Paul plainly says there is the ‘milk’ of the Word ... Salvation.. and the ‘meat’ of the Word. And the idea is that once the receiver of the ‘milk’ then matures and moves into the ‘meat’ of the Word. Soul sleep is neither milk or meat.
When was Christ resurrected? And if the soul is sleeping how could Lazarus be seen in Abraham's bosom?
In John 3 Christ told Nicodemus what is required just to ‘see’ the kingdom of God. And in verse 10 Christ makes clear that what he was telling Nicodemus was not new as he asks him, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things. Then Christ plainly explains what he is saying in verse 13... And no man hath ascended up to heave, but He That came down from heaven, even the Son of Man Which is in heaven.
Paul says in Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Do you think the devil is sleeping, and will get a second bite at the proverbial apple?
See Solomon penned in Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it. And it was obvious that Nicodemus was not familiar with this teaching else he would have understood what Christ was saying that Unless one be born from above they would not see the kingdom of God.
And as well when Moses wrote Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. The spirit is the intellect of the soul and it was the ‘spirits’ that Christ offered salvation to in Peter all the way back to the beginning. NOT demons.
I agree with a caveat...you bring up a point about milk and meat that I haven't studied that closely. But it sounds right.
Soul sleep is neither milk or meat. When was Christ resurrected? And if the soul is sleeping how could Lazarus be seen in Abraham's bosom?
One of the things listed as foundational was "resurrection".
The resurrection of Christ was because he was the first of the harvest, the first fruit. To stay with harvest analogy not all crops ripen at the same time. There's an order of harvest.
I think that the story of Lazarus wasn't a literal description of heaven and hell, but a parable to show the relationship and attitude that Pharisees (the rich man)
Luk 16:14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.
had to the gentiles (Lazarus). It was a warning to not be smug about their place and position.
If it WERE a literal description of heaven and hell our reward is to lay in Abrahams bosom. It never mentions God or Christ as being in the afterlife. It was a warning using terms and ideas that non-believing jews would recognize.
In John 3 Christ told Nicodemus what is required just to ‘see’ the kingdom of God. And in verse 10 Christ makes clear that what he was telling Nicodemus was not new as he asks him, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things. Then Christ plainly explains what he is saying in verse 13... And no man hath ascended up to heave, but He That came down from heaven, even the Son of Man Which is in heaven.
I'm not quite sure of the point you're making...but these verses affirm that you have to be begotten of the spirit in order to be resurrected with an eternal, spiritual body because that's the only way you can inherit the kingdom.
Jhn 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jhn 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
1Cr 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Paul says in Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Do you think the devil is sleeping, and will get a second bite at the proverbial apple?
Scripturally death is the FINAL enemy:
1Cr 15:24 Then [comes] the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
1Cr 15:25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
1Cr 15:26 The last enemy [that] will be destroyed [is] death.
In verse 24, Paul is saying that Christ will return and put all earthly governments under him. ALL rule. ALL authority. ALL power is ended. No more human government, but a government of God. That's the gospel of the kingdom.
See Solomon penned in Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it. And it was obvious that Nicodemus was not familiar with this teaching else he would have understood what Christ was saying that Unless one be born from above they would not see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemeus would have been VERY familiar with Ecclesiastes 12:7 but he wouldn't have interpreted it the same way.
Ecc 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
This of course is referring to:
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
The breath of life, whatever constitutes it, will return to God. But this isn't a conscious part of our bodies.
Ecc 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do [it] with your might; for [there is] no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
I think you're right that this "breath of life" is a component of man that gives us our intellect and what sets us apart from being animals.
The spirit is the intellect of the soul and it was the ‘spirits’ that Christ offered salvation to in Peter all the way back to the beginning. NOT demons.
I'm not sure what you mean...can you clarify?
Thanks in advance for your response....