The idea that man has an immortal soul dates back thousands of years ago, and originates from the Babylonians, Egyptians and the Greeks, particularly Plato. The early Christian writer Origen was one whose writings was influenced by Plato who taught that the soul separates the body upon physical death and lives on 'somewhere' in consciousness. The old fable of the Egyptian god named Osiris was killed and taken to heaven. There he was miraculously resurrected to life and live on blissfully in heaven. Writers thoroughout the centuries had used this to justify that good people go the heaven and bad people go to hell upon death.
But this is contrary to what Jesus and His apostles taught in scriptures! In John 11:11-15, the Lord Jesus told His disciples that 'Lazarus sleeps' (verse 11), but His disciples misunderstood to think that Lazarus was indeed sleeping in the natural state which is good for recuperation when one is unwell. Look at what Jesus said in verse 14, 'Lazarus is dead'. Lazarus' sister Martha knew that her brother will rise again in the resurrection at the last day (verse 25). This goes to show that physical death is like sleep when one has no consciousness of time and events that passed by, for the dead know nothing (Eccl 9:5).
One of the least understood passages come from misquoting the Apostle Paul's statement in Philppians 1; 23-24, 'For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you'. Many assume that Paul was going to meet Christ at the moment of his death. But Paul knew that all the dead in Christ 'have fallen asleep' (1 Thessalonians 4:13), to be resurrected to eternal life at the first resurrection (1 Thess 4:16-17) upon the Return of Jesus Christ.
Later on when he knew of his imminent death (2 Timothy 4:6-8), Paul wrote of the 'crown of righteousness' which will await him when he shall be resurrected at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 8). Paul preached faithfully the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22, 19:8, 20:25, 28:23 & 31), and knew that his hope and reward will occur at 'His appearing on the day of His Coming' and not at the moment of death!
Some will inevitably ask, then what is the message of the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man in Luke 16:19-31, isn't it talking about going to heaven and hell? In the context of the passage preceding this, Christ was telling the Pharisees about serving God and mammon (money), that what is esteemed highly by men is despicable in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). Hence, this parable is an allegory on a lesson about handling worldly wealth in this life in the light of the resurrection since the Pharisees were unconvinced about what Jesus had taught them earlier.
Notice that this parable about Lazarus and the Rich Man says nothing about heaven and an ever-burning hell, but rather teaches about the resurrection of the dead. It teaches that the righteous like Lazarus, will one day be resurrected with Abraham to sit in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 8:11) - in Abraham's bosom (verse 22). The great gulf or chasm that separates Abraham and the Rich Man (verse 26) could refer to sin that cuts the Rich Man off from God and time that separate them since Abraham and Lazarus will be in the first resurrection to eternal life but not the Rich Man in the parable. The Rich Man was buried and resurrected to physical life (he lifted up his eyes - verse 23) probably in the third resurrection to face the prospect of a second death in the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:14). That could account for his torment - probably mental torture - after realising his destiny. If the Rich Man had gone into hellfire shortly after death, would Abraham used the phrase, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime' (verse 25). Note that hell is nothing more than the grave and is not hellfire as no amount of water droplets will cool such a fire (verse 24)!
In Revelation 4:8, it was recorded that there are twenty-four elders worshipping God and cast their crowns before the throne. Some mistaken them to be the saved souls living in heaven. Truth is, they are the angels numbering in the 'ten thousand times ten thousands' (Rev 5:11) ruling in heaven with God. The casting of their crowns is symbolic of the angelic beings relinquishing their positions of authority to the Lord Jesus Christ who will then establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth with His saints (Rev 3:21, 5:10, 11:15).
No comments:
Post a Comment