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I want to revisit this as I came across this verse that dispels the notion that we just return to the dust. This verse says the body goes back to the dust of the earth but the spirit returns to the Lord.............[Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV] "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
Yes, we are sustained by both breath and God's Spirit, and when we expire and also give up the Spirit we return to dust. There is no evidence that this "spirit" is an equivalent to the supposed immortal souls that perpetuate the existence of the individual.
[Ecclesiastes 3:19 KJV] "For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all [is] vanity."
Lazarus and the rich man isn't a parable. It doesn't say it is and is too specific in details and can be understood clearly, which isn't the case for parables.................[Luke 16:20 KJV] "And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores," [Luke 16:22 KJV] "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;"
I believe it is a parable based upon the erroneous view of the Pharisees. Jesus uses this as a parody of their covetousness. As far as detail, Lazarus and the resurrection are mentioned, and it was a relatively short time when Jesus would resurrect Lazarus.
There is no mention of immortal souls or immaterial departed spirits or heaven or hell in Genesis 3:19. Adam was destined to return to the dust.
It's not a parable because there isnt anything that needs explanation to understand who it's about and what happened. I think the take away is in this verse.............[Luke 16:31 KJV] "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."............Israel will still not believe even when Jesus rises from the dead.
Please look at these verses closely and follow me here.............[Revelation 19:20 KJV] "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."............... The beast and false prophet are men as seen in the verse "The beast was taken and with HIM" The prophet is said to be a man "HE deceived them". They were both cast ALIVE into the lake of fire.................[Revelation 20:2 KJV] "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,"...............Satan was bound for a THOUSAND YEARS...............[Revelation 20:7 KJV] "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,"............AFTER THE THOUSAND YEARS. Satan was set free...........[Revelation 20:10 KJV] "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."...........The devil/Satan was cast into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet are STILL ALIVE after a thousand years. They will be alive in the lake of fire FOR EVER AND EVER. This isn't a parable that can dismiss the truth; this is prophecy and proves that we have immortality. Christ tells us through Paul that he has brought immortality to light................[2 Timothy 1:10 KJV] "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"
No, my fellowship goes back to say 1843, much earlier than the start of the JWs. As an editor of a Campbellite magazine our main founder had very strong discussions on this subject with Alexander Campbell some time after 1834 and this and other teachings led to the separation.
Did you miss this? I would like your explanation of there not being immortality in light of this passage Please
Here is another verse that I am requesting an explanation from you if you say everyone that dies just goes to the grave. ..................[Revelation 6:9 KJV] "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:"..............These souls were slain, they were dead, yet their souls lived; only their bodies were in the grave.
I consider that most of that is figurative.
Yes, Jesus was raised from the dead and given immortality. He has thus opened the way for all of mankind to receive immortality, and thus brought immortality to light. Jesus will raise the faithful dead and give them immortality. Also the faithful that are alive when Jesus returns will be granted immortality.
It is not speaking of a detached immortal soul. Again it is figurative language based upon the concept of a burnt offering upon the altar and the blood poured out at the base of the altar. The blood is symbolic of a person's life, in this case poured out by the persecution of their faith and way of life. The other allusion is to the blood of Abel which cried out from the earth after Abel was slain by Cain. The crying out speaks of the anticipated judgement
The eternal fire is not upon the cities its upon the inhabitants who gave "THEMSELVES" over to fornication
What other scripture can you show support for this please
I believe that Jesus in the form of Jesus' mortal body was raised from the dead, and he was then given immortality. He possesses a substantial physical immortal body. I do not believe that we already possess immortality in the form of an immortal soul that goes to heaven or hell immediately after we die and our body is then buried usually in a few days.
So let me get this right
