The state of the dead
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[edit] Interpretation 1: The dead are unconscious and do not know anything
This is the interpretation I believe in...
For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten.
http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR131.htm Exchange Propositions and "Do the Dead Know Anything?"
http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?id=542&rc=1&list=multi The Dead Are Not Alive! An article identifying the false teaching ...
http://www.ratzlaf.com/2-8-02%20Gladson%20on%20Death.pdf “THE DEAD KNOW NOTHING”: A RE-EXAMINATION OF ECCLESIASTES 9:5-6 ...
http://www.geocities.com/biblerevelations_org/thedead/stateofthedead.htm The State of the Dead
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/thedead.shtml Mormon Answers - Questions about the Dead: Do They Live as Spirit ...
[edit] Interpretation 2: The spirit continues to live and be conscious; you go to heaven immediately when you die
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
"But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor. Yet what I shall choose, I know not. For I am in a strait between two; having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ."
http://www.jonathan-edwards.org/AbsentBody.html Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord
http://www.jba.gr/Articles/nkjv_jbafebmar98a.htm The Journal of Biblical Accuracy: "Absent with the body, present ...
http://blog.catholic-convert.com/?p=905 Steve Ray’s Blog » Absent from the Body = Present with the Lord?
http://www.saviour-of-all.org/PresentWithLord.html Absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 2Cor.5:8
http://www.ao.net/~fmoeller/isa65.htm.
Whether you are a Christian believer or not, the wisdom of Jesus interpretation of the words from the bush to Moses upon the Mount support many other scriptures, from the first writings of the O T (Job) to the last, that is that we survive in our spirits consciously, the death of the body. Jesus quoted YHWH's words from the bush and said "God is not the God of the dead but of the living," the conclusion being that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were not only alive but secure with the Lord when Jesus spoke.
I certainly don't agree with this interpretation. But what other interpretation can I offer for "God is not the God of the dead but of the living"?
[edit] Why this interpretation is not correct (rebuttal)
Joe Crews (Copyright © 1989). Amazing Facts - Media Ministry - Absent From the Body (http://www.amazingfacts.org/items/Read_Book.asp?x=59&y=14&SelLang=en&ID=7).
[edit] To Live Or to Die?
He expressed the hope that “Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Paul tied life and death to a physical body, not some soul or spirit. The alternatives that drew him were either “to live” or “to die.” He was “in a strait” between these two. If he lived, Christ would be magnified, and if he died a martyr’s death, the cause of Christ would be magnified. It would be “gain” either way, both for him and for Christ.
But after considering the two alternatives, upon which he could not make up his mind (to live or to die), Paul is suddenly struck with a third choice, which he quickly declares to be “far better” than the other two. He described it as “having a desire to depart and to be with the Lord, which is far better.” Better than what? Clearly, than either of the two he had just mentioned (living or dying). Again, we are reminded of Paul’s overwhelming desire to be translated without passing through the “unclothed” state of death. That was his deepest desire. Once more, we are constrained to ask: When did Paul expect this translation to take place? Moreover, when did he anticipate the change from mortality to immortality? He answers: “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, THEN shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4. When is THEN? At His second Coming. Have these appeared with Him in glory already? No. It will happen THEN, when He shall appear.
John agrees with Paul, “But we know that, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2. Think for a moment about the implications of that statement.
John could not have believed that the righteous dead were already in the presence of the Lord. If so, they were able to see him “as he is” at that very moment, and they would already be changed into the “likeness” of Christ. However, he refutes the idea that any have seen him yet and declares unequivocally that it will all happen “when he shall appear.”
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[edit] Misinterpretation: "I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise"
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Aliases: What happens to me when I die?
