The world is mourning the death of Billy Graham - while we believers are celebrating his HomeGoing to receive his just rewards for a life well lived, a life of service to our God and to his fellow man. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus compresses the Ten Commandments into two:
Billy Graham, in his over 70 years of ministry truly lived both those commandments. Yet, this week after his death - Billy Graham is still teaching us.
The internet, and especially the group discussions on Facebook and other social media, has been a hotbed of discussions about life after death. Surprisingly many Christian believers in these discussions share their belief, many dogmatically, in "soul sleep" - and some even sharing their belief in "annihilationism."
What are "soul sleep" and "annihilationism"? Soul sleep is the teaching that upon death we fall into a deep sleep, totally unaware of anything until the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Annihilationism is the teaching that non-believers do not spend eternity in hell, but are burned up much like you burn logs in your fireplace. Neither of these teachings is Biblical - but social media is burning up right now with hot debates on the issue of life after death.
Let me give you an example of the rhetoric on Facebook today. This is a post made my an administrator on one of the most active End Time group discussion pages today:
Is this all bad? No, not really. Since belief or disbelief of such issues do not affect our salvation, let us learn from them. I have always believed that differences of opinion, on non-essential Biblical issues, can be very constructive. When we have a difference of opinion in a Bible-based discussion - where do we go for the correct answer? Why, of course to the Bible, God's Written Word, His full revelation to man.
The Bible is the only true authority on Biblical issues. So, if having a difference of opinion about the fate of Billy Graham now that he has died - will cause many to open their Bibles and seek the truth - that is a positive. And that is why I say that Billy Graham, in death, is still teaching us.
On March 21, 2015, I responded to a post on the TimesDaily Religion Forum discussing life after death. My blog was titled, "What Happens After We Die? ~ Does 'Anyone' On The Timesdaily Forums Know?"
This is the blog I posted that day:
Alas, finally darkness reigns in TimesDaily Forumland! Many years ago, I wrote a short satirical story titled "Nothing Comes To Forumland!" which began:
And, of course, my fictional characters were based upon my two atheist adversaries on the TimesDaily Religion Forum who used the posting pseudonyms DeepFat and GoFish. Back in 2007, those two atheists dominated the Religion Forum - and they were the main reason that I became a posting member of the TimesDaily Forums, to refute their false religion and to shine the Light of Jesus Christ upon those beacons of darkness.
Now it seems that the dry sands of the Spiritual Sahara are once again free to blow unopposed across the landscape of the TimesDaily Religion Forum (aka Atheists' Corner). For, under the new publisher/forum moderator, it appears that all who will share the true Word of God have been banned - and there is no one left posting who will, or can, answer a simple question about life after death. The Bible is very clear about what happens to us after death, yet no one on the TimesDaily Religion Forum wants to have a literal reading and understanding of what God's Bible tells us.
Recently, on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, a Christian lady, Dinosaur, who seems to still be a "babe in Christ" is asking the right questions; but, there seems to be no one on that forum now who can give her a straight Biblical answer. She began a discussion titled "What Happens After We Die, Does Anybody Know?" And, in her initial post, she comments:
And, one non-believer, Peede Cooper, writes, "How could any body really know? All we can do is wonder and wish. Why is it unfortunate that religions and philosophies can't agree? People can't agree on simple known facts. They'll never be able to agree on something that can't be proven."
Then, the resident atheist lady, Bestworking, joins with, "You decay, unless you are cremated, frozen, or 'preserved' some other way."
And, the resident agnostic/atheist-in-training, Semi-Chick, who can think of nothing of substance to add, brings this bit of inanity to the discussion, "Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die."
Next, the forum's Roman Catholic Wannabe (yes, the same man who posted that Bill Gray should be killed and caused me to be banned from posting on the Religion Forum), chimes in with a suggestion that we read a book written by a guy who was struck by lightening, killed, visited heaven, then came back to life. My Friend, Vic, who now calls himself Jack Flash (not the same Jack Flash as on Facebook, Vic must have stolen the pseudonym) on the TimesDaily forums, tells us about this amazing book:
Is that the Twilight Zone theme song I hear playing in the background?
Or, is that Edgar Cayce - the mystic, psychic, seer, con man of past years, who allegedly possessed the ability to answer questions on subjects as varied as healing, reincarnation, wars, Atlantis, and future events - coming back to haunt us?
Finally, a Christian man who uses the pseudonym GBRK shared his views of what happens after death. And, after several years of seeing his posts on the Religion Forum, I believe I am finally getting a better picture of his theology.
For about twenty years, my step-father had my mother in a cult church, the Worldwide Church of God (Herbert W. Armstrong) which teaches soul sleep, i.e., that when we die we go into a state of sleep where we know nothing - until we are resurrected in the End Times to face judgment - either as a believer or as a non-believer.
I am not suggesting that GBRK is in one of the Herbert W. Armstrong created churches; but, he does seem to accept Armstrong's teachings of soul sleep and annihilation of non-believers. Neither of which is Biblical.
Those beliefs appear to fit rather well with what my Friend, GBRK, is sharing in this post:
Let me address the issues raised by GBRK by pointing out three key facts:
1. All people will die, or be raptured. For those who die, this mortal body will go into the grave and will be like an empty shell, holding no material or spiritual value, slowly decaying back into dust. However, our soul/spirit is very much alive and will either go to be with the Lord, for believers - or - for non-believers they will go, fully aware, into Hades/Torment to await resurrection for the final Great White Throne Judgment. (2 Corinthians 5:1-7, Luke 16:19-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
2. “Soul sleep” is a belief that after a person dies, the soul “sleeps” until the resurrection and final judgment. The concept of “soul sleep” is not Biblical. When the Bible describes a person “sleeping” in relation to death (Luke 8:52; 1 Corinthians 15:6), it does not mean literal sleep. Sleeping is just a way to describe death because a dead body appears to be asleep.
The moment we die, we face the judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). For non-believers, death means everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 16:22-23). Present-day defenders of soul sleep include the Seventh Day Adventist church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christadelphians, and others. (www.gotquestions.org/soul-sleep.html)
3. While Jesus often taught in parables, He also taught using true stories. When He taught using parables He used ideas, thoughts, and examples which were familiar to the agricultural-based lifestyle of the Jewish people in that time. But, in those parables He never used names, i.e., the parable of the Sower, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, etc. - in none of those did He use specific names.
Yet, in the story found in Luke 16:19-31, He does specifically mention Lazarus, the poor man, and He does specifically mention Abraham. He omits the name of the sinful rich man, but that is of no importance. Because He did use specific names, we know that this was a true story which He used to teach about the death of the believer, Lazarus, and the death of the non-believer, the man rich in earthly materials, but devoid of faith in God.
Some say this Luke 16:19-31 passage is a parable because people in heaven and people in hell cannot see one another, as did Lazarus, Abraham, and the rich man. But, keep in mind that this Scripture passage and teaching is not speaking of heaven and hell. It is speaking of Hades/Paradise, i.e., the Bosom of Abraham, where believers waited until Jesus resurrected and led them into heaven - and - Hades/Torment where non-believers are waiting in great discomfort until they are resurrected into their immortal bodies to stand in final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
The rich man, not redeemed, went into Hades/Torment (Luke 16:23) where he will wait, in full awareness, until he is resurrected into his immortal body to stand in judgment before Christ (Revelation 20:5a). Lazarus, like all Old Testament believers, saints, went into the Bosom of Abraham, Hades/Paradise (Luke 16:22), where he stayed, fully aware, until Jesus Christ was crucified and went into Hades for three days - "He went and preached to the spirits in prison" (1 Peter 3:19).
Some say that He was preaching the Gospel to those in Hades/Torment, so that they might have a second chance. Others teach that He was teaching to the fallen angels, i.e., demonic spirits (Jude 6) whom God had locked in darkness. Neither of these teachings align with other Bible teachings, so, therefore, must be discarded.
In Luke 23:43, Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." He did not tell the thief that he would be with Jesus in Hades/Torment - but in Paradise. I am convinced that Jesus did not go into Hades/Torment, for those people had made their choice in this life and that cannot be changed. Jesus would not be celebrating all those lost souls - for God desires that no one should perish (2 Peter 3:9). I am sure that God weeps over lost souls, His Love - but He will not alter their decision after death, His Justice.
I believe Jesus Christ was celebrating with Abraham and all the OT saints in Paradise. Because His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension were the culmination of His work of propitiation, i.e., atonement - and His work, paying our sin debt, was "paid in full" on the cross, i.e., His work of making salvation available to all who will by grace through faith, believe - was finished (John 19:30).
I believe He was celebrating this finished task and sharing His joy with all those Old Testament saints who had been waiting in the Bosom of Abraham, Hades/Paradise, for Him to come and lead them into heaven, into the presence of God the Father (Ephesians 4:8, Psalm 68:18) thereby moving Hades/Paradise into heaven.
Keep in mind that He teaches us, in John 14:6 that "no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Ephesians 4:8 tells us of that procession when He led the Old Testament saints into their heavenly home. And, that is the joy He was preaching in celebration while in Hades/Paradise as he was preparing to resurrect and lead the saints free from the captivity of Hades/Paradise.
So, to my Friends on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, and specifically to my Forum Christian Friend, Dinosaur, who asked about life after death - yes, the Bible does answer that question, clearly.
Dinosaur, my Friend, the fact that you still having questions about salvation, life, and death - does not detract from your Christian faith nor from your eternal security in Christ. It is only an indication, a red flag, that you need to make sure you are in a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church fellowship which places emphasis on both corporate and personal Bible studies.
And, it is an added bonus if that church fellowship also has adult Sunday School classes. Discussion groups such as Bible studies and Sunday School classes are where we grow toward more maturity in our knowledge of God's Word and grow stronger in our Christian faith.
To my non-believing Friends (TimesDaily Religion Forum Friends and others), you would be well advised to put aside your anti-God rhetoric and, as I suggested to Dinosaur, find a solid Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church fellowship where you can learn more about your coming eternal and immortal life - an assured eternal life where you will be totally alive, aware, and feeling - the eternal life which we all will experience for eternity.
I praise God that I can say, and KNOW, that I have eternal life in Christ and will spend eternity in the presence of God, in eternal joy and happiness.
My Friends, if YOU cannot say that - with conviction - then I pray you will take the time to learn how you can HAVE, and KNOW that you have, eternal life in Christ. For the eternal, never ending, alternative is not very pleasant, matter of fact, it is pure hell.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
The first four Commandments show our relationship with God: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."
The last six Commandments show our relationship with our fellowman: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Billy Graham, in his over 70 years of ministry truly lived both those commandments. Yet, this week after his death - Billy Graham is still teaching us.
The internet, and especially the group discussions on Facebook and other social media, has been a hotbed of discussions about life after death. Surprisingly many Christian believers in these discussions share their belief, many dogmatically, in "soul sleep" - and some even sharing their belief in "annihilationism."
What are "soul sleep" and "annihilationism"? Soul sleep is the teaching that upon death we fall into a deep sleep, totally unaware of anything until the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Annihilationism is the teaching that non-believers do not spend eternity in hell, but are burned up much like you burn logs in your fireplace. Neither of these teachings is Biblical - but social media is burning up right now with hot debates on the issue of life after death.
Let me give you an example of the rhetoric on Facebook today. This is a post made my an administrator on one of the most active End Time group discussion pages today:
Billy Graham has “fallen asleep.” He will rise from the dead at Christ’s return. According to the words of Jesus Himself, “Well done good and faithful servant” will be spoken by Jesus after He returns and gives an assessment of our works, not when we die. See Luke 19.
Is this all bad? No, not really. Since belief or disbelief of such issues do not affect our salvation, let us learn from them. I have always believed that differences of opinion, on non-essential Biblical issues, can be very constructive. When we have a difference of opinion in a Bible-based discussion - where do we go for the correct answer? Why, of course to the Bible, God's Written Word, His full revelation to man.
The Bible is the only true authority on Biblical issues. So, if having a difference of opinion about the fate of Billy Graham now that he has died - will cause many to open their Bibles and seek the truth - that is a positive. And that is why I say that Billy Graham, in death, is still teaching us.
On March 21, 2015, I responded to a post on the TimesDaily Religion Forum discussing life after death. My blog was titled, "What Happens After We Die? ~ Does 'Anyone' On The Timesdaily Forums Know?"
This is the blog I posted that day:
Alas, finally darkness reigns in TimesDaily Forumland! Many years ago, I wrote a short satirical story titled "Nothing Comes To Forumland!" which began:
Once upon a time, long ago, in a land far away named Oblivion, there lived two atheist friends. These friends were named Argue and Debate. Now, one thing that both Argue and Debate agreed upon was that they believed strongly in Nothing. This was their faith, their religion, the religion of Nothing. They worshiped Nothing; they adored Nothing; their lives were dedicated to Nothing.
One day, as they were wandering around in search of Nothing, they happened to stumble upon a new valley, the valley of Forumland. Oh, they were so excited.
"Maybe," chimed Argue, "we can find others here who know Nothing!"
"Yes," declared Debate, "if not, we can surely introduce them to Nothing!"
They were so excited; possibly there were many people here who either knew Nothing - or could be lured into knowing Nothing.
And, of course, my fictional characters were based upon my two atheist adversaries on the TimesDaily Religion Forum who used the posting pseudonyms DeepFat and GoFish. Back in 2007, those two atheists dominated the Religion Forum - and they were the main reason that I became a posting member of the TimesDaily Forums, to refute their false religion and to shine the Light of Jesus Christ upon those beacons of darkness.
Now it seems that the dry sands of the Spiritual Sahara are once again free to blow unopposed across the landscape of the TimesDaily Religion Forum (aka Atheists' Corner). For, under the new publisher/forum moderator, it appears that all who will share the true Word of God have been banned - and there is no one left posting who will, or can, answer a simple question about life after death. The Bible is very clear about what happens to us after death, yet no one on the TimesDaily Religion Forum wants to have a literal reading and understanding of what God's Bible tells us.
Recently, on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, a Christian lady, Dinosaur, who seems to still be a "babe in Christ" is asking the right questions; but, there seems to be no one on that forum now who can give her a straight Biblical answer. She began a discussion titled "What Happens After We Die, Does Anybody Know?" And, in her initial post, she comments:
Most cultures hold on to some kind of hope that we live after we die. Of course, nobody knows what happens when we die. It's for sure that we will be six feet under or cremated. It's unfortunate that the major religions and philosophies of the world can't agree (on) what happens after we pass on.
And, one non-believer, Peede Cooper, writes, "How could any body really know? All we can do is wonder and wish. Why is it unfortunate that religions and philosophies can't agree? People can't agree on simple known facts. They'll never be able to agree on something that can't be proven."
Then, the resident atheist lady, Bestworking, joins with, "You decay, unless you are cremated, frozen, or 'preserved' some other way."
And, the resident agnostic/atheist-in-training, Semi-Chick, who can think of nothing of substance to add, brings this bit of inanity to the discussion, "Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die."
Next, the forum's Roman Catholic Wannabe (yes, the same man who posted that Bill Gray should be killed and caused me to be banned from posting on the Religion Forum), chimes in with a suggestion that we read a book written by a guy who was struck by lightening, killed, visited heaven, then came back to life. My Friend, Vic, who now calls himself Jack Flash (not the same Jack Flash as on Facebook, Vic must have stolen the pseudonym) on the TimesDaily forums, tells us about this amazing book:
He had visited the afterlife, met thirteen angels, and been given 117 revelations about the future. In the years since, one hundred of the revelations have already come true. . . Brinkley shares his incredible story, revealing the truth about the afterlife and providing guidance from beyond about how we should live today.
Is that the Twilight Zone theme song I hear playing in the background?
Or, is that Edgar Cayce - the mystic, psychic, seer, con man of past years, who allegedly possessed the ability to answer questions on subjects as varied as healing, reincarnation, wars, Atlantis, and future events - coming back to haunt us?
Finally, a Christian man who uses the pseudonym GBRK shared his views of what happens after death. And, after several years of seeing his posts on the Religion Forum, I believe I am finally getting a better picture of his theology.
For about twenty years, my step-father had my mother in a cult church, the Worldwide Church of God (Herbert W. Armstrong) which teaches soul sleep, i.e., that when we die we go into a state of sleep where we know nothing - until we are resurrected in the End Times to face judgment - either as a believer or as a non-believer.
I am not suggesting that GBRK is in one of the Herbert W. Armstrong created churches; but, he does seem to accept Armstrong's teachings of soul sleep and annihilation of non-believers. Neither of which is Biblical.
Those beliefs appear to fit rather well with what my Friend, GBRK, is sharing in this post:
My personal belief is that our inner spirit is in a sleep state awaiting the return of Christ to resurrect it from the grave as Paul related to the Thessalonians in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18. I do not believe that the individual is aware and (I believe) that essentially, to those that are saved - the next thing they will see is Christ at the Resurrection. To the individual Christian it will be as if he is immediately (after death) in front of their Savior. . . . (Bill Gray Note: Notice that he says "their Savior" - not "our Savior")
As for those who are not saved, I believe their next awareness will be at their judgement before God. At that time their soul/spirits will awaken to awareness of their judgment for their sins - whereas Christians will awaken in their Savior's presence at the time of the Rapture. And, from that moment, they will dwell in their eternally appointed Heavenly home that Christ has prepared for them.
For those (non-believers) who awaken to judgment, it will be without arbitration. Rather (it) will be to address why they did not accept God's only offering for their sins. And then (they will) face judgment for their earthly acts, including denial of Christ/God.
As to what happens after their (the non-believers) judgment I am not dogmatic. I do feel that it's possible that the end state of some will be that their soul/spirit dies and just ceases to exist (annihilation) - whereas others probably will continue to be in torment for their sins.
Lastly, there is the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) where it appears, from the story, that there is immediately (after) death: (1) being in Abraham's bosom (Paradise) for the Just ~ OR ~ (2) immediate judgment, being in Torment, for the unjust.
Again there is nothing about this story (Lazarus and the rich man) that can negate my opinion as voiced above, because as the soul/spirit/individual is concerned - if it is in soul/spirit sleep until it's awakening. Then that would (seem to) be as immediate to that individual as is described in Luke. (Bill Gray: bold, underline, and parenthetical emphasis is mine)
Let me address the issues raised by GBRK by pointing out three key facts:
1. All people will die, or be raptured. For those who die, this mortal body will go into the grave and will be like an empty shell, holding no material or spiritual value, slowly decaying back into dust. However, our soul/spirit is very much alive and will either go to be with the Lord, for believers - or - for non-believers they will go, fully aware, into Hades/Torment to await resurrection for the final Great White Throne Judgment. (2 Corinthians 5:1-7, Luke 16:19-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
2. “Soul sleep” is a belief that after a person dies, the soul “sleeps” until the resurrection and final judgment. The concept of “soul sleep” is not Biblical. When the Bible describes a person “sleeping” in relation to death (Luke 8:52; 1 Corinthians 15:6), it does not mean literal sleep. Sleeping is just a way to describe death because a dead body appears to be asleep.
The moment we die, we face the judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). For non-believers, death means everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 16:22-23). Present-day defenders of soul sleep include the Seventh Day Adventist church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christadelphians, and others. (www.gotquestions.org/soul-sleep.html)
Bill Gray Note: Soul sleep is also taught by the Herbert W. Armstrong founded Worldwide Church of God and its offshoots.
3. While Jesus often taught in parables, He also taught using true stories. When He taught using parables He used ideas, thoughts, and examples which were familiar to the agricultural-based lifestyle of the Jewish people in that time. But, in those parables He never used names, i.e., the parable of the Sower, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, etc. - in none of those did He use specific names.
Yet, in the story found in Luke 16:19-31, He does specifically mention Lazarus, the poor man, and He does specifically mention Abraham. He omits the name of the sinful rich man, but that is of no importance. Because He did use specific names, we know that this was a true story which He used to teach about the death of the believer, Lazarus, and the death of the non-believer, the man rich in earthly materials, but devoid of faith in God.
Some say this Luke 16:19-31 passage is a parable because people in heaven and people in hell cannot see one another, as did Lazarus, Abraham, and the rich man. But, keep in mind that this Scripture passage and teaching is not speaking of heaven and hell. It is speaking of Hades/Paradise, i.e., the Bosom of Abraham, where believers waited until Jesus resurrected and led them into heaven - and - Hades/Torment where non-believers are waiting in great discomfort until they are resurrected into their immortal bodies to stand in final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
The rich man, not redeemed, went into Hades/Torment (Luke 16:23) where he will wait, in full awareness, until he is resurrected into his immortal body to stand in judgment before Christ (Revelation 20:5a). Lazarus, like all Old Testament believers, saints, went into the Bosom of Abraham, Hades/Paradise (Luke 16:22), where he stayed, fully aware, until Jesus Christ was crucified and went into Hades for three days - "He went and preached to the spirits in prison" (1 Peter 3:19).
Some say that He was preaching the Gospel to those in Hades/Torment, so that they might have a second chance. Others teach that He was teaching to the fallen angels, i.e., demonic spirits (Jude 6) whom God had locked in darkness. Neither of these teachings align with other Bible teachings, so, therefore, must be discarded.
While the idea of a second chance for salvation is appealing, the Bible is clear that death is the end of all chances. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we die, and then face judgment. So, as long as a person is alive, he has a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. chance to accept Christ and be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). Once a person dies, there are no more chances.
The idea of purgatory, a place where people go after death to pay for their sins, has no biblical basis, but is rather a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church (based upon the Apocryphal books). (Will there be a second chance for salvation after death? - https://www.gotquestions.org/second-chance-salvation.html)
In Luke 23:43, Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." He did not tell the thief that he would be with Jesus in Hades/Torment - but in Paradise. I am convinced that Jesus did not go into Hades/Torment, for those people had made their choice in this life and that cannot be changed. Jesus would not be celebrating all those lost souls - for God desires that no one should perish (2 Peter 3:9). I am sure that God weeps over lost souls, His Love - but He will not alter their decision after death, His Justice.
I believe Jesus Christ was celebrating with Abraham and all the OT saints in Paradise. Because His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension were the culmination of His work of propitiation, i.e., atonement - and His work, paying our sin debt, was "paid in full" on the cross, i.e., His work of making salvation available to all who will by grace through faith, believe - was finished (John 19:30).
I believe He was celebrating this finished task and sharing His joy with all those Old Testament saints who had been waiting in the Bosom of Abraham, Hades/Paradise, for Him to come and lead them into heaven, into the presence of God the Father (Ephesians 4:8, Psalm 68:18) thereby moving Hades/Paradise into heaven.
Keep in mind that He teaches us, in John 14:6 that "no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Ephesians 4:8 tells us of that procession when He led the Old Testament saints into their heavenly home. And, that is the joy He was preaching in celebration while in Hades/Paradise as he was preparing to resurrect and lead the saints free from the captivity of Hades/Paradise.
So, to my Friends on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, and specifically to my Forum Christian Friend, Dinosaur, who asked about life after death - yes, the Bible does answer that question, clearly.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8, "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."
Philippians 1:21-23, "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."
Luke 16:22-23, "So it was that the beggar (Lazarus) died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom (Hades/Paradise). The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades (Hades/Torment), he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."
Dinosaur, my Friend, the fact that you still having questions about salvation, life, and death - does not detract from your Christian faith nor from your eternal security in Christ. It is only an indication, a red flag, that you need to make sure you are in a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church fellowship which places emphasis on both corporate and personal Bible studies.
And, it is an added bonus if that church fellowship also has adult Sunday School classes. Discussion groups such as Bible studies and Sunday School classes are where we grow toward more maturity in our knowledge of God's Word and grow stronger in our Christian faith.
To my non-believing Friends (TimesDaily Religion Forum Friends and others), you would be well advised to put aside your anti-God rhetoric and, as I suggested to Dinosaur, find a solid Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church fellowship where you can learn more about your coming eternal and immortal life - an assured eternal life where you will be totally alive, aware, and feeling - the eternal life which we all will experience for eternity.
I praise God that I can say, and KNOW, that I have eternal life in Christ and will spend eternity in the presence of God, in eternal joy and happiness.
My Friends, if YOU cannot say that - with conviction - then I pray you will take the time to learn how you can HAVE, and KNOW that you have, eternal life in Christ. For the eternal, never ending, alternative is not very pleasant, matter of fact, it is pure hell.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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