Discuss Luke 16 Page 9

This is to sacha, being baptized does not save you. placing trust and faith in christ saves. look at romans 10:9,10. now, this is one passage that is spoken quite often about hell. it's a parable about the rich man and lazarus luke 16:19-31.

Some believe that while Jesus' body was in the tomb, His spirit was in hell.Scripture doesn't support that position when it is taken in context and we look at the meaning of the word "hell." In the Old Testament, the place of the dead or the place of departed souls was called "SHEOL."It was to this place that all souls of the dead went to await resurrection.

In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The KJV translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. HADES had two separated parts: Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in ABRAHAMS BOSOM which was called "PARADISE" by the LORD Jesus Christ himself when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43)

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" ( 2 Peter 2:4). The word translated "HELL" here is not the Greek word "HADES" but is the Greek word "TARTARUS" meaning ABYSS or the lowest regions. This could very well be the "gulf" that was fixed between the PLACE OF TORMENT and Abraham's Bosom ( Luke 16:26).

When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fulfill all things" ( Ephesians 4:8-10). Leading captivity captive seems to refer to Jesus taking all those that waited in Paradise to heaven to be with Him. The descending into the "lower parts" then refers to Jesus mission of declaring freedom too all inmates.

I need prayer for better understanding of Gods word, and Gods will for me and what He would want me to do for Him and others. I also need prayer that I am able to find a life partner that also believes in God and would want to live according to Gods will. I have read in the Bible that if you are married and get divorced, you can ONLY remarry if the other person cheated on you, if not then you would be committing adultery. I don't want to go to hell just because I got remarried. I need prayer that there would be a different understanding of the verses below. I have been married before, I am not the one who cheated, my wife may or may not have. She said at one time she slept with my cousin, then another time she said she didn't, that he told her to tell me that. So I am not sure what this would fall under. I list the verses below on what Jesus say about Divorce and remarriage.

Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Mark 10:11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

Mark 10:12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Paul stated, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 2Co 5:8

Jesus told of a beggar and a rich man in Luke 16:19-31. "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;" Luk 16:22

Jesus went on to describe the the condition of the rich man and the beggar.

"And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." Luk 16:24-25

So we see that Old Testament saints were in a place of comfort. New Testament saints are with the Lord. Both disembodied spirits. But we are promised that the dead will be raised and given incorruptible bodies.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1Co 15:51-52

S Spencer, the Spirit has graced, and is gracing, you with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding (of two to make one new man). You quoted Joel 3:2, do you think the war in the valley of Jehoshaphat is the spiritual warfare spoken of by Paul, or are you of the opinion it is natural. The Spirit has led me to believe it spiritual war. I know by previous comments you understand that the elect will judge the world. What has the Spirit revealed to you about this judgement. The Spirit has revealed to me that THE BOOKS ( Revelation 20:12) or symbolic of the ones judging. The Spirit has put a great hunger and thirst in me to study and understand the prophecies. You understand that the Spirit is assembling a nation of priest and judges. The Spirit has revealed to me that this nation of priest will judge and bring to truth all those raised after these elect have been gathered. Isaiah 66:14-24, 1 Timothy 4:10, Psalms 22:27 Paul taught for two years the kingdom of heaven out of the law and prophets. Acts 28:23-31, Luke 16:31 I love reading the comments of those the SPIRIT IS WORKING in to bring ALL to HIS TRUTH.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the UNITY of the FAITH, and of THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, unto a perfect man (of two to make one new man), unto the measure of the STATURE AND FULNESS OF CHRIST.

I am interested in your thoughts on 'hell'. You said, "that Hell does not exist in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Latin". So if you read Psalm 16:10 & Psalm 139:8 which, of course mentions 'hell', what Hebrew word, in your studies, is applicable there. I understand it as 'sheol', but you may have another word or meaning for it.

Then in the NT, we have Matthew 10:28 & Luke 16:23, where the word for 'hell', is understood to be 'geenne', or Gehenna in Matthew, and 'ade' or Hades, in Luke's reference. I see that all of these references (OT & NT) depict a place & state of suffering. And if these are translated from the original manuscripts, I would be interested to learn what you are reading, the words used & the manuscripts they are derived from, as this can be very perplexing to us who are confined to the Bibles we have now.

And as a result of this, what is your understanding of a place of eternal suffering for the wicked: whether such a state even exists of which the Bible declares.

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (verse 7 Jesus said)- Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye MUST be born again.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.(Not because he is a Jew)

Galations 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

FAITH IS NOT WHO YOU ARE BLACK, WHITE, NATIONALITY HAS NO EFFECT ON BEING A HEIR WITH CHRIST BUT BY GRACE WE ARE SAVED BY/THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

I believe that we need to understand what 'death' is when seen in the Bible. If you ask a man on the street, he will think of death as just a cessation of life & the body disposed of. But the Bible generally speaks of death as more than cessation of life on Earth, but of the requirement to enter into another dimension. When Adam & Eve were told that they would die if they disobeyed God by eating of that tree, indeed they would experience physical death, but much more, that death would take them into the next dimension of existence. So physical death (as in a deep sleep) is generally understood as a 'curtain' that we pass through into the next life. However, as in John 11:14, Jesus also spoke of just a present bodily death of Lazarus.

So when you read of a Second Death ( Rev 20:14), there must of necessity be a First Death. So the First Death is that first experience that we will enter as we close our eyes to this physical world & become aware of the next world. Even though there are other views on when & how this happens, my understanding is that if we are saved through faith in Jesus, we (our souls) are transported into Heaven (pre-Cross: there was a holding stage where the righteous & unrighteous were held: Luke 16:19-31)). But at Jesus' death & resurrection, those righteous were removed from there.

So the Second Death now only applies to those who have died without Christ, whether from days past or yet in the future. They no longer will be held in Hell suffering awaiting judgement, but at the close of the age, they, together with the Devil, his angels, the Antichrist & Death & Hell itself, will be consigned into the Lake of Fire for all eternity ( Mark 9:43-48). As for those in Heaven or in God's new heaven & earth (Revelation chapter 21) who will live into eternity in God's Presence, so too will those who have been sent to the Lake of Fire, be enveloped in continual flames for all eternity. Some believe in a reprieve - the Bible doesn't indicate this at all.

Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 8:1

Hebrews 10:11-13

Hebrews 12:2

Luke 16:19

Mark 14:62

Romans 8:34

Ephesians 1:21

1 Peter 3:22

Acts 7:55

Colossians 3:1

These verses should be sufficient to show that the risen Jesus Christ is now at the Father's right Hand.

Thank you Valerie for sharing those worthy & valuable thoughts on these matters.

Chris: You are absolutely RIGHT! Romans 12:2 And be no conformed to this world. but be ye transformed by (through) the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. When reviewing the above scripture verse 22 of Luke 16 the angels carried him. I believe that GOD has angels to what he instructs. EZEKIEL 10:18-19. verse 23 of LUKE 16. " the rich man also died " I wonder if the the rich man blasphemed ( that is another scripture within the bible the WORD of GOD the GOD in the form of JESUS would send a person to hell for. Also within verse 24 we see , he cried and goes through family lineage he confesses and gives honor to GOD the Father and his torment continues. Also within that verse he reflect on the knowledge he learned and request for the person he disregard to give him water. The rich man recognizes where he will live for eternity. That provides the TRUTH of the LIVING WORD OF GOD that GOD ignited his cognitive remembrance so the rich man is tormented

You bring up a valid prespective. To the WORD of GOD. I believe that and after researching the WORD OF GOD. It provides specific instructions within the old testament of the proper way of disposing of dead people and their remains. I have to find it the scripture. Now it is 2021 the cremation would logically be safer. Because of the world and the nature of it. Also I think cremation also sends a bible prespective and sight to the Abraham and Lazarus. The cremation of 2021 is very different I believe from bible times. The TRUTH of current world.The cultivation of land is to be preserved. I think. Abraham stood his post within the scripture when speaking the word of GOD and the use of the word son and the reflection of his meanness and what he did to the Lazarus. Hell is real. Also Chris there is an art depiction of GOD and the TRUTH and HELL at 1stDIB it is from Italy,circa 1890 called Mannequin. We can see the scripture. 7:03 AM

Hades in Greek, or Sheol in Hebrew, is generally defined in these three ways:

a. the Grave. A place of bodily rest & decay. Acts 2:29-31.

b. a place of punishment for the wicked. Luke 16:20-23; Matthew 11:23.

c. a temporary place for the righteous dead. Luke 16:23-26. The Luke account seems to indicate that hades had two areas separating the righteous from the wicked in death. But after Jesus' death & resurrection, the righteous are no longer held there, being justified by faith, for which the Cross provided the means now which they didn't have before Christ's death.

Hades will always oppose Christ's Church ( Matthew 16:18); it must be distinguished from being just synonymous with death ( Revelation 6:8); it will one day be destroyed ( Revelation 20:13,14); Jesus has the 'keys' to it ( Revelation 1:18); & it is remains now only a temporary place of the unbelieving dead, as the Apostle Paul believed that Hades would not be his destiny, but Heaven ( 2 Corinthians 5:8).

Some believe that while Jesus' body was in the tomb, His spirit was in hell.Scripture doesn't support that position when it is taken in context and we look at the meaning of the word "hell." In the Old Testament, the place of the dead or the place of departed souls was called "SHEOL." It was to this place that all souls of the dead went to await resurrection.

In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The KJV translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. HADES had two separated parts: Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in ABRAHAMS BOSOM which was called "PARADISE" by the LORD Jesus Christ himself when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43)

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" ( 2 Peter 2:4). The word translated "HELL" here is not the Greek word "HADES" but is the Greek word "TARTARUS"meaning ABYSS or the lowest regions. This could very well be the "gulf" that was fixed between the PLACE OF TORMENT and Abraham's Bosom ( Luke 16:26)

Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fulfill all things" ( Ephesians 4:8-10). Leading captivity captive seems to refer to Jesus taking all those that waited in Paradise to heaven to be with Him. The descending into the "lower parts"refers to Jesus declaring victory over death.

I agree, god which is our heavenly father he does want us to come back and turn to him and look up to him.

To know that your experience of re-birth by God's Spirit is real, is found in the testimony from God's Word & by the witness of His Spirit to your heart.

There are many Scriptures that tell us, what God has done in a truly repentant, confessing sinner, is a declaration by God. And if God has said it (through His Word), then He cannot lie & He is faithful to perform it in your life. Look at: John 3:16; 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38; Luke 15:10; 1 John 5:4; 1 John 2:29 are just a few.

Not only from God's Word that He wants all to repent & turn to Him, but also His Spirit witnesses to our hearts:

Romans 8:16; Galatians 5:17,22; 1 Corinthians 12:7 ff; 1 Corinthians 2:14 are some for you to consider.

So these verses declare God's ministry to us to assure our hearts that we belong to Him, i.e. we have been born again by His Spirit. But for each of us, the Spirit's ministry can be specific & special. One may see God doing mighty things through him that blesses many. Others, can have a quiet confidence in the promises of God & willing & able to share with others what God has done in him. But in all cases, the indwelling Spirit is there to assure you, comfort you, direct you, teach you & give you a hope for the future, which an unbeliever simply cannot have & enjoy.

Sometimes, the initial reception of the Spirit can be quite dramatic, whether in outward manifestations or an inward contrition & resulting joy in salvation. If you've had that experience, be assured of His Presence in you. If you've been baptized in water, here is another great testimony of an inward response to God's Work in you. But if you're feeling empty & no different from when you were unsaved, then you need to examine yourself whether you have come to God in the way that God has prescribed or to check whether you are harbouring any sin that stops His Spirit from fully working in you. I can't know all about you from where I am - you will have to search your heart & life & be honest with God.

How can you truly know you have been born again and are saved?the

2 Corinthians 5:6

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2 Corinthians 5:8

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be PRESENT with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Colossians 2:5

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Michael:

When an unbeliever in our Savior Jesus Christ, dies physically: the body resides wherever loved ones buried it, or where it fell dead. The soul separates from it and is kept in a holding place until the Great White Throne Judgment occurs.

Christians that die; their physical bodies lay in a grave or wherever they died: and await the Shout of Jesus at the moment of the Rapture. Jesus will transform them into the resurrection body: body, soul, spirit.

[In the Old Testament, the place of the dead or the place of departed souls was called "SHEOL." It was to this place that all souls of the dead went to await resurrection.

In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The KJV translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. HADES had two separated parts: Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in ABRAHAMS BOSOM which was called "PARADISE" by the LORD Jesus Christ himself when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43) ]

Now that you know these things; what are you going to do about Jesus?

Matt.24, Luke 21

2 Corinthians 5:6

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2 Corinthians 5:8

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be PRESENT with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Colossians 2:5

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Michael:

When an unbeliever in our Savior Jesus Christ, dies physically: the body resides wherever loved ones buried it, or where it fell dead. The soul separates from it and is kept in a holding place until the Great White Throne Judgment occurs.

Christians that die; their physical bodies lay in a grave or wherever they died: and await the Shout of Jesus at the moment of the Rapture. Jesus will transform them into the resurrection body: body, soul, spirit.

[In the Old Testament, the place of the dead or the place of departed souls was called "SHEOL." It was to this place that all souls of the dead went to await resurrection.

In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The KJV translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. HADES had two separated parts: Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in ABRAHAMS BOSOM which was called "PARADISE" by the LORD Jesus Christ himself when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43) ]

Now that you know these things; what are you going to do about Jesus?

Matt.24, Luke 21

The lady was probably referring to the (true) story of the rich man & Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31. Here we find that both the rich man & the poor beggar Lazarus had died & were both found in Hades (Hell), though there was a gulf (a separation) between them. Presumably, the part in which the rich man was placed, was a place of torment & the other part where Lazarus was in, was free of pain & torment. And we also note that Abraham was here too. So even when their dead bodies were on Earth, they were still recognizable in the after-life.

Apart from this account, we have little else to support a full & proper teaching of the after-life, as it existed before Jesus gave His Life for us on the Cross. I couldn't be certain of that part of Hades - though my sense is that it was not in Heaven but in the lower parts of the Earth. But post crucifixion & resurrection of Jesus, the righteous would have been taken away to Heaven based on their faith looking forward to their sin's payment by Jesus.

In this regard, the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord...We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." This tells me that Paul believed & expected that after his death, his next view would be of his Lord & Saviour being carried into His Presence. And Paul was familiar with Heaven, the sights there & the words he heard, having been given such a vision that he felt constrained to remain quiet about it: 2 Corinthians 12:1-5.

So at the Rapture of the saints, we understand that their remains on Earth will be raised up from death to life & reconnected with their spirits at Christ's return for them & as also the living believers. That's my understanding; there will be other beliefs by others.

The matter of cremation or burial in the ground, remains the choice of the deceased (in His Will) or a loved one. I don't believe there is any particular instruction in what is the best or acceptable way of disposal of the deceased. In regard to Jewish practice, it has always been emtombment, as cremation (burning of the body) was done by the heathen. In 1 Samuel chapter 31, we read that at the death of Saul & his sons, the people of Jabeshgilead took their bodies & burned them. Or if punishment was given to those crimes that warranted it, then burning was required (e.g. Leviticus 20:14). Otherwise, the deceased always required their entombment.

For reasons of cost of burial or request or a person's preference, cremation may be undertaken. At the resurrection, the Lord is well able to re-constitute the remains, whether cremains, or from the sea, or scattered. But it's always my preference for a burial as an honourable & meaningful way of dealing with a loved one.

Tattoos: again we can appeal to the Old Testament. Leviticus 19:28 speaks of cutting of the flesh or printing marks on the body. Leviticus 21:5 gives a similar warning. These were given to Israel that they do not imitate the heathen in these practises, whether for the sake of idol worship or for the dead. As a holy people, Israel would do wickedly by this & punishment was certain. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reminds Christians, that our body is not ours to do what we like with, but belongs to God, being the Temple (the residence) of His Holy Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 6:19,20). So just as we need to take good care of both the outside & inside of our body, we must also take much care how we display ourselves before people. Does both our behaviour & appearance match that of godliness & in God's family? Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform ourselves to the world (i.e. if our minds are renewed so it will show in our outward display of Christ-likeness). Tattoos & fashion trends just don't cut it for me.

I love your website and i wanted to say thank you!

In this sad account, we see that the prophet Samuel was already dead with his body in the grave at Ramah (v3) & King Saul was asking the Lord concerning the battle before him, since he was completely outnumbered by the enemy (the Philistines). King Saul had earlier decreed that the practice of wizardry, necromancy, etc. was forbidden, however, since God had chosen not to answer Saul's prayers about this battle, Saul, in subterfuge, turned to a woman who still quietly dabbled in witchcraft.

The woman was hesitant to do this because of the King's edict, but Saul, who was disguised, assured her that nothing would happen to her. This woman, as others who practised these 'arts', usually operated by using deceit, voice impersonations & other means to satisfy their enquirers. Sometimes of course, impersonating evil spirits would be roused up & make their presence known. But here in this account, the spirit & vision of dead Samuel had appeared to the woman, to which she took great fright because her 'art' was actually producing an actual real event, which was very unusual for her. I would understand that this was an exception to the rule: that God had allowed this to take place for Saul's sake. God had refused to speak to Saul earlier because of his sins, disobedience & hatred of David, but now chose to allow this 'word from Samuel' to cause him great despair.

This account reminds us of Jesus' story about the rich man & Lazarus ( Luke 16:19-31), where both the rich man & Lazarus were in hell (though Lazarus was in comfort & the other in torment). The rich man pleaded that Lazarus be sent back to Earth to warn his five brothers about the condition of their lives & not end up where he was, but Jesus said that his brothers had the Scriptures from God to warn them. So it implies that the spirit of Lazarus could have been sent to Earth to warn, but God chose not to. But in Saul's case, God had allowed this to happen & used it to foretell of Israel's defeat & Saul's death.

That was interesting to read Jay. I do agree with your understanding of the soul & spirit of man. I could further state that the soul finds its fuller meaning in the personality & emotions of the individual, hence the soul, being an immaterial part, not only reveals the life of a person, but also his/her character.

'Ruach' is clearly different to 'psykhe' & as you stated also comes from God giving life (breath) to the body which clothes the soul. As well, I understand man's spirit from God also functions as the means that God, by His Spirit, can communicate with man. Romans 8:16 speaks of this interaction. The spirit in us enables us to look beyond the immediate & temporal, to the One Who brought it all together, though many today stifle it preferring to understand their world & themselves, only through the soul (by reasoning & logic).

Yet you write that on death, man's spirit doesn't return to God, whether to life or eternal death, rather it remains in 'limbo'. Am I understanding you correctly? Could you provide some Bible references or expand this thought further? Why I ask this, is that Eccl 12:7 which you quoted, speaks of this returning, or else, that man's spirit has to have a destiny, whether in a body or in a location. I understand the Ecclesiastes reference suggesting that, just as God gives a new born baby a spirit, so at death of that body, the spirit is then released & returned back to God - like a loan from God to enjoy Him & His creation. We have the accounts of the destinies of the rich man & Lazarus ( Luke 16:19-31), the thief on the Cross ( Luke 23:39-43) & Stephen's cry at his execution ( Acts 7:55-60). All seem to suggest that our spirits remain alive, active & accountable whether in life in the body or cessation of earthly existence.

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Luke, this is one of those subjects that doesn't give us clear answers on all aspects of death & the afterlife. And since we can't get first-hand detail from someone who has been through it, we have to rely on what the Bible reveals & remain confident in these Truths, yet not dogmatic.

We do know that within us, that which gives us our real identity is our soul & spirit & these are housed in our body. The body can die & deteriorate, but the soul & spirit are immaterial & cannot perish. Ecclesiastes 3:20,21: "All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" This verse shows that the animal at death simply perishes, but the human spirit doesn't & is accountable to God.

Then Jesus spoke in Luke 16:19-31 about the death of a rich man & a beggar named Lazarus. Jesus clearly showed that they were in a place other than at the grave. The rich man was suffering & the beggar was not. And Adam also cited the passage about the repentant thief on his cross beside Jesus. So I believe that we can understand that the spirit of man does go beyond this earthly realm at death rather than lingering in or near its deteriorating frame. Then what happens to those who are cremated with their ashes scattered everywhere? How does a spirit of a dead man deal with that? My sense is that our spirit, being liberated from the body, has to move to another point or place. My preference takes Paul's words into account in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, that if he was in the body he was absent from the Lord, but if he was absent in the body, he would be present with the Lord, i.e. he would be in Heaven. Also Philippians 1:23.

Some believe that while Jesus' body was in the tomb, His spirit was in hell.Scripture doesn't support that position when it is taken in context and we look at the meaning of the word "hell." In the Old Testament, the place of the dead or the place of departed souls was called "SHEOL." It was to this place that all souls of the dead went to await resurrection.

In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The KJV translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. HADES had two separated parts: Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in ABRAHAMS BOSOM which was called "PARADISE" by the LORD Jesus Christ himself when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43)

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" ( 2 Peter 2:4). The word translated "HELL" here is not the Greek word "HADES" but is the Greek word "TARTARUS" meaning ABYSS or the lowest regions. This could very well be the "gulf" that was fixed between the PLACE OF TORMENT and Abraham's Bosom ( Luke 16:26).

Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fulfill all things" ( Eph 4:8-10). Leading captivity captive seems to refer to Jesus taking all those that waited in Paradise to heaven to be with Him. The descending into the "lower parts" then refers to Jesus mission of declaring Victory! M.

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Re: Hell. In the Bible the words used for Hell can be applied to both grave & a place of torment. In Genesis 37:35 we see the word 'Sheol' used. In Luke 16:23, Hades is used. Both words can be depicted as Hell, but its application calls for one being a grave & the other, a place of torment. As also with 'Gehenna': it may have had its roots in the Valley of Hinnom where the atrocities of human burning took place, but in Scripture ( Matthew 5:22, Luke 12:5) & references in Revelation 19,20 clearly speaks of a place other than that near Jerusalem where eternal torment of those judged unworthy to partake of God's Kingdom. I've only given a few Scriptures on this for want of space.

And yes, Jesus was in the grave (sepulchre, 'mnemeion') for three days before appearing to Mary. Blessings.

Some believe that while Jesus' body was in the tomb, His spirit was in hell. Scripture does not support that position when it is taken in context and we look at the meaning of the word "hell." In the Old Testament, the place of the dead or the place of departed souls was called "Sheol." It was to this place that all souls of the dead went to await resurrection.

In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The King James translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. Hades had two separated parts. Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, or eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in Abraham's Bosom, which was called "paradise" by the LORD Jesus Christ when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43)

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" ( 2 Peter 2:4). The word translated "hell" here is not the Greek word "hades" but is the Greek word "tartarus" meaning abyss or the lowest regions. This could very well be the "gulf" that was fixed between the place of torment and Abraham's Bosom ( Luke 16:26).

Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fulfill all things" ( Ephesians 4:8-10). Leading captivity captive refers to Jesus taking all those that waited in Paradise to heaven to be with Him. The descending into the "lower parts" then refers to Jesus mission of declaring victor

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. ( Luke 16:16)

This is referring to John the Baptist, and signifies that John was the end of the old disposition and the forerunner of God's new testament in Jesus Christ.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ( Luke 7:28)

Which John was mentioned in this chapter was it John the Baptist or another John?

This was the very thing on my mind yesterday, Matthew. With all that's going on here on Earth & as we rapidly head towards a major upheaval, if not the advent of the anti-Christ, I was thinking of those redeemed from the Earth & their view of anything outside of Heaven.

I can't give any specific Scriptures to help understand this as the Bible doesn't generally deal with departed souls having any interest or view of earthly matters. We do have a couple of other separate portions as seen in 1 Samuel chapter 28 (some see this as the real Samuel being called up, others see it as an impersonating spirit) & Luke 16:19-31, where the rich man in Hades has concern for his maybe equally sinful brothers. But how these two portions of Scripture help in knowing whether our departed loved ones have knowledge of Earth's affairs is uncertain. Maybe, they will look keenly as to how the Word/prophecies of the Lord are being accomplished on the Earth as declared by the Lord.

But to spend their time focused on worldly events & family/friends on Earth instead of worshipping of the Lord, delighting in His Presence & Glory & attending to Heaven's activities, may be like the earthling with his face buried in his phone oblivious to what's happening around him. Can't see that happening in Heaven. Just my musings.