# 26 Life/Soul/Hell & Gehenna, Mt 7:24.

As to earthly terms, things possessing life, generally have the capabilities of growth, metabolism, response to external stimuli, and reproduction.

If we are to be 'alive' spiritually we need to test ourselves by Growth, to take in and metabolise God's thinking, Respond to it, and bear fruit. Mt 7;24, "Therefore anyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a man, who built his house on the rock mass". Are you ready to dig down to reach the rock mass?

The Hebrew word for "life" in the scriptures is chai-yim’, and the Greek word is zo-e.

The Hebrew word ne’phesh and the Greek word psy-khe’, both meaning “soul”, are also employed to life, not in the abstract sense, but to life as a person or an animal. (Compare the words “soul” and “life,” as used at Job 10:1; Ps 66:9; Pro 3:22.) Plants have life, operating in it, though not with a soul.

Adam, although, a breather, like animals who are also souls, was different in that he was made in God’s image.

Being given “the breath of life”, meant more than the breathing process, it is the spark or spirit of life that keeps us going as long as the breathing process continues. Therefore, everlasting life is achievable, as long as breathing continues, due to God's Spirit within us. John 17:3.

Genesis 2:7 explains that once formed that God blew “into his nostrils the breath of life and he CAME TO BE A LIVING SOUL”. According to the scriptures, we ARE a soul. We do not HAVE a soul.

Can the soul be tormented after death?

Well, no! The human body can only feel something while conscious. If the breathing process stops, then so does brain activity.

This may sound foreign to many today as it contradicts traditional teachings and beliefs.

Is it scriptural? In the Hebrew scriptures Ecc 9:5, tells; “the dead are conscious of nothing at all”.

Is that what Jesus taught?

Look up the account found in the gospel record of John 11. It’s the account regarding Lazarus.

Read it for yourself.

What condition did Jesus compare his death to? How long had he been dead for?

According to Lazarus’ sister his body had already began to decay, correct? So then, how could Jesus simply awaken him if he were asleep?

What did Lazarus say when brought back to life? Was he in heaven with the angels? Was he rescued from a fiery place of torment? Clearly the account demonstrates the words found in Ecclesiastes, the dead are conscious of nothing.

But think of this. If Lazarus was dead, from where was he to be brought back?

He had to return with the same genetic code and his memories were fully intact.

He was also given a new body. Obviously the same genetically otherwise he would not have been recognisable. Still, a new body. God's word describes the resurrection in that our "flesh will be fresher than in youth". Many would appreciate that don't you think?

It was definitely Lazarus who came back for the Pharisees could not deny that this man who had been dead three days, was once again walking among them, the same person.

To accomplish this, Jesus, with the use of God’s power in action, his Holy Spirit, re-created his body, re-installed all his memories etc, and restarted the breathing process. He did not get a new soul, he became a “living soul”, once again. His every detail is written as it were in God’s memory. He was safely kept in God’s heart! Ps 139:14; 22:9.

David, I think also said, “in a fear inspiring way you made me, all my parts are down in writing”. Jesus, also tells just how noticed by God those are who seeking his favour.

Luke 12:5-7 tells us; “even the hairs of your head are numbered. These 2 accounts remind me of genetic code, what about you?

Yes! God knows each one “personally”, In detail. So then, that is why we, with deep respect, can ask and invite him into our lives. Like David, we ask him, “examine my inward parts”, and “the intensions of our hearts”, so as to be corrected, guided and trained.

With “cords of love” gently pulling us in the paths we should “walk with God”. He knows us in detail, personally. Isn't that amazing?

Thus, Jesus words in verse 25 of the record demonstrate that not only is this possible for a few, but many. His early Christian disciples believed it. And he clearly demonstrated that this authority had been granted him. Mt 28:18. John 5:28.

Can we talk to the dead? and they hear us? Well, technically no!

However, is it possible for them to view us somehow from the future once they are resurrected?

Time will tell.

Think of this thought, when a person dies then, he, or she, becomes unconscious of all things going on around them, "Time" moves on without them, for those left behind.

But, for those who had fallen asleep in death, instantly, they wake up! Either in heaven as a few are granted. Or on a paradise restored earth, with their families and friends, effectively, time travellers.

Remember, Jehovah, the great one, created all things, did he not, including time.

In my mind, he simply; transfers their life, their being or life force, into a new body, they become a renewed soul, either of spirit or flesh.

What a wonderful and fear inspiring spirit God is, with such power he could easily be done with man. Even all the nations are as dust on the scales, Is 40;15, but still he is patient with us. He tenderly supports us and encourages us, as if saying, “Keep going, you can do it”.

I previously mentioned Luke 12:5-7, here is the reality though, even Divine Love has its limits.

We already established that the soul can’t be tormented in a fiery hell. In fact, in the king James Bible, when translating the words for hell, Hades and Sheol, these words translate to “pit” or “grave”, it is only mankind’s polluting of God’s word and worship, like “Jeroboam son of Nebat”, that has painted God as cruel. Therefore, Hell is simply another word for grave.

It is utterly illogical to accuse Jehovah God of such actions as creating a fiery place of torment.

If you had a puppy and it urinated on the carpet, even though it was told not to, would you tie to a post, starve it and kick it every time you went past? Disgusting behaviour, you would think!

They have accused my God of worse.

Jerimiah 32:35 relates regarding detestable false worship of impotent God’s, “Furthermore, they built the high places of Ba’al that are in the valley of Hinnom, in order to make their sons and their daughters pass through the fire to Molech, a THING I DID NOT COMMAND THEM, NEITHER DID IT COME UP INTO MY HEART TO DO THIS DETESTABLE THING, for the purpose of making Judah sin.”

If such a thing could not come up into his heart, would he create such a place.

Such a place only was concocted in the heart of his enemy in an effort to hide Jehovah’s true loving personality. He does not kill people to take them to heaven, he is not the cause any harm to mankind.

Getting back to Luke 12:5, how then could so called, religious men, put to God’s account that he burns people in Gehenna? Gehenna was nothing more than a rubbish dump, outside the walls of Jerusalem, fed by sulphur to burn animal carcases and rubbish.

It was simply an illustration used by Jesus to demonstrate the futility of being cast out, for no good reason, forgotten, removed from God’s memory with no hope of a resurrection. To me a fearful outcome for losing Jehovah’s favour.

Jehovah has put “life and death before us all”. He begs us to choose life, with vigour and enthusiasm. Not half-heartedly, Rev 3:16. Life is a free gift, sustained by Love, whatever we are doing, the goal is, to “work at it whole souled”, “prove ourselves perfect” in love, “fully equipped”, and not be like the “chaff on the threshing floor, which is here today and gone tomorrow”.

But dive into life, with a new appreciation, each day, with thanks for our loved ones and devotion to the one who makes all things possible, Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The conqueror of Satan and all imposters and every false word that has been spoken against Him or the Son.

He is deserving of Good things, not bad words, himself being “the giver of life” and “every perfect present”. Along with endless thanks to our Big Brother and King, Christ Jesus, Who made all things, possible.

I hope this information settles any uncertainty in your hearts. There is hope, you are important, you are loved and so are our dead relatives who are safe in God’s heart.

Life is an adventure, live it! Be adaptable, for things can and will go wrong, even in the new system of things.

Build yourself up in faith and steadfastness, in preparation for the final test of love and finally, Satan’s removal for all time.

Praise Jah! You people, praise Jehovah.

What is life for? Living and enjoying! Jehovah encourages us; “there is nothing better than to eat and drink and enjoy yourself for your hard days work, it is a gift from God”. Ec 2;4.

Man in expectation :)

The mash-up! "You must love Jehovah your God, with your whole Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength and keep His Commandments. If you do, you will be wise enough to bypass any trial with ease, and have an indefinitely lasting name with The Living One. Those who fail to take these things to heart, will suffer shame and fall short in a large way, all that is his, will be destroyed and cease to exist.

You who love Him, however, will flourish with joy, under the tent cloths of Jehovah, always." Ecc 12:13, Mark 12:30 and Ps 37:18-20.