swa.CDMI.tv - Je, Una Nafsi Isiyoweza Kufa - Do You Have an Immortal Soul

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Je, Una Nafsi Isiyoweza Kufa - Do You Have an Immortal Soul

Kutokufa

Fundisho la kwamba sote tuna nafsi zisizoweza kufa ni la kawaida kadiri gani? Je, "kutokufa" maana yake ni nini? Imani au fundisho hili pengine linaaminiwa na takriban makanisa yote ya Kikristo na si jambo la kawaida katika baadhi ya dini zisizo za Kikristo. Fundisho la kuzaliwa upya katika umbo lingine ni mfano unaohusu ule wa pili.

Hebu kwanza tufafanue neno kutokufa. Inamaanisha hali ya maisha ambayo ni dhibitisho la kifo, au haiwezi kufa, na kwa hivyo iko milele. Mtu ambaye ana kutokufa hategemei vyanzo vya nje vya uhai. Ana maisha ndani yake mwenyewe. Angalia kwa makini maneno ya Yesu katika Yohana 5:26: “Kwa maana kama vile Baba alivyo na uzima ndani Yake, vivyo hivyo amemtoa Mwana kuwa na uzima ndani Yake mwenyewe.” Hii inatuambia kwamba Mungu ana kutokufa, lakini kumbuka kwamba Yesu hakufanya hivyo. daima ninayo kwa kuwa alipewa na Baba Yake. Soma pia 1 Timotheo 1:17 & Warumi 1:23.

Hebu sasa tuangalie 1 Timotheo 6:15-16 : “Atakalolidhihirisha kwa wakati wake, Yeye aliyebarikiwa na Mwenye enzi wa pekee, Mfalme wa wafalme na Bwana wa mabwana, ambaye peke yake hawezi kufa, akaa katika nuru isiyoweza kukaribiwa. , ambaye hakuna mwanadamu ambaye amemwona au anayeweza kumwona, ambaye kwake iwe heshima na uwezo wa milele.

Amina.” Ikiwa “Mfalme wa wafalme na Bwana wa mabwana peke yake ndiye asiyeweza kufa,” inawezaje kusemwa kwamba wanadamu wote walizaliwa wakiwa na nafsi isiyoweza kufa?

Ikiwa kila mtu aliyewahi kuzaliwa alikuwa na hali ya kutoweza kufa, ingemaanisha kwamba mtu yeyote aliyeumbwa na Mungu angekuwa nje ya uwezo Wake wa kuangamiza hata kama kungekuwa na sababu ya haki ya kufanya hivyo. Kwa nini Mungu mwenye hekima yote ajiweke katika nafasi hiyo? Mantiki peke yake inatuambia kwamba hangeweza. Andiko lingine linalothibitisha kwamba hakika Mungu anaweza kuiangamiza roho ni Mathayo 10:28: “Wala msiwaogope wauuao mwili, wasiweze kuiua na roho; kuangamiza vyote viwili nafsi na mwili katika kuzimu (Gehena- kifo cha pili).”

Fundisho au fundisho la kutokufa kwa nafsi lilitoka katika kinywa cha baba wa uongo, Shetani mwenyewe (Yohana 8:44). Tunasoma kwamba Mungu aliwaambia Adamu na Hawa katika Mwanzo 2:17, “Lakini matunda ya mti wa ujuzi wa mema na mabaya msile, kwa maana mtakapokula matunda ya mti huo utakufa hakika.” Lakini Shetani alimjaribu Hawa ili mwamini Mungu tunasoma hivi katika Mwanzo 3:2-4 : “Mwanamke akamwambia nyoka, Matunda ya miti ya bustani twaweza kula, lakini Mungu alisema, Msile matunda ya mti ulio ndani. katikati ya bustani, wala msiiguse, msije mkafa.”’ ‘Hakika hamtakufa,’ nyoka akamwambia yule mwanamke.”

Uongo huo ndio msingi wa fundisho, miongoni mwa Wakristo na wapagani, kwamba nafsi ya mtu haiwezi kufa kamwe bali ni lazima iendelee kuishi kwa namna fulani au nyingine. Kimsingi uwongo wa Shetani unasema kwamba Mungu Mwenyewe aliwadanganya wazazi wetu wa kwanza aliposema wangekufa. Mungu hakusema kwamba ni sehemu tu yao ingekufa na kwamba sehemu nyingine haitakufa. Hapana, Mungu alisema waziwazi, “Hakika utakufa.” Baada ya muda, ndivyo ilivyokuwa.

Swali ni basi mbele yetu, ni nani tunayemwamini -- Mungu au Shetani? Tafakari maneno ya Mungu yanayopatikana katika Isaya 55:11 : “Ndivyo lilivyo neno langu, litokalo katika kinywa changu; halitanirudia bure, bali litatimiza kile ninachotaka, na kufikia lengo nililolituma.” Kwa bahati mbaya, wengi

Wakristo wamechagua kumwamini Shetani, kwa kuwa wanafundisha kwamba nafsi haiwezi kufa.

Hakuna kitu katika Neno la Mungu kinachosema kwamba mwanadamu aliumbwa bila kufa. Kinyume chake, tunapata kinyume kabisa. Nabii alisema, kwa uwazi kabisa, katika Ezekieli 18:4, “Kwa maana kila nafsi iliyo hai ni yangu;

baba na mwana - wote ni wangu sawa. Nafsi itendayo dhambi ndiyo itakayokufa.” Katika Ezekieli 18:20 anasema tena, "Roho itendayo dhambi ndiyo itakayokufa." Neno kutokufa halipatikani katika Agano la Kale.

Maneno ya Warumi 2:7 yanatuambia nini? "Wale ambao kwa kudumu katika kutenda mema wakitafuta utukufu na heshima na kutokuharibika, atawapa uzima wa milele." Ikiwa sisi sote tumezaliwa na nafsi isiyoweza kufa, kwa nini Mtume Paulo atuambie kwamba ni moja ya mambo ambayo lazima tutafute. Ikibidi tutafute, basi ni dhahiri ni kitu ambacho hatuna. Kinyume chake, kutokufa ni thawabu ambayo inatolewa kwa wafuasi waaminifu wa Bwana Yesu, kitu ambacho hawana wakati huu.

Mtume Paulo anatuambia nini katika 2 Tim. 1:9-10? “...kwa kadiri ya kusudi lake mwenyewe na neema tuliyopewa katika Kristo Yesu tangu zamani za kale, lakini sasa imefunuliwa kwa kufunuliwa kwake Mwokozi wetu Yesu Kristo; injili.” Uzima na kutokufa havikujulikana hadi Yesu alipokuja duniani na kutufunulia sisi. Uwezo wa uzima wa milele na kutokufa haukuwepo kabla ya Yesu kuja na kuwapa wafuasi Wake kama thawabu ya kufanya mapenzi ya Baba Yake kwa uaminifu katika maisha yao, hata kifo.

Katika 1 Wakorintho 15:53 tunasoma: “Kwa maana sharti huu uharibikao uvae kutoharibika, na huu wa kufa uvae kutokufa . Basi huu uharibikao utakapovaa kutoharibika, na huu wa kufa utakapovaa kutokufa , hapo ndipo litakapokuwa lile neno lililoandikwa, Mauti imemezwa kwa kushinda.” Ikiwa kutokufa ni kitu kinachopaswa kuvaliwa . inasimama kusababu kwamba haikuwa kitu ambacho tayari tulikuwa nacho.

Nafsi

Maandiko yanafundisha waziwazi kwamba nafsi inaweza kufa, si isiyoweza kufa. Tunasoma katika Mwa. 2:7 kuhusu kuumbwa kwa nafsi hai ya kwanza. “BWANA Mungu akamfanya mtu kwa mavumbi ya ardhi, akampulizia puani pumzi ya uhai; mtu akawa nafsi hai.” Tafsiri nyingi za kisasa zaidi hufasiri “nafsi iliyo hai” kuwa “kiumbe hai.” Je, ni lini Adamu akawa nafsi hai au kiumbe? Sio mpaka Mungu alipompulizia “pumzi ya uhai” ndipo akawa “nafsi hai,” au akawa hai.

Ikiwa tutageuza utaratibu huu, yaani, kuchukua "pumzi ya uhai" kutoka kwake, Adamu angerudi kwenye mwili usio na uhai usio na uhai ambao ndio maana ya kufa. Mungu anathibitisha hili tena katika Mwanzo 3:19 : “Kwa jasho la uso wako utakula chakula, hata utakapoirudia ardhi, ambayo katika hiyo ulitwaliwa; kwa maana u mavumbi wewe, nawe mavumbini utarudi." Kwa kuwa tulizaliwa katika dhambi, huu ndio mwisho wa roho zote zinazozaliwa katika ulimwengu huu. Katika Yakobo 4:14 tunasoma kuhusu ufupi wa maisha: sijui yatakayotokea kesho, maana maisha yako ni nini, ni mvuke uonekanao kwa kitambo kidogo kisha ukatoweka. Tunaona basi kwamba Maandiko hayaungi mkono kutokufa kwa nafsi yoyote bali kinyume chake - kwamba mwanadamu anakufa na atakufa.

Zaburi 22:29 inatuambia, “Matajiri wote wa dunia watafanya karamu na kuabudu; wote washukao mavumbini watapiga magoti mbele zake, wale wasioweza kuziweka hai nafsi zao.” La, ingawa mwanadamu amejaribu kila liwezekanalo kuishi milele, ameshindwa kabisa katika jitihada hii. Kitabu cha Mhubiri kina mengi ya kusema kuhusu hali ya wafu. Mhu. 3:19-21 inasema, “Hatima ya mwanadamu ni kama ya wanyama; maafa yale yale yanawangoja wote wawili: Anavyokufa mmoja ndivyo anavyokufa huyu. Wote wana pumzi moja; mwanadamu hana faida kuliko mnyama. Kila kitu hakina maana. Wote huenda mahali pamoja; wote hutoka mavumbini, na mavumbini wote hurudi. Ni nani ajuaye kwamba roho ya mwanadamu inapanda juu, na roho ya mnyama ikishuka chini?” Katika Mhu. 9:5 tunasoma, “Kwa maana walio hai wanajua ya kwamba watakufa; lakini wafu hawajui neno lo lote; hakuna malipo zaidi, na kumbukumbu zao zimesahauliwa.” Mstari wa 10: “Lolote mkono wako utakalolipata kulifanya, ulifanye kwa nguvu zako zote, kwa maana huko kuzimu, huko uendako, hakuna kazi wala shauri wala maarifa wala hekima.” Ndiyo, mwanadamu na mnyama wanaweza kufa na kwa hivyo siku moja wote watakufa.

Mtu anaweza kukuambia, mwili unarudi kaburini wakati wa kufa, lakini roho ya mtu huyo huenda juu mbinguni au chini kuzimu. Aya iliyo hapo juu na Maandiko yake yanakanusha waziwazi fundisho hili. Ikiwa bado hujasadikishwa, basi sikiliza maneno ya Yesu katika Yohana 3:13: “ Hakuna mtu aliyepata kwenda mbinguni, ila yeye aliyetoka mbinguni, yaani, Mwana wa Adamu.” Tunasoma katika Matendo ya Mitume 2:29, “Ndugu zangu, napenda niwaambie waziwazi habari za mzee wetu Daudi, ya kwamba alikufa akazikwa, na kaburi lake liko kwetu hata hivi leo. Pia katika Matendo 2:34, “Kwa maana Daudi hakupanda mbinguni ...” Wote ambao wamewahi kufa wangali makaburini mwao wakingojea siku kuu ambayo watapata ahadi ya Yesu katika Yohana 5:28-29 : “Msistaajabie neno hili; wale waliofanya mema kwa ufufuo wa uzima; na wale waliofanya mabaya kwa ufufuo wa hukumu.”

Mtume Paulo kwa hakika alifundisha kwamba hakuna mtu mwingine, isipokuwa Yesu, aliyekuwa ameenda mbinguni na hii ilitia ndani wafuasi wote waaminifu wa Yesu waliokuwa wamekufa. Katika 1 Thes. 4:13-18 inasema, “Ndugu, hatupendi mkose kufahamu habari zao waliolala mauti, au muhuzunike kama watu wengine wasio na matumaini. Tunaamini kwamba Yesu alikufa na kufufuka na hivyo tunaamini kwamba Mungu atawaleta pamoja na Yesu wale waliolala katika yeye. Kulingana na neno la Bwana mwenyewe, tunawaambia kwamba sisi ambao bado tu hai, ambao tutabaki hadi kuja kwake Bwana, hakika hatutawatangulia wale ambao wamelala mauti. Kwa maana Bwana mwenyewe atashuka kutoka mbinguni pamoja na mwaliko, na sauti ya malaika mkuu, na parapanda ya Mungu; nao waliokufa katika Kristo watafufuliwa kwanza. Baada ya hayo, sisi tulio hai, tuliosalia, tutanyakuliwa pamoja nao katika mawingu ili kumlaki Bwana hewani. Na hivyo tutakuwa pamoja na Bwana milele. Kwa hiyo, farijianeni kwa maneno haya.” “Ufufuo wa kwanza” ambamo watakatifu waliolala watafufuliwa utatokea wakati Bwana atakaporudi kwa Bibi-arusi Wake, Kanisa.

Kuna Maandiko mawili ambayo hutumiwa kufundisha kwamba mara tu Mkristo anapokufa, mara moja yuko kwenye uwepo wa Bwana. Haya yanapatikana katika 2 Kor. 5:8 na Flp. 1:23. Kuchukua andiko lolote na kutumia tafsiri yake huku tukiyapuuza mengine mengi yanayofundisha kwa njia tofauti ni hatari iliyopo kila wakati na inaweza kusababisha tu kutoelewa Neno la Mungu kwa sababu mambo yote hayajathibitishwa na kuoanishwa kulingana na maagizo tuliyopewa katika 1 Thes. . 5:21.

2 Kor. 5:8: “Tuna ujasiri, nasema, na tungependelea kuwa mbali na mwili na nyumbani kwa Bwana (NIV).” Andiko hili liko wazi kwa ajili ya kufasiriwa, lakini kwa kufanya hivyo lazima pia likubaliane na Maandiko mengine yote juu ya somo hili. Tafsiri moja tuliyoitaja katika aya iliyotangulia. Jambo lingine ni kwamba tamaa ya Paulo ni ya kweli, lakini kwamba hangetarajia kuwa pamoja na Bwana hadi Yesu arudi kama Paulo alivyofundisha katika 1 Thes. 4:13-18.

Wafilipi 1:21-24: “Kwa maana kwangu mimi kuishi ni Kristo, na kufa ni faida (chaguo mbili). Ikiwa nitaendelea kuishi katika mwili, hii itamaanisha kazi yenye matunda kwangu. Lakini nitachagua nini? sijui! Nimepasuliwa kati ya hayo mawili: Natamani kuondoka nikae pamoja na Kristo (chaguo la tatu, kama vile 2 Kor. 5:8) ambalo ni bora zaidi; lakini imenipasa zaidi kukaa katika mwili (NIV). Inafurahisha sana kupata kwamba neno la Kigiriki analuo linaweza kumaanisha kinyume kabisa cha kila kimoja ambacho ni kesi ya maneno mengi ya Kiingereza. Strong's # 360 analuo {an-al-oo'-o} imetumika mara mbili katika Agano Jipya na kutoa:1) kufungua , kutengua tena, 2) kuondoka , kuvunja, kuacha maisha, kurudi . Kuna tafsiri moja inayopatana na Maandiko mengine yote nayo ni Diaglott Trans ya Wilson.: Flp. 1:23-24 SUV - "Nimetaabika kwa mambo hayo mawili ; natamani sana kurudi , na kuwa pamoja na Kristo; maana hii ndiyo ifaayo zaidi." Wafasiri wengi walichagua kutumia neno kuondoka ambalo lingeonekana kuwa tafsiri ya kuridhisha lakini linamaanisha kuwa mara moja na Bwana, kwa kufanya hivyo linapingana na Maandiko mengine mengi yaliyoorodheshwa hapa chini:

1 Thes. 4:16-17 “ Kwa maana Bwana mwenyewe atashuka kutoka mbinguni pamoja na mwaliko, na sauti ya malaika mkuu, na parapanda ya Mungu; nao waliokufa katika Kristo watafufuliwa kwanza. Baada ya hayo, sisi tulio hai, tuliosalia, tutanyakuliwa pamoja nao katika mawingu ili kumlaki Bwana hewani. Na hivyo tutakuwa pamoja na Bwana milele." (NIV)

1 Kor. 15:51-53 SUV - Sikilizeni, nawaambia ninyi siri: hatutalala sote, lakini sote tutabadilishwa mara moja, kufumba na kufumbua, wakati wa parapanda ya mwisho. Kwa maana tarumbeta italia, wafu watafufuliwa wasiwe na uharibifu, nasi tutabadilishwa. Kwa maana kile chenye kuharibika ni lazima kivae kutoharibika, na kile chenye kufa kivae kutokufa.” (NIV)

Pia moja ya ahadi zilizotolewa na Yesu katika Injili ya Yohana inaunga mkono kauli hizi za mwisho za Mtume Paulo: Yohana 14:3 - “Na nikienda na kuwaandalia mahali, nitarudi na kuwachukua ili kuwa pamoja nami ili pia huenda mahali nilipo.” (NIV)

KUMBUKA : "Ufufuo" na "mabadiliko" hayatokei wakati wa kifo cha mtu binafsi bali wakati Bwana atakaporudi kwa Bibi-arusi wake, kama dondoo mbili za Mtume Paulo na moja ya Yesu zilivyosema wazi!

Maandiko mengine ambayo yanapinga fundisho kwamba baada ya kifo chake, Mkristo yuko pamoja na Bwana mara moja:

1 Kor. 4:5 - “Basi, msihukumu neno kabla ya wakati uliowekwa; ngojeni hata Bwana atakapokuja. Atayafichua yaliyofichwa gizani na kufichua nia za mioyo ya watu. Wakati huo kila mmoja atapata sifa yake kutoka kwa Mungu. "

1 Kor. 15:22-23 “Kwa maana kama katika Adamu wote wanakufa, vivyo hivyo katika Kristo wote watahuishwa. Lakini kila mmoja kwa wakati wake: Kristo, limbuko; basi, ajapo, walio wake .” (NIV)

1 Thes. 2:19 - “Maana tumaini letu ni nini, na furaha yetu, au taji ambalo ndani yake tutajivunia mbele za Bwana wetu Yesu ajapo ? Si wewe?”

2 The. 2:1-3, “Kwa habari ya kuja kwake Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, na kukusanywa kwetu kwake, twawasihi, ndugu, msiwe na kufadhaika upesi au kufadhaika kwa sababu ya unabii fulani, habari au barua inayodhaniwa kuwa imetoka kwetu, ikisema. kwamba siku ya Bwana imekwisha kuja. Msiruhusu mtu ye yote awadanganye kwa njia yo yote, kwa maana siku hiyo haitakuja mpaka uasi utokee na afunuliwe mtu wa kuasi, mtu aliyehukumiwa kuangamizwa.” (NIV)

Wakolosai 3:4 - “ Kristo atakapotokea, aliye uzima wenu , ndipo nanyi mtakapotokea pamoja naye katika utukufu. ” (NIV)

2 Tim. 4:8 SUV - Sasa nimewekewa taji ya haki, ambayo Bwana, mhukumu mwadilifu, atanikabidhi siku ile; wala si mimi tu, bali na wote waliotamani kufunuliwa kwake. . ” (NIV)

Fil. 3:20-21 “Lakini sisi wenyeji wetu uko mbinguni. Nasi tunatazamia kwa hamu Mwokozi kutoka huko, Bwana Yesu Kristo, ambaye, kwa uweza unaomwezesha kuviweka vitu vyote chini ya utawala wake, ataigeuza miili yetu ya unyonge ifanane na mwili wake wa utukufu. ” (NIV)

1 Pet. 5:4 “Na Mchungaji Mkuu atakapotokea, mtaipokea taji ya utukufu ambayo haitakauka kamwe. NIV

1 Yohana 2:28 - "Na sasa, watoto wapendwa, kaeni ndani yake , ili atakapotokea tuwe na ujasiri na bila haya mbele zake katika kuja kwake ." (NIV)

2 Yohana 3:2 BHN - “Wapenzi, sasa tu watoto wa Mungu, na bado haijajulikana tutakavyokuwa. Lakini tunajua kwamba wakati atakapotokea, tutafanana naye, kwa maana tutamwona jinsi alivyo. ” (NIV)

Mpango wa Mungu kwa Mwanadamu Anayekufa

Mungu wetu ni mwenye upendo na rehema, akieneza neema yake kwa wanadamu wasiostahili. Katika mpango wake alitoa urejesho wa mwanadamu mwenye dhambi. Yohana 3:16-17 inatuambia, “Kwa maana jinsi hii Mungu aliupenda ulimwengu hata akamtoa Mwanawe pekee, ili kila mtu amwaminiye asipotee, bali awe na uzima wa milele. Kwa maana Mungu hakumtuma Mwana ulimwenguni ili auhukumu ulimwengu, bali ulimwengu uokolewe katika yeye.” Kwa sababu ya dhabihu ya Yesu na Yeye kuwa wa kwanza kufufuliwa kutoka kwa wafu, njia ilifunguliwa kwa ajili ya ufufuo wa Kanisa katika “ufufuo wa kwanza” (ona Ufu. 20:6 & 1 The. 4:13-18) ) na baadaye ufufuo wa wanadamu wote (ona Yohana 5:28-29).

Mpango wa Mungu unatia ndani ufufuo wa wanadamu kutoka kwa wafu hadi katika hali ya kufa, kurudisha dunia kwenye ukamilifu wake wa awali, kama ilivyokuwa kabla ya kulaaniwa, na kwa hali ndani yake ambazo hazitakuwa na uovu. Utakuwa wakati ambapo familia zote za dunia zitabarikiwa kama Mungu alivyoahidi Abrahamu, chini ya utawala wa Yesu Kristo na Bibi-arusi Wake aliyetukuzwa. Soma Yohana 5:28-29; Matendo 3:20-21; Ufu. 20:1-2; Isa. 65:25; Mwa. 12:3; Isa. 9:6-7; Ufu. 3:26-27.

Muhtasari: Kutokufa si kitu ambacho mtu anapozaliwa bali ni thawabu kwa wafuasi waaminifu wa Yesu wanapofufuliwa. Kifo ni kitu ambacho tunacho wakati wa kuzaliwa, tulichorithi kupitia kuwa sehemu ya jamii ya Adamu, na hivyo kwa sababu ya dhambi yake tutakufa. Hata hivyo, kulingana na mpango wa Mungu, Yeye atawafufua wanadamu kutoka kaburini na kumpa fursa ya kuishi milele kama kiumbe anayeweza kufa duniani chini ya hali za uadilifu. Utii wa moyo kwa sheria za haki utakuwa mahitaji ya kupokea maisha haya.

Immortality

How common is the teaching that we all have immortal souls? What does “immortal” mean? This belief or doctrine is probably believed by almost all Christian churches and is not uncommon in some of the non-Christian religions. The teaching of reincarnation is an example pertaining to the latter.

Let us first define the word immortal. It means a condition of life that is death-proof, or unable to die, and therefore exists forever. Someone who possesses immortality is not dependent on outside sources for life. He has life within himself. Note carefully the words of Jesus in John 5:26: “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has given the Son to have life in Himself.“ This is telling us that God possesses immortality, but note that Jesus didn’t always have it for it was given to Him by His Father. Read also 1 Timothy 1:17 & Romans 1:23.

Let us now look at 1 Timothy 6:15-16: “Which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power.

Amen.” If the “King of kings and Lord of lords alone has immortality,” how can it be said that all mankind were born with an immortal soul?

If everyone ever born possessed immortality, it would mean that anyone God created would be beyond His control or power to destroy even if there was a just cause for doing so. Why would an all-wise God put Himself in such a position? Logic alone tells us that He would not. One more Scripture which affirms that indeed God is able to destroy the soul is Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (gehenna- second death).”

The doctrine or teaching of the immortality of the soul came from the mouth of the father of lies, Satan himself (John 8:44). We read that God said to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:17, “But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." But Satan tempted Eve not to believe God. We read in Genesis 3:2-4: “The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’ ‘You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman.”

This lie is the basis for the teaching, among both Christian and heathen, that the soul of a person cannot ever die but must live on in some form or other. In essence Satan’s lie says that God Himself lied to our first parents when He said they would die. God did not say that only a part of them would die and that another part would not. No, God plainly stated, “You will surely die.” In time, that is just what happened.

The question is then before us, who is it that we believe -- God or Satan? Ponder the words of God found in Isaiah 55:11: “So is my Word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Unfortunately, many

Christians have chosen to believe Satan, since they teach that the soul is immortal.

There is nothing in the Word of God that states man was created immortal. On the contrary, we find just the opposite. The Prophet stated, quite plainly, in Ezekiel 18:4, “For every living soul belongs to me,

the father as well as the son -- both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.” In Ezekiel 18:20 he says again, “The soul who sins is the one who will die.” The word immortality is not found in the Old Testament.

What do the words of Romans 2:7 tell us? ”To those who by persistence in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” If we are all born with an immortal soul, why would the Apostle Paul tell us that it is one of the things we must seek after. If we have to seek for it, then it is obvious it is something we do not have. On the contrary, immortality is a reward that is held out to the faithful followers of the Lord Jesus, something they do not possess at this time.

What does the Apostle Paul tell us in 2 Tim. 1:9-10? “...according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Life and immortality were unknown until Jesus came to earth and revealed them to us. The potential for eternal life and immortality did not exist before Jesus came and offered it to His followers as a reward for faithfully doing His Father’s will in their lives, even unto death.

In 1 Corinthians 15:53 we read: “ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’" If immortality is something that has to be put on, it stands to reason that it was not something that we already possessed.

The Soul

The Scriptures clearly teach that the soul is mortal, not immortal. We read in Gen. 2:7 of the creation of the first living soul. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Many of the more modern translations render “living soul” as a “living being.” When did Adam become a living soul or being? Not until God breathed into him the “breath of life” did he become a “living soul,” or came alive.

If we reverse this procedure, i.e., take the “breath of life” from him, Adam would revert back to an inanimate body without life which is what it means to die. God affirms this again in Genesis 3:19: “ In the sweat of your face 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." Since we were born into sin, this is the end for all souls that are born into this world. In James 4:14 we read about the brevity of life: “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” We see then that the Scriptures do not support any immortality of the soul but rather the opposite - that man is mortal and will die.

Psalm 22:29 tells us, “All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those who cannot keep their souls alive.” No, though man has tried everything possible to live forever, he has utterly failed in this quest. The book of Ecclesiastes has much to say about the condition of the dead. Eccl. 3:19-21 states, “Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?" In Eccl. 9:5 we read, “ For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten.” Verse 10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Yes, man and beast are mortal and as such they one day will all die.

Someone might say to you, the body returns to the grave at death, but the soul of that person goes either up to heaven or down to hell. The above paragraph and its Scriptures clearly refute this teaching. If you still are not convinced, then listen to the words of Jesus in John 3:13: “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven -- the Son of Man.” We read in Acts 2:29, “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.” Also in Acts 2:34, “For David did not ascend into the heavens...” All who have ever died are still in their graves awaiting the grand day when they shall experience the promise of Jesus in John 5:28-29: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, when all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.”

The Apostle Paul certainly taught that no one, other than Jesus, had gone into heaven and this included all the faithful followers of Jesus who had died. In 1 Thes. 4:13-18 it says, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words.” The “first resurrection” in which the sleeping saints will be raised will happen when the Lord returns for His Bride, the Church.

There are two Scriptures that are used to teach that as soon as a Christian dies, he is immediately in the presence of the Lord. These are found in 2 Cor. 5:8 and Phil. 1:23. To take any scripture and apply an interpretation to it while disregarding many others that teach differently is an ever-present danger and can only lead to misunderstanding God’s Word because all things have not been proven and harmonized according to the instructions given to us in 1 Thes. 5:21.

2 Cor. 5:8: “ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord (NIV).” This text is open for interpretation, but in doing so it must also agree with all other Scriptures on this subject. One interpretation we mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Another is that Paul’s desire is true, but that he would not expect to be with the Lord until Jesus returned as Paul taught in 1 Thes. 4:13-18.

Phil.1:21-24: “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain(two options). If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ (a third option, as in 2 Cor. 5:8) which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (NIV).” It is quite interesting to find that the Greek word analuo can mean the exact opposite of each other which is the case with many English words. Strong's # 360 analuo {an-al-oo'-o} used twice in the New Testament and rendered:1) to unloose, undo again, 2) to depart, break up, to depart from life, to return. There is one translation that harmonizes with all the other Scriptures and that is Wilson’s Diaglott Trans.: Phil. 1:23 - "I am, indeed, hard pressed by the two things; I have an earnest desire for the returning, and being with Christ, since this is very much to be preferred." Most translators chose to use the word depart which would seem a reasonable interpretation but it implies being immediately with the Lord, in so doing it conflicts with many other Scriptures listed below:

1 Thes. 4:16-17 - “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the arch- angel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (NIV)

1 Cor. 15:51-53 - “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” (NIV)

Also one of the promises made by Jesus in John's Gospel supports these last statements of the Apostle Paul: John 14:3 - “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (NIV)

NOTE: The "resurrection" and the "change" do not occur at the time of the individual's death but at the time that the Lord returns for His Bride, as the two citations of the Apostle Paul and the one by Jesus clearly stated!

Some other Scriptures that challenge the teaching that upon his death, the Christian is immediately with the Lord:

1 Cor. 4:5 - “Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. Hewill bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. “

1 Cor. 15:22-23 - “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” (NIV)

1 Thes. 2:19 - “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?”

2 Thes. 2:1-3 - “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” (NIV)

Col. 3:4 - “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (NIV)

2 Tim. 4:8 - “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (NIV)

Phil. 3:20-21 - “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (NIV)

1 Pet. 5:4 - “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” NIV

1 John 2:28 - “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (NIV)

2 John 3:2 - “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (NIV)

God’s Plan For Mortal Man

Our God is loving and merciful, extending His grace towards undeserving mankind. In His plan He provided for the recovery of sinful man. John 3:16-17 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and He being the first to be resurrected from the dead, a way was opened up for the raising of the Church in the “first resurrection” (see Rev. 20:6 & 1 Thes. 4:13-18) and later a resurrection of all mankind (see John 5:28-29).

God’s plan includes a resurrection of mankind from the dead to a mortal state, a restoring of the earth to its original perfection, as it was before it was cursed, and to conditions in it that will be void of evil. It will be a time when all the families of the earth will be blessed as God promised Abraham, under the rulership of Jesus Christ and His glorified Bride. Read John 5:28-29; Acts 3:20-21; Rev. 20:1-2; Isa. 65:25; Gen. 12:3; Isa. 9:6-7; Rev. 3:26-27.

Summary: Immortality is not something that is possessed at birth but is a reward to the faithful followers of Jesus at their resurrection. Mortality is something we possess at birth, inherited through being part of Adam’s race, and thus because of his sin we will die. However, according to God’s plan, He will raise up mankind from the grave and provide him an opportunity to live eternally as a mortal being upon earth under righteous conditions. Heart obedience to the laws of righteousness will be the requirements to receive this life.