Category: What’s Up!

Over the years, theologians continue to disagree on whether there is immediate life after death.  Some believe in the concept of “soul sleep,” that once you die, both your body and soul lie in the grave until the resurrection.  Others believe that at death, the soul or spirit separates from the body and ascends to heaven or descends into hell.  Although I believe in the latter, the only source where there is an answer for us is in God’s Word, the Bible.  Job raises the question in Chapter 14, verse 14, “If a man dies, shall he live again?”  Exactly, what happens to us after we die?

In 1 Corinthians 2:9, Paul tells us that there is not only life after death, but eternal life is so glorious that “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” . As God in the flesh, Jesus came to the earth to give us eternal life.  He sacrificed His life on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin.  According to Matthew 27:50, while He was on the cross, Jesus “yielded up the ghost,” thus His spirit was separated from his body.  But on the third day of being in the grave, Jesus’ body was resurrected and re-joined His spirit.  Paul also tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:14 that, “God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.”  According to the Bible, we will all be raised at the resurrection, but what happens immediately after death?

The gospel of Luke, Chapter 9, verses 29-31, tells us that, “And as he (Jesus) prayed, the fashion of his (Jesus) countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.”  Deuteronomy 34:5-6 tell us, “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.  And he (God) buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor; but no man knoweth of his sepulcher unto this day.”  Moses body was buried but his spirit ascended into heaven confirming his appearance in glory (brilliance) to meet with Elijah and Moses, sufficient evidence that the spirit is separated from the body at death.

The Bible describes two occasions where God’s servants ascended to heaven without dying – Enoch and Elijah (Elias).  Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:5, that “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”  “When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal (2 Kings 2:2 NIV).  Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that, “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Paul is saying that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  In other words when we pass from this life in an instant we will be present with God in heaven.  “And they stoned Stephen calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). Here, Stephen acknowledges the fact that after he is stoned to death, his spirit will be with Christ.

In addition to the above biblical references, there are at least two examples in the Bible where Jesus gives us a glimpse of what happens after death.  In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells the story of a rich man and Lazarus.  While some theologians believe that these verses represent a parable (story), I am among those who do not because in all of Jesus’ previous parables, He never identifies the name of a person – in this case “Lazarus.”  Verses 22 and 23 say, “The time came when the beggar (Lazarus) died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.  The rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades (Hell), where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.”  According to these scriptures, there is immediate recognition after death, the rich man was in pain, he could see as well as talk.  The rich man wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers about “this place of torment” (v. 28), but Abraham says in v. 31, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” 

While Jesus was on the cross just before He gave up His spirit, one thief hanging beside Him asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).  Jesus answered him saying, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  Jesus didn’t tell the thief that he would be with him at the resurrection but “today” meaning immediately.  Finally, John tells us in Revelation 6:9, “And when he (Jesus) had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.”  John did not see bodies but their spirit.

I believe there is sufficient biblical evidence to suggest that immediately after death, our soul departs the body and goes either to heaven or hell.  People who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will go to heaven (Romans 10:9), those that do not unfortunately will end up in hell.  Have you made a decision to receive Jesus Christ as Savior?  The choice is yours, but that’s just my take.

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One of the most colorful and controversial characters in the House of Representatives is Tea Party Republican Allen Bernard West.  West was elected to Congress in January, 2011, and is the first black Republican Congressman from Florida since reconstruction.  West served in the United States Army for over 20 years including several combat deployments, achieving the rank Lieutenant Colonel.  West spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 20, 2010, and was endorsed by former Governor Sarah Palin.  As one of 32 African-American Republican candidates for Congress in 2010, West said he supported the Tea Party movement and dismissed the notion that the movement was motivated by racism.

Since joining Congress, Allen West has made some appalling and bizarre statements and comments that, in my opinion, are not appropriate for a political leader.  For example, at a Republican Party dinner this past January, 2012, West said of Democrats, “Take your message of equality of achievement…You can take it to Europe, you can take it to the bottom of the sea, you can take it to the North Pole, but get the hell out of the United States of America.” Though he called out Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi by name at the dinner, vowing to stop Obama from destroying the country, West defended his comments by saying they were directed not at congressional Democrats but at their “message.”

In January 2011, Congressman West condemned the official flying of a Palestine Liberation Organization flag in Washington, DC, saying that the raising of the flag is “an attempt to legitimize an organization with a known history of terrorist actions”.  During an interview, West stated that Keith Ellison, a Democratic Minnesota Congressman and practicing Muslim, represents the “antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established.”  West later said that his initial comment was misinterpreted and “not about his (Ellison’s) Islamic faith, but about his continued support of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).”  CAIR is not a terrorist organization but works to raise awareness about Islam and Muslims and has continuously and courageously condemned all forms of terrorism and extremism.  Even former President Bush was a CAIR supporter.

On July 19, 2011, in response to comments directed at him in a speech Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic Representative and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman made on the House floor after Congressman West had departed the chamber, West sent an email to Congresswoman Schultz, which he copied to members of House Democratic and Republican leadership, characterizing Wasserman as “the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives“, that she was “not a Lady” and asked that she focus, instead, on her own congressional district. This is Congresswomen Schultz’s comment: “The gentleman from Florida, who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of this (Ryan) plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Unbelievable from a member from South Florida.”  I guess West has a big problem with the truth especially coming from a woman.

At a town hall meeting on April 11, 2012, Congressman West responded to a question about what percentage of the American legislature are card carrying Marxists or neo-Castro Socialists, by stating. “I believe there’s about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party. It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus.”  Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus said West is trying to turn back the clock to the days of Republican Senator Joe McCarthy and the so-called “Red Scare.”  West is now trying to capitalize on his comments by asking his donors to send money for, “the fight for the heart and soul of our nation. It’s a fight we can win, but we must all be involved.”  

Conservative Republican Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, was incensed over West’s comments making the following statement during his show on April 12^th, “As the future leader of the Republican party, I am shocked and stunned and deeply saddened by this behavior.  It is incorrigible and any Republican party — local, state or national — that contributes to Allen West’s reelection campaign before he apologizes for this statement will meet my wrath in the future.”

Last December during a House vote, Congressman West compared the Democratic Party to the Nazi party by saying, “If Joseph Goebbels was around, he’d be very proud of the Democrat Party, because they have an incredible propaganda machine.”  “But let’s be very honest,” he added. “You have the president, who has an incredible megaphone and a platform, and he has people all across this country believing that the only people on Capitol Hill are House Republicans. He’s not talking anything about his controlled Senate.  So it’s a great propaganda machine.  And I have to give him kudos for being able to leverage that.”  Goebbels was Adolph Hitler’s Minister of Propaganda from 1933 to 1945 and was known for openly exploiting “the lowest instincts of the German people” like racism, xenophobia, and economic insecurity to engender a zealous antisemitism.

West, of course, consistently blames reporters for, “taking my words and twisting it around.”  “What I’m talking about is a person that was the minister of propaganda. And I’m talking about propaganda,” he said. “Once again, you guys will take whatever I say and you will spin it to try to demonize me or demagogue me.”  West apparently believes that he is really the victim.

While I commend Congressman West for his outstanding military service having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving in the Gulf War and in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, earning a Bronze Star and three Meritorious Service Medals.  However, in my opinion, Congressman West is a poor excuse for a political leader.  In addition to his frequent over-the-top comments and statements, he is a supporter of the Ryan 2012 budget that gives thousands of dollars to the rich while eliminating Medicare as we know it, he is critical of the “Americans with Disabilities Act,” and he wants to abolish Planned Parenthood.  Not only will Congressman Allen West never become a vice presidential candidate in spite of Sarah Palin’s endorsement, I don’t believe that a sane Florida electorate will re-elect him to a second term, but that’s just my take.

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Based on my recent article, “Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Cult?” I received a rather interesting and extensive comment from a Jehovah’s Witness named Greg.  Therefore, I decided to respond to several points embraced by Greg that I strongly disagree with along with supporting Biblical references.  Greg says that Jehovah’s Witnesses hold the Bible as the ultimate authority on all matters regarding a Christian’s life, and when a belief is in conflict with the Bible, they go with the Bible as the standard for the truth.  A point well taken.  A significant, difference, however, is their Biblical translation.  The Witnesses use the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT), a translation published in 1961 by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, a Jehovah’s Witness organization.  NWT is solely for the use and benefit of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Thus, I believe that the NWT translation is basically consistent with Witness doctrine rather than sound Biblical principles.  For example, The New World Translation has been criticized for its rendering of John 1:1.  Most English translations render this verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” By contrast, the NWT renders the verse: “In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.” This translation supports their doctrine that Jesus was not God.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus is Very Different from the Scriptures

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach and preach a Jesus who is extremely different from the Jesus of the Bible.  Jehovah’s Witnesses regard Jesus as the first and only being directly created by Jehovah God.  They believe that Jehovah God has never had any personal contact with creation but was indirectly responsible for the creation of all beings by empowering Jesus to bring the physical universe into existence.  However, as previously noted, our Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (1 John 1:1-3)

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus Deny the Deity of Christ

Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is not all powerful, that He is not all knowing, and that He is not even all present.  Here is what our Bible says, “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but  made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”  (Philippians 2:6-7).

Jesus is Not to be worshiped

Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that Jesus should not be worshiped, and although they admit that Jesus should be honored, they refuse to honor Him to the same degree God the Father is honored.  This position severely conflicts with what Jesus says in John 5:23, that it is God’s will for “all to honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” Here is what the Bible also says, “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11).  “And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9).  Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe that prayers should not be addressed to Jesus, but here is what the Bible says, “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60).

Jehovah’s Witnesses Deny the Physical Resurrection of Jesus

Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that Jesus rose bodily from the grave teaching instead that He rose in a “spirit body.”  Therefore, Jesus’ resurrection can’t be seen as a victory over physical death when, in fact, this is inconsistent with what the Bible reveals.  For example, 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 says, “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” Here is additional evidence: Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”  But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:19-22).  “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”” (Luke 24:39).

As noted in my previous article, in my view, Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot be regarded as true Christians and basically is a cult.  They claim to be Christian yet deny essential Christine doctrine.

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