Scripture Elevated Kelvin Kenneth Brock

There is a long held belief that man has an immortal soul or perhaps better understood as a “ghost being” or a metaphysical form that goes on into perpetual life after the body dies or loses its animation.
To properly understand the state of the dead, be it a conscious or unconscious state, we must first develop an understanding on what man is made of. That is, we have to fairly examine the components that make up man and woman, which will lend itself to further exploration on what the Bible has to say about life after death. Thus this topic “The state of the dead – conscious or asleep” has been divided into three sub-headings, 1. The creation of man, 2. Are the dead conscious or asleep?, and 3. Hades/Sheol, is there consciousness?



References
References
1. The creation of man
Genesis 2:7 – Dust + breath (spirit) = Soul
Animals also called souls – Genesis 1:20,21,24,30; Genesis 9:4-5,12,15; Revelation 8:9; Revelation 16:3
Leviticus 17:11 – Soul = Blood
Death is the cessation of life and return to dust– Genesis 2:16-17; 3:19; Job 34:14-15
Hope of continuous existence in the resurrection and not in an immortal soul – Psalm 17:15; Job 14:11-14



2. Are the dead conscious or asleep?
Lazarus asleep – John 11:11-14
David’s desire to be awoken from sleep in death – Psalm 13:3
The messenger spoke to Daniel about the dead awakening from sleep – Daniel 12:2
Paul’s speech about those asleep in death – Acts 13:36; 1 Corinthians 15:20
Peter’s teaching on death and sleep – 2 Peter 3:3-4
Man and animals alike in every way, difference in where their breath goes after death – Ecclesiastes 3:18-21; Luke 23:45-46; Acts 7:59;
Death loses its victory in the resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:50-54



3. Hades/Sheol, is there consciousness?
A silent place of sleep – Psalm 115:17-18; Psalm 6:3-5; Psalm 146:1-4; Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 and verse 10
Tartoros, a confinement for disobedient angles – 2 Peter 2:4
Gehenna, a physical place in southwest Jerusalem – Jeremiah 7:30-33; 19:1-15; 31:31-41;
Gehenna, where the body of sinners will be burnt – Matthew 5:29-30; Isaiah 66:24; Mark 9:42-48

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Having discussed sub-headings 1. The only begotten Son and 2. The Son as the logos at creation, in "Part 1a - The preincarnate Son of God", we now discuss subheaadings 3. The preincarnate Logos as the angel i.e. the messenger of YHWH, 4. The Logos known as God, and 5. The Son of God, the captain of the Lord’s army, The Lord of hosts.



References
3. The preincarnate Logos/Son as the messenger of YHWH
Tim Warner, ‘Messenger of YHVH, who bears Gods name and speaks as God’
Tim Warner, ‘The Son’
No one has seen God - John 1:18; John 6:46; John 8:56-59; 1 John 4:12
God is invisible - Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 Tim. 6:16; Heb. 11:27;
Angel of God leads Israel out of Egypt – Numbers 20:16, Isa. 63:9
Angel of God delivers law to Moses - Acts 7:37-39, Malachi 3:1
Brings Israel into the promise land – Judges 2:1



4. The Logos known as God
Philippians 2:9-11 – The Father has made his Son God
Hebrews 1:1-2,5,8-9 - The Father through David calls Him God
Psalm 45 – David calls Him God
1 John 5:20 – John Calls him God
Titus 2:11-13 – Paul calls him God



5. The Son of God, the captain of the Lord’s army, The Lord of hosts.
Archangel Michael – Daniel 10:13,21; Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7
His eyes are like a flame of fire - Rev. 1:14
His head are many crowns - Zech 6:11-12 LXX
He was clothed in a robe having been dipped in blood - Isaiah 63:1-6
His name is called Logos of God - John 1, Hebrews 4:11-13
He will shepherd them with an iron rod - Psalm 2:9
He treads the vat of the wine of the fury and wrath of God - Joel 3:13, Rev. 14:17-20, Isaiah 63:1-4
Captain over God’s army - Joshua 5:13-15
Angels not to be worshipped - Revelation 19:10, 22:8-9, John 9:35-38, Colossians 2:18-19



Jesus, The Lord of Hosts - John 12:35-41, Isaiah 6, Isaiah 53 – 

Following on from the topic “The State of the dead – Conscious or Asleep” which looked to show that man is an integrated whole consisting only of flesh and blood. He was dust and God inspired that dust and he became a living soul. He is not consisting of a physical body possessed by an immortal metaphysical soul. Rather he dies and the breath inspiring his body returns to God who will put it back at the end of the age when the dead are resurrected either to life or to destruction.
There are however a few passages in scripture that would suggest otherwise if one reads them with a particular theological view point. This section “the state of the dead – Common objections” is intended to exhibit the intended reading of those passages, creating a unified doctrine with the rest of scripture. 
In this teaching the following objections are discussed, 1. Saul talking to dead Samuel 2. God of the living Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, 3. Paul wishing to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, 4. The souls of martyrs under the altar 5. Luke 16 – The rich man and Lazarus, 6. Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration, 7. Jesus and the Thief on the cross, and 8. Jesus preaching to the breaths in prison



References
1. Saul talking to dead Samuel – 1 Samuel 28-31
Séance forbidden by God – Leviticus 20:6
All pagan worship and practices are offered to demons – Lev. 17:7; Deut. 32:17; 1 Cor. 10:20-22; Rev. 9:20



2. God of the living Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - Matthew 22:23-32/Mark 12:18-27/Luke 20:27-38
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are dead – Gen. 25:8; Gen. 35:29; Gen. 49:33



3. Paul wishing to be absent from the body and present with the Lord – 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:11



4. The souls of martyrs under the altar
Soul = Blood – Genesis 9:3-4;
Blood for atonement - Leviticus 17:10-14, Deuteronomy 12:23-25
Blood sprinkled on mercy seat and poured under the altar – Leviticus 4:7,18,25,30,34; 5:9; 8:9; 9:9
Cry for justice – Gen. 4:10-11, Luke 11:50-51, Hebrews 12:24,



5. Luke 16:19-31 – The rich man and Lazarus
Warning to religious leaders – Matthew 21; Isaiah 5; Psalm 80
Rich man (Levitical priesthood) in purple and fine linen – Mark 15:17, Exodus 39:27-29
Lazarus (Jesus) – Psalm 22:16-19; 40:6-17
Destruction of Levitical priesthood – Isaiah 50:6-7
Jesus a poor homeless beggar - 2 Corinthians 8:9; Matthew 8:20
Jesus bore diseases and infirmities – Matthew 8:16-17
Dogs (Sympathetic gentiles) – Matthew 15:22-28
Jesus ascension to Heaven (Lazarus carried to Abraham’s bosom) – Acts 1:9-11
Abraham’s Bosom – Genesis 16:5; Genesis 17
Rich man died and in torment (Levitical priesthood destroyed) – Matthew 23:37-24:2; Luke 19:41-44; Luke 21:20-24; Luke 23:26-31; Deut. 32:19-22; Isaiah 28-29; Isaiah 50:11; Malachi 1:6-3:12
Five brothers of Levi – Genesis 30
Lack of belief should one (Christ) rise from the dead – John 14:19-20; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Literal interpretation contradicts Job 21:22-30 and Rev 20:11-15



6. Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration – Matthew 16:27-17:13/ Mark 8:38-9:13/ Luke 9:26-36
In glory, the resurrection – John 7:39; Romans 8:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:43; and Colossians 3:4
A vision “hórama” – Acts 10 (Peter’s vision); Acts 16 (Paul’s vision of Macedonia call); Acts 9 (Ananias vision of the Lord)
Fulfillment of prophecies – Psalm 2; 2 Pet. 1:16-19



7. Jesus and the Thief on the cross – Luke 23:39-43
Paradise literally garden – Genesis 2:9, Isaiah 51:3, Rev 2:7



8. Jesus preaching to the breaths in prison – Acts 2:27, Ephesians 4:7-10 and 1 Peter 3:17-22
Angels in prison – 2 Peter 2:4
The dead know nothing – Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 and verse 10

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Part 1 of this series looked into the identity of the Son of God particularly in the Old Testament and his role in God’s creational plan, focusing on his involvement in creation as well as his involvement in God’s relationship with mankind. This Part 2 of the series will now begin to look into the incarnation of the Son of God and his transition from deity i.e. divine nature to human flesh. Also discussed in this Part 2 are the implications surrounding the Son’ decision to become flesh. More specifically the ways in which he became a better substitute for Adam, Jacob (i.e. Israel) and Solomon. I have divided this Part 2 in three subheadings: 1. The birth of the Son, 2. The Son of God is completely human, and 3. The Son as the second Adam, the second Jacob and the second Solomon



References
1. Birth of the Son
Luke 1:30-35 – Angel appears to Mary
1 Corinthians 1:23-24; 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 – Christ the power of the highest
Justin Martyr, First Apology, ch. Xxxiii
Theophilus, To Autolycus, Bk. II, ch. X
Irenaeus, Book III, ch. x, ii
Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ, XIX



2. The Son of God is completely human
Philippians 2:5-8 – He emptied himself of divinity and took on flesh
John 5:19-47; John 8:16-34; John 3:2; John 14:10; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38 - All power was supplied by God
Heb 4:14-15; James 1:14; – He shared our weaknesses
Isaiah 7:14-16 (LXX); Matthew 1:23; Luke 2:46-52 - He had to learn
Mark 11 – He did not know everything



3. The Son as the second Adam, the second Jacob and the second Solomon
Second Adam - Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:8-9
Second Jacob - Genesis 17:7-8; Leviticus 18:1-5; Matthew 5:17-20
Second Solomon - 2 Samuel 7:10-16; 1 Kings 11; Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118; Luke 1:30-35
References
1. Birth of the Son
Luke 1:30-35 – Angel appears to Mary
1 Corinthians 1:23-24; 1 Corinthians 2:2-5 – Christ the power of the highest
Justin Martyr, First Apology, ch. Xxxiii
Theophilus, To Autolycus, Bk. II, ch. X
Irenaeus, Book III, ch. x, ii
Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ, XIX



2. The Son of God is completely human
Philippians 2:5-8 – He emptied himself of divinity and took on flesh
John 5:19-47; John 8:16-34; John 3:2; John 14:10; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38 - All power was supplied by God
Heb 4:14-15; James 1:14; – He shared our weaknesses
Isaiah 7:14-16 (LXX); Matthew 1:23; Luke 2:46-52 - He had to learn
Mark 11 – He did not know everything



3. The Son as the second Adam, the second Jacob and the second Solomon
Second Adam - Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:8-9
Second Jacob - Genesis 17:7-8; Leviticus 18:1-5; Matthew 5:17-20
Second Solomon - 2 Samuel 7:10-16; 1 Kings 11; Matthew 21:9; Psalm 118; Luke 1:30-35

For the salary of sin is death but the gift of God is permanent life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). What exactly is death according to this verse? Some say it is spiritual, but what does that mean exactly? Some also say it is punishment eternal and infinite, never ending and constant suffering. Others say it is complete and total obliteration and its results are permanent.
How does the Bible itself define death? To answer that question we must first understand death in light of life which is the opposite of death according to Romans 6:23 “For the salary of sin is death but the gift of God is permanent life in Christ Jesus”. Death is payment for the work but life cannot be earned, it is only gifted by God.
This teaching is divided into three subheading. 1. The fate of the wicked, 2. The unquenchable fire of God, 3. Permanent destruction vs eternal suffering



This teaching will be looking to show through scripture that the destiny of the wicked is death, and that death being the salary for sin is complete and utter destruction, a destruction that has permanent results, meaning it is final and there is no chance of life ever again. This post will look to dispel the belief that the wicked will burn and/or be tormented forever and ever into eternity in Gehenna. It will seek to show that the destruction of the wicked is complete and that the obliteration which is the result, will be permanent. Psalm 37:10 - “yet a little while and the wicked will be no more; indeed you will look carefully for his place but it shall be no more” and thus accordingly, the wicked will be wiped out forever with no trace or evidence of their existence.



References
1. The fate of the wicked
Defining death – Romans 6:23; Gen. 2:16-17; 3:19, 22-23
Complete annihilation – Psalm 21:9; Psalm 37:1-2,9-12,20,22,28,34,38; Psalm 73:18-19,27; Psalm 94:12-13,23; Psalm 112:9-10; Isaiah 1:27-28, 31 (LXX); Nahum 1:8-10; Malachi 4:1,3; Luke 13:3-5; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1,3,6,12; Malachi 4:3; Jude 1:7



2. Unquenchable fire
Leviticus 9:24; Numbers 11:3-4; 1 Kings 18:38; Jeremiah 17:27; Isaiah 1:27-28,31 (LXX); Matthew 3:11-12; Isaiah 10:16-19;
Gehenna Fire – Matthew 10:28; Mark 9:43-44; Isaiah 66:22-24;
Weeping and gnashing of teeth - Matthew 13:41-43; Psalm 37:9-12; Psalm 112:9-10;
Gehenna restored – Jeremiah 31:38-40



3. Permanent destruction or eternal suffering
Isaiah 9:6-7;
Contradictions – Exodus 40:13-15 (see Hebrews 7:11-12); Deuteronomy 15:12,16-17
Continuous time without interruption until time beyond – Genesis 13:15; Exodus 14:13; 1 Samuel 1:22;
Extreme superlatives – Daniel 7:18 LXX; Psalm 84:4 LXX; Psalm 119:44 LXX; Revelation 20:10; Luke 1:32-33

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Abraham’s faith and obedience to the Lord is inspiring. More specifically when he was tested by the Lord in Genesis 22 to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice onto the lord. Abraham’s response to his son’s question, “look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” would later after thousands of years be a reality for God himself.
To help grasp a deeper understanding of Christ sacrifice on the cross and how eternal life flows from it, this Part 3 has been divided into four sub-headings. 1. The Passover lamb 2. The perfect atonement sacrifice, ‎3. A new covenant for the people, and 4. Resurrection and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.



References
1. The Passover lamb




Israel Egypt Passover
Killing the first born sons (Exo. 12:12-14)
1 Pet 1:19 (Jesus as Lamb without spot or blemish)
Rev 5:6 (the lamb that has been slain)
1 Corinthians 5:7-8



2. ‎The son of man as the perfect sacrifice (atonement)
The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of men (John 1:29,36)
- A better High priest
a. Day of atonement, first for himself and family, then for everyone (lev 16); Hebrews7:26-28
i. Life is in the blood - Leviticus 17:10-14
ii. Offering better things Hebrews 8:1-6; 9:23-26; 10:5-10
iii. Services reformed from the old to new Hebrews 9:6-10
iv. The blood able to perfect forever (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:1-4, 11-18



3. A new covenant for the people




A new covenant promised and delivered Hebrews 8:7-13, 9:15-17
Covenant established through blood, Hebrews 9:18-21, Luke 22:17-20
All things purified by blood Hebrews 9:22-23.



4. The resurrection and eternal life through faith




Resurrection and eternal life through the blood of Christ (Romans 3:21-25)
example conversions in scripture see Acts 2:36-47 (the Jews at Jerusalem for Pentecost),Acts 8:26-39 (the Ethiopian eunuch), Acts 10:34-48 (Cornelius and family), Acts 9:17-8, 22:14-16 (Paul’s conversion)
Resurrection and eternal life through the Breath – (Romans 8:1-11)