I've recently discovered religion again, and have been studying, studying and studying. As I study, I come across a lot of controversy, conflicting beliefs, even in the same religion, and begin having more and more questions. I came across an article by James Tabor, speaking about the original Hebrew text and how it did not portray an afterlife or eternal life. This article quite honestly has sent me into a panic for answers, and because I cannot translate the original text myself, I am sort of stewing in frustration and fear as to whether he is correct in what he's saying. Could someone please offer an opinion? especially someone who is familiar with the original text. It is greatly appreciated.
In just about all Bibles, there are Scriptures in the "original Hebrew text" (commonly called the "Old Testament") that direct one's attention to everlasting life on the earth.(In the Christian Greek Scriptures, commonly called the "New Testament", everlasting life in heaven is also brought forth) Consider for a moment, the Genesis account of creation. For what purpose did God proceed to form the earth into a beautiful planet over the course of six "creative" days, so that at the end of the sixth "creative" day, after the creation of Adam and Eve, it said: "After that God saw everything he had made and look ! it was very good."?(Gen 1:31)
At Isaiah 45:18, this question is answered, with it saying: "For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the true God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it,
who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else."(
New World Translation)
But how long did God purpose for man to inhabit the earth ? Psalms 37:29 says: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will
reside forever upon it." Jesus reaffirmed this, saying that "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."(Matt 5:5,
King James Bible) Thus, God's original purpose is for man that he created to live on or inhabit the earth forever. However, it is only those who submit to his holy laws and requirements that will be allowed to live eternally on the earth.
Proverbs 2:20-22 says: "The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people and that the paths of the righteous ones you may keep. For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it."(
New World Translation) Therefore, what kind of people will be seen living on the earth at God's appointed time in the near future ? It says "upright" and "blameless" ones, whereas the "wicked" and "treacherous" ones are "cut off " or "torn away from" the earth.
In addition, in the Hebrew Scriptures, the hope of a resurrection is clearly seen. Job, who apparently lived after righteous Joseph (Gen 50:26 and who was born in 1758 B.C.E.) and before Moses (who was born in 1593 B.C.E.), requested of Jehovah God, our Creator: "O that in She´ol (mankind's common grave) you would conceal me, that you would keep me secret until your anger turns back, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me ! "(Job 14:13)
What does Job recognize ? That God will remember him and bring him back from the dead, for he continues: "If an able-bodied man dies can he live again ? All the days of my compulsory service (death while in the grave) I shall wait, until my relief (by means of a resurrection) comes. You will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning."(Job 14:14, 15,
New World Translation)
God never intended for his creation of mankind to die, but rather prepared the earth for "meek" mankind's habitation, as his people that is righteous, always listening to their Creator. The Christian Greek Scriptures, or "New Testament", confirms this, opening up to a stunning picture that will soon be a reality, for at Revelation 21:3-5, the apostle John sees this vision: "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Thus, the Hebrew Scriptures provides a firm hope of living forever on a paradise earth and in which the Christian Greek Scriptures provides details that should thrill us.