In my last post, “An Inquiring Mind Wants To Know”, I delved into the subject of life after death and the obvious question regarding the masses of humanity who lived prior to our Lord’s appearing and died without knowledge or belief in him as their savior. What is their fate? Is it the “hell” that we have been taught awaits all who have not accepted Christ in their physical lifetime?
First, let me challenge the common belief that man has an immortal soul which, at death, either ascends to heaven or descends to hell. The bible is very clear on this subject. I Tim 6:16 tells us that God, alone, possesses immortality. I Cor 15:53 reveals that man is mortal. Corruption must put on incorruption, mortal must put on immortality. Death is spoken of in many scriptures as “sleep” or “rest”. See Deut 31:16, II Sam 7:12, Job 7:21 and 14:12, Dan 12:2 and 13, Psa 13:3 and 16:9. These are a very small sampling of the biblical teaching on this subject. Continuing in this study we learn that all who are in their graves are awaiting a resurrection from the dead. While in this state, they have no knowledge of the affairs of the living. Read Gen 3:19 and Eccl 3:20, 9:5 and 10.
Rather than heaven or hell receiving those who die daily in this life, the dead are asleep in their graves awaiting a future resurrection from the dead, in which they shall be judged according to their works. I Cor 15 is often referred to as the “resurrection” chapter in the bible. It fully explains the sequence or order of events that awaits mankind at the end of days. It actually speaks of two resurrections. I Cor 15:20, 23-24 tells us that Christ was the “firstfruits” from the dead, the first human to be resurrected from mortal to immortal. Afterward those who are Christ’s at his (second) coming will rise. The remaining dead will come forth at the time in which Christ delivers up the kingdom to God, having put down all rule, authority and power.
In I Cor 15:51-52 Paul continues by telling his hearers that those who remain until the coming of Christ (those who are his at his coming) shall be changed in an instant, in the blink of an eye. I Thes 4:13:17 confirms this with Paul’s comforting words to the believers in Thessalonica that they not be troubled concerning belivers who had already “fallen asleep” or died. He assured them that, at the last trump when Christ descended from heaven, the dead in Christ would rise first and those who remained would be caught up to meet them in the air and forever be with the Lord.
The book of Revelation also makes this clear in Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15 where it tells us of both the first and second resurrections. Those who are Christ’s will rise first and reign with him for one thousand years. After the thousand years are finished, the rest of the dead are raised to face the Great White Throne Judgment.” Their fates will be decided at that time.
So the answer to the question, “Are We There Yet” is no. Whatever we may perceive to be the fate of mankind after death, either heaven or hell, we all will have to wait to find out. The real question is, which resurrection will be our destiny?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
An Inquiring Mind Wants To Know
Modern Christianity today may have differing beliefs on a number of doctrinal issues, but most agree on life after death. Most accept the common teaching that, when this physical body passes away, we have an eternal soul that departs the body and goes to either heaven or hell. In order to be accepted into heaven, one must accept Jesus Christ as his/her personal savior. Indeed, Acts 4:12 tells us "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” That being said, are we missing something? II Pet 3:9 tells us that it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all might come to repentance.
If Jesus is the only way to salvation, then I would content that the bible is the only revelation of that way. II Tim 3: 16, “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We also find in II Pet: 1: 20-21, “ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The bible reveals that God has a plan for mankind and that plan was established from the beginning of time. Rev 13:8 tells us that Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We are also told that there is a definite timetable for this plan to be fulfilled. There is coming a day when all mankind will be judged according to his ways, but the bible identifies it as a future “DAY OF THE LORD” and I believe the outcome will be far different from anything we have imagined.
I want to analyze, first, the common belief that immediately upon death, the soul goes to heaven or hell. We have concluded already that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. I perceive a logistics problem already with this theory. Four thousand years preceded the appearing of our Lord. I can’t find anywhere in the Old Testament that indicates God was trying to save mankind as a whole during this time. In summary, we had the great flood, in which all but Noah and his family were spared. We then see the calling of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (one family) who would bring forth the nation that gave birth to the coming savior of the world. We find that all nations on earth prior to Messiah, other than Israel, were pagan and did not know the Creator God nor worship him. Sodom and Gomorrha were utterly destroyed for their sinful ways. When Israel entered the promised land of Canaan, they were instructed to destroy the seven nations that occupied the territory at that time. Throughout their history, wars were fought, nations were subdued, much blood was spilled on both sides leaving millions, perhaps billions, dead.
Has hell been the destination for the vast majority of mankind since the dawn of time? Even Israel, who was God’s chosen nation, was not spared the consequences of unbelief. Many died in the wilderness, never reaching the promised land. Later, both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms were sent into captivity due to idolatry. God divorced the Northern Kingdom and removed them from his sight altogether. How many people of faith do you suppose lived during that entire four thousand years of human history, people who truly worshipped the God of Israel and believed in the coming Messiah? Does the bible indicate that God tried to “save” the nations of the world at that time, that he dealt with any nation other than Israel? Were the prophets sent to these nations to preach to them or warn them of God’s judgment? Does he, however, have a future plan for these nations?
I will leave you with this. When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, he instructed them concerning any city that would not heed their message, saying “Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matt 10:15).
Also notice his words in Matt 11:20-24 “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”
Jude tells us that Sodom and Gomorrha are suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Did he mean that they are yet burning in hellfire or that the fire that destroyed them left them no root or branch? No civilization has ever emerged from that destruction to this day. When these people rise in the “DAY OF THE LORD”, what will be their eternal fate?
In my next post I will continue with “Are We There Yet?”
If Jesus is the only way to salvation, then I would content that the bible is the only revelation of that way. II Tim 3: 16, “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We also find in II Pet: 1: 20-21, “ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The bible reveals that God has a plan for mankind and that plan was established from the beginning of time. Rev 13:8 tells us that Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We are also told that there is a definite timetable for this plan to be fulfilled. There is coming a day when all mankind will be judged according to his ways, but the bible identifies it as a future “DAY OF THE LORD” and I believe the outcome will be far different from anything we have imagined.
I want to analyze, first, the common belief that immediately upon death, the soul goes to heaven or hell. We have concluded already that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. I perceive a logistics problem already with this theory. Four thousand years preceded the appearing of our Lord. I can’t find anywhere in the Old Testament that indicates God was trying to save mankind as a whole during this time. In summary, we had the great flood, in which all but Noah and his family were spared. We then see the calling of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (one family) who would bring forth the nation that gave birth to the coming savior of the world. We find that all nations on earth prior to Messiah, other than Israel, were pagan and did not know the Creator God nor worship him. Sodom and Gomorrha were utterly destroyed for their sinful ways. When Israel entered the promised land of Canaan, they were instructed to destroy the seven nations that occupied the territory at that time. Throughout their history, wars were fought, nations were subdued, much blood was spilled on both sides leaving millions, perhaps billions, dead.
Has hell been the destination for the vast majority of mankind since the dawn of time? Even Israel, who was God’s chosen nation, was not spared the consequences of unbelief. Many died in the wilderness, never reaching the promised land. Later, both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms were sent into captivity due to idolatry. God divorced the Northern Kingdom and removed them from his sight altogether. How many people of faith do you suppose lived during that entire four thousand years of human history, people who truly worshipped the God of Israel and believed in the coming Messiah? Does the bible indicate that God tried to “save” the nations of the world at that time, that he dealt with any nation other than Israel? Were the prophets sent to these nations to preach to them or warn them of God’s judgment? Does he, however, have a future plan for these nations?
I will leave you with this. When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, he instructed them concerning any city that would not heed their message, saying “Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matt 10:15).
Also notice his words in Matt 11:20-24 “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”
Jude tells us that Sodom and Gomorrha are suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Did he mean that they are yet burning in hellfire or that the fire that destroyed them left them no root or branch? No civilization has ever emerged from that destruction to this day. When these people rise in the “DAY OF THE LORD”, what will be their eternal fate?
In my next post I will continue with “Are We There Yet?”
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