1 Thess. 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”.  In Gen 35:18 we find at physical death the body is separated from the soul, “And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing (for she died), that she called his name…”.  Rachel’s soul left her body at death.  Again in Heb. 4:12 we find the separation of the body and soul, “…even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit…”.  Now the physical body goes to the six foot hole in the ground.  The soul and the spirit go other places.  Lk. 16:19-31 tells where the souls went before the resurrection of Christ.  The rich man went to hell and on the other side of the “great fixed gulf” in Abraham’s bosom (paradise) was Lazarus.  David is quoted in Acts 2:27 as saying, “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou allow thine Holy One to see corruption”.  So where is the soul at that time?  In hell, now don’t forget that hell was divided at this time, Lk. 16.  I think that there is enough evidence to show that the body is one place and a very conscious, knowing, feeling soul is in another.   Death is just a tollgate and after this physical death you do not remain unconscious.  Now these next scriptures follow up what hell is like and how long it lasts for the unbeliever.   Mt. 18:8-9, “Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than, having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than, having two eyes, be cast into hell fire”.   Here in verse 8 we can see the time element word, “everlasting” and in verse 9 we can see the subject “hell” and we can also see what is in hell, “fire”. 

At the end of the tribulation we read about the judgment of the sheep and goats, Mt. 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand [the goats or unsaved], Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels;”.  The goat or unsaved here is man and his judgment is to be put into a place of everlasting fire.  2 Thess. 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power,”.  Again the word “everlasting” is used.   Mt. 13:41-42, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them who do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth”.   An expansion on, Lk. 16:19-31 tells of the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  I feel that this is a story and not a parable as some claim, for this story uses names and parables do not use names.  Here the rich man is conscious, sees, feels, thirsts, has memory, tormented in flames, and talks to others.  Rev. 20:10 tells of the place called the “lake of fire and brimstone” where the devil was cast to be “tormented day and night forever and ever.”  The verse 14 tells us that those rise from the dead [unbelievers] they will be judged and “cast into the lake of fire”.  The Bible says nothing about there being two “lakes of fire” so I will have to assume that the lake of fire that the devil is sent to will be the same for the unbelievers. 

Many scriptures have been presented to let you see what Jesus, John, Peter and Paul have said about whether or not hell exists and if it is everlasting.  These scriptures certainly would not give me the opinion that hell is just a place the unbeliever goes after death where they remain in an unconscious state.  If they were unconscious they would have no feelings, emotions or knowledge of surroundings.  I hope this is enough Scriptures to convince one that the grave is not the end.  I want to believe that the ones that teach things like this do it out of ignorance, and not out of a willing ignorance (2 Pt. 3:5).  Nonetheless it is apparent that they have not made a diligent study of the Scriptures on the subject.  I pray for these individuals to search the scriptures and I also feel that they should not rest their case on just one verse.  This is what Peter was saying in 2 Pt. 1:20, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation”.   All who proclaim or teach the scriptures to others should memorize 2 Tim. 2:15 and include this in their daily prayer, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.  Following with verses 24-26, “And the servant if the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose him, if God, perhaps, will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will”. 

If people are teaching false doctrine in ignorance, then we need to pray for them.  If they are teaching false doctrine for some reason other than ignorance, then Paul said in Gal. 1:8-9 to let them be accursed.  2 Tim. 3:7 and 13 prophesying about the last days shows the people will be, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”.  And v. 13, “But evil men and seducers shall become worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived”.  Again we need to be aware what Peter said in 2 Pt. 2:1-3, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who secretly shall bring in destructive heresies…And many shall follow their pernicious ways…And through covetousness shall they, with feigned words, make merchandise of you;…”. 

It is the Christian’s responsibility to be wise, alert and to know the truth.  Eph. 4:14-15 says that we are not to be children, we are to mature in knowledge of the Bible so we will not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive…”. 

What can Christians do?

1.  Listen with discernment.   Heb. 5:14
2. Remember that which does not sound right then look it up in the Bible.  Dt. 13:14.
3. Follow along with the speaker in your Bible.  Remember the Bible has the final say in “truth”. Jn. 8:31.
4. We are all human and humans make mistakes.  Only God is omniscient.  Job chapters 38-41.
5. God gave us His word so we would have access to the truth.  2 Tim. 3:16.  But God has also given us free will, so it is our choice whether or not we study the Bible.
6. It is the Christian’s responsibility to grow, mature and to learn of God.  2 Tim. 2:15.
7. We can only point out the truth of scriptures, we can’t make others believe it.  They also have been given free will about accepting the truth or not.

I can only hope that this has enlightened you to the fact that there are false teachings presented to any who will listen.  I also hope that this will give you some tools if you choose to seek out the real truth.

Scriptures for Truth and Does Hell Exist is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

Death is the barrier that separates us from the physical world and the spirit world. The physical matter remains with the physical world and that of the spirit returns to the spirit world. Since the people of the physical world are blinded to the spiritual world many believe that the spirit world does not exist. 1 Cor. 2:14; John 12:40.

Many will tell you that physical death is the end of man, that there is nothing after the grave. I have heard people preach on the subject of death and say that there is no separation of body, soul, and spirit. Once dead, you will remain there until the great judgment. I have heard others say on the subject that there is nothing until the resurrection. As Paul tells Timothy in 2 Tim 2:8, “Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”What does the word of God say? It takes a lot of studying, prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit to rightly divide the Word. 2 Tim. 2:15. I do not want to be a stumbling block any. Therefore, be informed by the pertinent Scriptures and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth and let it set you free.

Read and decide for yourself. Isa. 14:9-17 where the dead talk; again in Ezek. 32:21; Luke 16:19-31 many living characteristics are shown here; Eph. 4:8; Rev. 6:9-10 and again the dead conversing; decide for yourself what the Bible tells us how life continues after death. This illustrates as Scofield says, “the state of the spirit after death”.

According to Strong’s Concordance the word Tanatos occurs 119 times. “Thanatos, death has the basic meaning of separation of (1) the soul ( the spiritual part of man) from the body ( the material part). . .” Also the Greek word apothnesko for “died” which occurs 112 times “and is used (1) of the separation of the soul from the body. . .” this is the word used in Luke 16. As one can see that the Greek terms used in the New Testament for death, died, etc. show a separation of the physical body and the spiritual body.

BEWARE  A WARNING to those prophets (prophets today are those who teach the Word).

I personally believe that one second after their death they will know the truth. Remember those who teach or preach the word of God are always held to a higher standard of accountability at their day of judgment. One needs to make sure that what you teach or preach is right. I would strongly urge any who teach today to study in earnest the second chapter in 2 Timothy.

I hope that this has given an insight to the human trinity and what happens to the soul and spirit after death. The state of being after death will be also changed in the twinkling of an eye when the spirit comes back for its body. For more on this subject read the resurrection series.

Have a nice day, God bless, and hope that you have enjoyed searching for the truth that God reveals to us in His Word.

After Death part four is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The Grave

The end of our physical life here on earth is most often called death. At the instant of death the human trinity is divided. The physical body (the earthly material part), is most often put in the grave, that is, buried in the ground.

In the Bible, where we end up after the event of death is spoken of in various ways. Some words used are Sheol, Hades, Hell, asleep, Paradise, Gehenna, grave, Tartarus and for the future Lake of Fire. Some of these words are Hebrew and some are Greek. The Hebrew refers to the Old Testament and the Greek words to the New Testament.

First lets start with the word “grave” (geber). This a place to put the corpse or body of one who has died. Normally the grave is about six feet deep. This term concerns the condition of the physical body when life as we know it ceases.

Words pertaining to the Unsaved

Sheol-is the Old Testament Hebrew word for the Greek word “hell”. Refers to a condition after death. This is a location for the spirit and soul of the body to be held after death. Sheol does not refer to one who is going to heaven. In Lk. 16 the rich man was in Sheol and Lazarus and Abraham was in Paradise.

Hades-the Greek word for Sheol.

Gehenna-a place called Valley of Hinnom, outside of Jerusalem where garbage was burnt. This place was constantly burning and had a bad odor. This place also had wild dogs feeding and fighting at night and worms that never died. Jesus described this as a disgusting place where no one would want to be.

Lake of Fire-John describes this as a place where all unsaved will end up. A place of horrible anguish and suffering. Having to do with flames, torment, gnashing of teeth, with total separation from God.

Tartarus the original Greek term used one time in 2 Peter 2:4. This is to denote a particular place where the fallen angels are held captive in chains and darkness till the Great White Throne. Most versions just lump this term in with “hell”.

Another reason that there are so many terms describing the state of beings after death is that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament was written in Greek. Because of this we have two words for the same meaning. Such as, the Hebrew word “Sheol” is translated in the Old testament to the word “hell”, “Grave” and “Pit”. All of these refer to a place where the soul and spirit goes after physical death.

The final conclusion is that all unsaved will end up in the “Lake of Fire”. And no matter by what name it’s called, it is not a place one will want to spend forever. Commit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ while here on this side of death to chose heaven over hell. For “now” is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2.

Terms pertaining to the Saved.

Asleep is a term used only for the saved after death. Eleven times this Greek term (koimao) is used to denote the saved’s condition after physical death. This term is never associated with the unsaved.

Paradise is a term used to denote the location of the saved. In Luke 23:43 remember this is before the death of Christ, Jesus told the penitent thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise”. In Luke 16:22and 23 it is referred to as Abraham’s bosom. Again this was before Christ’s resurrection. In Mt. 27:52-53 where the saints that slept arose right after Christ did. 2 Cor. 12:2-4, Paul tells where he was “caught up into the third heaven. . .caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words. . .” Going up tells us that Paradise has moved locations. And in Eph. 4:8-10 tells us that Christ descended to lead the captives up far above all heavens. Ps. 68:18 tell us of this prophecy, “thou hast ascended on high, thou has led captivity captive. . .”

2 Cor. 5:8, Paul says, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”  Again in Phil. 1:23-24, Paul states, “having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

After Death part three is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The first advent fulfilled many prophecies and the second advent will fulfill bunches more. The number of prophecies can vary depending which writer you read after. There are statements that are so plain and specific that one cannot mis-interpret it. Then there are those that can be related to Jesus with more than reasonable certainty. And of course then there are those on the other end of spectrum that the prophecy might fit just as well in another event. Nonetheless, I gave the references to a list of thirty that pertained only to the Crucifixion. These were in the writing on the 10^th of March 2009, titled “Crucifixion Prophecies.” These are just the prophecies found in the Old Testament on this one subject. These do not even including the ones that Jesus told of His own crucifixion in the New Testament. Matt. 12:39-40; 17:22-23; 20:19; 26:30-32; Luke 9:22; 44-45; 18:31-33; John 2:19-22. It has been said that there are considerably more than 300 prophecies about the first advent of Jesus Christ.

You can look these scriptures up, then decide which ones are definitely and undeniably prophecies about Jesus Christ. Of course the number will vary between individuals. Then look up Peter Stoner’s, “The Law of Probability.” Many have already read this account and it has to do with covering the Sate of Texas with Silver dollars two feet deep and a number 10 to the 17^th power. A number that is over three hundred thousand times more that of Obama’s proposed budget.

This all goes back to it was all God’s plan. Matt. 26:56, “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Acts 3:18, “But those things, which God before had shown by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.”  

Tearing of the veil (Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk. 23:45)

Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not the tribe of Levi. Consequently He could not enter into the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest was allow to go into that section of the temple. Even that was limited one annual event at the Day of Atonement. This section was revered as the place where God dwelt.

This area of the Holy of Holies was separated from the rest by a curtain made from fabric which was 9 to 12 inches thick. Ex. 26:13.

1. Rent by an unseen hand at the time of Christ’s death. Mt. 27:51

2. Rent from top to bottom. Not by man, but by God.

3. Separated God and man. No more.

4. Jesus was not allowed into the Holy of Holies. Beginning of all believer’s access to God.

5. The veil represented the law. Now a new covenant between man and God.

Christ asked for the cup to be removed. Mt. 26:39.

A cup represented sin. It was not death that Jesus dreaded, nor was it the cross, it was the sin that was going to be put upon Him at the cross. All the sin of the world, past, present and future was laid on Christ by God when He was hung on the cross. Your sin, my sin, Christian’s sin, sinners sin, all those who were dead, all who were alive at that time, their sin and those that would be born from then until the Great White Throne, yes their sin too. Every sin of the entire world was put on Christ that day. Every murder or crime committed, every lie, etc. This is the “cup” that Jesus wanted to avoid. But as the end of that verse states, “not as I will, but as You will.” Remember that Christ could have had legions of angels to come a protect Him should He have asked. A Roman Legion consisted of 3,000 to 6,000 men.

Christ had to die with all our sins on Him in order for the sacrifice to be complete. Otherwise we could never become righteous in God’s sight. Without this all would be cast into Hell, where all sinners will end. Remember that Christ died so His blood could cover any sin in the world. But in order for this sacrifice to atone for sin, man must finish the process Christ started the process, but we must repent and believe. Christ’s blood does not hide God’s wrath for sin of those who die as sinners. In the Great White Throne Judgment God will finish his plan concerning sin.

In conclusion, when Adam and Eve sinned, they went hid themselves. They hid themselves because they knew God was not going to be happy with their disobedience. God found them, punished them, and then did something most unpredictable. God promised them a Savior. God did something of which man is not capable,. He allowed His innocent Son to take the guilt of someone else or a sacrifice for another sin. Jesus suffered the punishment that we deserve when He died on that cross with our sins on Him. Jesus became our propitiation to God for us. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price demanded by a righteous God. Christ lives so a bridge might be built over the gulf which separates lost souls from thier heavenly home. Jesus was condemned so we, the guilty, might be declared innocent. It wasn’t fair to Jesus, but it is salvation for us who believe. God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son.

It is all God’s plan!

Some Interesting Points About the Crucifixion is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy