You wrote:
face2face said:
The Bible is extremely clear on the state of the dead -
dead is dead!
This says:
God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him
all are alive. (Luke 20:39)
Context is again (sigh) key to unlocking this passage. (
red text emphasizes the Master's context as the basis of his teaching - I hope you can follow!)
In Luke 20:37
But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses
showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’
So Jesus here is proving the
power of the Resurrection (red text is Jesus' focus! and not that Abraham is "ever-living!" No such thing as an immortal soul! If you read Hebrews 11:39-40 you will see all the faithful are still dead, having not received the promises.
In Luke 20:38
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living,
for to him all are alive.” (note: ah right ! even though they are dead, in God's mind His Chosen are alive!)
I'm sure by now you are starting to feel a little embarrassed that you didn't read carefully the Lords teaching!
Verse 38 is a real stumbling block for you St. because Jesus is saying though Moses and Abraham are dead
“For all live unto him”
Its Rom 4:17 isn't it?
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—
the God who gives life to the dead AND calls into being things that were not.
So what is Jesus actually teaching here St.? (did you catch it I wonder?)
God ‘surnames’ himself “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” Heb 11:16 (why would He do that if Abraham was to remain in the grave?)
Abraham “…the father of us all” Rom 4:16
Isaac his “…only begotten son” Heb 11:17
Jabob “A multitude(assembly/body of Christ)” see Gen 28:3
Summary for St. SteVen:
If you had read verse 37 maybe you wouldn't have posted this passage!
Anyways, the context is Moses at the Burning Bush and the name of God revealed there. If you read carefully the Lords words you would see he is teaching them about the ressurection!
The name given
“He who will be” in Exod 3:14. Jesus was saying to them your ultimate preservation (raised from the dead) is not by descent! but by relationship to Yahweh!
You need understanding St. SteVen, and when you lack it, you try to prove things from the Word of God, which are just not there, AND you miss the beautiful lessons the Master is carefully crafted.
Maybe you could respond to God in a similar manner as they after hearing truth?
Luke 20:39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
F2F