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....
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.
The milk of the Word is Salvation. Who what where why when get to the meat of the Word. The first 6 chapters of Genesis lays out the foundation upon which those 5 questions have the answers planted throughout the Word. Say like it was a fig grove where the Garden Party took place and Christ said 'Learn the parable of the fig tree'. One need know the horticulture of the fig tree to understand the parable. That is but one example.
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.
Yes "resurrection" is foundational. And it is through Christ, Emmanuel, or God with us that we are given the insight as to when 'life' in a flesh body begins, at conception.
The notion that Christ was a harvest is not an analogy that fits with what is Written about who plants seed, and who is the pruner and or Harvester. Christ was in the Garden symbolized by the 'tree of life'
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.
There is no doubt that Christ was using the Pharisees religious language in concerning the dead. Lazarus comes from the Hebrew Eleazar, name of one of Aaron's son a priest. As well as the phrase Abraham's bosom.
The meat of what Christ gave is found in Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence'. etc.
Peter says there are three different heaven/earth ages and those who return to the Maker at the death of their flesh are in spirit bodies separated by a 'gulf' awaiting the end of this flesh age. Abraham is one of those named to be in paradise which would be 'heaven' as opposed to hell which can mean different things from a smoldering dump to the grave or as this rich man not because of the fact he was rich but because of how he got rich could see across that gulf where he could not go to received Christ - the living water.
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.
The point is that at conception the soul/spirit is placed in flesh, ever heard the expression before childbirth, my 'water' broke? Well that is the water that Christ is referencing that is required to see the kingdom. It is not about entering the kingdom but to 'see' it. And the book of Jude describes those who refused and they along with Satan are the only ones today named and numbered that will be destroyed. That judgment was made before this flesh age, and why there is a flesh age to give opportunity to those who would a pass through this age.
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.
Ephesians 1:4 According as He hath chosen (election) us in Him *before* the foundation of the world, (actually this is a verb = casting down, overthrow) that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
Some have already been justified and are called the 'elect' because of what they did when Satan rebelled, and Paul given what he was want to do in his own 'free will' was literally touched to perform the duty of writing to us the majority of the New Testament. Which is why he could give us what he calls the meat of the Word. But even those of the 'elect' must pass through this flesh age as God says he is not a respecter of persons.
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.
But before this happens the pretender is going to be allowed to tempt us just as he tempted Christ.
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.
The Heavenly Father is in control and even right now, and He sent His holy prophets to pen what we could expect 'need be'. Do you think as others were predestined to be upon this earth at appointed times that that would not even be taking place in this generation. And yet the 'war' is not about flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. And we are told what to arm ourselves with to be strong in the Lord and to withstand in the evil day.
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.
But of course not and neither do the majority even this day. Which is why Christ taught us about where we come from and what is required for any to see the kingdom of God and that it was not a new teaching. Ecc 1:9-11
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....
The soul is the body in spirit that looks as does the flesh physical body, and the spirit is the intellect or gray matter that receives and sends communication. Flesh is held by gravity, but gravity does not have the same hold on the spiritual body. As was demonstrated by Christ going through that wall. Both existed but we in flesh do not see literally that spiritual dimension unless there is divine showing. Both Moses and Elijah were recognized in their spiritual bodies upon the mount of transfiguration. Flesh is temporal and is of no future use once it dies.
The Heavenly Father did not send God with us, Emmanuel, foretell of His coming, even as to what would be said upon the cross (Psalms 22) and not offer to all those who came before us salvation first. Luke 20:38 For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.