The nature and destiny of man

[Truth Defender]

Let’s see if anyone will address specifically what is said in this article, or if most will throw comments out of context with what is said. My experience with those who I have spoken to similarly, on a one-to-one basis, have expressed an agreement with my conclusions. I wonder how many reading this article will express a similar agreement; maybe even a disagreement, and then back it up with what the scriptures have to say about the topic.

“If a man die shall he live again?” This is the ultimate question and is answered in the Bible with a resounding YES! In light of this, because Jesus said quite a lot, as recorded in John 5:18–29, we must be concerned and submit our thoughts to harmonize with what He said. Thusly there is this question: “Life or death?” Jesus made it clear that He would raise men from the dead, and give SOME of them immortal life, and SOME to face the “second death.” The question is not WHERE you are going to live, but ARE you going to live?

[MEGoody]

I find no place in Scripture where eternal (immortal) LIFE is promised to those who have spurned God Almighty

No, LIFE is not promised them. Eternal punishment is.

[wideawake]

Man does not possess a soul

According to Christ's word in the New Testament he does indeed. "What will a man give in exchange for his[possessive] soul?" "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your [there's that possessive again] soul."

And according to the NT, the breath (spirit, pneuma) and soul (psuche) are two distinct but conjoined entities: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

[DannyTN]

"Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt."

Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jhn 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Jhn 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jhn 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

I only read the first paragraph, but clearly both Old and New Testaments teach everlasting life.

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[swmobuffalo]

“I only read the first paragraph, but clearly both Old and New Testaments teach everlasting life.”

This is just another one of those “I know better” type of articles. I’m having much the same discussion regarding the Trinity elsewhere.

This could get interesting!

[A.A. Cunningham]

What's the source, where's the link and who authored this nonsense?

"And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28

soul

[stuartcr]

While some may believe they know or claim to know, no man really KNOWS the nature and destiny of man anymore than anyone else...if they did, then they would be able to prove it to anyone else.

[Wonder Warthog]

"As time progressed, un-inspired men introduced the pagan idea of an “entity” residing within one’s body that will never die, and they called it a “soul.” The origin of this teaching started around 400 BC"

If the rest of the article is as ignorant as this comment suggests, then you're wasting your time. Evidence of belief in an afterlife (immortal soul) dates FAR FAR back into prehistory. Even the Neanderthals had it (burials with tools and food containers).

[mikeus_maximus]

You've got it backwards. Each of us is not a body with a soul, but an enternal soul with a temporary body. The spiritual world is real and eternal, and our souls will be fitted to dwell there in spirit, as He is Spirit-- not as ghosts in a material and decaying world. Just a few passages:

Genesis 35:18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin.

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Deuteronomy 11:13

‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul 1 Kings 17:21

And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” Psalm 42:6

O my God, my soul is cast down within me Isaiah 10:18

And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, Both soul and body; And they will be as when a sick man wastes away. Habakkuk 2:4

“ Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Matthew 10:28

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Mark 8:36

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 1 Thessalonians 5

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1… Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Revelation 18:13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.

The Scriptures, of course, mean nothing to modern day Gnostics, Mormons, and such like who teach, contrary to history and documentary archeology, that the Scriptures are not to be believed and were somehow the result of a vast conspiracy of "wicked priests" and rabbi's over many cultures and many centuries to delude mankind-- until these "knowers" or Joseph Smith showed up to set us all straight.

[coincheck]

The original nature of man was to love GOD and was perfect in every way. Genesis says that GOD breathed life in man and he became a living soul.

Our original destiny was to live and love GOD forever. WE messed that up in the garden of Eden and changed our destiny. Until JESUS came and fixed what WE broke. Now that destiny with GOD is restored.

NOW the ball is in our court. Do we believe what JESUS said is the only way to GOD or do we reject it out of pride and ignorance(willful) and therefore condem ourselves to eternal separation.

Thats the meaning of life, weather(?) to accept JESUS payment for our sin or reject it. The choice is ours.

[coincheck]

The original nature of man was to love and trust GOD completely. Genesis says that GOD breathed life in man and he became a living soul.

Our original destiny was to live with GOD forever. WE messed that up in the garden of Eden and changed our destiny. Until JESUS came and fixed what WE broke. Now that destiny with GOD is restored.

NOW the ball is in our court. Do we believe what JESUS said is the only way to GOD or do we reject it out of pride and ignorance(willful) and therefore condem ourselves to eternal separation.

Thats the meaning of life, weather(?) to accept JESUS payment for our sin or reject it. The choice is ours.

[stuartcr]

There are many throughout history, that would disagree.

[fproy2222]

Here we have another example how different people find different meaning from one Bible.

[ravenwolf]

Matt Ch 10 verse 28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

This shows that we do have a natural body and a spiretual body.

We do have a soul and it can only be destroyed by God.
Our body will die regardless of what we do, our soul is everlasting unless it is destroyed by God.

[ravenwolf]

I believe that too many people will find a scripture that will half way fit the meaning they want even if they have to turn aside from the basic subject, I sure wish I could do that, I would feel much better about myself LOL.

[Overwatcher]

In Genesis 2:7 I read a very straightforward account by man’s maker as to what He made. It says He fashioned man out of the dust of the ground, breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. The Hebrew is clear. It doesn’t say man then had a soul, but man became a soul. Further along I read that man returns to the dust from which he was made, and that the breath of life returns to God who gave it. Seems very, very clear to me.

It is essential that we understand what death is, so we can then better know and appreciate what resurrection is. Whatever death is, resurrection is the undoing of it. Resurrection is the antidote for death. It is the one and only escape hatch from death. Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.

If a good person at death goes to be present with the Lord, what need would there be for resurrection?

I agree with much of what you said in your article; but, regarding your view of the time table and sequence of events surrounding the end times I disagree. I would love to discuss these matters with you.

[Gamecock]

Care to expand on your comment. Mind reading on FR is verboten.

[lastchance]

Great post. Thanks.

[greyfoxx39]

placemark for awaited answer.