Comments for Spiritualism and the Reward of the Saints at http://www.worldslastchance.com , comment 1 to 24 out of 20 comments http://www.worldslastchance.com Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:59:13 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-14303 there is no life afetr dead the bilbe is clear, and king David say this clearly, after his Shalomon say the same. How can people today beleeve in this. - Dinis Mona Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:19:07 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-14147 i like reading your articles..:) - Kenelyn Moronio Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:11:55 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-13517 God is great - travis anderson Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:06:09 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-12985 It is really true that our God is Great. - Owusu Frederick Boakye. Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:49:22 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-11942 funny how anyone could talk of spiritualism without given credence to the father of spirits himself, perhaps they got their inspiration from Saul who invoke the ghost of Samuel, then they should all await Saul`s fate, Shalom - lord nick Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:16:37 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-11827 From the declarations of preachers and evangelists who constantly speak of “[i]man’s immortal soul”[/i], one might assume that this expression was found in the Bible. Theologian [b]Charles Hodge[/b] for example asserted the typical traditional argument, “[i][b]If the Bible says that the sufferings of the lost are to be everlasting, they are to endure forever, unless it can be shown either that the soul is not immortal of that the scriptures elsewhere teach that those sufferings are come to an end,”[/b][/i][Systematic Theology, vol.3 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1886) 3:876] Pinnock perceptively observe, "I believe that the real basis of the traditional view of the nature of hell is not the Bible’s talk of the wicked perishing but an unbiblical anthropology that is read into the text. If a biblical reader approached the text with the assumption that souls are naturally immortal, would they not be compelled to interpret texts that speak of the wicked being destroyed to mean that they are tortured forever, since according to that presuppositions souls cannot go out of existence.[in Four Views on Hell, p.147] Satan told the first woman that she would “not surely die” (Gen.3:4). In other words, she had an “immortal soul” that would live forever. Most of the world today continues to believe some variation of that ancient “big lie”! But the scripture is explicitly clear man’s soul is not immortal. God not only speaks of the soul dying, but also speaks of man killing the soul (Ezek.18:4; Num.35:30; 31:19; Deut.27:25; josh.11:11; Psa.89:48; 56:13). The prophet Isaiah, in speaking of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, wrote that He “poured out His soul unto death” (Isa.53:12). If one would check a concordance he will find out that 13 times a dead person is referred to as dead soul (nephesh), translated in the A.V. “dead” or “dead body” (Num.5:2; 6:6,11; 9:6-7,10; 19: Lev.19:28; 21:1,11; 22:4; Hag.2:13). The New Testament is fully in accord with the Old Testament idiom in speaking of the ‘souls that “are slain for the word God” (Rev.6:9); “died in the sea” (Rev.8:9; 16:3) and “beheaded” (Rev.20:4). Scriptures call human beings “mortal man” (Job4:17). If we compare the words of Genesis 3:22, ‘[i]lest he at and live forever[/i]’ with John 6:51, 53 “[i]I am the living bread which came down from heaven: If any man eats of this bread, he shall LIVE FOREVER…Except ye EAT…ye have NO LIFE in you”. [/i]This clearly teaches a conditional immortality: that it is a divine gift and not a natural possession. It is found in our Savior, Jesus Christ, “who abolished death, and brought life and immortality through the gospel” (2Tim.1:10). God alone not man is [i]“immortal”[/i] (1Tim.1:17). Man will be made gloriously immortal in the day of resurrection (1Cor.15:53-54), not something receive in death. It is promised to the righteous as are “glory” and “honor” (Rom.2:7). It is noteworthy that the “tree of life” is to be restored only in the New Creation (Rev.22:2, 14) for the benefit of those redeemed by Christ. The wicked cannot be raised incorruptible for they “[i]shall utterly perish in their own corruption” [/i](2Pet.2:12) and would be raised unto a “resurrection of damnation” (Dan.12:1-2; Jn.5:28-29). Cut off from the divine provision of eternal life and immortality, they can expect only death and destruction. - brando bobier Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:42:01 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-11826 Genesis 2:7 tells us three things about man. First, he was “[i]formed[/i]” by God out of the “[i]dust” [/i](‘aphar) from the ground (‘adhamah). “Man” (in the generic sense), not “man’s body”, was so formed. This insight is echoed throughout the Scriptures: Gen.3:19; 18:27; Job 10:9; Ps.103:14; Eccl.3:20. The New Testament offers no contradiction. Paul fully affirms Gen.2:7, when he declares: [i]“The first man is of the earth, earthy” [/i](1Cor.15:47). It is the second man (that is Jesus Christ) who is from heaven. Further, As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy” (that is, all of us: 1Cor.15:48). We “have borne the image of the earthy (1Cor.15:49). As Paul explains, this means we are “flesh and blood”, “perishable” and “mortal” (1Cor.15:50, 53). Second, Gen. 2:7 says that we live in virtue of the [i]“breathe of life[/i]”. In Isaiah 42:5 and Job 27:3; 33:4; 34:14, [i]‘neshamah[/i] is parallel and synonymous with[i] ruach [/i](NRSV “spirit”). It is the same thing which describes the life principle of animals (Gen.1:20-21, 30; 6:17; 7:15). In Gen.7:22, both humans and beasts equally have the same breath (cf. Eccl.3:19). It is an indication of human frailty and mortality, not of a personal, immortal substance (Isa.2:22). The ruach (RSV “spirit”, NRSV “breath”) which according to Eccl.12:7, returns to God at death, is not as a conscious, personal entity, but the breath or power of life. After the fall, God pronounced, [i][b]“For dust thou art, and unto dust thou return”[/b][/i] (Gen.3:19). These solemn words are God’s declaration of the nature of man. Note that there is no mention or hint of eternal conscious punishment as a result of man’s fall into sin. Rather, the fate that God speaks of is the one that would later be described in Psa.146:4. [i][b]“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to this earth; in that very day his thoughts perish”. [/b][/i] Why does man die? Because he must live forever in his fallen condition. This is the horrible thought left unexpressed in Genesis 3:22-23: “Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and LIVE FOREVER: therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from where he was taken. Conditionalist author Charles Welch approached this verse with the following facts: [i][b]Adam had not up till then eaten of the tree of life. If he had he would have lived forever in his sin. The expulsion was to prevent that catastrophe. Being expelled he did not live forever. God has no intention of allowing an immortal sinner.[/b][/i][Hell or Pure from the blood of all men (The Berean Pub., Trust, Wilson St., London, England, 1997] p.33 An eternal sinner would be a calamity, for it would allow sin to perpetuate for all time to come. Should such a condition become a reality, God could never make an end of sin, and could never fully cleanse His creation of its filthy corruption (Rev.21:4-15; 2Pet.3:7, 10-13). For this reason, God promptly cut off the immortality that was originally offered to Adam and Eve; when sin invaded mankind, the penalty became death (Rom.5:12; 6:23). - brando bobier Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:33:29 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-9048 IT IS ALL ABOUT Jesus! It is all about His finished work! The more you appreciate the finished work of Jesus and all that He has done for you to reign in life, the more you will worship and glorify Him! Let’s look at the Word of God to see more of His finished work. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ— John 1: 17 Have you noticed that truth is on the side of grace, not the law? Notice also that the law was given. This implies a sense of distance. In contrast, grace came! Grace is personal and came as a person—the person of Jesus Christ. The law is hard, cold and impersonal. You cannot have a relationship with two pieces of stone. But grace is gentle and warm. Grace is not a teaching or doctrine. Grace is a person and you can have a relationship with a person. God is not interested in mere obedience and submission. He is a God of love and He longs to have an intimate relationship with you. This is the essential difference between Christianity and other religions. All the other religions are governed by system of moral codes, rules and laws. Christianity, on the other hand, is not a religion. It is a relationship. It is about having a relationship with Almighty God. Our God came, died a cruel death on the cross, and paid the full debt of sin with His own life so that you and I can reign in life today. His sacrifice on the cross speaks of relationship. Jesus came to reconcile sinful man with a holy God. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are made holy and righteous by His blood once and for all. And you can enter boldly into the presence of Almighty God without any guilt, condemnation, or expectation of punishment. Because of the cross, the price for sin has been paid, the judgment executed the anger toward sin exhausted, the veil torn, and the way to the intimacy with God opened. Sin no longer hinders you from entering His presence. His blood has removed all vestiges of your sin! Jesus Fulfilled the Law The moment you place the law of Moses between you and God again, you are negating the finished work of Jesus, for if righteousness could come through the law, ‘‘then Christ died in vain’’. Christianity cannot be reduced to an impersonal list of do’s and don’ts. Jesus’ death has fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law of the old covenant. The Word of God tells us that the ‘‘handwriting of requirements’’ has been nailed to the cross. Jesus came to fulfill all the requirements of the law on our behalf, so that the way to God is now opened. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One may say, you are saying that we are no longer under the law. But Jesus himself said that He did not come to abolish the law. That is exactly right, my friend, but you have to quote what Jesus said completely. He said, ‘‘I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it’’. Jesus did not sweep the law under the carpet. He came to fulfill every requirement of the law perfectly on our behalf. So by Jesus, the law has been fulfilled! When you have fulfilled your debt to the bank for the mortgage on your house, my advice to you is to stop sending in your monthly payments because the debt has already been fulfilled. If the bank sends you a letter demanding more payment from you, all you have to do is produce the title deed to your home. In the same sense, the debt that you and I owed to the law has already been fulfilled by our Saviour Jess Christ. Hallelujah! When the devil comes to accuse you with the law and shows you how you have fallen short and failed, all you have to do is point to the payment that Jesus made on the cross. Christ is your title deed, which is why you are called a Christian today. You are not your own. You have been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The law has no hold over you anymore. - Wisdom Dickson Doe Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:06:38 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-8539 I have been inspired by this article. I will be preparing a Bible Study on this Topic. - Jeffrey Ofori Akurang Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:27:46 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-8443 i have a question sir, how can we understand that the eight king is the last king who will appear from the bottomless pit, and be last king will reign in this world. and how about the ten horns that will submit their power to the last king. thanks, Pastor Joseph Ringo. - Joseph Ringoringo Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:21:13 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-8326 death is an universal truth & nobody can deny this.only the soul is immortal & the body acts as a mediumfor the soul till death.the main thing is to make a balance between mind,body & soul till we alive and not to be deceived by the play of Satan in life.He is master in baffling. - saurabh singhal Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:28:31 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-8148 dead is just a bridge - Valdirene Ribeiro Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:48:22 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-7523 the Bible tells the truth.. - >>>pearl>>>> Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:20:34 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-7038 [b]As for me when one person is already dead and already a spirit he/she may not be able to back again to the world of living life because they no longer have a living body to communicate the love ones they left but as what I've known also they have a chance of 40 days to stay in living land to be with their love ones for the last time of their life. [/b] - rogenz Tumolin Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:21:41 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-7032 This is excellent article which will every one not be decieved by satan. - Pallavi A Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:52:23 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-5470 Negate the fact there is a hell to hold the obstinent & willfull sinner. Acceptance of that place is irrelavent as we humans are not going to change the written word of God about the thing just because we don't want it to be so. It will convince all unbelievers about its existence once you are bound into it. The opportunity to avoid it is now. - zobcity1 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:40:39 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-4996 then how did samuel appear to paul?is then samuel a devil ?its unacceptable - Aemiline Sampath Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:19:33 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-4961 death is what he offered u the long life,richies are all lies - Julius Jacob Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:46:33 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-4959 Jesus told His disciples that He was returning to Heaven, to prepare a place for them, and that after death, they would be able to go where He went. The Bible says that at His Resurrection, Jesus "led a host of captives" to heaven, and also that since that time, all saints who die are instantly taken to heaven; King David prophesied about this event in the Psalms. These souls are then "absent from the body but present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:6-8.) Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus; although Elijah had not physically died, Moses HAD died; thus, his soul clearly continued to exist after death. Paul was taken to PARADISE, which is now in Heaven. Rachel died after giving birth; her SOUL "DEPARTED" while her BODY was BURIED: Gen 35:18 As her soul was departing (for she died), she called his name Ben-oni ... Gen 35:19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath. The death of the body is NOT the death of the soul: Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body BUT CANNOT KILL THE SOUL. Rather fear him who can destroy BOTH SOUL AND BODY in hell.” Jesus told the Sadducees that they were wrong for not believing in the continued existence of the soul, because to God, the physically dead (such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), are still alive: Luke 20:38 “Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for ALL LIVE TO HIM." John had visions of Heaven where he saw countless conscious, hearing, speaking “SOULS UNDERNEATH THE ALTAR", who had been beheaded; this was BEFORE God judged the wicked. Rev 6:9-11 I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. It is clear that the souls of the saints go to be with God in heaven at death, because God BRINGS THEM BACK TO EARTH WITH HIM when He comes to resurrect their dead bodies: 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, GOD WILL BRING WITH HIM those who have fallen asleep. God could not bring these souls with Him to earth, if they were not already in Heaven after death! Paul says that, when we are “AWAY FROM THE BODY”, that is, physically dead, we are “AT HOME WITH GOD”, and that we try to please Him, “whether at home or away”. It is obvious that this would be impossible if, when we are physically dead, we cease to consciously exist. Only those who are alive, in body OR in spirit, can please God: 2Co 5:8,9 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. Paul would not have preferred to leave his churches, if he had not been going somewhere better than this earthly life at death. These verses prove that the soul is indeed separate from the body, and that just like LAZARUS or the RICH MAN who both died, the soul is in a place either of fear of eternal judgement, or of bliss in heaven. - Lorraine Clarke Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:11:11 +0100 http://www.worldslastchance.com/winds-of-doctrine/spiritualism-and-the-reward-of-the-saints.html#comment-4958 An Extract from Josephus' Discourse to the Greeks concerning Hades. 1. Now as to Hades, wherein the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are detained, it is necessary to speak of it. Hades is a place in the world not regularly finished; a subterraneous region, where the light of this world does not shine; from which circumstance, that in this place the light does not shine, it cannot be but there must be in it perpetual darkness.This place is allowed as a place of custody for souls, in which angels are appointed as guardians to them, who distribute to them temporary punishments, corresponding to every one's behaviour and manners. 2. In this region there is a certain place set apart, as a lake of unquenchable fire, wherein we suppose no one has hitherto been cast; but it is prepared for a day afore-determined by God, in which one righteous sentence shall deservedly be passed upon all men; when the unjust and those that have been disobedient to God, and have given honour to such idols as have been the vain operations of the hands of men, as to God Himself, shall be adjudged to this everlasting punishment, as having been the causes of defilement; while the just shall obtain an incorruptible and unfading kingdom. These are now indeed confined in Hades, but not in the same place wherein the unjust are confined. 3. For there is one descent into this region, at whose gate we believe there stands an archangel with a host; which gate when these pass through that are conducted down by the angels appointed over souls, they do not go the same way; but the just are guided to the right hand, and are led with hymns sung by the angels appointed over that place, unto a region of light, in which the just have dwelt from the beginning of the world; not constrained by necessity, but ever enjoying the prospect of the good things they see, and rejoice in the expectation of those new enjoyments which will be peculiar to every one of them, and esteeming those things beyond what we have here; with whom there is no place of toil, no burning heat, no piercing cold, nor are any briers there; but the countenance of the Fathers and of the just, which they see, always smile upon them, while they wait for that rest and eternal new life in heaven, which is to succeed this region. This place we call the Bosom of Abraham. 4. But as to the unjust, they are dragged by force to the left hand, by the angels allotted for punishment, no longer going with a good-will, but as prisoners driven by violence; to whom are sent the angels appointed over them to reproach them and to threaten them with their terrible looks, and to thrust them still downwards. Now those angels that are set over these souls, drag them into the neighbourhood of hell itself; who, when they are hard by it, continually hear the noise of it, and do not stand clear of the hot vapour itself; but when they have a nearer view of this spectacle, as of a terrible and exceeding great prospect of fire, they are struck with a fearful expectation of a future judgement, and in effect punished thereby; and not only so, but where they see the place [or choir] of the Fathers and of the just, even hereby they are punished; for a great gulf deep and large is fixed between them; insomuch that a just man that has compassion upon them, cannot be admitted, nor can one that is unjust, if he were bold enough to attempt it, pass over it. 5. This is the discourse concerning Hades, wherein the souls of all men are confined until a proper season, which God has determined, when He will make a resurrection of all men from the dead. - Lorraine Clarke Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:09:52 +0100