Bible Discussion Thread

Does your soul leave your body at death? Also are the bodies that are left behind the wicked?

When we that are saved die our souls return to Jesus.

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.

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.

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.

I will actually respond further Jay, as I wasn't referring to your Eccl 12:7 reference. I was referring to: "Comparably, the life-force returns to where it came from-God. ( Job 34:14, 15; Psalms 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."

So what are you referring to when you write: "the life-force (man's spirit, which you explained earlier), doesn't travel to heaven - it means the time of future life rests with God"? I'm confused as to what you are trying to say here. Where does man's spirit go upon his death, if at all? I can't see any misrepresentation of your comments on my part - just reading as given & requiring further clarification, if you so desire. Thank you.

In your original post you accused me of posting the following "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'. " Never did I post that. That is a baseless charge. I challenge you to find said statement in my post. In fact, I said all through the post, and also at the end, that at death the spirit returns to God.

Now to your last post; I hadn't noticed until today that there was a misquote. The one line "This does not mean that the life-force actually travels to heaven." is a misquote and should not have been inserted into this post. I am sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

We are all human and as such some of us do make mistakes, the fewer the better. I hope this post helps, if not don't call me, I will be unavailable. I do, however, forgive you for your baseless charge in your first response to me.

We all should learn a valuable lessen from this experience It is what I continuously say "Put your faith in God's Word, not in man."

God Bless and have a good day.

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goeth before destruction......... Praise God. Thank You Jesus.

So that now makes sense Jay: that the last paragraph of your original post was incorrectly placed there. Thank you for that - I can now understand clearly that at death, man's spirit returns to God (Eccl 12:7), as you believe also.

And just to clarify from my end: what I wrote, which you said was a misquote by me, was actually not intended to be your words verbatim. I specifically applied my own understanding to what you had written, so that you could correct my interpretation, since I was conflicted about Eccl 12:7 & your last paragraph. Anyway, matter closed: we're both in agreement now. Thanks for your time & the Lord bless you too.

No Chris, I did not say "that the last paragraph of your(my) original post was incorrectly placed there." There you go again. Misstating what I say. I insist that you read my last post and correct your mistake. In the meantime I am totally finished with this website. I will immediately delete your web address and all references, and of course with no regards as to how you respond to this post. You are receiving my continued prayers. Praise God always and Thank You Jesus.

You wrote (& I quote you), "The one line "This does not mean that the life-force actually travels to heaven." is a misquote and should not have been inserted into this post. I am sorry for any confusion this may have caused."

Of course, you won't read this as you're "finished with this website". But thought to add this in case others reading this thread might also be seeking answers. If something is a 'misquote' means it has been written incorrectly or has been placed there incorrectly & to this you have admitted. Since you don't give further details as to where your error was, rather simply to prod me to show me 'my error', we are all left in the dark & wondering what message you are actually trying to convey. I hope others can work it out. Thank you again.