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WHERE ARE THE DEAD? -FULL VERSION
Prior to the deaths of the Apostles, false teachings were already creeping into the Church. Later, the Roman church rose to great influence and mixed many pagan customs and beliefs with certain Bible teachings in an attempt to win over the many cultures and religions from all over the Empire. The end result was a ‘different’ version of what the Bible teaches, a mixture of truth and lies, and GOD hates a mixture. Protestantism removed only some of these false teachings. Over time, other groups broke away from the Protestants, but these also continued to believe and promote these non-biblical teachings. Because these falsehoods have been taught for so long, they are assumed to be true and very few Christians see any need to question them. They are told to question everything, but it seems that few do. Most would rather defend and cling to the lies.
Over the centuries any believer who taught or openly practiced anything that was opposed to these false teachings was harshly dealt with. Possibly 50 million or more were killed by Rome, sometimes for just possessing parts of the Bible. The Protestants could also be ruthless in their pursuit of anyone who dared to oppose their teachings. Some were murdered for daring to translate the Bible into English. It’s hard to see Christ anywhere in that evil mess. Many humans by nature seem prone to wanting to be a part of some religions and beliefs, like sheep, even though most are obviously false. Historian Will Durant observed that “Christianity didn’t destroy paganism, it adopted it” Who could deny that fact? The deceptions are deeply entrenched and rarely questioned. The way to the Truth is “a narrow gate” and few find it.
True believers are supposed to seek out and follow only GOD’s Truth. There are several reasons why this matters: - It pleases God when we seek out & teach only His truth; it will be vitally important that when the False Prophet appears speaking lies, that we know exactly what the Bible teaches; and the sheep will only know His voice if they know what His Word really says. Is this why He will say He never knew them, because they refused to believe The Word/Him? “Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.’ Mark 7:7 (GW) Addressed to the Pharisees but equally relevant today.
This essay is an attempt to rectify one of these false teachings. The sheer volume of scriptures devoted to this subject proves how important it is to GOD. Paul classifies it as a “foundational doctrine.’ Hopefully the following truths will penetrate the veil and the deaf ears. Many hope for a Revival, but perhaps GOD wants His Truths to be restored in the Church first? When GOD speaks about the whole world being deceived, is it possible that Christians are also included? Could He be talking about believers when He says they worship Him in vain, as supposedly only Christians worship Christ? False teachers and false doctrines need to be exposed in all generations.
Perhaps some feel that they would be betraying GOD by abandoning traditional teachings, but the opposite is true-they will be aligning with GOD. It’s up to everyone to prove the truth of this subject. Apparently the word Laodicea means “people’s opinions”- how apt. We already know man’s opinion, it’s time to study and believe GOD’s. To those who claim to love GOD’s Truth, this is their chance to prove it. Remember, the Bereans were praised “for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 NIV. How can Christ work in any group which is telling lies about Him? He can’t and won’t. Why should He??? Lies and deception are not in His character!
Sadly, most Christians who have been presented with the following scriptures have rejected them outright. Some even claim the verses have been taken ‘out of context’, and yet they present no proof, just opinions. What’s even worse is that they refuse to acknowledge the truth in any of the verses! This is both astounding and troubling. Rejecting GOD’s Word is the same as rejecting Him. There’s truth in the statement: - “Few have the spiritual courage to re-examine their long cherished religious beliefs” Perhaps some don’t love the truth as much as they so freely boast? Do deniers really think they’ll be part of the Coronation and the Wedding if they reject GOD’s Truth? Are they scared of truth or just can’t handle it? Maybe they just love lies?
Pastors also have rejected the following verses and refused to engage further, an amazing reaction! One Pastor is a self-proclaimed ‘Watchman’-one who watches out for false teachings in others - how ironic. Two others were former Bible College teachers. They also rejected these truths and refused to engage in further discussion or to prove their ‘opinions’. One actually became agitated when asked to prove his teaching. Imagine the headline: - “Bible Teacher Rejects Bible Teachings!” One Elder was going to collate some scriptures to refute those which follow. He never did. He can’t. How did it come to this? How can self- professed believers, and worse, their teachers, so easily reject what GOD plainly says? Especially when the Truth is shown to them. What’s worse is that they teach their lies to new believers. The blind leading the blind into the ditch. And they expect GOD to come amongst them and bless them?? He won’t.
1Timothy 4:1 ESV - “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” Vs7 “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”
2Tim 4:3 (CEB)- “There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will collect teachers who say what they want to hear because they are self-centered.”
2 Thess. 2:10 “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” If believers reject GOD’s truth Satan has the legal right to send more deception, and he has. Many claim to believe in Christ, but their refusal to believe what He says begs the question – which Christ? A fake Christ? A clever fake? Nooo they say, without even giving it serious thought.
“They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” Matt 15:9
Most Christians assume that when they die, they go to Heaven because this is what they’ve usually been taught, but does this belief originate in the Bible? How this ‘tradition’ came to be so widely accepted in Christianity is too large a subject to cover here. For now, this essay will just examine what the Bible reveals, as this is what really matters. There are only two choices, either the dead go to Heaven, or they don’t. Place your bets.
If the dead really do go to Heaven, one would expect this to be revealed firstly in the Old Testament. A search of the word “died” reveals around 250 uses. In each instance it just basically states that those who died went to the grave to join their ancestors. No mention of going anywhere else but the grave. If people really do go to Heaven wouldn’t GOD have mentioned it at least once? Other Old Testament Scriptures reveal more about the subject: -
Gen 3:19 states: - “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Job 14:2: - “We grow up like flowers and then dry up and die. We are like a passing shadow that does not last.10 But we die, and our bodies are laid in the ground; we take our last breath and are gone.12 In the same way, we lie down and do not rise again; we will not get up or be awakened until the heavens disappear. 14 If a person dies, will he live again? All my days are a struggle; I will wait until my change comes. 15 You will call, and I will answer you; you will desire the creature your hands have made” (NCV) Ps 6:5” Dead people don’t remember you; those in the grave don’t praise you” (NCV) Ps 88:5 “I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.” v10 “Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah” 11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?” (NIV) Ps 104:29: - “When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to dust.”
Ps 115:17: - “It is not the dead who praise God, those who go down to silence;”
Ps 146:4: - “When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”
Eccl.3:20: - “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.” (NIV) 9:5 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even knowledge of them is forgotten.” 10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Does this sound like Heaven? It sounds like a grave.
Isa 31:3- “When God gives the signal, all will fall in a heap go to the same dust grave.” Isa. 38:18: ” The dead don’t thank you, and choirs don’t sing praises from the morgue. Those buried six feet under don’t witness to your faithful ways.” (The MSG.) Zechariah 1:5. “And where are your ancestors now? Dead and buried. And the prophets who preached to them? Also dead and buried.” No playing harps there. If they are dead and buried, where is the believer’s hope? - “But your dead will live, your corpses will rise. All you dead and buried, rise!” Isa 26:19 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ezek. 37:5 “---I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel Then you, my people, will know that I am God, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.” Vs12-13.
Daniel 12 :1-2 “But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake--” Not even a hint of going to Heaven upon death! At this point it’s worth commenting on an event which is mistakenly used as proof we go to Heaven: - In 2 Kings 2 we find the story of Elijah being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, but which heaven? The sky, or atmosphere, is also called a heaven, as is outer space. Several years later, in Chronicles 21:12-15, Elijah appears again, alive, on Earth, so the heaven he was swept up to was obviously just the sky or atmosphere. It really profits us to read the Bible much more closely as these very important details are easily overlooked.
What Does the New Testament Reveal? Listen to Christ’s words-
“And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” Matthew 22:31-32” No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18 NIV Christ also said: - “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.” John 3:13 NIV. In John 5 He stated: - “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be judged.” Can’t make it much clearer can He? 6: 39- “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that every-one who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 44 no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Three times in six verses Christ said He would raise them up at the Last Day. How’s that for emphasis?! This is not ambiguous. Does anybody really want to argue about this with Christ or deny He said it? Can anyone honestly claim this is taken out of context? Read it again and then try saying that the dead go to Heaven. How can any true believer not believe what their Master says so plainly?! No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.” John 6:46. See also John 5:37. “No one has ever seen God;”1John 4:12a Why bother telling people about Christ while denying what He said?? Even a child could grasp what Christ was saying, but not stubborn, deceived adults. It’s staggering how people who claim to believe the Bible deny what it says.
It’s interesting to note Martha’s remarks to Christ before He brought her brother Lazarus back to life. In John 11:23 Christ said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” If Martha understood about the resurrection of the dead from the Ancient Scriptures, why can’t many latter-day Christians? The Sadducees were castigated by Christ for denying this truth: - “Haven’t you read what God told you about the dead coming back to life?” Mathew 22:31. Deceived religious bigots are obviously nothing new.
Perhaps, after Christ was resurrected the dead went to Heaven? Notice what Peter said in Acts 2:29 “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that David died and was buried, and his tomb is still here. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven---36 For when David had served God’s purpose, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.” Just in case there’s any doubt, God repeats this for emphasis in Acts 13:36 “David, has been in the grave, dust and ashes, a long time now.” And he’s still there! One would have to be very deceived not to understand this.
The New Testament has much more to say on this subject, none of it ambiguous. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” Rom 8:29. There was none before Christ, He was the first to go to Heaven. The rest await His return. Including King David and all those mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11. “Not one of these people, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together made whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.” Heb 11:39,40 MSG. (Notice that Enoch is also included in this group in verse 35.)
1 Cor 11:30 “That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” A child could grasp what these scriptures are saying, but not millions of adults.
The Resurrection Chapter– 1 Corinthians 15:6 “. though some have fallen asleep.” v12 “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is wasted and so is your faith. 15 But he did not raise him if the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only in this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to him. 29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised, why are people baptized for them? 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (In other words, if the dead are not resurrected there is no future, so they can’t possibly be alive in Heaven.) 51 “Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised immortal, and we will be changed. 2 Cor 1:9- “He’s the God who raises the dead!” 4:14- “And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive.” Philippians 3:11 “---- and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 “But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like those who have no hope. For if we believe that Christ died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Christ. For this we tell you by the word of the Lord that we who are alive, when Christ returns, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are left alive, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So, we will be with the Lord forever.”
“The great trumpet will sound, and he will send out his angels to the four corners of the earth, and they will gather his chosen people from one end of the Earth to the other.” Matthew 24:31 (GNT) “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10 “---They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
“The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him one thousand years.” Rev 20:4-6 (WEBP) “But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake of fire and sulphur, which is the second death.” Rev 21.8 This occurs after the Millennium. Many scriptures refer to this event. e.g., Malachi 4:1. (Notice they don’t go to ‘Hell’, another myth. See the section “Is Hell Real?”, Chapter 6.)
2 Timothy 2: 18 “...who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already happened, and they destroy the faith of some.”
The resurrection of the dead is a foundational doctrine: - “Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgement.” Hebrews 6:1,2- MSG.
1 Peter 4:6. “Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Christ.” If the Apostles stood up in Church today, incognito, and proclaimed these scriptures, would they be ridiculed, belittled, or asked to leave.? GOD can raise up stones to proclaim His truth if Christians refuse to. He may raise up new believers in this end time. People who will believe every word of God and will jettison all the lies.
Luke 23:43 is often quoted to ‘prove’ that the dead go to Heaven: -” Christ answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” There’s one glaring error made here, Christ Himself did not go to Heaven/Paradise until more than three days later, so the thief could not have gone there that day! The only logical explanation is that there should be a comma. or pause. after the word ‘today’, not before it.
Not one scripture in the entire Bible states that the dead go to Heaven.!! Most Christians would have read these scriptures many times, but they just seemingly ignore them. One would have to be SOP, (Stupid on Purpose) to think that these verses are not stating GOD’s Truth about a Resurrection of the dead. Also, we don’t have a ‘soul’ that goes to Heaven, we are souls. (See Chapter 7.) The pagans believed in such things. Anything pagans believe is usually always a lie.
Apparently Martin Luther also admitted that the Bible does not support the belief of going to Heaven. The Bible is Christ/The Word in print. We can’t just believe certain verses and reject others. To do so is to reject Christ. “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not believe my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.” John 12:48 Remember what He said in John 3:13? Do you accept it as true, or do you cling onto another ‘opinion’? Do you believe GOD or a human? The Word has the last word. “…and from Christ—the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead” Rev. 1:5a
If we refuse to believe the Word (Christ), He will refuse to know us-a terrifying outcome, and so needless. Whilst many are praying for revival, first and foremost we need a revival of the Truth once delivered. The Enemy’s fingerprints are all over this, and other deceptive teachings. Confusion and lies are Satan’s trademark, and he’s been tweaking the Message for millennia. A particularly sobering warning at the end of the Bible: - “I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to you the plagues written in this book. If you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the holy city that are described in this book” Revelation 22:18,19
To subtract from the Word is the same as censoring Christ. If we refuse to teach or believe certain scriptures, we are, in effect, censoring the Bible just because it doesn’t fit with human inventions. This is decidedly in opposition to GOD’s Truth and is indefensible. The warnings against this practice are plain, and the results could be disastrous. As the scriptures at the beginning of this paper state, all worship could be in vain, because they have believed and taught a lie. Deny the Truth (Christ) and He will deny them. We must not trust in what man invents. Christians of all people are compelled to believe what the Bible so plainly teaches, otherwise they could very well be wasting their worship. Deny His truth, deny Him, simple.
Unfortunately, most of these scriptures won’t be read out in many churches because they contradict mainstream teachings. Is it any wonder that outsiders find some Christian beliefs confusing? One person says one thing, and another says something else, and the Bible says something completely different! If we wouldn’t be comfortable taking someone to a place where false doctrine is being taught, why would GOD? Is this just one more reason why church attendances keep falling? There’s no genuine fellowship where lies are being taught. What does light have in common with darkness?
The sheep can get confused and thrown off course if taught something that contradicts what the Bible says. A counterfeit can very closely resemble the real thing. It requires a very close examination to pick the difference. A superficial glance won’t suffice. Believers need to study the Word in greater detail. It’s one thing to be deceived, but it’s another thing entirely to willfully reject sound teaching once it’s Biblically proven beyond doubt, as we have surely seen here. God has shown us by the large volume of unambiguous scriptures that this is an important doctrine. He has left no wriggle room for anyone to have another ‘opinion’, and yet, many refuse to see. It’s staggering the deception that exists around GOD’s Word and in the churches.
The Bible is our only source of real truth. It is full of warnings about false Christs, false teachers, and false doctrines. When the False Prophet appears performing false ‘miracles’, and speaking lies, it will be vitally important that we know what the Bible truly teaches. His Word is a “lamp to our feet.” and “Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning” Ps. 119:130. (MSG)
It’s not inconceivable that many self-professed ‘believers’ will detest and oppose the 2 witnesses when they appear during the Tribulation because they will be speaking only the truths of GOD. These ‘believers’ won’t be able to handle the truth, literally. What a paradox. What a farce. “My loved ones do not put your faith in every spirit, but put them to the test, to see if they are from God: because a great number of false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 (BBE) One gets the impression that there are more false prophets than genuine ones.
Christ/The Word is the chief corner/foundation stone. If the foundation stone is misaligned the whole building will be misaligned. If the Church gets the Word wrong, it will be out of alignment with GOD. The Bible says the Spirit will lead us into all truth. What spirit is leading people towards lies? One aspect of the ‘yeast of the Pharisees’ was mixing truth with error. Mixing truth with lies is the same as eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This is where humans went wrong originally. The mistake is still being repeated at the end of man’s rule. Truth is mixed with stupid, crazy lies, and GOD refuses to be a part of it. “Come out of her my people” Rev. 18:4
“Remember that there will be dangerous times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be traitorous, reckless, conceited; they will love pleasure rather than God; they will appear to worship God but are far from His power .Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
The Bible contains many more scriptures along the same lines as what has been shown above, but surely, we have seen enough to prove that the dead definitely do not go to Heaven. Instead, they are in a state of ‘sleep’ until ‘woken’ by Christ to eternal life, or eternal death. Notice also that believers aren’t coming back from a ‘Rapture’ to Heaven either. (See Chapter 10.) It staggers belief that anyone could read the above scriptures and still argue that the dead go to Heaven, but many will. May the reader choose wisely what they allow themselves to accept as Truth.
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/life-after-death/what-is-heaven/go-to-heaven/
https://www.thebiblesaysthat.com/articles/heaven/quick-qa-do-we-go-immediately-heaven-when- we-die
https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/what-happens-after-death/ancient-pagan- belief-in-heaven