Christian World Ministry
"..the churches of Christ salute you" Romans 16:16
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Christian World Ministry "..the churches of Christ salute you" Romans 16:16
Introduction
A. The title is a question of many
people whose loved ones have left the earth according to Hebrews 9:27
1. Can the dead souls be contacted? Can
the living talk with them for consultation, help or guidance?
2.These questions shall be answered in
this lesson through God's words, John 8:32
B. The approach in this study shall be
as follows:
1. Examining Luke 16:19-31, the above
questions shall be answered on the state of the dead at Hades/Sheol.
2. Can this truth be proven by the
Bible as stated in John 8:32?
3.What lessons can we learn and apply
to our Christian lives?
Discussion
A. Let us now examine Luke 16:19-31 to
find out the state of the dead in Hades/Sheol
1. First of all, we should accept that
man is " triune" being composed of body(soma), soul(psuche) and
spirit (pneuma) according to I Thessalonians 5:23
2. In Ecclesiastes 12:7, King Solomon
wrote, " the dust (body) returns to earth as it was and the spirit returns
to God who gave it."
3.From Luke 16:19-31, we learn that the
dead souls are conscious in Hades/ Sheol - divided into Paradise (Abraham’s
bosom and Torments or Tartarus)
a. In verse 21, the rich man's soul was
in great pain in the place called Torments
b.his consciousness/ conscious self (psuche)
recognized people in verse 23 for he saw Abraham and Lazarus at Paradise
c. In verse 24, he asked Abraham to
send Lazarus to Tartarus to quench his thirst
d. In verse 25, we learn that in the
" after life" there is a remembrance of life on earth
e.the rich man's soul had concern for
his five living brothers on earth while he was in Tartarus, verse 27
4.Thus, we have proven that in Hades/
Sheol- the departed souls are conscious, do remember and recognize people on
earth
B. Example of contacting the dead souls
in Hades
1. This practice is called "
necromancy"- contacts the dead souls for help, consultation or guidance
2. One religious group teaches "
praying to the dead/ departed souls."
3. I Samuel 28: 3-25 tell us of King
Saul who consulted a witch at Endor to call up the soul of Samuel
4. In verse 13, witch (called also a
medium or a necromancer) said " I saw gods ascending out of the
earth."
5. In verse 14, the witch described
Samuel as " an old man, clothed in mantle!"
6. In verse 15, Samuel asked King Saul
" why do you disturb me by conjuring me up? God has abandoned you and you
will die at the hands of the Philistines!"
C. Lessons to learn and to apply in our lives
1. The departed souls are still
conscious in the afterlife (Hades/ Sheol)
2. Jesus' soul went to Paradise
according to Luke 23:43
3. His Spirit returned to His heavenly
Father, Luke 23:46, Ecclesiastes 12:7
4. God forbids " necromancy!"
a. Leviticus 19:31 " do not
consult necromancers and do not be defiled with them!"
b. Leviticus 20:6 " God's
face is set against anyone who turns to necromancers!"
c. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 "
necromancers and others like them are abominations to God!'
5. The main reason is " God is a
jealous God," Exodus 20:5. Evil spirits or demons are not " gods'
comparable to Yahweh
6. In Galatians 5:19-20, Paul called
" witchcraft" as work of the flesh and the practioneers will not
inherit the kingdom of God
7. In Revelation 22:14-15, John wrote
that "sorcerers" will be cast out of heaven
Conclusion
A. Become a Christian to be sure of
going to Paradise in Hades
1. Believe Jesus, Mark 16:16; Hebrews
11:6
2. Repent of your sins and be baptized
for forgiveness and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38
3. Be faithful until death, Revelation
2:10
B. Christ in inviting you now
1. 2 Corinthians 6:2
2. Matthew 11:28-30
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