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It is important to understand what death, hades, gehenna, hell, spirit, soul, body, and resurrection are, because in truly understanding these things do you begin understanding the work of God and can understand other things. First and foremost, lets explore scripture concerning Hades,
Who is the man who shall live and not see death? Shall he rescue his own soul from out of the hand of Hades? PAUSE. (Psalms 89:48 [ABP])
Here we see indicated that it is the SOUL that goes to Hades. And Hades in this scripture is associated with DEATH, therefore he WHO DIES goes to HADES. What dies when you die? Your BODY. Your SOUL is then taken INTO HADES. So, AT DEATH, YOUR BODY DIES AND YOUR SOUL IS TAKEN TO HADES. So what exactly is the soul? There are many philosophical teachings that can confuse many on what is scripturally conveyed as the soul. Its what makes you, YOU. The SOUL HOUSES EVERYTHING THAT COMPOSES YOUR INWARD SELF, and it is LAYERED GOING DEEPER INTO THAT WHICH MAKES UP YOUR BEING. THE SOUL INCLUDES THE MIND AND THE HEART. THE SOUL ALSO HAS EMOTIONS,
Now my soul has been disturbed, and what should I say? O father, deliver me from this hour! But on account of this I came unto this hour. (John 12:27 [ABP])
Why are you dejected, O my soul? and why do you disturb me? Hope upon God! for I shall acknowledge to him the deliverance of my person, and my God. (Psalms 42:11 [ABP])
The mind has knowledge, it has wisdom, and CENTERED IN YOUR MIND IS YOUR HEART, WHICH CENTERS AROUND YOUR DESIRES, YOUR WILL, YOUR INTENTIONS. The HEART IS THE VERY DEEPEST PART OF YOUR MIND AND YOUR SOUL. And stemming from YOUR MIND AND YOUR HEART COME THOUGHTS AND REASONINGS. All these things compose what the SOUL is. The soul is YOUR BEING that has all these things. Throughout scripture we see these words used interchangeably and convey these things,
Revel in the LORD! that he should give to you the requests of your heart. (Psalms 37:4 [ABP])
May [*2*give *3*to you *1*the LORD] according to your heart, and [*2*all *3*your plans *1*fulfill]. (Psalms 20:4 [ABP])
Bless [*3*O my soul *1*the *2* LORD], and all the things within me, bless [*2*name *1*his holy]! (Psalms 103:1 [ABP])
Bless his soul and what else? All the other things inside him, the mind, the heart, everything deeper composing the soul. We also have these other scriptures,
And the peace of God, the one surpassing every mind, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 [ABP])
And I appeal to you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that [*4*the *5*same thing *1*you should *3*say *2*all], and there should be no [*2*among *3*you *1*splits]; but that you should be readying yourselves with the same mind, and with the same opinion. (I Corinthians 1:10 [ABP])
[*5*were *1*And *2*some *3*of the *4*scribes *7*there *6*sitting down], and reasoning in their hearts, (Mark 2:6 [ABP])
But I see another law in my members, undertaking an expedition against the law of my mind, and captivating me to the law of the sin, to the one being in my members. (Romans 7:23 [ABP])
For from out of the heart come forth [*2*thoughts *1*evil], murders, adulteries, harlotries, frauds, false witnesses, blasphemies. (Matthew 15:19 [ABP])
But if [*4*should say *2*evil *3*servant *1*that] in his heart, [*2*passes time *1*My master] to come; (Matthew 24:48 [ABP])
And to love him from the entire heart, and from the entire understanding, and from the entire soul, and of the entire strength, and to love the neighbor as himself, is more than all the whole burnt-offerings and the sacrifice offerings. (Mark 12:33 [ABP])
THE SOUL IS YOUR ENTIRE BEING WHICH IS MADE UP OF VARIOUS PARTS, WHICH ARE YOUR MIND AND HEART.
So going further, what else happens at death?
then [*3*shall return *1*the *2*dust] upon the earth as it was; and the spirit should return to the God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7 [ABP])
The SPIRIT that was in you GOES BACK TO GOD. The spirit is synonymous with "breath", "wind", even "air", in scripture, this "breath", or this "spirit" of life, was imparted to man in Genesis,
And God shaped the man, [*2*dust *1*taking] from the earth. And he breathed into his face breath of life, and [*2*became *1*man] a [*2*soul *1*living]. (Genesis 2:7 [ABP])
Look what it says.... as a consequence of God "breathing", or giving his "spirit of life", or rather, his "breath of life", man became a LIVING SOUL. Not just a soul, a LIVING SOUL. The BREATH of life is what MAKES YOUR SOUL ALIVE. The soul in itself is not ALIVE unless it has the spirit, or rather, the "BREATH OF LIFE" to GIVE IT LIFE. So when the scripture says, the spirit goes back to God who gave it, it is now saying you are NO LONGER ALIVE, YOU ARE DEAD, BECAUSE THAT BREATH IS NO LONGER IN YOU TO KEEP YOU ALIVE. So if the soul goes down to Hades WITHOUT the spirit (breath) because it went back to God who gave it, what is this indicating? That you ARE NO LONGER ALIVE, AND THUS NO LONGER AWARE, BECAUSE IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE, AND AWARE. In this passage pertaining to Jesus, we see that in losing the Spirit, death occured,
And calling out [*2*voice *1*with a great], Jesus said, Father, into your hands I place my spirit. And these things having said he expired. (Luke 23:46 [ABP])
Right after Jesus gave up his spirit, his death occured. So how do we know that you are no longer AWARE when you are in Hades? Look at these scriptures,
For there is no [*3*in *4*death *1*remembering *2*you]; and in Hades, who shall make acknowledgement to you? (Psalms 6:5 [ABP])
In DEATH there is no remebering God, and in HADES no one makes ackowledgment to God. No one is Hades can remember God or make acknowledgment, why? Because they are NOT AWARE.
[*6*not *1*For *2*the ones *3*in *4*Hades *5*shall] praise you; nor the ones dying shall bless you; nor shall [*4*hope *1*the ones *2*in *3*Hades] on your charity. (Isaiah 38:18 [ABP])
No one in Hades can praise God, nor anyone dying and going there bless God, nor anyone there hope on God's charity. Why? Because they are NOT AWARE.
All as much as [*2*should find *1*your hand] to do, [*2*as *3*is *5*power *4*in your *1*you do]; for there is no action, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in Hades, of where you should go there. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 [ABP])
Why are there NO ACTIONS, NO KNOWLEDGE, NO WISDOM IN HADES? BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT AWARE. YOU ARE NOT ALIVE TO DO ANYTHING, OR TO EVEN THINK. THE SPIRIT IS WHAT BRINGS YOU TO LIFE AND AWARENESS. THE SOUL IS NOT ALIVE WITHOUT THE SPIRIT (BREATH) OF GOD. WHAT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE WHEN THEY STOP BREATHING? THEY DIE. NOT HAVING THE SPIRIT (BREATH) OF GOD IS DEATH. JUST THE VERY FACT YOU ARE BREATHING RIGHT NOW IS AN INDICATOR THAT YOUR ARE DEPENDENT ON THIS BREATH OF LIFE TO KEEP YOU ALIVE.
Taking this further, how also do we know you are NOT AWARE when you are in Hades? Because DEATH is associated with sleep. When you sleep, are you aware? No. From the moment you fall asleep to the moment you wake up, it is instant. "sleep" foreshadows "death", or more specifically, "your soul being in hades". God created sleep to foreshadow death, even before Adam and Eve had committed their sin against God. God could've easily made man without the need of sleep, but he chose to create sleep to foreshadow the death that was to come unto the world. Here we see the verses using "sleep" to indicate death,
And Joash slept with his fathers, and they entombed him in Samaria with the kings of Israel. And [*3*reigned *1*Jeroboam *2*his son] instead of him. (II Kings 14:16 [ABP])
Thereupon he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the most remain until now, but some also are fallen asleep. (I Corinthians 15:6 [ABP])
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, [*2*first-fruit *3*of the ones *4*sleeping *1*he became]. (I Corinthians 15:20 [ABP])
All these verses are making reference to death AS sleep, therefore it is indicating not being AWARE as when you sleep. And why else is it called sleep? Because YOUR SOUL still EXISTS IN HADES, but since it DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO GIVE IT LIFE, it is therefore IN A DORMANT STATE, IN A SLEEP. So then you would ask, why does the soul remain in Hades in this sleep state, what is the purpose? It is because Hades is merely just a place to collect the souls of men, to EVENTUALLY bring them back to LIFE sometime in the FUTURE. If God had not intended for man to be brought back to life again, he would not have collected the souls of man in Hades. In the verses we see the resurrection of the dead from Hades evident,
For [*3*himself *1*the *2*Lord] in a word of command by the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God, shall descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ shall rise up first. (I Thessalonians 4:16 [ABP])
So in the second coming of Jesus Christ, those in Him will be resurrected first, meaning taken OUT OF HADES and BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AND TO AWARENESS, AND NEW BODIES, to MEET JESUS CHRIST at his coming. Many false teachings indicate that a man goes to Heaven or Hell right after death, if this were true, what would the point of a resurrection be if you're aleady alive? This resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ is ALSO called the first resurrection,
Blessed and holy is the one having part in the [*2*resurrection *1*first]; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation of John 20:6 [ABP])
So if this is the first resurrection and only certain souls will be resurrected here, then what about the rest of the dead, when will they be resurrected? Here is the scripture,
And [*3*gave up *1*the *2*sea] the ones [*2*in *3*her *1*dead]; and death and Hades gave up the ones of their dead. And they were judged each according to their works. (Revelation of John 20:13 [ABP])
Here, AT THE FINAL JUDGMENT DAY, ALL the rest of the dead in Hades ARE TAKEN OUT OF HADES AND BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AT THIS SECOND GREAT RESURRECTION. Why are they taken out? TO BE JUDGED ON THE GREAT and FINAL DAY. The FINAL DAY of what? This heaven and earth. The FINAL DAY is the conclusion of this heaven and earth as we know it now before the new heaven and the new earth starts. Each is judged according to their works, and anyone not written into the BOOK OF LIFE is tossed INTO THE LIFE OF FIRE.
And if any should not be found [*2*in *3*the *4*book *5*of life *1*written] he was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation of John 20:15 [ABP])
This casting into the fire is ALSO called the second death,
And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the [*2*death *1*second] -- the lake of fire. (Revelation of John 20:14 [ABP])
Why is it called "second death"? BECAUSE THOSE THAT ARE THROWN INTO IT DIE AGAIN, HENCE "SECOND DEATH". But what is different about this death than the first death? It is the DESTRUCTION, ANNIHILATION, OF NOT JUST THE BODY, BUT THE SOUL AS WELL. Which is why even Jesus says,
And fear not of the ones killing the body, [*5*the *1*but *6*soul *2*not *3*being able *4*to kill]! But you fear rather the one being able both the soul and body to destroy in Gehenna! (Matthew 10:28 [ABP])
This second death is not like the first death, where your soul is collected in Hades right after, but rather, it is the DESTRUCTION of your BOTH YOUR SOUL AND BODY. It is the COMPLETE AND UTTER CEASING TO EXIST, YOU WILL NEVER BE RESURRECTED AGAIN, AND YOUR SOUL WILL NOT BE COLLECTED ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT WILL ALSO BE DESTROYED. YOU WILL CEASE TO EXIST ENDLESSLY.
And what else is destroyed in the lake of fire? Death and Hades itself as well. Hades itself WILL ALSO BE DESTROYED, because the collecting of the souls of men will NO LONGER BE NECESSARY, because DEATH WILL EXIST NO MORE. THOSE THINGS WILL END, as it is said,
And he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not be any more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor misery -- it shall not be any more, for the first things departed. (Revelation of John 21:4 [ABP])
Going further, so what is Gehenna? Obviously, we saw in scripture that Hades is a place for a great collection of souls that await resurrection, and that Hades is destroyed seperately in a lake of fire, so what is this place of fire that is obviously mentioned in scripture as a real place? Lets look at some references to it,
But to the timid ones, and unbelieving ones, and sinful ones, and ones being abhorrent, and murderers, and fornicators, and dealers in potions, and idolaters, and to all the liars, their part is in the lake burning with fire and sulphur, which is the [*2*death *1*second]. (Revelation of John 21:8 [ABP])
And they shall throw them into the furnace of the fire; there, there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth. (Matthew 13:42 [ABP])
[43] And if [*2*should cause you to stumble *1*your hand], cut it off! [*2*good *3*to you *1*It is *5*crippled *6*into *7*life *4*to enter], rather than [*2*two *3*hands *1*having] to go forth into Gehenna, into the [*2*fire *1*inextinguishable], [44] where their worm does not come to an end, and the fire is not extinguished.
(Mark 9:43-44 [ABP])
This last verse is very interesting. Notice how it describes this fiery place as a place where "their worm does not come to an end, and the fire is not extinguished". This verse actually points to an old prophecy in Isaiah,
And they shall go forth, and shall see the carcasses of men, the ones violating against me. For their worm shall not come to an end, and their fire shall not be extinguished. And they will be for a sight to all flesh. (Isaiah 66:24 [ABP])
Notice how this scripture indicates that the those that are tossed in this fire, their CARCASSES WILL BE VISIBLE. You can ONLY HAVE A CARCASS IF YOU DIE. Who will see these people die in this GREAT FIRE mentioned by Jesus AND Isaiah? ALL FLESH. Meaning, ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE ALIVE. All people that are alive where? ON THE EARTH. Therefore, it stands to conclude, that this fire DOES NOT YET EXIST, ESPCIALLY IT BEING THAT NO ONE HAS BEE RESURRECTED YET TO BE TOSSED INTO ANY FIRE. INSTEAD, THIS FIRE WILL EXIST SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. WHO WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE TOSSED INTO THIS FIRE THAT WILL EXIST IN THE FUTURE? The FIRST BEAST AND THE SECOND BEAST (ALSO CALLED THE FALSE PROPHET), SHORTLY AFTER THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST, hence why we have,
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their militaries being gathered together to make war with the one sitting upon the horse, and with his military. [20] And [*3*was laid hold of *1*the *2*beast], and with this one the false prophet, the one performing the signs before him, in which he misled the ones receiving the imprint of the beast, and the ones doing obeisance to his image. [*4*living *3*were thrown *1*The *2*two] into the lake of fire burning with sulphur.
(Revelation of John 19:19-20 [ABP])
Who are the beasts of Revelation? They are governments. But this is another discussion. This scripture is indicating that these beasts WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE DESTROYED IN THE FIRE THAT WILL EXIST ON THE EARTH. THEIR DESTRUCTION IN THIS FIRE WILL BE VISIBLE TO ALL FLESH, MEANING ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING ON THE EARTH.
Going further, this FIRE, is called several things. Its called the "lake of fire". Its also called the "inextinguishable fire", and it is also called the "eternal fire",
Then he will say also to the ones on his left, Go from me! O ones being cursed into the [*2*fire *1*eternal], the one having been prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41 [ABP])
It is called these things because this FIRE that will exist when Jesus Christ comes at his second coming, is the SAME FIRE that will continue burning through his 1,000 reign and down to the very final day of judgment, where those resurrected then will be judged according to works, and anyone not found in the Book of Life then, will be tossed IN THIS SAME FIRE THAT HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY BURNING FROM HIS COMING. EVEN DEATH AND HADES WILL BE THROWN INTO THIS SAME FIRE. This is why it is called an "inextinguishable fire", because it won't merely be extinguished after the beasts are thrown into it, but will CONTINUE TO BURN for around 1,000 years UNTIL the very final judgment BEFORE the NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH STARTS. It is also referred to as a place where the "worm does not come to an end". It doesn't mean that there will be immortal worms there that don't die, it means THAT THERE WILL NOT BE AND END TO WORMS THERE, theres a difference. But then you would say, why is it then also called "eternal fire", does that not indicate that it burns endlessly? No, because "eternal" is a mistranslation of the Greek word "aionios", which is an adjective of the Greek word "aion", which means "age", or rather, "eon", or a lengthy time frame with a beginning and an end. So therefore, "aionos" means "eonial", NOT "eternal". "Eonial" indicates a very long length of time, usually in the thousands of years. So when fire is described as an "eonial" fire, it is describing it as a fire that lasts for a VERY LONG TIME. So where do we see an example of this "aion" Greek word being as a timeframe with beginning and end, here are some examples,
the one giving himself for our sins, so as to rescue us from out of the present [*2*age *1*wicked], according to the will [*2*God *3*and *4*father *1*of our], (Galatians 1:4 [ABP])
If this same word "aion" had been translated as "eternal", it would not have made sense in this context. The same word "aion" is used here,
And do not insert us for a test, but rescue us from the wicked one! For of you is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, into the eons, amen. (Matthew 6:13 [ABP])
Yet look at what the King James Version translation has erroneously rendered the same "aion" word in that same verse,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13 [KJV])
Also another example that "aion" means a time with beginning and end,
[*3*sitting down *1*And in *2*his] upon the mount of olives, there came forward to him the disciples in private, saying, Tell us when these things will be, and what is the sign of your arrival, and the completion of the age? (Matthew 24:3 [ABP])
Notice here how it says the "completion of the age". An "aion" ENDS.
Into the eons does not indicate that there will be an end, but it indicates rather, that there will be a SET of large amounts of time that will continue on endlessly, "into the eons". It just depends on the context. For example, "eonial punishment" means the GREAT AND LONG BURNING FIRE punishment of the EON, which results in endless death. The farthest eon that has been revealed to us is the eon of the new heaven and earth. We know nothing beyond that eon scripturally. Only the Father knows what is even beyond that. Why do we conclude that the set of eons don't end, because God never dies, so therefore the SET OF EONS CONTINUE AND CONTINUE ON AND ON AS THOSE WHO ARE IN HIM LIVE ENDLESSLY ALSO. So what eon was everyone in BEFORE JESUS CHRIST DIED? THE EON WHERE SATAN HAD ALL MANKIND ENSLAVED UNDER HIS RULERSHIP. WHAT EON ARE WE IN NOW? THE EON WHERE JESUS CHRIST IS NOW RULER OF ALL THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER AND HAS FREED THOSE THAT ARE IN HIM FROM THE BONDAGE OF SATAN, WHICH IS THE FALLEN NATURE WITHIN US. When does this EON conclude and a new one start? At the coming of Jesus Christ, which starts his 1,000 reign EON! EACH EON HAS A VERY LONG STRETCH OF TIME, USUALLY THOUSANDS OF YEARS. Also, in reference to "aion" we see certain versions of the Bible translate "aion" in illogical ways too,
The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. (Exodus 15:18 [KJV])
How can you add "ever" to something that is already forever? Doesn't make any sense even though some could say its trying to add emphasis, but we know from the very usage and definition of "aion" that it is not.
The LORD reigning into the eon, and unto eon, and still! (Exodus 15:18 [ABP])
This one translation uses the word "eon" correctly, but even this translation doesn't render the entire sentence in an easy to understand way in English. It would make more sense if it were translated as "he reigns to eon to eon". There could be other ways that it could be translated to make it clearer in the English language, but there is no doubt that "aion" means a definite age with beginning and end.
SO, GOING BACK to the "eonial" fire, this fire exists for a very long time down to the last final judgment day, where it is still burning, and will be used to judge the wicked. Aside from those in Hades, who else will be judged in this same fire at the VERY END? ANGELS ALSO, as it is said,
For if God [*2*of angels *3*sinning *1*spared not], but in chains of the infernal region delivered them up for [*2*judgment *1*being kept for]; (II Peter 2:4 [ABP])
The translated word here is "infernal region", but in the original it was "tartaroo", or "Tartarus". Some translations render this word "Tartarus" as "lower depths". It is not clear EXACTLY where this is place is, but it is CLEAR that this place where angels are bound IS NOT the same place where the lake of fire will be. If it were, then WHY WOULD THESE ANGELS NEED TO BE BOUND HERE TO BE RESERVED TO BE THROWN INTO THE FIRE LATER? THEY ARE BOUND IN ONE PLACE THEN DESTROYED IN ANOTHER. THEY ARE DIFFERENT PLACES. Therefore, "Tartarus" is just a holding place where certain angels that had sinned BEFORE are BOUND and AWAITING THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF FIRE TO ULTIMATELY BE DESTROYED IN THIS OTHER PLACE. We also see another verse indicating that the devil and angels will be destroyed in this same fire to come, but at the THE FINAL JUDGMENT DAY after this fire has been burning from the coming of Jesus Christ, down through his 1,000 year reign on the Earth, and to the FINAL JUDGMENT DAY,
Then he will say also to the ones on his left, Go from me! O ones being cursed into the [*2*fire *1*eternal], the one having been prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41 [ABP])
And how do we know that Satan will be destroyed at the very final judgment day and not sometime before while the fire is burning all that time through the 1,000 year reight? Because in Revelation it says Satan is himself bound for 1,000 years, then set loose again, before he is destroyed,
[2] And he seized the dragon, the [*2*serpent *1*ancient], who is the devil, and Satan, the one misleading the [*2*inhabitable world *1*entire]. And he bound him a thousand years. [3] And he cast him into the abyss, and locked, and set a seal upon him, that he should not mislead [*3*any more *1*the *2*nations] until [*4*be fulfilled *1*the *2*thousand *3*years]. And after these things it is necessary to loose him a little time.
(Revelation of John 20:2-3 [ABP])
And taking this further, here we see another indication of an angel being BOUND, this scripture referring to Satan, THEN SET LOOSE FOR A LITTLE TIME, but then WILL BE DESTROYED IN ANOTHER PLACE, THE GREAT FIRE IN REVELATION.
So then some might ask, what about Enoch? Does his "translation" and disappearance prove that when men die, ALL are still alive and aware somewhere in heaven or hell? No. In scripture we read,
And Enoch was well-pleasing to God. And he was not found, for [*2*transposed *3*him *1*God]. (Genesis 5:24 [ABP])
And also we read in the new testament,
By belief Enoch was transposed to not know death, and was not found, because [*2*transposed *3*him *1*God]; for before his transposition he bore witness to have been well-pleasing to God. (Hebrews 11:5 [ABP])
Notice how the scripture says he did not "taste death" as all ordinary men do. Therefore, he DIDN'T DIE, as the scripture states. What happened instead? He was TRANSPOSED, which in other usages of scriptures means "converted", or "turned", and he didn't die and no one found him, because he was taken by God. These very verses are plain and clear that Enoch was indeed transformed into something else that is alive, and that God took him up to the heaven. There's no going around it. This is all I will say concerning Enoch in what we know BASED ON THE 66 BOOKS THAT WERE CHOSEN AS THE CANON BY SEVERAL COUNCILS. However, there does exist a book that many believe should've made it into the canon, and it is the Book of Enoch. Therein lies more detail concerning what happened to Enoch, but that is way beyond this topic, and I will stick to what we know based on the canon of 66 books of the bible.
So if Enoch didn't taste death, doesn't that break the following scripture,
And for as much as it has been reserved to men once to die, but after this the judgment; (Hebrews 9:27 [ABP])
It doesn't, because the scripture states, he was "turned" to something else. Evidently, whatever he was "turned" into, was not subject to the death the current form of our bodies are subject to. This very "turning" is also evident in another scripture,
Behold, [*2*a mystery *3*to you *1*I speak]; [*4*all *3*indeed *2*not *1*we shall] sleep, but all shall be changed, (I Corinthians 15:51 [ABP])
The same concept "changed" is used here. Changed into what? The new immortal body when Jesus Christ comes. So the scripture, "And for as much as it has been reserved to men once to die" is declared to whomever it is pertinent to, which is most people that are living. Is Enoch now immortal? Yes, as he is said to not have "tasted death", has been "converted" over, and taken by God. Is he a first fruit of the resurrection? No, because he wasn't resurrected, he was "changed" while being alive, as some will be at the coming of Jesus Christ as well.
But each in his own order; the first-fruit is Christ, thereupon the ones of the Christ at his arrival. (I Corinthians 15:23 [ABP])
Then some might ask, what about Moses and Elijah when they appeared to Jesus in the transfiguration, are they alive? No, because even Jesus said,
And in their going down from the mountain, [*2*gave charge *3*to them *1*Jesus], saying, Not to one should you tell the vision, until of which time the son of man [*2*from *3*the dead *1*should rise up]. (Matthew 17:9 [ABP])
It was a VISION, not something literal. We know Moses is dead, but his burial place remains a mystery,
And they entombed him in the land of Moab near the house of Peor. And not has [*2*known *1*any one] his burial place until this day. (Deuteronomy 34:6 [ABP])
And also Elijah, we do not know what happened with him based on scriptural history, but can only presume he is dead as well as are all the other prophets, although the last thing we know that happened to him was,
And it came to pass of their going and speaking, that behold, a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and they drew apart between both; and Elijah was taken up in a rumbling unto into the heaven. (II Kings 2:11 [ABP])
Yet look what happened after he was taken on the chariot of fire into the heaven,
And they said to him, Behold indeed, there are with your servants fifty men, sons of power. In going indeed, let them seek your master! lest at some time [*3*lifted *4*him *1*spirit *2*of the LORD], and tossed him in the mountains, or upon one of the hills. And Elisha said, You shall not send. (II Kings 2:16 [ABP])
The men were going to go looking for him thinking that perhaps he was just taken somewhere else on the earth. Also, after this chariot of fire event, we have another mention of him in 2 Chronicles,
And there came to him in writing words by Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, Because you did not go in the way of Jehoshaphat your father, and in the ways of Asa king of Judah, (II Chronicles 21:12 [ABP])
And this letter came after his ascension in the chariots of fire, therefore its very likely to conclude that Elijah was still present on the earth after the ascension into heaven, which was more than likely just an ascenion into the "sky", as we have no indication that he was "turned" into anything, but rather died like Moses and the rest of the prophets.
And then you might say, what about one of the thieves next to Jesus, did he go to heaven?
And [*2*said *3*to him *1*Jesus], Amen I say to you, Today with me you will be in paradise. (Luke 23:43 [ABP])
No, because we know Jesus did not go to Paradise right after his death,
looking out ahead he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that [*2*was not left *1*his soul] in Hades, nor his flesh saw corruption. (Acts 2:31 [ABP])
Jesus Christ was in Hades for 3 days and 3 nights. Therefore, that scripture is saying, "Today, [COMMA ADDED] with me you will be in paradise", or rather, "FROM Today, with me you will be in paradise". This is a scripture that can be clarified with better English translation. And then some might say, what about the scripture where Jesus spoke to the "spirits in prison",
[18] For Christ also [*2*once *3*for *4*sins *1*suffered], the just for the unjust, that he should lead us forward to God, having put to death indeed the flesh, but being restored to life to the spirit; [19] in which also [*3*to the *5*in *6*prison *4*spirits *1*having gone *2*he proclaimed], [20] to the ones who disobeyed at some time or other, when once [*4*was accepted *1*the *3*of God *2*long-suffering] in the days of Noah, carefully preparing the ark, in which few, that is to say, eight souls were preserved through water.
(I Peter 3:18-20 [ABP])
This was done AFTER his resurrection, because he was DEAD in Hades during his 3 days and 3 nights, NOT the prison where the "spirits", or rather, the "angels" that are bound there are. After he was resurrected, he spoke to the angels that are bound in a prison, which is likely to be the Tartarus prison referenced in another scripture where angels are bound.
Then also, some might say, what about the rich man and Lazarus? Here is the reference,
[19] [*3*man *1*And *2*a certain] was rich, and dressed in purple and linen, being merry daily and glowing. [20] [*4*poor man *1*And *3*a certain *2*there was], by name Lazarus, who was laid at his gatehouse, one having sores, [21] and desiring to be filled from the crumbs of the ones falling from the table of the rich man. And also the dogs coming licked his sores. [22] And it came to pass for [*3*to die *1*the *2*poor man], and for him to be carried by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And [*4*died *3*also *1*the *2*rich man], and was buried. [23] And in Hades having lifted up his eyes being in torment, he sees Abraham from far off, and Lazarus in his enfolded arms. [24] And he speaking out loud, said, O father Abraham, show mercy on me, and send forth Lazarus that he should dip the tip of his finger in water, and should cool my tongue; for I grieve in this flame. [25] [*3*said *1*And *2*Abraham], Son, remember that you accepted the good things of yours in your life, and Lazarus in like manner the bad. But now thus he is comforted, but you grieve. [26] And upon all these things, between us and you [*2*chasm *1*is a great] firmly fixed; so that the ones wanting to pass over on this side to you are not able, nor the ones from there to us should pass through. [27] And he said, I ask then you, O father, that you should send him forth unto the house of my father. [28] For I have five brothers, so that he should testify to them, that [*3*not *4*also *1*they *2*should] come unto this place of torment. [29] [*3*says *1*And *2*Abraham], They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them! [30] But he said, No, O father Abraham; but if one from the dead should go to them, they shall repent. [31] And he said to him, If Moses and the prophets they did not hear, not even if one from the dead should rise up will they be yielded.
(Luke 16:19-31 [ABP])
Is this proof that you are alive in Hades and Hades is a place of torment as this scripture suggests? No. Remember, Jesus was himself in Hades, so how would you think he was in torment there? Notice the detail in this story, "purple and linen", and then the "rich man" died, and then the "poor man" also. Notice the "great chasm". Notice also the "five brothers". These are all very specific details pertaining to a PARABLE. This parable is ONE OF SEVERAL PARABLES that precede it. We know that Jesus spoke in parables, and that they are NOT to be taken literally.
All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes, and without the help of parables he did not speak to them. (Matthew 13:34 [ABP])
[13] On account of this [*2*in *3*parables *1*I speak to them]. For seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor perceive. [14] And is fulfilled by them the prophecy of Isaiah, the one saying, Hearing you shall hear, and in no way should you perceive; and seeing you shall see, and in no way should you know.
(Matthew 13:13-14 [ABP])
Jesus speaking in parables is a fulfillment of this prophecy,
I will open [*2*in *3*parables *1*my mouth]; I will utter riddles from the beginning; (Psalms 78:2 [ABP])
Therefore, the rich man and lazarus is without a doubt a parable. If it were to be taken literally it would violate countless other scriptures.
So this draws me to my next point, if those in Christ don't go to "heaven" as many false believe, then where do they go exactly? They STAY ON THE EARTH. AT THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST, HE WILL RAISE THOSE IN HIM FROM THE DEAD, TO TAKE DOMINION OF THE EARTH. THE EARTH IS THE TRUE PROMISED LAND, as it is also said in these scriptures,
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5 [ABP])
Why do you think Jesus Christ comes back a second time? IT IS TO SETUP HIS PHYSICAL KINGDOM ON THE EARTH ALONG WITH THOSE IN HIM.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and the souls of the ones hewn with an axe on account of the testimony of Jesus, and on account of the word of God, and whoever did not do obeisance to the beast, nor to his image, and did not take the imprint upon their forehead, and upon their hand; and they lived and reigned with the Christ a thousand years. (Revelation of John 20:4 [ABP])
THIS RULERSHIP IS ON THE EARTH.
In conclusion, we have established that those who go to Hades are in a "sleep", awaiting the resurrection. There is a first resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ, and there is a second resurrection at the great and final day of judgment. Resurrection literally means BRING BACK TO LIFE. GIVE YOU FULL AWARENESS AGAIN. The lake of fire judgment is a FINAL fiery judgment on the wicked. It is a terrifying judgment of being burned alive. Its finality, is being DESTROYED and NEVER BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE EVER AGAIN.
Who is the man who shall live and not see death? Shall he rescue his own soul from out of the hand of Hades? PAUSE. (Psalms 89:48 [ABP])
Here we see indicated that it is the SOUL that goes to Hades. And Hades in this scripture is associated with DEATH, therefore he WHO DIES goes to HADES. What dies when you die? Your BODY. Your SOUL is then taken INTO HADES. So, AT DEATH, YOUR BODY DIES AND YOUR SOUL IS TAKEN TO HADES. So what exactly is the soul? There are many philosophical teachings that can confuse many on what is scripturally conveyed as the soul. Its what makes you, YOU. The SOUL HOUSES EVERYTHING THAT COMPOSES YOUR INWARD SELF, and it is LAYERED GOING DEEPER INTO THAT WHICH MAKES UP YOUR BEING. THE SOUL INCLUDES THE MIND AND THE HEART. THE SOUL ALSO HAS EMOTIONS,
Now my soul has been disturbed, and what should I say? O father, deliver me from this hour! But on account of this I came unto this hour. (John 12:27 [ABP])
Why are you dejected, O my soul? and why do you disturb me? Hope upon God! for I shall acknowledge to him the deliverance of my person, and my God. (Psalms 42:11 [ABP])
The mind has knowledge, it has wisdom, and CENTERED IN YOUR MIND IS YOUR HEART, WHICH CENTERS AROUND YOUR DESIRES, YOUR WILL, YOUR INTENTIONS. The HEART IS THE VERY DEEPEST PART OF YOUR MIND AND YOUR SOUL. And stemming from YOUR MIND AND YOUR HEART COME THOUGHTS AND REASONINGS. All these things compose what the SOUL is. The soul is YOUR BEING that has all these things. Throughout scripture we see these words used interchangeably and convey these things,
Revel in the LORD! that he should give to you the requests of your heart. (Psalms 37:4 [ABP])
May [*2*give *3*to you *1*the LORD] according to your heart, and [*2*all *3*your plans *1*fulfill]. (Psalms 20:4 [ABP])
Bless [*3*O my soul *1*the *2* LORD], and all the things within me, bless [*2*name *1*his holy]! (Psalms 103:1 [ABP])
Bless his soul and what else? All the other things inside him, the mind, the heart, everything deeper composing the soul. We also have these other scriptures,
And the peace of God, the one surpassing every mind, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 [ABP])
And I appeal to you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that [*4*the *5*same thing *1*you should *3*say *2*all], and there should be no [*2*among *3*you *1*splits]; but that you should be readying yourselves with the same mind, and with the same opinion. (I Corinthians 1:10 [ABP])
[*5*were *1*And *2*some *3*of the *4*scribes *7*there *6*sitting down], and reasoning in their hearts, (Mark 2:6 [ABP])
But I see another law in my members, undertaking an expedition against the law of my mind, and captivating me to the law of the sin, to the one being in my members. (Romans 7:23 [ABP])
For from out of the heart come forth [*2*thoughts *1*evil], murders, adulteries, harlotries, frauds, false witnesses, blasphemies. (Matthew 15:19 [ABP])
But if [*4*should say *2*evil *3*servant *1*that] in his heart, [*2*passes time *1*My master] to come; (Matthew 24:48 [ABP])
And to love him from the entire heart, and from the entire understanding, and from the entire soul, and of the entire strength, and to love the neighbor as himself, is more than all the whole burnt-offerings and the sacrifice offerings. (Mark 12:33 [ABP])
THE SOUL IS YOUR ENTIRE BEING WHICH IS MADE UP OF VARIOUS PARTS, WHICH ARE YOUR MIND AND HEART.
So going further, what else happens at death?
then [*3*shall return *1*the *2*dust] upon the earth as it was; and the spirit should return to the God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7 [ABP])
The SPIRIT that was in you GOES BACK TO GOD. The spirit is synonymous with "breath", "wind", even "air", in scripture, this "breath", or this "spirit" of life, was imparted to man in Genesis,
And God shaped the man, [*2*dust *1*taking] from the earth. And he breathed into his face breath of life, and [*2*became *1*man] a [*2*soul *1*living]. (Genesis 2:7 [ABP])
Look what it says.... as a consequence of God "breathing", or giving his "spirit of life", or rather, his "breath of life", man became a LIVING SOUL. Not just a soul, a LIVING SOUL. The BREATH of life is what MAKES YOUR SOUL ALIVE. The soul in itself is not ALIVE unless it has the spirit, or rather, the "BREATH OF LIFE" to GIVE IT LIFE. So when the scripture says, the spirit goes back to God who gave it, it is now saying you are NO LONGER ALIVE, YOU ARE DEAD, BECAUSE THAT BREATH IS NO LONGER IN YOU TO KEEP YOU ALIVE. So if the soul goes down to Hades WITHOUT the spirit (breath) because it went back to God who gave it, what is this indicating? That you ARE NO LONGER ALIVE, AND THUS NO LONGER AWARE, BECAUSE IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE, AND AWARE. In this passage pertaining to Jesus, we see that in losing the Spirit, death occured,
And calling out [*2*voice *1*with a great], Jesus said, Father, into your hands I place my spirit. And these things having said he expired. (Luke 23:46 [ABP])
Right after Jesus gave up his spirit, his death occured. So how do we know that you are no longer AWARE when you are in Hades? Look at these scriptures,
For there is no [*3*in *4*death *1*remembering *2*you]; and in Hades, who shall make acknowledgement to you? (Psalms 6:5 [ABP])
In DEATH there is no remebering God, and in HADES no one makes ackowledgment to God. No one is Hades can remember God or make acknowledgment, why? Because they are NOT AWARE.
[*6*not *1*For *2*the ones *3*in *4*Hades *5*shall] praise you; nor the ones dying shall bless you; nor shall [*4*hope *1*the ones *2*in *3*Hades] on your charity. (Isaiah 38:18 [ABP])
No one in Hades can praise God, nor anyone dying and going there bless God, nor anyone there hope on God's charity. Why? Because they are NOT AWARE.
All as much as [*2*should find *1*your hand] to do, [*2*as *3*is *5*power *4*in your *1*you do]; for there is no action, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in Hades, of where you should go there. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 [ABP])
Why are there NO ACTIONS, NO KNOWLEDGE, NO WISDOM IN HADES? BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT AWARE. YOU ARE NOT ALIVE TO DO ANYTHING, OR TO EVEN THINK. THE SPIRIT IS WHAT BRINGS YOU TO LIFE AND AWARENESS. THE SOUL IS NOT ALIVE WITHOUT THE SPIRIT (BREATH) OF GOD. WHAT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE WHEN THEY STOP BREATHING? THEY DIE. NOT HAVING THE SPIRIT (BREATH) OF GOD IS DEATH. JUST THE VERY FACT YOU ARE BREATHING RIGHT NOW IS AN INDICATOR THAT YOUR ARE DEPENDENT ON THIS BREATH OF LIFE TO KEEP YOU ALIVE.
Taking this further, how also do we know you are NOT AWARE when you are in Hades? Because DEATH is associated with sleep. When you sleep, are you aware? No. From the moment you fall asleep to the moment you wake up, it is instant. "sleep" foreshadows "death", or more specifically, "your soul being in hades". God created sleep to foreshadow death, even before Adam and Eve had committed their sin against God. God could've easily made man without the need of sleep, but he chose to create sleep to foreshadow the death that was to come unto the world. Here we see the verses using "sleep" to indicate death,
And Joash slept with his fathers, and they entombed him in Samaria with the kings of Israel. And [*3*reigned *1*Jeroboam *2*his son] instead of him. (II Kings 14:16 [ABP])
Thereupon he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the most remain until now, but some also are fallen asleep. (I Corinthians 15:6 [ABP])
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, [*2*first-fruit *3*of the ones *4*sleeping *1*he became]. (I Corinthians 15:20 [ABP])
All these verses are making reference to death AS sleep, therefore it is indicating not being AWARE as when you sleep. And why else is it called sleep? Because YOUR SOUL still EXISTS IN HADES, but since it DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO GIVE IT LIFE, it is therefore IN A DORMANT STATE, IN A SLEEP. So then you would ask, why does the soul remain in Hades in this sleep state, what is the purpose? It is because Hades is merely just a place to collect the souls of men, to EVENTUALLY bring them back to LIFE sometime in the FUTURE. If God had not intended for man to be brought back to life again, he would not have collected the souls of man in Hades. In the verses we see the resurrection of the dead from Hades evident,
For [*3*himself *1*the *2*Lord] in a word of command by the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God, shall descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ shall rise up first. (I Thessalonians 4:16 [ABP])
So in the second coming of Jesus Christ, those in Him will be resurrected first, meaning taken OUT OF HADES and BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AND TO AWARENESS, AND NEW BODIES, to MEET JESUS CHRIST at his coming. Many false teachings indicate that a man goes to Heaven or Hell right after death, if this were true, what would the point of a resurrection be if you're aleady alive? This resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ is ALSO called the first resurrection,
Blessed and holy is the one having part in the [*2*resurrection *1*first]; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation of John 20:6 [ABP])
So if this is the first resurrection and only certain souls will be resurrected here, then what about the rest of the dead, when will they be resurrected? Here is the scripture,
And [*3*gave up *1*the *2*sea] the ones [*2*in *3*her *1*dead]; and death and Hades gave up the ones of their dead. And they were judged each according to their works. (Revelation of John 20:13 [ABP])
Here, AT THE FINAL JUDGMENT DAY, ALL the rest of the dead in Hades ARE TAKEN OUT OF HADES AND BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AT THIS SECOND GREAT RESURRECTION. Why are they taken out? TO BE JUDGED ON THE GREAT and FINAL DAY. The FINAL DAY of what? This heaven and earth. The FINAL DAY is the conclusion of this heaven and earth as we know it now before the new heaven and the new earth starts. Each is judged according to their works, and anyone not written into the BOOK OF LIFE is tossed INTO THE LIFE OF FIRE.
And if any should not be found [*2*in *3*the *4*book *5*of life *1*written] he was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation of John 20:15 [ABP])
This casting into the fire is ALSO called the second death,
And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the [*2*death *1*second] -- the lake of fire. (Revelation of John 20:14 [ABP])
Why is it called "second death"? BECAUSE THOSE THAT ARE THROWN INTO IT DIE AGAIN, HENCE "SECOND DEATH". But what is different about this death than the first death? It is the DESTRUCTION, ANNIHILATION, OF NOT JUST THE BODY, BUT THE SOUL AS WELL. Which is why even Jesus says,
And fear not of the ones killing the body, [*5*the *1*but *6*soul *2*not *3*being able *4*to kill]! But you fear rather the one being able both the soul and body to destroy in Gehenna! (Matthew 10:28 [ABP])
This second death is not like the first death, where your soul is collected in Hades right after, but rather, it is the DESTRUCTION of your BOTH YOUR SOUL AND BODY. It is the COMPLETE AND UTTER CEASING TO EXIST, YOU WILL NEVER BE RESURRECTED AGAIN, AND YOUR SOUL WILL NOT BE COLLECTED ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT WILL ALSO BE DESTROYED. YOU WILL CEASE TO EXIST ENDLESSLY.
And what else is destroyed in the lake of fire? Death and Hades itself as well. Hades itself WILL ALSO BE DESTROYED, because the collecting of the souls of men will NO LONGER BE NECESSARY, because DEATH WILL EXIST NO MORE. THOSE THINGS WILL END, as it is said,
And he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not be any more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor misery -- it shall not be any more, for the first things departed. (Revelation of John 21:4 [ABP])
Going further, so what is Gehenna? Obviously, we saw in scripture that Hades is a place for a great collection of souls that await resurrection, and that Hades is destroyed seperately in a lake of fire, so what is this place of fire that is obviously mentioned in scripture as a real place? Lets look at some references to it,
But to the timid ones, and unbelieving ones, and sinful ones, and ones being abhorrent, and murderers, and fornicators, and dealers in potions, and idolaters, and to all the liars, their part is in the lake burning with fire and sulphur, which is the [*2*death *1*second]. (Revelation of John 21:8 [ABP])
And they shall throw them into the furnace of the fire; there, there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth. (Matthew 13:42 [ABP])
[43] And if [*2*should cause you to stumble *1*your hand], cut it off! [*2*good *3*to you *1*It is *5*crippled *6*into *7*life *4*to enter], rather than [*2*two *3*hands *1*having] to go forth into Gehenna, into the [*2*fire *1*inextinguishable], [44] where their worm does not come to an end, and the fire is not extinguished.
(Mark 9:43-44 [ABP])
This last verse is very interesting. Notice how it describes this fiery place as a place where "their worm does not come to an end, and the fire is not extinguished". This verse actually points to an old prophecy in Isaiah,
And they shall go forth, and shall see the carcasses of men, the ones violating against me. For their worm shall not come to an end, and their fire shall not be extinguished. And they will be for a sight to all flesh. (Isaiah 66:24 [ABP])
Notice how this scripture indicates that the those that are tossed in this fire, their CARCASSES WILL BE VISIBLE. You can ONLY HAVE A CARCASS IF YOU DIE. Who will see these people die in this GREAT FIRE mentioned by Jesus AND Isaiah? ALL FLESH. Meaning, ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE ALIVE. All people that are alive where? ON THE EARTH. Therefore, it stands to conclude, that this fire DOES NOT YET EXIST, ESPCIALLY IT BEING THAT NO ONE HAS BEE RESURRECTED YET TO BE TOSSED INTO ANY FIRE. INSTEAD, THIS FIRE WILL EXIST SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. WHO WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE TOSSED INTO THIS FIRE THAT WILL EXIST IN THE FUTURE? The FIRST BEAST AND THE SECOND BEAST (ALSO CALLED THE FALSE PROPHET), SHORTLY AFTER THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST, hence why we have,
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their militaries being gathered together to make war with the one sitting upon the horse, and with his military. [20] And [*3*was laid hold of *1*the *2*beast], and with this one the false prophet, the one performing the signs before him, in which he misled the ones receiving the imprint of the beast, and the ones doing obeisance to his image. [*4*living *3*were thrown *1*The *2*two] into the lake of fire burning with sulphur.
(Revelation of John 19:19-20 [ABP])
Who are the beasts of Revelation? They are governments. But this is another discussion. This scripture is indicating that these beasts WILL BE THE FIRST TO BE DESTROYED IN THE FIRE THAT WILL EXIST ON THE EARTH. THEIR DESTRUCTION IN THIS FIRE WILL BE VISIBLE TO ALL FLESH, MEANING ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING ON THE EARTH.
Going further, this FIRE, is called several things. Its called the "lake of fire". Its also called the "inextinguishable fire", and it is also called the "eternal fire",
Then he will say also to the ones on his left, Go from me! O ones being cursed into the [*2*fire *1*eternal], the one having been prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41 [ABP])
It is called these things because this FIRE that will exist when Jesus Christ comes at his second coming, is the SAME FIRE that will continue burning through his 1,000 reign and down to the very final day of judgment, where those resurrected then will be judged according to works, and anyone not found in the Book of Life then, will be tossed IN THIS SAME FIRE THAT HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY BURNING FROM HIS COMING. EVEN DEATH AND HADES WILL BE THROWN INTO THIS SAME FIRE. This is why it is called an "inextinguishable fire", because it won't merely be extinguished after the beasts are thrown into it, but will CONTINUE TO BURN for around 1,000 years UNTIL the very final judgment BEFORE the NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH STARTS. It is also referred to as a place where the "worm does not come to an end". It doesn't mean that there will be immortal worms there that don't die, it means THAT THERE WILL NOT BE AND END TO WORMS THERE, theres a difference. But then you would say, why is it then also called "eternal fire", does that not indicate that it burns endlessly? No, because "eternal" is a mistranslation of the Greek word "aionios", which is an adjective of the Greek word "aion", which means "age", or rather, "eon", or a lengthy time frame with a beginning and an end. So therefore, "aionos" means "eonial", NOT "eternal". "Eonial" indicates a very long length of time, usually in the thousands of years. So when fire is described as an "eonial" fire, it is describing it as a fire that lasts for a VERY LONG TIME. So where do we see an example of this "aion" Greek word being as a timeframe with beginning and end, here are some examples,
the one giving himself for our sins, so as to rescue us from out of the present [*2*age *1*wicked], according to the will [*2*God *3*and *4*father *1*of our], (Galatians 1:4 [ABP])
If this same word "aion" had been translated as "eternal", it would not have made sense in this context. The same word "aion" is used here,
And do not insert us for a test, but rescue us from the wicked one! For of you is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, into the eons, amen. (Matthew 6:13 [ABP])
Yet look at what the King James Version translation has erroneously rendered the same "aion" word in that same verse,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13 [KJV])
Also another example that "aion" means a time with beginning and end,
[*3*sitting down *1*And in *2*his] upon the mount of olives, there came forward to him the disciples in private, saying, Tell us when these things will be, and what is the sign of your arrival, and the completion of the age? (Matthew 24:3 [ABP])
Notice here how it says the "completion of the age". An "aion" ENDS.
Into the eons does not indicate that there will be an end, but it indicates rather, that there will be a SET of large amounts of time that will continue on endlessly, "into the eons". It just depends on the context. For example, "eonial punishment" means the GREAT AND LONG BURNING FIRE punishment of the EON, which results in endless death. The farthest eon that has been revealed to us is the eon of the new heaven and earth. We know nothing beyond that eon scripturally. Only the Father knows what is even beyond that. Why do we conclude that the set of eons don't end, because God never dies, so therefore the SET OF EONS CONTINUE AND CONTINUE ON AND ON AS THOSE WHO ARE IN HIM LIVE ENDLESSLY ALSO. So what eon was everyone in BEFORE JESUS CHRIST DIED? THE EON WHERE SATAN HAD ALL MANKIND ENSLAVED UNDER HIS RULERSHIP. WHAT EON ARE WE IN NOW? THE EON WHERE JESUS CHRIST IS NOW RULER OF ALL THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER AND HAS FREED THOSE THAT ARE IN HIM FROM THE BONDAGE OF SATAN, WHICH IS THE FALLEN NATURE WITHIN US. When does this EON conclude and a new one start? At the coming of Jesus Christ, which starts his 1,000 reign EON! EACH EON HAS A VERY LONG STRETCH OF TIME, USUALLY THOUSANDS OF YEARS. Also, in reference to "aion" we see certain versions of the Bible translate "aion" in illogical ways too,
The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. (Exodus 15:18 [KJV])
How can you add "ever" to something that is already forever? Doesn't make any sense even though some could say its trying to add emphasis, but we know from the very usage and definition of "aion" that it is not.
The LORD reigning into the eon, and unto eon, and still! (Exodus 15:18 [ABP])
This one translation uses the word "eon" correctly, but even this translation doesn't render the entire sentence in an easy to understand way in English. It would make more sense if it were translated as "he reigns to eon to eon". There could be other ways that it could be translated to make it clearer in the English language, but there is no doubt that "aion" means a definite age with beginning and end.
SO, GOING BACK to the "eonial" fire, this fire exists for a very long time down to the last final judgment day, where it is still burning, and will be used to judge the wicked. Aside from those in Hades, who else will be judged in this same fire at the VERY END? ANGELS ALSO, as it is said,
For if God [*2*of angels *3*sinning *1*spared not], but in chains of the infernal region delivered them up for [*2*judgment *1*being kept for]; (II Peter 2:4 [ABP])
The translated word here is "infernal region", but in the original it was "tartaroo", or "Tartarus". Some translations render this word "Tartarus" as "lower depths". It is not clear EXACTLY where this is place is, but it is CLEAR that this place where angels are bound IS NOT the same place where the lake of fire will be. If it were, then WHY WOULD THESE ANGELS NEED TO BE BOUND HERE TO BE RESERVED TO BE THROWN INTO THE FIRE LATER? THEY ARE BOUND IN ONE PLACE THEN DESTROYED IN ANOTHER. THEY ARE DIFFERENT PLACES. Therefore, "Tartarus" is just a holding place where certain angels that had sinned BEFORE are BOUND and AWAITING THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF FIRE TO ULTIMATELY BE DESTROYED IN THIS OTHER PLACE. We also see another verse indicating that the devil and angels will be destroyed in this same fire to come, but at the THE FINAL JUDGMENT DAY after this fire has been burning from the coming of Jesus Christ, down through his 1,000 year reign on the Earth, and to the FINAL JUDGMENT DAY,
Then he will say also to the ones on his left, Go from me! O ones being cursed into the [*2*fire *1*eternal], the one having been prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41 [ABP])
And how do we know that Satan will be destroyed at the very final judgment day and not sometime before while the fire is burning all that time through the 1,000 year reight? Because in Revelation it says Satan is himself bound for 1,000 years, then set loose again, before he is destroyed,
[2] And he seized the dragon, the [*2*serpent *1*ancient], who is the devil, and Satan, the one misleading the [*2*inhabitable world *1*entire]. And he bound him a thousand years. [3] And he cast him into the abyss, and locked, and set a seal upon him, that he should not mislead [*3*any more *1*the *2*nations] until [*4*be fulfilled *1*the *2*thousand *3*years]. And after these things it is necessary to loose him a little time.
(Revelation of John 20:2-3 [ABP])
And taking this further, here we see another indication of an angel being BOUND, this scripture referring to Satan, THEN SET LOOSE FOR A LITTLE TIME, but then WILL BE DESTROYED IN ANOTHER PLACE, THE GREAT FIRE IN REVELATION.
So then some might ask, what about Enoch? Does his "translation" and disappearance prove that when men die, ALL are still alive and aware somewhere in heaven or hell? No. In scripture we read,
And Enoch was well-pleasing to God. And he was not found, for [*2*transposed *3*him *1*God]. (Genesis 5:24 [ABP])
And also we read in the new testament,
By belief Enoch was transposed to not know death, and was not found, because [*2*transposed *3*him *1*God]; for before his transposition he bore witness to have been well-pleasing to God. (Hebrews 11:5 [ABP])
Notice how the scripture says he did not "taste death" as all ordinary men do. Therefore, he DIDN'T DIE, as the scripture states. What happened instead? He was TRANSPOSED, which in other usages of scriptures means "converted", or "turned", and he didn't die and no one found him, because he was taken by God. These very verses are plain and clear that Enoch was indeed transformed into something else that is alive, and that God took him up to the heaven. There's no going around it. This is all I will say concerning Enoch in what we know BASED ON THE 66 BOOKS THAT WERE CHOSEN AS THE CANON BY SEVERAL COUNCILS. However, there does exist a book that many believe should've made it into the canon, and it is the Book of Enoch. Therein lies more detail concerning what happened to Enoch, but that is way beyond this topic, and I will stick to what we know based on the canon of 66 books of the bible.
So if Enoch didn't taste death, doesn't that break the following scripture,
And for as much as it has been reserved to men once to die, but after this the judgment; (Hebrews 9:27 [ABP])
It doesn't, because the scripture states, he was "turned" to something else. Evidently, whatever he was "turned" into, was not subject to the death the current form of our bodies are subject to. This very "turning" is also evident in another scripture,
Behold, [*2*a mystery *3*to you *1*I speak]; [*4*all *3*indeed *2*not *1*we shall] sleep, but all shall be changed, (I Corinthians 15:51 [ABP])
The same concept "changed" is used here. Changed into what? The new immortal body when Jesus Christ comes. So the scripture, "And for as much as it has been reserved to men once to die" is declared to whomever it is pertinent to, which is most people that are living. Is Enoch now immortal? Yes, as he is said to not have "tasted death", has been "converted" over, and taken by God. Is he a first fruit of the resurrection? No, because he wasn't resurrected, he was "changed" while being alive, as some will be at the coming of Jesus Christ as well.
But each in his own order; the first-fruit is Christ, thereupon the ones of the Christ at his arrival. (I Corinthians 15:23 [ABP])
Then some might ask, what about Moses and Elijah when they appeared to Jesus in the transfiguration, are they alive? No, because even Jesus said,
And in their going down from the mountain, [*2*gave charge *3*to them *1*Jesus], saying, Not to one should you tell the vision, until of which time the son of man [*2*from *3*the dead *1*should rise up]. (Matthew 17:9 [ABP])
It was a VISION, not something literal. We know Moses is dead, but his burial place remains a mystery,
And they entombed him in the land of Moab near the house of Peor. And not has [*2*known *1*any one] his burial place until this day. (Deuteronomy 34:6 [ABP])
And also Elijah, we do not know what happened with him based on scriptural history, but can only presume he is dead as well as are all the other prophets, although the last thing we know that happened to him was,
And it came to pass of their going and speaking, that behold, a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and they drew apart between both; and Elijah was taken up in a rumbling unto into the heaven. (II Kings 2:11 [ABP])
Yet look what happened after he was taken on the chariot of fire into the heaven,
And they said to him, Behold indeed, there are with your servants fifty men, sons of power. In going indeed, let them seek your master! lest at some time [*3*lifted *4*him *1*spirit *2*of the LORD], and tossed him in the mountains, or upon one of the hills. And Elisha said, You shall not send. (II Kings 2:16 [ABP])
The men were going to go looking for him thinking that perhaps he was just taken somewhere else on the earth. Also, after this chariot of fire event, we have another mention of him in 2 Chronicles,
And there came to him in writing words by Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, Because you did not go in the way of Jehoshaphat your father, and in the ways of Asa king of Judah, (II Chronicles 21:12 [ABP])
And this letter came after his ascension in the chariots of fire, therefore its very likely to conclude that Elijah was still present on the earth after the ascension into heaven, which was more than likely just an ascenion into the "sky", as we have no indication that he was "turned" into anything, but rather died like Moses and the rest of the prophets.
And then you might say, what about one of the thieves next to Jesus, did he go to heaven?
And [*2*said *3*to him *1*Jesus], Amen I say to you, Today with me you will be in paradise. (Luke 23:43 [ABP])
No, because we know Jesus did not go to Paradise right after his death,
looking out ahead he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that [*2*was not left *1*his soul] in Hades, nor his flesh saw corruption. (Acts 2:31 [ABP])
Jesus Christ was in Hades for 3 days and 3 nights. Therefore, that scripture is saying, "Today, [COMMA ADDED] with me you will be in paradise", or rather, "FROM Today, with me you will be in paradise". This is a scripture that can be clarified with better English translation. And then some might say, what about the scripture where Jesus spoke to the "spirits in prison",
[18] For Christ also [*2*once *3*for *4*sins *1*suffered], the just for the unjust, that he should lead us forward to God, having put to death indeed the flesh, but being restored to life to the spirit; [19] in which also [*3*to the *5*in *6*prison *4*spirits *1*having gone *2*he proclaimed], [20] to the ones who disobeyed at some time or other, when once [*4*was accepted *1*the *3*of God *2*long-suffering] in the days of Noah, carefully preparing the ark, in which few, that is to say, eight souls were preserved through water.
(I Peter 3:18-20 [ABP])
This was done AFTER his resurrection, because he was DEAD in Hades during his 3 days and 3 nights, NOT the prison where the "spirits", or rather, the "angels" that are bound there are. After he was resurrected, he spoke to the angels that are bound in a prison, which is likely to be the Tartarus prison referenced in another scripture where angels are bound.
Then also, some might say, what about the rich man and Lazarus? Here is the reference,
[19] [*3*man *1*And *2*a certain] was rich, and dressed in purple and linen, being merry daily and glowing. [20] [*4*poor man *1*And *3*a certain *2*there was], by name Lazarus, who was laid at his gatehouse, one having sores, [21] and desiring to be filled from the crumbs of the ones falling from the table of the rich man. And also the dogs coming licked his sores. [22] And it came to pass for [*3*to die *1*the *2*poor man], and for him to be carried by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And [*4*died *3*also *1*the *2*rich man], and was buried. [23] And in Hades having lifted up his eyes being in torment, he sees Abraham from far off, and Lazarus in his enfolded arms. [24] And he speaking out loud, said, O father Abraham, show mercy on me, and send forth Lazarus that he should dip the tip of his finger in water, and should cool my tongue; for I grieve in this flame. [25] [*3*said *1*And *2*Abraham], Son, remember that you accepted the good things of yours in your life, and Lazarus in like manner the bad. But now thus he is comforted, but you grieve. [26] And upon all these things, between us and you [*2*chasm *1*is a great] firmly fixed; so that the ones wanting to pass over on this side to you are not able, nor the ones from there to us should pass through. [27] And he said, I ask then you, O father, that you should send him forth unto the house of my father. [28] For I have five brothers, so that he should testify to them, that [*3*not *4*also *1*they *2*should] come unto this place of torment. [29] [*3*says *1*And *2*Abraham], They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them! [30] But he said, No, O father Abraham; but if one from the dead should go to them, they shall repent. [31] And he said to him, If Moses and the prophets they did not hear, not even if one from the dead should rise up will they be yielded.
(Luke 16:19-31 [ABP])
Is this proof that you are alive in Hades and Hades is a place of torment as this scripture suggests? No. Remember, Jesus was himself in Hades, so how would you think he was in torment there? Notice the detail in this story, "purple and linen", and then the "rich man" died, and then the "poor man" also. Notice the "great chasm". Notice also the "five brothers". These are all very specific details pertaining to a PARABLE. This parable is ONE OF SEVERAL PARABLES that precede it. We know that Jesus spoke in parables, and that they are NOT to be taken literally.
All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes, and without the help of parables he did not speak to them. (Matthew 13:34 [ABP])
[13] On account of this [*2*in *3*parables *1*I speak to them]. For seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor perceive. [14] And is fulfilled by them the prophecy of Isaiah, the one saying, Hearing you shall hear, and in no way should you perceive; and seeing you shall see, and in no way should you know.
(Matthew 13:13-14 [ABP])
Jesus speaking in parables is a fulfillment of this prophecy,
I will open [*2*in *3*parables *1*my mouth]; I will utter riddles from the beginning; (Psalms 78:2 [ABP])
Therefore, the rich man and lazarus is without a doubt a parable. If it were to be taken literally it would violate countless other scriptures.
So this draws me to my next point, if those in Christ don't go to "heaven" as many false believe, then where do they go exactly? They STAY ON THE EARTH. AT THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST, HE WILL RAISE THOSE IN HIM FROM THE DEAD, TO TAKE DOMINION OF THE EARTH. THE EARTH IS THE TRUE PROMISED LAND, as it is also said in these scriptures,
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5 [ABP])
Why do you think Jesus Christ comes back a second time? IT IS TO SETUP HIS PHYSICAL KINGDOM ON THE EARTH ALONG WITH THOSE IN HIM.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and the souls of the ones hewn with an axe on account of the testimony of Jesus, and on account of the word of God, and whoever did not do obeisance to the beast, nor to his image, and did not take the imprint upon their forehead, and upon their hand; and they lived and reigned with the Christ a thousand years. (Revelation of John 20:4 [ABP])
THIS RULERSHIP IS ON THE EARTH.
In conclusion, we have established that those who go to Hades are in a "sleep", awaiting the resurrection. There is a first resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ, and there is a second resurrection at the great and final day of judgment. Resurrection literally means BRING BACK TO LIFE. GIVE YOU FULL AWARENESS AGAIN. The lake of fire judgment is a FINAL fiery judgment on the wicked. It is a terrifying judgment of being burned alive. Its finality, is being DESTROYED and NEVER BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE EVER AGAIN.
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