Bible Questions and Answers

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The question arises from the common misunderstanding that the Bible teaches that we go to heaven. The Bible teaches no such thing. According to the Bible when we die we are really dead. We do not have an immortal soul or spirit which continues a conscious existence after death. We do not go to heaven.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything,

Psalms 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven...

Please read ‘After Death – What?’ :  https://www.thisisyourbible.com/library/show/43

For this reason resurrection is the only hope that we have of escape from death. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, willingly sacrificed it for us and was raised from the dead to immortality. Those who believe the gospel which consists of ‘the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ’ and are baptised into him will be raised from the dead by him when he returns to the earth.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

His resurrection is the guarantee of the future resurrection of those that believe and obey him.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

The dead are said to be asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

The kingdom of God (or the kingdom of heaven) will be established upon the earth when Christ returns from heaven. It will be the restored kingdom of David bearing rule over all the earth from a rebuilt Jerusalem.

Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

This will be the fulfilment of the prophecy through Daniel.

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The apostles are promised authority over the 12 tribes of Israel.

Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Paul explains what is to happen.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

The Holy Spirit with which the apostles were baptised at Pentecost was subsequently administered as gifts by the laying on of the apostles’ hands.

Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

With the death of the apostles the gifts ceased. Paul explains that love is superior to the gifts of the spirit and without love we are nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.

The gifts would cease and only faith hope and love abide to the coming of Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity (love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away... 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).

To be filled with the HOLY GHOST is not necessary for salvation. What is necessary is to believe the gospel, repent, be baptised for the remission of sins and live by the commandments of Christ.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...

We shall be judged not on possession of the Holy Spirit but on how we have shown the love of Christ in our dealings with others.

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

The Holy Spirit is the power of God not the third person of a triune God.

Please read ‘The Holy Spirit’: https://www.thisisyourbible.com/library/show/32

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless!
Glenn,
www.thisisyourbible.com