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Index
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Index
From life ... to death ... to ... ?
A season is set for everything,
a time for every experience under heaven:
A time for being born and a time for dying
Ecc. 3:1-2a Tanakh
The person.
The individual is commonly said to comprise a body, mind, and soul (or spirit).
When a person dies, it isn't the end of that person! Although the body and mind perish, the soul continues to live on. One might liken the soul to the essence of that individual.
Upon death, the mortal body is replaced by an immortal body.
But will that body be recognisable as the original person?
I think that will almost certainly prove to be the case. As for evidence, there is no need to look beyond the transfiguration:
[1] After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. [2] There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. [3] Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. (Matthew 17:1-3 NIV)
It is perfectly clear from Mat. 17:3 that Moses and Elijah were recognisable.
Those destined for Hell will, likewise, be recognisable. This - seemingly obvious statement - actually contains a warning to those who mislead, hurt, and betray others. In particular, in the current context, I'm thinking of those who peddle false doctrine or those who betray family, friends, or their calling:
[10] Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:10-12 NRSV)
Within the context of the Fires of Hades, those who've been betrayed by members of the church - whether Jew or Christian - will group together and will attack those individuals who've betrayed them. This, of course, won't be a one-off, as they will have all Eternity to continually seek revenge... They will be presided over by a sour-faced Satan who had failed to gain victory over the Lord Jesus and who was forever in a foul mood...
Upon death, the mind (aka 'brain') is replaced by an immortal mind.
If one thinks of the mind as a processor, then, in order to function, it will need input, a journal containing life-history to-date, and a set of values which will undoubtedly colour one's actions and responses.
Sensory input is a continuous flow in real-time.
Life-history contains the memories and experience gained over time.
But how the brain handles real-time input in the context of previous experience and knowledge, is guided by one's 'character', sense of values, and the desires of the heart.
The Most High summarises mankind's character:
5 The LORD saw how great was man's wickedness on earth, and how every plan devised by his mind was nothing but evil all the time. (Genesis 6:5 (Tanakh))
That inclination towards evil will tend to colour a person's response to real-time input. However, because mankind have free will, they can choose to change that, and bring their desires and motivation more into line with those of the Lord. Not easy; but it is doable thanks to Covenant help.
The Prime Axioms explain who God is, and His sense of values. It is therefore a good starting place for understanding the Lord God. Not only that, but it offers a viable alternative to a life dedicated to evil, as described by the Lord in Gen. 6:5 T (above).
Choosing the option to align one's desires with those of the Lord, is an integral part of signing the Covenant Contract. It is a choice one is entirely free to make, since there is neither coercion nor duress.
This free choice, however, is a two-edged sword, because the blood of those who reject the Covenant will be on their own heads. Throughout Eternity, languishing in Hell, their souls will be corroded and destroyed by regret: "If only I'd..."
During life, a person's soul is synced and backed-up to the Heavenly Realm. The real-time copy is integrated into the documentation held on that person together with Jesus' observations and notes; the person's motivation and life-history are directly linked to the Books of Record and the Book of Life.
The soul (schematic)
Upon death, the copy of the soul which is maintained in the Heavenly Realm, becomes integrated in a body which never dies. Luke takes up the narrative:
[19] "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20] And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, [21] who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.
[22] The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. [24] He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.'
[25] But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. [26] Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.'
[27] He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house- [28] for I have five brothers-that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.'
[29] Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.'
[30] He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
[31] He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" (Luke 16:19-31 NRSV)
The Earthly body is mortal. Following death it will be replaced with an immortal body.
We may think of the mind as the 'brain'. This, too, is mortal. And on death it will be replaced with an immortal brain.
The human body and brain are existential entities. But what about the soul?
The soul is an existential entity. Stored, as it is in the brain, it may not be obvious. But the soul contains a person's data-set.
The soul documents a person's life history. But it also contains a record of a person's character, hopes, fears, standards, intentions... The soul has a Physical Dimension, and it also has a Spiritual Dimension.
Note that a real-time copy of the soul is stored in the Heavenly Realm, and is linked to the person's documentation.
I tend to think of the brain as a processor. It can process input - real-time or historical - but generally within the context of its own values, preferences, bias, goals...
The Heavenly replacement, however, will be infinitely better!
Doubtless many have, many do, and many will live out their lives not knowing what God offers - because, perhaps, they've never heard or they do not believe that God exists; or perhaps they've been sold a false bill of goods by some snake or shark. A world view of religion confirms that the Covenant Model is not operational; neither is it being explained and presented to the nations. Of the alternatives which are on offer, none are free of corruption! Contemporary Judaism is a defilement of the Mosaic Covenant which also rejects its Messiah. Messianic Judaism is committed to a Bible and a new-covenant doctrine which are corrupt. And new-covenant doctrine is fit only for the Blacklist. Standing amidst the ruins of David's fallen Tent, there is no raised banner drawing attention to the Lord God, and to truth, honour, integrity, and genuine hope for the future.
In short, there is no pointer as to the true direction people should take. Contemporary Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and the new-covenant church have - between them - effectively cut down the sign pointing to the Gate to the True Path, and buried the sign deep beneath brier and nettle, leaving it out of sight and out of mind.
Well, that is all about to change, because God's Messianically Amended Covenant has been securely planted high on Mount Zion, and is even now being raised up, a beacon for all who walk in darkness and despair!
[22] This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their hips. (Isaiah 49:22 NIV)
The Messianically Amended Covenant will be the tall spreading Cedar planted and rooted on Mount Zion. Its tallness will be the Law and its authority. Its width will be its level of care for God's People. And its widely separated layers will be its scope and fullness. Or, as the Lord puts it:
[1] In the last days
the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
[2] Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:1-2 NIV)
Mount Zion: Micah 4:1-2 and the Tall Cedar.
[Dissertation: Micah 4:1-2.]
22 Thus said the Lord GOD: Then I in turn will take and set [in the ground a slip] from the lofty top of the cedar; I will pluck a tender twig from the tip of its crown, and I will plant it on a tall, towering mountain. 23 I will plant it in Israel’s lofty highlands, and it shall bring forth boughs and produce branches and grow into a noble cedar. Every bird of every feather shall take shelter under it, shelter in the shade of its boughs. 24 Then shall all the trees of the field know that it is I the LORD who have abased the lofty tree and exalted the lowly tree, who have dried up the green tree and made the withered tree bud. I the LORD have spoken, and I will act. (Ezekiel 17:22-24 (Tanakh))
[Dissertation: The allegory/riddle contained in Ezekiel, chapter 17 T.]
Up until the Age of Discretion, a person is deemed to be 'innocent'. But what happens later in life when there is a loss of 'discretion' due to trauma or degenerative disease of the brain or some other condition?
Thankfully, the Lord is consistent! And His consistency will help guide our thoughts.
Just as guilt is not attributed to those who've not yet reached the Age of Discretion, so guilt is not attributed to those whose mental faculties have become seriously impaired - for whatever reason. The degree of impairment may vary between individuals; and where there is progressive deterioration then impairment will change with time. We cannot give a threshold value beyond which guilt is not attributed, simply because of the variables involved. That - like the Age of Discretion - is something known only to the Lord. Where mental function is sufficently impaired, then guilt will not be attributed.
If a child dies before reaching the Age of Discretion, then his status will be 'innocent'. But what of the case where a person dies after reaching the 'Age of Deterioration'?
The guilt - or otherwise - of such a person will depend on that person's history between the Age of Discretion and the Age of Deterioration. That history will be contained in the Covenant documentation, the Books of Record and the Book of Life.
[Dissertation: Caring for those who've reached the Age of Deterioration.]
Version: 2024-07-17