....that must be answered before one can believe there's no death. In Genesis 2:17, God tells that the consequences of disobedience is that we will "surely die". However, Satan says the opposite. Whoever we choose to believe instantly reveals who we also believe is a liar. That is a serious charge to make. Well one of them has a long track record of lying (John 8:44; Acts 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 12:9).
I know that, for the most part, I'm preaching to the choir here but I thought I would share these I wrote out for provocative contemplation, to share with those struggling with the issue of death. It is by no means an exhautive list but just the scratching of the surface on this topic. Should you have others, feel free to add.
Questions regarding the state of the dead
　
　
1. Why in the book of Genesis chapter 2 and verse 7 does it say Adam BECAME a soul and not given a soul?　
2. Jesus speaks words of comfort to his disciples in John 14:1-3 by telling them "I WILL COME AGAIN TO RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF....". Why didn't Jesus tell them THEY would go to him at death?
3. Just before Lazarus' resurrection in John 11:43, where was he? Did Jesus call him back to earth from heaven? That would've been rude ..or UP from hell in which case Lazarus never gave Jesus proper thanks. You and I wouldve done so for sure.
4. Why didn't Martha take comfort in Lazarus supposedly being in heaven? Shouldnt she be happy for him being in glory (if it's true)? Instead, she notes the resurrection as her comfort (John 11:24).
5. Once again in Acts 20:9-10 there is a resurrection, this time of Eutychus by God through Paul without one hint as to where hed gone in those few moments, neither to heaven, hell, limbo, purgatory, nirvana, or anywhere.
6. Why doesn't Ezekiel 37 (valley of dry bones) that describes the formation of a person/persons never brings up the subject of immortal souls?
7. Why does Ezekiel 18:4,20 say souls that sin will die (we've all sinned according to Romans 3:23; 5:12) if the soul is immortal?
8. Why is Pauls focus in 1 Corinthians 15 ENTIRELY on the resurrection and not on the soul going to heaven?
9. Of all the resurrections recorded in the bible, why is there never any description of where they were? Doesnt their souls travel to other places at death?
10. Why did Peter in the book of Acts (2: 29, 34) tell us David is not in heaven yet if the soul is immortal? He could not have said this if Davids soul was there.
11. Why does Joshua 10 tell us about all the souls Joshua killed if souls can only separate from the body AFTER death? How is it possible that Joshua can even kill a soul?
12. In the book of John after Jesus resurrection he tells Mary Magdalene he had not yet ascended to his father. How can this be if the soul goes to heaven at death?
13. Furthermore, how could Jesus promise the thief that they would be in paradise that very day (Friday) if Jesus hadnt ascended to the father by Sunday morning?
14. Why do modern translations of the bible such as the New International Version use words like life, I, me, person/persons instead of the King James Version soul if it is immortal?
15. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul is comforting the believers of Thessalonica who were upset not knowing what happened to their deceased relatives. He writes of the second coming and then says in verse 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. If their souls are immortal why doesnt he comfort them that their relatives are already in heaven instead of waiting for the resurrection?
16. If 2 Corinthians 5:8 & Philippians 1:23 mean Paul believed he would go to heaven at the moment of death, why then does he say multiple times his hope is the resurrection and the second coming of Jesus? (Romans 8:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20-21; Titus 2:13)
17. If Ecclesiastes 12:7 proves the immortal spirit moves on after death then what to make of Job 27:3 that states All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils? Does anyone really believe the immortal soul is residing in their noses?
18. If Rachels departing soul in Genesis 35:18 means she went to heaven why doesnt it say that in the text instead of stating in parenthesis for she died?
19. If the story of Saul and the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-19) proves people live on in the spirit world why does God condemn the practice of calling up the dead in Deuteronomy 18: 9-12 calling it an abomination?
20. If there is life immediately at death then why does Job 14:12 ask the question and answer it with .all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come? When is the chance spoken of (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
