What Happens After Death? ( 4)

The Mystery of Death

Death is one of life's greatest mysteries. Do we really die, or do we have a soul that lives on apart from the body?

Many are confused about this, and this has led to great misunderstandings about death. Does the Bible provide answers?

Death is a fearful, often traumatic event. Sometimes it is preceded by suffering, the result of the infirmities of age, disease or injury. Often death is shocking and unexpected. Family and friends suffer the pain of loss. The Scriptures refer to death as "the last enemy" to be conquered (1 Corinthians:15:26) and point out mankind's innate fear of death (Hebrews:2:15). Death remains one of life's greatest mysteries.

Religions offer a variety of answers, some seemingly credible and some beyond belief. Their explanations often contradict one another, adding to the confusion and uncertainty about what happens after death. A very common idea is that people are born with immortal souls. Many believe that after death the soul is conscious and proceeds to a literal place or condition of bliss or torment. Others teach that at death the soul is absorbed into a "greater consciousness." Some expect to be reincarnated, coming back to earth as another person or as an animal.

Can we pinpoint just what death is? Do we have immortal souls? Are we conscious after we die? Are we destined to go somewhere to experience some form of reward or punishment? What is really going to happen when we die?

To understand, let's continue with the biblical account of the first human beings.

God personally instructed Adam and Eve, but they chose to disobey Him. They let Satan influence them into choosing their own will rather than obeying God's instructions. God informed them that, because they had disobeyed Him, their lives would grow difficult and, as He had warned, they would die. "In the sweat of your face," God said to Adam, "you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis:3:19).

Our lives are physical; we age and eventually die. Like Adam and Eve, we eventually return to dust. Solomon made a simple but profound observation when he wrote that there is "a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes:3:2). Look around the world at the example of nature. All living processes eventually break down and cease, then the physical remains begin to decay.

Solomon, after observing the cycles of life, noted that we human beings yearn for an eternal existence (verse 11). Knowing that death is inevitable, we search for a deeper meaning of life.

What is a soul?

Much misunderstanding about death is directly related to confusion concerning the "soul." What is a soul? Does it exist? If it exists, is it separate from the physical body? Does it live on after death?

The Hebrew word most often translated into English as "soul" or "creature" in the Bible isnephesh. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible succinctly defines this word as "a breathing creature." When used in the Bible, nephesh does not mean a spirit entity or the spirit within a person. Rather, itusually means a physical, living, breathing creature. Occasionally it conveys a related meaning such as breath, life or person.

Surprising to many, this term nephesh is used torefer to human beings and animals. In the Old Testament, man is referred to as a "soul" ( nephesh ) more than 130 times. But the same Hebrew term is also applied to sea creatures, birds and land animals, including cattle and "creeping" creatures such as reptiles and insects. All are "souls."

For example, notice the account of the creation of sea life: "And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good" (Genesis:1:21, King James Version). The Hebrew word translated "creature" in this verse is nephesh. In the biblical account, these particular "souls," creatures of the sea, were made before the first human beings were formed and given life.

To be cont'd. 

God bless you all. 

What Happens After Death? (3)

Something is still missing in human beings

Paul refers to the "spirit of the man" as that which makes people intellectually superior to animals. It separates us from other physical creatures, allowing us to know"the things of a man," to think and understand on a much higher plane.

We were created to possess certain intellectual capacities similar to those of the Creator Himself (Genesis:1:26), enabling us to develop skills in mathematics and science, invent written languages, build great civilizations, learn from the past and plan for the future.

When God breathed the "breath of life" into the first man Adam (Genesis:2:7), He gave him more than physical existence. God imparted to Adam that spiritual and intellectual essence that gives mankind the remarkable capacities of the human mind.

But the apostle Paul reveals that something important is still lacking: "So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except [ by ] the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians:2:11, New Revised Standard Version). Here Paul is speaking of another Spirit, the Spirit of God.

He continues, "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God" (verse 12, NRSV). Spiritual understanding that surpasses our normal human intellect comes only through the extra help, influence and power of God's Holy Spirit.

"Those who are unspiritual," Paul adds, "do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (verse 14, NRSV). We will see that this spiritual link with God is vital in coming to know and experience the purpose of life.

Human life created for a higher purpose

Compared with plant and animal life, human beings are created by God with a spiritual dimension for a much higher purpose. Several scriptures reveal that the reason for human life is preparation for an infinitely higher level of existence, which includesimmortal spirit life.

God created us with the intent that we accept His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and live forever: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John:3:16).

Jesus stated in prayer to God the Father regarding Himself, "You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him" (John:17:2). God promises to give "eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality" (Romans:2:6-7
). We have the "hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began" (Titus:1:2). Again, this is part of the very reason for human life—that we may ultimately receiveeternal life.

Summary

God is the Creator and sustainer of life. He created human life on a level different from that of plants and animals to fulfill a far greater purpose. Our lives consist of relationships, goals and experiences that at times are enjoyable, at times difficult. But the ultimate purpose of our lives greatly exceeds merely meeting the needs and fulfilling the pleasures of our daily circumstances

Now that we have briefly considered the meaning of life, we will examine the part death plays in fulfilling the purpose of human life. Why do we die? What happens when we die? What is the hope that lies beyond death?

To be cont'd. 

God bless you all. 

What Happens After Death? (2)

The Wondrous Gift of Life

To understand death, we must first consider life. Where did life come from? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Are human beings any different from other living things?

The answers are crucial if we are to grasp the big picture.

To understand death, we need to first consider: What is life? The world's greatest thinkers, including the Greek philosophers Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, have struggled with this question. Scientists and theologians have dedicated lifetimes to trying to find the keys that unlock the mystery of human existence.

But only the One who created life in the first place can supply the answers we so desperately need. We must look at the very beginning of life to understand it.

Religion, philosophy and science acknowledge that physical life had a beginning. Some believe that life evolved over millennia. But the Bible reveals a God who boldly claims that He is the Creator of all life and that He created human life for a tremendous purpose. Through His Word, God gives us His answers to life's most important questions.

Why human beings differ from animals

Much of humanity is familiar with the account in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.Genesis simply means "beginning" or "origin." In Genesis God reveals the origin of the forms of life we find on planet earth.

Notice what God says about human life in Genesis:1:26: "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth" (emphasis added throughout). God intended that other forms of life be subject to man as part of an extraordinary higher purpose for man.

Only mankind was created in God's very image— a designation that applies to no other part of His creation. Human beings are unique among God's physical creation in their godlike abilities to make decisions, plan and create. Far beyond providing us with animal-like instinct, God created within us intellect, self-awareness, the capacity to learn, reason, communicate and produce.

Human brains are physically quite similar to some animal brains, yet people have vastly higher abilities. The Bible reveals that the difference between the human mind and the animal brain is the spiritual essence God included in the makeup of human beings: "For what man knows the things of a man except [by] the spirit of the man which is in him?" (1 Corinthians:2:11; see also Job:32:8; Zechariah:12:1).

To be cont'd. 

God bless you all. 

What Happens After Death?

What Happens After Death?

Life is precious to us. We don't want to die. But what really happens to us after death?

Scientists, philosophers and even theologians don't agree. Where can we go for answers? Shouldn't we seek them from the Creator of life?

A drunken driver loses control of his car and careens headfirst into a van, killing a family. A mother dies of breast cancer, leaving confused children and a grieving husband. An infant boy succumbs to a fatal birth defect. A gentle, elderly lady dies quietly in her sleep. A desperate, depressed teenager commits suicide.

Maybe death would be different if it were predictable or consistent. But death can be so capricious. It hardly seems fair.

To us life is precious. But death is everywhere! We don't want to die. We don't want to see our loved ones die.

Self-preservation is a powerful instinct. We design special diets and exercise programs to keep us young and fit. Through medical science we seek to isolate the gene that causes aging, hoping somehow to eliminate death. A few have even arranged for their bodies to be preserved cryogenically in the hope that they can be brought back to life when the cure for what killed them is finally discovered.

Yet for all our efforts, hopes and wishes, death is the one thing in life that remains certain. Whether through old age, illness, accident or violence, whether we are rich, poor, male or female, no matter if we're good or bad, all of us—regardless of race or creed—eventually face death.

Scientists cannot tell us what happens after death. Too many aspects of life itself are intangible—too elusive to measure and record. Philosophers disagree on death and the afterlife.

Religions also disagree. Traditional Christian denominations generally teach that the souls of the dead live on in a place or condition of heaven or hell. Many non-Christians believe in the transmigration or reincarnation of souls at death. Still others believe the dead will never live again—that this life is all there is.

What really happens at death? Why do we even have to die? Can we actually know whether there is life beyond the grave? Where can we go for meaningful, believable answers?

Only the Creator of life can reveal its purpose and the state of the dead. By looking into the Word of God for answers to our questions, we can learn a great deal about both life and death.

Let's now take a look at what God, our Creator, says about life and death in His inspired Word, the Bible. You may be both surprised and challenged as you discover the truth about what happens after death.

To be cont'd. 

God bless you all. 

Are Demons Real Or Fictional? (6)

Well, we've been looking at Satan and demons as they are revealed in the Scripture. We see that they play on an aspect of our humanity. We were made in the image of God and we have capabilities of interacting with God on a spiritual level as our Creator. And what Satan and the demons do is they actually try to deceive us. They try to pull us away from that and get us involved in all these other things to try to damage our relationship with God. So it may be silly on one level, but on another level its a natural deception to try to create a bridge between us and God.

 We are created in God's image. There is a spiritual component to mankind that does give us this desire to connect with God, and also to understand and want to understand what this life is about, what perhaps is beyond this life. And there's this continual searching for it. Demons know that. And they will attempt to capture our imagination by dabbling with us - if we give them that opportunity.

In fact, in a war, its not always obvious, blatant attacks. Sometimes you come around the back door and seem nice, and seem good, and seem friendly. Ever think about what was the story that Satan told those angels that became demons? It probably wasn't a frontal attack. Probably deceit and subtlety probably had a part to play in some of those same types of things.

 The apostle Paul says that Satan can appear as an angel of light. So, Satan is going to try to deceive us in all different kinds of levels, including in our own Christianity and how we respond to God. So we have to be very, very careful here. He knows sometimes he cant hit us head on, but the demons are going to try to get to us or Satan is going to try to influence us. He is called the prince of the power of the air. He is the present god of this world, and so his fingerprints are on everything.

The best relationship is one with the one true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. And that far outweighs any interest that we might have and anything we might gain from dabbling with this. And that certainly removes any of the fear you might have as we might be under attack. We dont have to worry with that kind of protection on our side. 

Demons are real, so don't be taken in by the deception. Halloween is not a godly holiday. Its rooted in falsehoods. It promotes evil. It minimizes wickedness and its plain unchristian. Its dedicated to the spirits who oppose God.

The truth is that we are in a spiritual battle. Your Bible says, "What partnership can righteousness have with wickedness?" "Can light associate with darkness?" (2 Corinthians:6:14) Well the answer is, it cant! So make the choice not to associate with anything that even hints of darkness, evil or demonism.

Jesus battled the powers of the rulers of darkness and he won! And we can, too! He died that we may live a life free from the spiritual hosts of wickedness. Lets never take that for granted.

God bless you all.

Are Demons Real Or Fictional? (5)

I believe that a lack of connection with God can reinforce a lot of evil forces out there and I think that without a daily spiritual connection with positive, then the evil can come in.

 We absolutely need a strong connection with God. Let's never forget that we are in a spiritual battle. And both sides have weapons. Don't be taken in by the deception. "The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light" (Romans:13:12, GNT).

It's time to recognize the influence that invades our world. It's time that we say as Christians, we wont stand for any of it in our lives. It's time that we dedicate ourselves to live by Ephesians:5:11 and "Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are" (GW).

Let's come away from the evil influence around us. Let's not be taken in by Halloween or other man-made holidays. Instead, lets dedicate ourselves to be serious about following God and putting our lives fully into His hands.

Now there is so much more to talk about on the deception of demons and what you should do about it. A lot of people would wonder, what difference does it make? Is it really that big a deal if I celebrate Halloween?

Biblically, we know that there are no ghosts, what we are talking about are demons. And demons are fallen angels that have turned against God, have become the exact opposite of what God is. God is good, they're evil. God is love, they're hate. So now we have a holiday that celebrates evil, witchcraft, demonic images. So why would a Christian even want to be involved in that? Thats the real question. Why would a Christian want to be involved in something that is against God?

 It matters, because God says in His Word not to have any connection with the works of darkness. But rather to… Not even a little, don't even give them a foothold but to expose them. Which is what you've done by just reading this today. You have exposed the works of darkness which is what Paul says in Ephesians:5:11 we should do.

And, why would we want then to give them a foothold in our life? Even on one night a year, in any part of our property, our person, to expose ourselves to works of darkness? I think it's one of the biggest travesties when a Christian group reports to calling themselves that, but then entertains this as part of any outreach or entertainment within their fellowship.

Now, it is a challenge to kind of put these pieces together, in the sense that, we know they're powerful, the bible talks about how it is a battle and yet, why would a demon waste its time appearing as a ghost, or maybe seeming friendly, or a dead relative? Why would it bother doing something like that?

To be cont'd. 

God bless you all. 

Are Demons Real Or Fictional? (4)

So it's evident that  ghosts are not disembodied human spirits. As Christians, we know that no man has ever returned from the dead, except for Jesus Christ and those He raised back to physical life as a special miracle.

In fact Gods Word makes it clear: there are spirit beings, both good and evil. But the spirits of deceased human beings cannot remain on earth and haunt the living.

Ecclesiastes:9:10 tells us, "Whatever work you do, do your best, because you are going to the grave…" Now, whats the grave like? It says "…where there is no working, no planning, no knowledge, and no wisdom." At death, there is no in-between. God's Word says that there is no possibility of deceased human beings remaining on earth in spirit as a ghost. Thats just not biblical.

Now God does tell us that there are spirit beings that connect with us and appear in our physical world. And examples are angels, and of course demons.

Angels on one hand are faithful spirit beings. They serve God. They help mankind. They are righteous, and they're good, and they're holy. But on the other hand, demons are corrupt angels, angels who defied God. Were told that they're "good," but they're good at pretending. The'yre good at impersonating. They're good at tricking people. "Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light! So its no great thing if his servants disguise themselves to look like the servants of righteousness. In the end, they will get exactly what their actions deserve" (2 Corinthians:11:14-15
, GNT).

So demons masquerade as angels of light and as servants of righteousness. At times, they pretend to be ghosts and at times they may impersonate a deceased human - even seeming at times to be friendly. But they are never friendly. They're always wicked, even if they "appear" to be kind. Because remember, their purpose is to undermine your faith - to deceive, to confuse you, to mislead you so that you might even question your faith in God and believe a lie.

So do you think theres any kind of evil that could be behind some of that stuff?

> It's always some kind of lurking around the corners, something in the shadows, somethings evil every day. You know - even politics is evil.

Demons are not just symbolic and they're not just bad "forces" - they are real. I am surprised by some Christians who don't think demons are real at all. Thats contrary to the reaching of our Savior Jesus Christ and God's Word. We know, Jesus spoke to them in the New Testament. He knows they exist. He cast them out. In fact the Bible tells us, He overcame the attacks of Satan and his demons.

We are told that as God's people - as Christians, we are in a war. It is a battle and in fact, its not just any old war. "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Ephesians:6:12, NLT).

When you look at the evil and the difficulties that we have in our world today, do you think there's any connection to that with evil spirits and demonic forces?

To be cont'd. 

God bless you all.