₦airaland Forum

Recently I have gone through many messages circulated on social media of either someone who dies and found himself or herself in hell, coming back to meet his relatives or friends, trying to explain how 'hot' hell is, and how they can escape from it. Or someone who died and went to heaven, coming down with messages from God to the world of how beautiful heaven is and how soon Christ's coming is.
In the light if all these messages, one may succumb to the idea that these messages are warning us about salvation and how to change our lives by adhering to the messages trying to raise our consciousness. But these has never been the only time people spoke and passed messages in the name of the Lord, when the Lord has not spoken.
In 1 Samuel 15:11-13; the Lord told Samuel that Saul didn't perform His commandments, while Saul emphatically told Samuel boldly that he has performed Gods commandment (trying to make God a liar). Also in 1 kings 22:6; where Zedekiah and other false prophets were trying to allay the fears of people by proclaiming the assurance of victory in Ramoth- Gilead by the Lord when the Lord didn't say so.

In situations of such nature regarding to the illustrations given earlier, as Christians that believe in the 'sure word of prophecy' (The Bible) what should we do?

The Psalmist says "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my part" Ps. 119:105.
The beloved John warned us in 1 John 4:1-3 "Beloved, belief not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
How do we test the spirits? Its obviously through the scriptures.
Isaiah 8:20- To the law and the testimony if they speak not according to this 'word', it is because there is no light in them.
John 17:17- Sanctify them by thy truth, thy 'word' is truth.
Ps. 119:9- Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto to thy 'word'.


*Now the big question come. What happens when someone dies?*

The Bible says- All go unto one place; all are dust and all return to the dust again. Eccles 3:20. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it. Eccles 12:7 ( see Gen. 2:7). " For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they anymore a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten: also their love and their hatred and their envy is now perished; neither have they anymore a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." Eccles 9:5,6
"Whatsoever thing your hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave wither thou goest." Vs 10
All the scriptural evidences show that man goes down to the grave when he dies.
The Bible didn't say that man goes to heaven or hell or purgatory or any other place when he dies. There is no evidence of such in the Holy scriptures ( of course there shouldn't be, because if there is, it means that the Bible is contradicting itself which cannot be for God is not the author of confusion 1Cor 14:33)
Peter also made it clear in his illustrations about David in Acts while explaining about Christ in Acts 2:28,34- Men and brethren let me speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. For David is not ascended into the heavens.


*So when will the righteous go to heaven and the wicked to hell?*

Ans. First and second resurrection.
Jesus said in John 5:29- And shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. ( see also Dan. 12:2).
The first resurrection is the resurrection of life ( ie resurrection of the righteous).
Paul said in 1 Thess. 4:16- for the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Arch Angel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
1cor. 15:52- For the trumpet shall be sounded and the dead in Christ shall be raised incorruptible.
Rev. 20:5,6- But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power.
Then the second resurrection is the resurrection of the wicked. Job 21:30- That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? They shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. ( see John 5:29; Rev 20:14,15).
These all will be finally destroyed in the lake of fire which is the second death.

*Then who are the persons that speak us when we go to enquire of the dead?*

They are the spirit of the devils. They are the evil angels that were cast down with the devil from heaven (Rev 12:7-9; 16:14; 1cor 10:20; 2 thess. 2:9,10; Rev 13:13,14)
Sometimes they do say the truth ( Read 1 Sam 28:8-19 and compare it with 1 Chronicles 10:13,14)

The Bible made it clear that there are evil; the spirit of the devils working miracles as in the texts above. These devils and demons have been in existence even before Christ came.
"It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh's magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God". GC. 553.2
Christ encountered most of them. These spirits doeth great wonders, "so that he maketh fire come down from heaven in the sight of men". Rev.13:13.
They are always there to counterfeit Gods work ( Read Exodus
They have deceived many people by making it so real in their appearance and then spread out heresies which will catch most of the listeners because they have not purified themselves and guarded themselves with the word of God.
Matt. 4: 4,7,10; Luke 4:4,8,12; 1peter 1:22 etc.
That is why Paul warned us that "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Eph 6:10-12

The Bible also teaches of the existence of good angels ministering for the saints and children of God ( Read Heb 1:14; Matt. 18:10)


It is of worthy to note that the lake of fire ( which people refers to hell or purgatory) is not in existence anywhere now. Rather this will come during the final destruction of the wicked. Rev 20:14,15.

Now come to think of it; it the righteous goes to heaven after death and the wicked to hell, what then is Christ coming to do?
"And behold I come quickly and my rewards is with me to give every man according as his works shall be". Rev 22:12 (see also Matt 16:27). Then which reward will He then give again? Let us be wise and think.

These false doctrines has led to many deceptions in the Christian world today such as the doctrines of:
Immortality of the soul, Purification in purgatory, Spiritism, Prayer for the dead. That is why many people write in an obituary "Transition to glory" God help us!!!!

The Lord is telling us in Heb. 4:7- Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. "How shall we escape if we neglect such great salvation" 2:3
"And the times of ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.!!!!


*Stop being deceived by the devil and take a stand in God's truth and the Lord will give you His good reward Amen!!!*

God bless you as you read and share!!

Nice write-up!
This is a powerful and thoughtful work.
Keep it up!
Lazarus that was resurrected by Jesus never talked about " hot hell" or "heaven". More so, it would be unjust for Jesus to resurrect a good man who supposedly was already enjoying in heaven back to this world full of problems. So I agree with Ecclesiastes 3:19,20; 9:5. 'The dead know nothing at all'.

please explain the parable of Lazarus and the rich man?


Moreso, explain this verses

Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

SOFTENGR:
Nice write-up!
This is a powerful and thoughtful work.
Keep it up!
Lazarus that was resurrected by Jesus never talked about " hot hell" or "heaven". More so, it would be unjust for Jesus to resurrect a good man who supposedly was already enjoying in heaven back to this word full of problems. So I agree with Ecclesiastes 3:19,20; 9:5. 'The dead know nothing at all'.

Well, try this

Mark 9;43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Hier:
Well, try this

Mark 9;43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

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

Take note!
In this verses what do not die are fire and worms, not the person.

This place is also is not talking about a hot hell but complete destruction with no resurrection hope in the future.

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

Take note!
In this verses what do not die are fire and worms, not the person.

This place is also is not talking about a hot hell but complete destruction with no resurrection hope in the future.

ab·hor
abˈhôr,əbˈhôr/
verbformal
gerund or present participle: abhorring

regard with disgust and hatred.
"professional tax preparers abhor a flat tax because it would dry up their business"
synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise, execrate, regard with disgust, shrink from, recoil from, shudder at; formal abominate
"I abhor the taste of liver"
antonyms: love, admire

The question is, why would the worms and fire never die? Its like running a generator when you are away from home. the essence of the fire and the worm are to perform some responsibility. Thats what i can make out of it, but you should know that there are torments in hell.

Hier:
ab·hor
abˈhôr,əbˈhôr/
verbformal
gerund or present participle: abhorring

regard with disgust and hatred.
"professional tax preparers abhor a flat tax because it would dry up their business"
synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise, execrate, regard with disgust, shrink from, recoil from, shudder at; formal abominate
"I abhor the taste of liver"
antonyms: love, admire

The question is, why would the worms and fire never die? Its like running a generator when you are away from home. the essence of the fire and the worm are to perform some responsibility. Thats what i can make out of it, but you should know that there are torments in hell.

Pretty sure you did not understand my explanation. I'm not surprised since that's a common belief many of us have had for long.
The maggots and Fire of Isaiah 66:24 did quenched and the maggots actually died.
The use of "fire" and "maggots" only shows the permanence of death of God's enemies. Read again with an open mind.

SOFTENGR:
Pretty sure you did not understand my explanation. I'm not surprised since that's a common belief many of us have had for long.
The maggots and Fire of Isaiah 66:24 did quenched and the maggots actually died.
The use of "fire" and "maggots" only shows the permanence of death of God's enemies. Read again with an open mind.

reference for the bolded

thanks

Hier:
reference for the bolded

thanks

Jeremiah 9:2; 25:33


I'm enjoying this chat bro