Who has natural immortality?
(Eccl. 9:5-6; Isa. 8:19-20; Matt. 10:28; 24:23-27; 1 Thes. 4:16-17; Rev. 16:13-14) Blog Jun. 02 – 08, 2024
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: <PresentTruthLRI@gmail.com>
REVIEW: After his rebellion in heaven, Lucifer brought his doctrine to earth. When Jesus defeated him at the cross, he intensified his attack against God’s people who keep the Commandments of God and trust in Jesus for their salvation. When persecution failed to destroy them, he brought the world into the church. Then God raised up Reformers to purify his people and when they became cold new witnesses arose to fan the flames of love, even to exiting the church that Christ was about to return. To understand the delay God pointed his people to the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus continued to minister and to truths long buried beneath the rubbish of human reasoning.
In the beginning
1. What is the basic premise of spiritualism? Spiritualism is based on the premise that the dead do not die but, rather, continue to live in another state (Isa. 8:19).
2. How was the lie of spiritualism first expressed on this earth? Speaking through the medium of the serpent, Lucifer told Eve: “Ye shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4).
3. What direct statement of God did Lucifer contradict to Eve? God had previously said that to eat of the forbidden tree would mean certain death (Gen. 2:16-17).
4. How does spiritualism explain the source of the information passed on through mediums? Spiritualism says that the information they reveal comes from consulting the dead when really it comes from daemons (Psa. 88:10; 115:17; Isa. 8:19).
5. What does the Bible say about those who are dead? The Bible describes death as an unconscious sleep where there is no remembrance or feeling (Psa. 6:5. Eccl. 9:5-6; Dan. 12:2; John 11:11-14)
Immortality
6. What pagan doctrine that entered much of Christianity provides a basis for communication with the dead? The doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul lends itself to the idea that the dead can communicate with the living (Isa. 8:19-20).
7. Who does the Bible say has natural immortality? God alone has natural immortality (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15-16).
8. When does the Bible say that human beings receive immortality? Immortality was made possible by Jesus & is given to God’s people alone at the resurrection of the righteous at the second coming of Christ (Rom. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Tim. 1:9-10).
9. What is a soul? God created Adam from dust & breathed into his nostrils & he became a living soul. Therefore, a soul is a whole living person, not just a part of man (Gen. 2:7; Rev. 13:8).
10. In what ways does the Bible show that it is possible for a soul to die? God told Ezekiel “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” And Jesus warned that we should fear him who is able to destroy both soul & body in hell (Eze. 18:4, 20; Matt. 10:28).
12. How does the Bible describe those who die trusting in God? Those who die in the Lord are resting in the grave awaiting the resurrection of the righteous when Jesus return (Isa. 26:19; Acts 2:29; Rev. 14:13).
13. When will God’s people receive their rewards? At the resurrection of the righteous God’s people will receive their rewards. Only then will their redemption be complete (Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:42, 52; Rev. 20:4-5).
14. If the righteous dead are enjoying life in the presence of God, would bringing them back to life on earth be a blessing for them? Certainly not. Jesus would not have raised Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son, nor Lazarus if that would have removed them from eternal bliss in heaven (Mark 5:41-42; Luke 7:11-15; John 11:39-44).
Spiritualism in the Last Days
15. What Bible accounts record the “near-death=experiences” of those brought back to life? There are no such accounts, for in death there is no thought or remembrance (Psa. 6:5; Eccl. 9:10).
16. What is God’s attitude toward consulting mediums and witches? God prohibits his people from consulting familiar spirits or wizards (Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut. 18:9-12).
17. What are we to do when invited to consult familiar spirits? We are to test every spirit by the Law & the Gospel found in God’s Word (Isa. 8:19-20; Matt. 8:16; 1 John 4:1-3).
18. What ancient empire was characterized by consultation with evil spirits? Egypt was known for consulting evil spirits (Ex. 7:11-12; Isa. 19:3).
19. How does Paul describe the method Satan will use in the last days to get believers to depart from the faith? Paul writes that by giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils who speak lies in hypocrisy some will depart from the faith in the last days (1 Tim. 4:1-2).
20. In the time of the sixth plague what means does the devil use to deceive the world? Satan uses unclean spirits (like those that Jesus & his disciples cast out) to gather the world against Jesus & his people (Mark 1:25-26; 5:8; Luke 9:32; Acts 8:7; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 16:13-14).
21. Besides communicating through mediums, how also can lying spirits deceive individuals? Lying spirits appear in the form of lost loved ones to deceive individuals & gather them to fight against God (Isa. 8:19-20; Rev. 13:13-14; 16:13-14).