AN ADVANCED COURSE ON THE SPIRIT OF MAN

LESSON SIX: THE DAY OF DEATH BETTER THAN THE DAY OF ONE'S BIRTH

THE DAY OF DEATH BETTER THAN THE DAY OF ONE'S BIRTH:

(Eccl.7:1) "A GOOD name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth."

Try to tell that to the average man on the street, or even to some in the church. As the story goes, probably not true, a preacher was preaching his heart out about receiving a home in heaven and encouraging all of the saints there to always be ready. He repeatedly asked the question of how many wanted to go? After the sermon and at the door a man approached the preacher and said, it sounded as if you wanted to get up a bus load now.

We know that this statement is true by Solomon, because it is the inspiration of God. Why would God make such a statement? From man's point of view it all depends on his health, financial status, the country and the conditions under which he lives, whether persecuted or not, or his mental capacity to function. Realizing that most of the world's population does not believe in the true and living God, but have their own gods, a poll would reflect that most would rather depart and receive something better.

To those who understand their true purpose for which God intended, they would also admit as did the fathers such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, Heb.11:3-16. At least some of them were as we say well to do, but their financial status had nothing to do with their desire to have a heavenly home in a better country.

What is wrong with the earth that God created? Nothing is wrong with it, but the introduction of sin into the world has created an unstable environment not compatible with man. Solomon also said, that after he had come to great estate, gotten more wisdom than any at Jerusalem before him, to have great experience in knowledge and wisdom, to know madness and folly, he perceived that this was vexation of spirit. Continuing further, he said, that in much wisdom is much grief and he that increased in knowledge, increased in sorrow, Eccl.1:16-18.

Be it known here and now: this is not a subject to encourage people not to want to live. However, this subject should encourage the righteous to live soberly and just before God and the sinner to turn from his evil life style and submit unto the will of God. We should adopt the same attitude as the Apostle Paul, who said, that he had a desire to depart and be with Christ, but to remain was more needful for the Philippians, Phil.1:23-24.

What we have discussed to this point is vanity and vexation of spirit. Why then has God created us? To serve him at his every command.

(Job.14:5, 14) "Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;..............If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."

Whether Job had been taught these truths, or if he first knew them by reason of the inspiration of God, they still stand as the truth of God and the scripture cannot be broken. God has made at least one exception in the life of Hezekiah. God added 15 years to his life because of his prayer, 11Kings 20:1-6.

(Ps.90:10) "The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is there strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

These numbers are very much in line with our national average of life give or take a few. Retirement plans are structured by corporations anticipating the early death of the retirees. Computers are the greatest thing since soap and they are used to the advantage of every provider of benefit plans in order to make the most profits.

THE SOUL HAS NOT POWER TO RETAIN HIS SPIRIT:

(Eccl.8:8) "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who are given to it."

An often heard phrase regarding the very ill who are near unto death is; "he fought hard to the very end." No matter how great the determination and fight, we cannot win. Neither can the evil corruption and sin that men have served so well in rising to the top or falling to the gutter, save them in the day of death. Many have the philosophy that I might as well do it, because we have a time to go and it does not matter. Of all the great men and women of God, none have escaped the pains of death except Enoch and Elijah. Satan knows the weakness of man and he exploits them to the limit:

(Job 2:4) "And Satan answered the Lord, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life."

We love life and will cling to the last breath.

(Eccl.12:7) "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

Apparently there is a void in the understanding by most in regards to the abode of the spirit after death. Just because the spirit returns to God who gave it does not mean that the spirit is in seclusion. God can place it anywhere he so desires. We will discuss this item more at length just a little later on.

(Luke 24:36-39) "And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you..............But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.....................And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?............ Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."

Perhaps we can overlook the fact that these verses are not in their proper place in this course and we will gain something useful from them.

I think we all know that our spirit is not of the earth as are our bodies as we have already discussed, but of a different source; that is, originating from the spirit world. Evidently, those disciples thought they could see a spirit, or did not understand what a spirit is. It is still the mind-set of people today who imagine they see ghosts and goblins.

WHICH PATH WILL THE SPIRIT FOLLOW?

None of the following verses given will mention the spirit, but we shall see if the spirit is involved.

(Heb.9:27) "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

We may break many appointments in life, but this is one appointment we will keep on time. The Apostle says, that after death there is the judgment: the question is when? The scripture teaches us in 11Cor.5:10, that we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ and receive the things done in the body according to that which he has done, whether they be good or bad.

Will there not be any accounting until the second coming of Christ, or will there be an accounting before? The next reading will be lengthy, but most important.

(Luke 16:19-31) "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:...............And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,........................And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores........And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;...............And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame..............But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented..............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............Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house.........For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment...............Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them....................And he said, nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent..................And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

Evidently, because many do not want to hear the truth about life after death, they say, that these verses are a parable. This is an actual account of two men of opposite backgrounds, one of a lavish lifestyle and the other a hungry sick beggar.

"Hell" means Hades, a realm consisting of three parts. The upper part is paradise where Lazarus was comforted and the lower part separated by a great gulf where the rich man was in the flames of torment. The lowest part is called Tartarus, where the angels who kept not their first estate are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day, Jude 6. Concerning his own death and the death of our Lord, King David said, that their souls would not be left in hell (Hades,) adding that the Lord's body would not see corruption, Acts 2:25-31. Speaking of the visions and revelations of the Lord, the Apostle Paul relates how he was caught up to the third heaven which he called paradise (Hades,) where he heard things unlawful for man to utter, 11Cor.12:1-4.

The spirit of man is not mentioned here so we must determine if the spirit has any part of the soul after death. We will look at the actions of each of the three men in this account and based on what we have learned to this point, will establish whether or not the spirit is involved. Lazarus and the rich man were Jewish, but it makes no difference after death of what dispensation of time that one lived. Also we will answer the question regarding when does man give an account?

LAZARUS:

He died.

Obviously his body was buried, but his soul was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. He being carried has reference to the soul.

He carried his identity and heart with him, because he was recognized by the rich man.

He was comforted in Abraham's bosom, meaning, he could experience emotion and feel a sense of security.

THE RICH MAN:

He died and was buried.

He lifted up his eyes in hell (hades) and was in torment. His spirit was united with his heart and soul, because his spirit caused his eyes to lift up and see Lazarus whom he recognized.

He cried and expressed an emotional feeling and pain. His spirit caused him to utter a sound.

He said to Abraham, have mercy on me. His spirit caused him to speak and convey his intelligence to Abraham.

He requested that Lazarus dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. Again, his spirit caused him to speak, make a request, so that he might be relieved of some of the pain. Obviously, there was water somewhere, otherwise, he would not have requested it. It is reasonable that the great gulf was water since a gulf is generally referred to as water.

As a last request, he turned to evangelism: that Abraham would send Lazarus back to his father's house and convert his five brethren. His heart and spirit now wanted to glorify God in leading the unrighteous to repentance.

ABRAHAM:

He said, Son, remember what it was like on earth, you had good things and Lazarus evil things. Now Lazarus is comforted and you are tormented. Abraham's spirit caused him to see, speak, recognize, and exhort the rich man to memory (his heart.)

Again, he spoke and denied the request of the rich man. His spirit caused the speaking and his heart denied the request.

He said that the rich man's brethren had Moses and the prophets: if they would not hear them, neither would they hear one risen from the dead. Again, his spirit made it possible for him to carry on this conversation.

As a side note to this account, Christ arose from the dead and generally speaking, neither does man hear him.

From two of the three accounts of the men involved here, their spirits were involved in the events that took place. Even though Lazarus was mute, he obviously had his spirit too.

Being in torment is being incarcerated which is punishment to those who are awaiting trial and final sentencing: then to be bound over to the big house, eternal fire.

THE SPIRIT UNITED WITH THE NEW BODY IN CHRIST IN THE RESURRECTION : THE SPIRIT OF THOSE IN THE RESURRECTION WITH SATAN:

(Jn.5:28-29) "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.............And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

The word ALL means ALL: every one will come from the grave, whether in the earth or in the sea and that includes all those who did not have a burial in a cemetery. We note two kinds of resurrection mentioned in these verses: the good to life and the evil to damnation. Hearing the Lord's voice will be the signal to rise up. Woe to any who would shorten the hand of God in being able accomplish any feat that he so desires. Based on what we have learned from the rich man and Lazarus, there will be a return of the soul to the grave for this grand event. We will discuss this in much more detail just a little later.

(Rom.14:10-12) "But why doest thou judge thy brother? or why doest thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ................For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess God.........So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

Immediately after the resurrection we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. If we think that the noise of 100,000 people is loud at a sporting event, it is only a whisper compared to the sound that will be made when all of the earth confess God Almighty!

The eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ are as a flame of fire and no one will be able to look him square in the eye, Rev.1:14; 2:18; 19:12.

As we say, what goes around, comes around. There will be billions who will want to invoke the 5th amendment of our constitution, but it will not work: we will give an account! The only hope that the masses have is that they think that they will intimidate God by their shrewdness.

(2Cor.5:10) "For we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

I have heard all my life that when God forgives he forgets and our sins are totally blotted from his memory. This is a false doctrine which contradicts this verse. Everything that we have thought, said, or done, will come up on the screen. Obviously, those sins that have been forgiven will be checked off.

(1Cor.15:42-54) "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:................It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:..................It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body................And so it is written, The first man Adam was a made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit...............Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual..............The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven...............As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly...............And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.................Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption................Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,....................In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed................For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality................So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

In the preceding verses the question is asked, how are the dead raised up and with what body do they come? The resurrection of the body is compared to sowing seed, wherein the bare grain must die before it comes up. This leads into our scripture reading of the resurrection of the dead.

It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.

It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory.

It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

Adam was the first man, earthy: the second man was the Lord from heaven, spiritual, 1Cor.15:45-47. We are of the earthy, but will take on the image of the spiritual, or heavenly. Note that we are sown or planted in the ground as a natural body: but we will be raised a spiritual body, because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven. Verse 52 plainly states that we will be raised incorruptible, that is, those who will be changed who are fitted for eternal life. According to the reading some will be alive when the Lord returns and they will be changed also.

The scriptures are silent regarding any change in those vessels fitted for destruction. However, they will rise the same as the saved. Will God prepare them a body for hell fire and brimstone? The scriptures do not say what kind, but whatever the case, their sense of feeling will be retained in their mind along with their heart and spirit. However, the scriptures do say, that their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched, Mk.9:43-48. These are worms that prey on dead bodies, Thayer page 580. Therefore, there will be some sort of body given.

(1Jn.3:2) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doeth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

(Phil.3:20-21) "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:......................Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

The Apostles Paul and John both tell us that our bodies will be changed and fashioned like the glorious body of Christ. He is saying, in other words, Christ has the power to do any thing that he pleases. The important thing here is that our body will be like his.

(1Thess.4:13-18) "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.............For is we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him........For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.............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:.............Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord............Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

The subject here is that when the Lord returns, those who have gone on before will rise first and those who are alive will join them in the air to be with the Lord. This earth and all the works that are in it will be burned up when our lord returns, 11Pet.3:10-13. The new body and the spirit made perfect in heaven is another subject of which we will not discuss at this time.

(Luke 12:47-48) ";And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did (according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.............But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask the more."

Our Lord has made known to all men the mystery of his will: the ignorance of it will not stand in the day of judgment. Neither will the popular excuse "I don't remember" which has been coined by our modern day politicians, stand in that day. Based on what the scriptures teach about hell (Gehenna) fire and brimstone, the few stripes mentioned above will not lessen the fires of hell one bit.

This concludes our study of "An Advanced Course On The Spirit Of Man."