Discuss Ecclesiastes 12 Page 3

If one quotes a scripture, wouldn't it be from the word of God and

not from men or woman.

But if the bible is not quoted from the bible;

would wisdom still be of much value?

Jesus quoted his fathers words perfectly ( John 8). and the prophets

spoke from God ( Psalm 83:18)

Who is much wiser? Who is wiser to instruct mankind?

God ( Psalm 83:18) and his Son?

2 Timothy 3:16,17;

2 Peter 1:20,21 (holy spirit John 4:24)

John 17:3

John 14:6-28

Psalm 1:1-3

or

Men and many books?

Jeremiah 10:23

Romans 3:23

Ecclesiastes 12:12-14

Psalms. 146:3, 4

Hope you like

these scriptures.

Ron,

Many have different views on this and some defend them fiercely and interpret scripture to fit those views. This is not a salvation question so here are some things you may study for your own conscience; we all will face the death of this fleshly body and how you decide to face it is up to you. ( Psalm 6:5) ( Job 14:12-14) ( Job 17:13-16) ( Psalm 89:48) ( Psalm 115:17) ( Ecclesiastes 9:5-10)



There is a verse in ( 1 Timothy 4:7) to keep in mind, the actual Greek word used by Paul in this verse was "mythous", from which the English words myth and mythology come. In the actual Greek text of this verse, Paul further characterizes these fables as profane "bebelous". The King James Version of the Bible renders as "profane and old wives' tales".

Does scripture without man's interpretation back up a belief? ( Luke 16:19-31) is taught that we go to heaven or hell when we die. Questions to ask; What is the context of this chapter? Is this a parable or a reality? Is it backed up by other scripture or does it line up with Greek mythology?

What is our spirit? ( Psalm 104:29) ( Ecclesiastes 12:7) ( James 2:26). Spirit meaning wind, breath, spirit. When are we absent from our bodies? If we go to heaven when we die what is the meaning of ( 1 Corinthians 15:52-58)?

My personal understanding what scripture says is our spirit is our breath, and when we die it goes back to God who gave it, and our communication through the Holy Spirit stops until the resurrection,(sleep in Christ). And we being saved in Christ with the down payment/seal given by the Holy Spirit will be raised incorruptible in our new body and then we are absent from this fleshly body. But it is what you decide.

God bless.

RLW

Hello Nelvan. From the Bible, we understand that before Jesus came to Earth as a Man, He was in Heaven, within the Godhead, as the Word of God (see John 1:1-4,14). God has chosen to express Himself to us as the Almighty God from Whom proceeds His Word & His Spirit - just one God in His Fulness ( 1 John 5:7).

"Can God die?" No, God is Spirit, He cannot die and none in the spirit realm can die since no physical body is present. One day we will die because our aging bodies must perish. But our spirits which cannot die, will return to God ( Ecclesiastes 12:7).

But Jesus died, because God chose to send forth His Word to us a sinful people. And that Word became flesh ( John 1:14) & He was named Jesus ( Matthew 1:21-25), so that the people not only had God's final Word to them coming in human form ( John 8:42,43), but He also came as a man for the "suffering of death" ( Hebrews 2:9), that He should "taste death for every man". And this, Jesus did for us, so that when we believe on Him, confessing our sins, God will forgive us & accept us, only because He accepted His Son's death as a full & complete payment for our sins ( John 3:16-18).

So God Who is Spirit cannot die, but when He sent His Word to become a man, then yes, God did give us His life for us. But as you may know, the account doesn't end there: Jesus arose from death & the grave, ascended to Heaven in His glorified body & is seated now at God's right Hand where His Testimony is ever present before all in Heaven & Earth ( Hebrews 10:12; 7:25) - God's sacrificial Lamb Who was once slain and is now the only reason for our acceptance by God.

Eric When God ask solomon what do you want he didn't ask for riches or glory he ask for wisdom to Lead Gods people the Book of Ecclesiastes is his observation after having wealth honor riches and glory solomon boils life down to Ecclesiastes 12: 13 + 14.

And hallow my Sabbaths : and they shall be a ' sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Ezekiel 20 :20*. For .if Jesus

Sissy,

This is something you must decide, there are different views. Study the words soul and spirit, and breath, how they are used through the Bible. One thing, there is no time or knowledge in death ( Psalm 6:5) so whatever you decide, it's like when we go to sleep the next thing we know, we wake up.

When the gospel of Christ was given to the Gentiles, the countries around, even the Jews were influenced by Hellenistic Greek Philosophy, beliefs like what happens when we die, mythical stories of death, paradise, hades, and the underworlds crossed over.

The word "soul" means "life," either physical or eternal. Hebrew word nephesh meaning a soul, ( Genesis 2:7) living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion. The Greek word psuche meaning the soul, life, self, a person's distinct identity. If you study them, it is also used for all living beings' fish, animals, birds, and man. The soul is a living being but it is also our identity, we are all different in looks and personality, all our feelings, our thoughts, emotions, all that makes us, us.

The word spirit, the Bible writers used the Hebrew word ruach meaning breath, wind, spirit, or the Greek word pneuma also meaning wind, breath, spirit, when writing about the spirit.

What I have been shown in my studies, spirit is our breath, also what we communicate and worship God through the Holy Spirit. When we die our breath goes back to God ( Ecclesiastes 12:7) and our communication stops. ( Psalm 115:17) ( Psalms 146:4) ( Job 14:12-14)

We are asleep, body and soul until we are resurrected, that's when this mortal puts on immortality. ( 1 Corinthians 15:42, 51-56).

Sleep is used many times in the Bible for death and it is a very good example, may this give you another view and something you can study.

May we be led by the Spirit of truth.

RLW

WHO IS JESUS? PLEASE STUDY YOUR SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. AND VERSE 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: AND AGAIN IN REVELATION 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. ----BUT IN ISAIAH 44:"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." AND AGAIN ISAIAH 48:12Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.---WHY HE IS THE FIRST? BECAUSE HE IS THE BEGINNING OF ALL: GENESIS 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. AND HE IS THE LAST: ECCLESIASTES 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.--- AND AGAIN IN MATTHEW 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. AND ALSO IN ( MARK 14:24; LUKE 22:20; AND IN 1 CORINTHIANS 11:25) ALL OF THESE VERSES DECLARED ABOUT THE NEW COVENANT. BUT THE COVENANT IS EVERLASTING IN EXODUS 31:16"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant." AND AGAIN IN LEVITICUS 24:8Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.---THERE IS A CONTINUATION (NEXT COMMENT)

Marine Wife,

I think you are wrong on 2 counts:

1) God says the spirit returns to Him, not to Jesus or the Holy spirit.

( Ecclesiastes 12:7) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

2) The trinity is not Bible doctrine. The Bible names these 3 but nowhere does it mention or commit to a trinity.

What else do you think about Bible mystics?

Laura,

When we die, our souls return to God the Father, not to Jesus.

( Ecclesiastes 12:7) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Hi Cheryl, looks like you have many answers.

Most of us will face this, Death. Do we sleep in the earth until the resurrection, or go to heaven to be with the Lord? Regardless of which belief, there is no knowledge, no love, no hate, no work, no thoughts, no wisdom, or time in death. Some scriptures can be used to support both beliefs but it is for you to decide in your heart. Can we say either belief is wrong?

When the gospel of Christ was given to the Gentiles, the countries around were highly influenced by Greek Philosophy and beliefs like what happens when we die, mythical stories of death, paradise, hades, underworlds on more were widely spread by the people who were Greek and they stuck. I know some will disagree but that's ok we are not talking about things that cannot be debated that, like the only hope we have for salvation and eternal life is the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope this is not offensive or confusing. I thought instead of answering I would do something different, just ask a few questions I had and wrote down, when I studied this a while back, may they help you decide for your conscience.

I believe our body is just the dwelling place of our soul, and our spirit (breath) given to us by God is what keeps us alive. ( Ecclesiastes 12:7) ( Psalm 104:29) ( Psalm 146:4) ( James 2:26)

If we say our soul (we/us) is immortal and we are appointed once to die, what dies?

What is resurrected if our soul is already in heaven?

We are sealed (earnest, the down payment) by the Holy Spirit until when?

When are we redeemed?

Is our soul or our body the flesh that is corruptible and must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality?

When will we be absent from this body, is it when we die, or when we are resurrected?

When we meet Jesus in the air does scripture tell us where we go after we meet?

Again, I hope this is taken in love and not confusing, and may we be led by the Holy Spirit of truth.

RLW

Hi Cheryl,

The Bible says we will all first be judged. Not just non-Christians, not just "sinners."

Ecclesiastes 12:14

2 Corinthians 5:10

Matthew 12:36

We also know that some will be confident and assume they'll go to heaven, but won't get in.

Matthew 7:21

To me that means that no one is going to either of those places until after judgment day:

Revelation 20:11-15

Hebrews 9:27

1 Corinthians 4:5

And finally, if people don't go to heaven or hell when they die, where else do they go? Here's what the Bible says:

Job 14:12

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:17

I believe just as 8 hours can pass in the snap of a finger will it seem like a snap of the finger for those "sleeping" will awake and rise to meet Jesus in the air then face judgment. This took time to put together and paste all these verses here for you, so I hope you likewise take a moment to hover over them and read them. I care.

Hi Peter,

I very much agree with you that all souls return to God. Who gave us our spirit as in Ecclesiastes 12:7.

Though as I believe Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God and on the Throne of God in Heaven. As Acts 7:55, Colossians 3:1-4, Hebrews 8:1, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 21:22-23, etc.

I believe I will see, and be with, Jesus Christ, God our Father, and our whole family in Heaven.

God Bless. Have a wonderful day!

Richard in Christ,

I like your aim. I must tell you that all souls return to God, not Jesus.

( Ecclesiastes 12:7) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

It's another angle to consider.

There is a lot of I KNOW AND YOUR WRONG attitudes out here when it comes to The Word of "God", (yes spelled with a capital G by the way), but is it really getting us anywhere? 2 Timothy 2:23

(But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.)

Titus 3:9

(But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.) When it comes to God's Word no one knows it better than God, go to him, pray for understanding and whatsoever in faith believing ye ask, ye shall receive! The preacher said it best in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.) God Bless and fight the good fight.

I use to believe the Roman Catholic teaching of consciousness after death. Like you are not really dead, but go to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory. (And there if in Hell, burn eternally, with no hope of an end).

However, since then I have read in God's Word that this is not so. In John 11:11-14, Jesus tell His apostles that Lazarus is sleeping, but Jesus goes to wake him up. Finally, Jesus tells His apostles that Lazarus is dead. Also, see 1

Thessalonians 4:15-17. And, John 5:28-29. See, Genus 2:7. Ecclesiastes 12:7. Importantly, Psalms 146:3-4. Again, "Who Only Has Immortality? See, 1 Timothy 6:16. And those who SEEK, Romans 2:7. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 we learn.... Knowing what God's Word really says is priceless, see, Psalms 115:17, "The dead praise NOT the LORD, neither any that go down into silence." Must read, Ecclesiae's 9:5,6, 10. 5."For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of then is forgotten. 6. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findet to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goes." NOTE: 2 Timothy 3:16, "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" There is more, but I think by now you get the idea.... God bless you as you prayerfully Study the above....

Amen Jerry Smith, At the resurrection, our sleeping soul and body will awake and put on immortality and if we fear man instead of God and not be obedient to God, we will face the judgment and punishment of the second death the eternal death that was past to us from the first Adam, that will destroy the body and the soul.

What is our spirit? Some use the Bible verse Ecclesiastes 12:7 to support the belief of going to heaven when we die. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. God gave us breath like in Genesis; God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

Without spirit, the body is dead. Psalm 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Therefore, in the Bible, the word ruach is translated not only as "spirit" but also as "force," or life-force, breath is life.



Think of when you go in or out of a room you flip the light switch and the light goes on or off, the electricity is the spirit of the light bulb and without it the bulb is dead. There is also the Spirit we worship God, is it also similar to the electricity that turns on the light bulb?

Yes, it flows like electricity but it carries comfort, guidance, truth, love, it regenerates and renews and assists believers in prayer. Spirit, is the same word as breath, but what flows through this Holy Spirit is not air or electricity. It is an invisible channel and a door, we communicate to and from God in the name of Jesus, a dwelling place (mansion) in us, Jesus restored with his death on the cross.

God bless, Ron

THE FIRST RESURRECTION: The seventh trumpet resurrection happens in the twinkling of an eye. ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) Judgment for these resurrected Christians takes place in the space between the seventh trumpet and before the twinkling, rather simultaneously.

The 144,000 out of great tribulation are judged ( Revelation 20:4) and made whole. These are the elect only, no others. Resurrection scriptures were tailored for the elect, of the great tribulation, who rise first.

The resurrection accounts of the 144,000 are on record, and their numbers add up: "10,000 x 10,000 = 100,000 + thousands and thousands" is another way of saying 144,000. ( Revelation 7:9 [that's them]) ...a great multitude...in white robes...out of the great tribulation. ( Revelation 11:12)

( Revelation 5:11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.

( Revelation 7:13-14) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes (fifth seal brethren) and whence came they?....they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes...

It makes sense for the 144,000 to rule the world with Christ for the 1,000 years. Then bring up the balance for the new heaven and new earth.

For resurrection perspective, the current world population is 7.8 billion people.

Conservatively speaking, 25 billion Christians have lived since the first century AD.

If these 25 billion dead in Christ are resurrected at the last trumpet, where will they go?

25 billion (physically) are not sustainable, suggesting that the first fruits are a small body of the core church. Many will remain asleep.

THE SECOND RESURRECTION: God's balance of 108 billion souls will come to the table. ( Ecclesiastes 12:7) The new earth & new heaven will accommodate all.

Hello James. As far as I know, the Bible is silent on this topic, probably because it was not a practice of God's people, rather more in line to what the heathen would do. The references that come up are found in the Old Testament: 1 Samuel 31:11-13; Amos 2:1; Leviticus 20:14. However, Israel generally resorted to burial in a tomb, cave or ground: Genesis 23:19; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Matthew 27:57-60.

So, the Church is not given a specific direction on this, as ultimately, the body returns to dust "from whence it came" ( Ecclesiastes 12:7). It then becomes the decision by the family of the departed to have a burial or a cremation, depending on preference, costs, or availability. My choice would always be for a burial, in line with what was practised by Israel.

Brother Earl,

I very much enjoy reading your posts. Thank you kindly for your replies. It is a Blessing to be able to converse with you on things like this.

First I will start by saying exactly what shall happen is all up to God, and His Will, as you know. In reality I don't believe any of us can perceive how deep the thoughts, and plans, of God truly are. One day when we return to Him, after our physical death, then we shall know things not known in earth. Ecclesiastes 12:7.

As I'm still not positive if that you perceive ALL to be saved in the end but that's what I think.

If it is God's will that all shall be saved then I'm all for that. For His Will shall be done and whatever that is is what I want also. Though I have so many Scriptures that pertain to things like "the unsaved being cast into eternal damnation, it being better that Judas Iscariot was not even born, things of Heaven(which I believe to be the Spiritual Kingdom of God), our names written in the book of Life, that not everyone's name shall be written in this book, etc." Also of things like you stated how the wisdom of God shall fill the earth. Habakkuk 2:14.

I believe, from my aspect, that all have the choice and chance to be saved by God. His mercy and forgiveness is everlasting. No matter what we have done in our lives. Though it doesn't seem all choose that path or will be with the Lord for eternity. As even angels have sinned and turned against God.

I will just post all the Scriptures I have that I see these things in. As no man taught me about the Lord. God lead me to Jesus Christ who saved me.

About Judas Matthew 26:24.

Not all making it to Heaven Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Matthew 13:37-43, Matthew 13:47-50, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 21:7-8, Revelation 22:14-15, 2 Peter 2:1-9, 2 Peter 2:17,

Heaven Matthew 25:31-34, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:18.

2 Peter 1:20. May the Lord bring us closer together.

God Bless.

Thank you much for your reply Tom,

I very much enjoyed reading your reply and I agree with most of what you stated. One thing you stated is very special to me. Shown to me very early, by our Father, in my journey with the Lord.

To try and not make this too long. About ( 1 Corinthians 15 24-28. Stating how the last enemy to be destroyed is death, this being the end. The end of just my life or all physical life? I cannot see how God is not all in all now. How He is the source of all life. The Creator of all. Knowing everything about everything, knowing the end before the beginning, and always being in control in Heaven and earth. Like you stated it is His Will that shall be done not ours. Job 34:14-15. Death being a part of this physical life when our spirit shall return to God. Ecclesiastes 12:7. All we see is vanity but what is not seen is eternal as ( 2 Corinthians 4:18.

How do you perceive when Jesus states of the sin that shall not be forgiven in Matthew 12:32 "neither in this world, neither in the world to come"? Do you perceive this as another physical earth or world after us? Or as like unto the angels who sinned and were cast down(from Heaven) to Tartarus ( 2 Peter 2:4? Meaning neither in earth or in Heaven.

I thank you very much for your reply and cherish very much someone to converse about spiritual things like this.

I still do not understand what you mean about the Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost to be different. Can you please give a reply about how in the Textus Receptus, the Greek texts, which our Holy Bible(NT) is translated from. "Ghost" and "spirit" is the same Greek word "pneuma". Strongs number G4151. Translated over 250 times as "spirit" and over 90 times "ghost" in English. There is no difference in Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. That I can see anyway.

Thank you again for your time sir. God Bless you.

Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

Job 4:19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

Psalms 103:14, Psalms 104:29 , -- Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

We haven't cremated any of our family, no plans to. But I wouldn't think it makes a difference.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Ezekiel 33:11-20

( Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 12:35-36 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Matthew 13:37-43

( John 5:26-29

( Romans 2:2-11

( Romans 6:1-2

( Romans 6:15-23

( James 2:14-20

( 1 Peter 4:16-19

( 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

In the King James Translation (KJT) of Psalm 90:10, the word "strength" occurs twice.

In the expression, "if by reason of strength ", the word "strength" translates from a Hebrew word which literally means human endurance pertaining to longevity according to age.

In the subsequent expression, "yet is their strength ", the word "strength" translates from an entirely different Hebrew word than that in the previous expression. Now, the word "strength" from the Hebrew literally describes a prideful boast. Yet, this boast seems of a mocking kind, for those of advanced age can only "boast" of their extreme pain and debilities. Their daily living consists of "labor and sorrow" due to their physical body's extreme weaknesses, and even due to their sicknesses and diseases which often exists. Even in the absence of sickness, the bodies of the extremely old will surely give out and die.

Consider Solomon's pessimistic outlook regarding the human body's aging as recorded in Ecclesiastes 12:3-7.

The Hebraic meaning of the word translated "labor" describes the misery involved in performing even the simplest tasks required for living comfortably and of taking care of the human body.

The Hebraic meaning of the word translated "sorrow" describes the lingering effects of guilt and regret attached to former sins of which the aged must live. Note that the same Hebrew word, translated here into "sorrow", also translates into "iniquity", an especially grievous sin of perversity, at least forty-seven times in the KJT, and also into other words such as "wicked" or "wickedness" as well as "vanity" and "unrighteous".

These descriptions seem very pessimistic and even fatalistic in nature, yet redeemed Christians take great comfort in their DIVINE REDEEMER and SAVIOR by living under the principles of verses twelve through fifteen.

1 Thessalonians 5:23: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

As the Apostle Paul believed & is indeed the case, we are a type of trinity, without any one aspect of our make-up, we cease to be the creation that God made. The 'body' part is easy: we see it & most people give very little thought to any other aspect of our being. Yet, God has given it to us so that the 'real' parts of us can be 'housed' & that both the visible & invisible parts of us are accountable to God, unlike some who believe that we can do whatever we like with & through our bodies.

Genesis 2:7: "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."

Even though the word 'soul' can be used almost interchangeably with 'spirit', I think we should understand it as "the life of a person". And in that 'life' we also have our faculties, emotions, reasoning powers, etc.

However, I see that the 'spirit' given to man is quite different. Proverbs 20:27, "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly (heart)." God gives both man & animals a spirit. In man, God can minister or speak to us. So one might be 'spiritually alive' which means, being receptive to God/to spiritual things, ( 1 Corinthians 2:9-11). Or one is 'spiritually dead', having no spiritual discernment or is so hindered by Satan, that he no longer is moved by God. Of what sort the spirit in animals is, I don't know, except for what Ecclesiastes 3:21 tells us.

But when we die, our spirits return to the Lord ( Ecclesiastes 12:7): we are not only accountable to God for our lives, but also we are indestructible, or the body can be destroyed but the spirit lives on, whether with God or with Satan.

Matthew chapter 22 verses 23 to 32 I believe answers this very well when Jesus talks to the Sadducees with respect to the resurrection. as in verse 30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."

No, but there will be food. The Tree of Life will be available to everybody.

Our first day in heaven after the Rapture we will be attending a Wedding FEAST.

My kid didn't want to go to heaven if there wasn't going to be pizza (he was 9) and the Holy Spirit said there would be pizza :D

I was shocked too lol.

Chris, I would suggest that you read my post a little more carefully. My quote "Speaking about man's death, Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." end quote, and yet you would totally misrepresent my post.

I feel it is a waste of my time in responding further, as you have knowingly misquoted me since my quote was clear and concise. I praise God and always Thank Jesus for trials which will strengthen us. You will be in my prayers.

When writing about the soul, the Bible writers used the Hebrew word nephesh or the Greek word psykhe. These two words occur well over 800 times in the Scriptures, and the New World Translation renders them "soul," either in the main text or in footnotes. When you examine the way "soul" or "souls" is used in the Bible, it becomes evident that this word basically refers to people and the life that a person has.

"In Noah's day . . . a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water." ( 1 Peter 3:20) Here the word "souls" clearly stands for people-Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives.

You will find another examples of this sense of "soul" in the text found at Matthew 10:39'

Some people think that "spirit" is just another word for "soul." However, that is not the case. The Bible makes clear that "spirit" and "soul" refer to two different things.

Bible writers used the Hebrew word ruach or the Greek word pneuma when writing about the "spirit." The Scriptures themselves indicate the meaning of those words.

For instance, Psalm 104:29 states: "If you [God] take away their spirit [ruach], they die and return to the dust."

Speaking about man's death, Ecclesiastes 12:7 states: "The dust [of his body] returns to the earth, just as it was, and the spirit returns to the true God who gave it." When the spirit, or life-force, leaves the body, the body dies and returns to where it came from-the earth. Comparably, the life-force returns to where it came from-God. ( Job 34:14, 15; Psalm 36:9)

This does not mean that the life-force actually travels to heaven. Rather, it means that for someone who dies, the time of future life rests with God. The time frame is in God's hands, so to speak. Only by God's power can the spirit, or life-force, be given back so that a person may live again.

Praise God. Thank You Jesus.

Hi Nancy, since I wrote to you on this matter, I will respond again. As we know, that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." ( John 4:24). That is, God in His Essence is a Spiritual Being without a body as we know. And in His fullness, He has shown to us His Word & His Spirit that are Him & proceed from Him. The Word we know was given a Body for the purposes of bringing God's Message to His people & to lay down His Life for mankind ( John 1:1-14; 3:16). God's Spirit was sent out of God's Being to accomplish His Purposes on Earth, including the indwelling of the believer, returns back to God when God's Will has been fully accomplished on Earth.

Even though I can't give you any clear Scripture to show God withdrawing His Spirit back into Himself, we have to surmise in our understanding of all of revealed Scripture we have, that as God sends out His Word & His Spirit, He must also withdraw them when His Work is done. Romans 8:26,27 tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers, when we are ignorant on how to pray or what to pray. And it says that the Spirit helps us by lifting our 'deficient, uninformed' prayers to the Father, with His 'groans' or 'utterances' which we don't perceive. This the Spirit does because of His constant connection to the Godhead (as even Jesus had & enjoyed on Earth), & He is well able to translate our prayers into valid utterances that conform to the Will of God. But there are times that we ask (from the flesh) outside of God's Will (see James 4:3) & our prayers go no further than our ceiling.

So when the Spirit returns to God at the appointed time, we can't conclude that the Spirit will not again be sent out to fulfil another purpose of God. Where we fail in our understanding is that, since as humans we can't do what God does, so we conclude, that God can't do it either. Just as our spirits return to God Who gave it ( Ecclesiastes 12:7), so will His Holy Spirit return to the Godhead.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the Flesh.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

1 Corinthians 11:19

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

((My comment: that You will shine as gold))

Romans 14:18

For he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

2 Corinthians 13:7

Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest:

See if your Church has mentoring classes.

Google, street ministry classes online; and see what all that entails. Evangelism is faith with feet. And a whole lot of scripture under the Belt of Truth.

My prayers go with you, Mishael