By Maria Merola אריאל
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance February 2017
I have been teaching biblical concepts on the internet via podcasts, radio, blogs, and social media since 2004. What I have observed, is that there are many who are unskilled in knowing how to rightly divide the Scriptures. These people often make declarations on Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms that are based on one cherry-picked verse.
And then there are those who follow these people doing the cherry-picking, and that’s how these errors become wide-spread. One of these “widespread errors,” has to do with what happens to righteous souls when they die in Messiah.
Concerning where the righteous go upon death, and the resurrection of the dead, I have seen many making false claims that there is no “ASCENSION TO HEAVEN,” even though that is how Ya’aqob (Jacob) was converted and had his name changed to Yisra’el!
How many of you realize that there is “NO CROSSING OVER” without making “ALIYAH?” What is “ALIYAH?”
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the malakiym (messengers) of Elohiym ASCENDING [ALIYAH] and descending on it.
The Hebrew word that is used for “ascending” in the above verse is as follows:
#5927 `alah aw-law' a primitive root; to ascend, be high, arise up, (cause to) ascend up, take away, (up) raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up).
#5944 `aliyah al-ee-yaw' feminine from 5927; something lofty, i.e. a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky:--ascent, (upper) chamber, going up, loft, parlour.
The way that we are “born-again” of incorruptible seed, (1st Peter 2:3; Romans 8:23) is that we must “ASCEND TO HEAVEN,” just like our Messiah did. The Apostle Sha’uwl (Paul) explained that the bride of Messiah must follow in the same pattern as her bridegroom, when it comes to death, burial, and resurrection:
Romiym (Romans) 6:3 Know you not, that so many of us as were immersed (baptized) into Yahuwshuwa ha’Mashiyach were baptized into his death?
Romiym (Romans) 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by immersion (baptism) into death: that like as Mashiyach (Messiah) was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romiym (Romans) 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Ephsiym (Ephesians) 4:8 Wherefore he says, When he ASCENDED [ALIYAH] UP ON HIGH, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Ephsiym (Ephesians) 4:9 Now that he ASCENDED, what is it but that he also DESCENDED FIRST INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH?
Ephsiym (Ephesians) 4:10 He that DESCENDED is the same also that ASCENDED FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS, that he might fill all things.
The Greek word that is used in the above passages is equivalent to the Hebrew word “aliyah.”
#305. anabaino an-ab-ah'-ee-no from 303 and the base of 939; to go up (literally or figuratively):--arise, ascend (up), climb (go, grow, rise, spring) up, come (up).
#304. anabathmos an-ab-ath-mos' from 305 (compare 898); a stairway:--stairs.
Prior to our Messiah’s resurrection, all righteous souls that died, went to a place called “Abraham’s Bosom” (Luke 16:22), which was in Sheol.
However, after our Messiah died, he DESCENDED to Abraham’s Bosom, to redeem all those righteous souls from Sheol, giving them the gift of ETERNAL LIFE!
After he DESCENDED, HE ALSO ASCENDED to the Father in Heaven, to bring those souls with him as his “FIRST-FRUITS WAVE SHEAF OFFERING!”
At the same time that the High Priest in the Temple was “waving” the first-cut barley, our Messiah was in the THIRD HEAVEN aka PARADISE, waving his “FIRST-FRUITS OF SOULS” before the Father in heaven! (see Leviticus 23:10-20).
Moving forward, all those who die in Messiah, have their spirit/soul (neshema) GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN UPON DEATH!
Qorintiym Beyt (2nd Corinthians) 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with YHWH.
Sha’uwl (Paul) explained in 1st Corinthians 15:44, that we have a “natural body” (which decays in the grave), and a “spiritual body,” which houses our neshema (soul/spirit).
When we die in Messiah, our corruptible body sleeps in the grave, while our neshema (soul/spirit) goes straight to the “Third Heaven,” aka “Paradise!”
At the future resurrection day, our corruptible bodies in the grave will rise, be regenerated, and be joined to our spirit/soul (neshema).
In Ezekiel 37, it tells us that the “DRY BONES” will be resurrected, as they are “THE WHOLE HOUSE OF YISRA’EL,” and it says that they are “AN EXCEEDING GREAT ARMY!”
In Chazown (Revelation) 19:7-8, we are told that Messiah’s “WIFE HAS MADE HERSELF READY...AND TO HER WAS GRANTED THAT SHE SHOULD BE CLOTHED IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND WHITE, FOR THE FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE QODESHIYM (SAINTS).”
Chazown (Revelation) 19:14 And THE ARMIES WHICH WERE IN HEAVEN FOLLOWED HIM UPON WHITE HORSES, CLOTHED IN FINE LINEN WHITE AND CLEAN.
THE ARMIES IN HEAVEN WHO FOLLOW HIM BACK TO EARTH IS HIS BRIDE!!!
The bride is “CAUGHT UP” to meet him in the air, to go to the heavenly chuppah during the “Ten Days of Awe” (Revelation 2:10).
After those ten days between The Feast of Trumpets & The Day of Atonement are finished, the bride returns back to earth with the bridegroom, and they will fight against the beast and his army! See Revelation 19:11-21.
Our Messiah promised the thief next to him on the cross, that he would be with him that very same day in Paradise:
Luqas (Luke) 23:43 And Yahuwshuwa said unto him, Verily I say unto you, Today shall you be with me in PARADISE.
Where is Paradise? Paradise is in the Third Heaven. Did you know that that Scripture describes “three heavens?”
Qorintiym Beyt (2nd Corinthians) 12:2-4 “I knew a man in Messiah above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: Elohiym knows;) such a one CAUGHT UP TO THE THIRD HEAVEN...How that he was CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
Chazown (Revelation) 2:7 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the assemblies; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of THE TREE OF LIFE, which is in the midst of the PARADISE OF ELOHIYM.
In Revelation, the seventh chapter, we learn that there are 144,000 (12,000 from each of the twelve tribes) that are sealed in advance in the foreheads, before the “Second Coming” of Messiah.
To learn more about the 144,000, see my other blog: Who are the 144,000?
After these 144,000 are numbered and sealed, another group of people are seen standing before the throne in heaven, and they have come out of “Great Tribulation.” Who are they?
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our Elohiym which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the malakiym (angels) stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped Elohiym,
12 Saying, Awmane: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our Elohiym forever and ever. Awmane.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
*Paraphrase: Where did they come from?
Chazown (Revelation) 7:
14 And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of Elohiym, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.
In the previous chapter, we learn more about these people who are standing at the throne of Elohiym in heaven:
Chazown (Revelation) 6:
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of Elohiym, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O YHWH, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
In other words, this is during the Great Tribulation, and these souls are being told that they have to wait for their fellow servants to be martyred also, before their blood will be avenged.
These are the people who had been martyred for their faith prior to the Great Tribulation. Revelation 7, is therefore describing those that were killed during the Great Tribulation, and are now in heaven, worshiping Elohiym at the throne.
This is obviously describing the bride of Messiah, before they return to earth on white horses with the bridegroom, as per Revelation 19. This is the same group of people whose corruptible bodies will be resurrected, and then “caught up to heaven” on the Feast of Trumpets, for the marriage in heaven.
The consummation of an ancient Hebrew wedding lasted for seven literal days, just as we see in the pattern of Jacob & Leah’s honeymoon (Genesis 29:27-28).
The wedding of Samson also lasted for a literal seven days (Judges 14:12). This same pattern points us to the future consummation in the honeymoon chuppah between Yahuwshuwa and his bride. These seven days for the bride to consummate with the bridegroom in the heavenly chuppah, will be “Inside of the the ten days of tribulation” (see Psalm 19:5; Joel 2:16, Revelation 2:10).
In other words, there are a total of “ten days” from the Feast of Trumpets until the Day of Atonement (inclusive), and inside of these ten days, are the same seven days that Leah & Jacob consummated their marriage. How do we know, when the Scriptures seem to be silent about what time of year this was?
By observing the pattern of the two brides of Jacob (Leah & Rachel), and by knowing that Jacob married both brides “Inside of fourteen days, and inside of fourteen years,” we can deduce that Ya’aqob (Jacob) took both of his brides inside of the three Fall Feasts:
1.) Yom Teruwah (Feast of Trumpets).
2.) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
3.) Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).
You will notice that there are a total of ten days (inclusive) from the Feast of Trumpets until the Day of Atonement. Then, there are five more days until the Feast of Tabernacles.
And finally, there are a total of seven days for the Feast of Tabernacles, where the bride and groom live in “temporary shelters,” and this is followed by “The eighth day,” when the bride and groom go into their permanent abode for all of eternity.
The #10, for the Ten Days of Awe (between Trumpets & Atonement), represents the Ten Northern Tribes of Yisra’el who have been exiled in the nations, but will be called back home at Messiah’s return. The #10 also pictures the Ten Virgins in the parable taught by our Messiah in Matthew 25.
The #5, is for the five days between the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Five in Scripture represents the five books of Moses, called “Towrah.” This is why in the parable of the Ten Virgins, five of them are wise, and five of them are foolish. Both groups of virgins are obedient to the Towrah (Mosaic Law), which is why there are “five,” of them each.
However, the five foolish virgins are missing the “oil,” in their lamps, which is the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit), and it is the Ruwach (Spirit) who also reveals to the bride his “true name!” (Song of Solomon 1:3).
On the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), both brides (typified in Leah & Rachel) will celebrate the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” together, having become “one stick” in the hand of YaHuWaH following the resurrection of the firstborn bride (typified in Leah) on the Feast of Trumpets (Ezekiel 37:15-22).
This is a hint that within these two marriages between Jacob and his two brides, are the “Whole House of Yisra’el,” as all twelve tribes were predestined to be born to Jacob’s two wives and two concubines.
The #22 therefore, is pointing to the idea that all twelve tribes end up becoming “One new man,” (Ephesians 2:15), having 22 chromosomes.
Ten Lost Tribes + Five Wise Virgins + Seven Overcoming Assemblies, when they are joined to the Father & Son (who are one), they will become one restored new man!
10 + 5 + 7 + 1 = 22
To understand the timing of these events, see these other blogs:
Scripture goes into much detail about what happens to our body, soul, and spirit when we die in Messiah.
Romans 8:23 tells us that since our Messiah’s resurrection from the dead (which took place on the Feast of First Fruits), we have only received “THE FIRST FRUITS OF OUR REDEMPTION.”
HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL AWAITING THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES!
Therefore, “Resurrection Day” is still in the future, for those of us that are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! In the meantime, what happens when a Post-Crucifixion follower of Yah dies?
The Pre-Crucifixion followers of Yah went to a place of comfort and rest called “Abraham’s Bosom” when they died. These Pre-Crucifixion followers of Yah taught “life after death,” and that everyone who departed from this world, went to a place of conscious existence (see Luke 16:19-31).
The general term for this place was “Sheol,” which could be translated “The grave” or “The realm of the dead.” The wicked were there (Psalm 9:17; 31:17; 49:14; Isaiah 5:14), and so were the righteous (Genesis 37:35; Job 14:13; Psalm 6:5; 16:10; 88:3; Isaiah 38:10).
However, for the Post-Crucifixion followers of Yah, Sheol is only for those that are destined for Hades aka “Hell” or “Gehenna” (Luke 16:19–31).
Prior to Messiah’s resurrection, Hades was divided into two realms:
1.) A place of comfort where Lazarus was (Abraham’s bosom or Abraham’s side).
2.) A place of torment where the rich man was (Gehenna, or Hell).
The place of torment is called “Gehenna” in the Greek Concordance in Mark 9:45. Between Abraham’s Bosom and Hell (the two districts of Hades) there was “A great chasm” (Luke 16:26).
The fact that no one could cross this chasm indicates that, after death, one’s fate is sealed.
In Ephesians 4:8-9, we learn that our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa “DESCENDED INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH....AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN!”
In other words, he went there to preach the good news to all the righteous souls that had died, and had gone to Abraham’s Bosom, prior to this sacrifice on the cross. He also preached to the demonic spirits in prison, putting them on notice, that he now had in his possession “The Keys of Death & Hell” (1st Peter 3:19; Revelation 1:18). This means that the authority Satan had before the crucifixion was now stripped from him!
Few people realize that our Messiah fulfilled “THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS,” by redeeming souls those in Abraham’s Bosom, presenting them before the Father in heaven as his “WAVE-SHEAF OFFERING!”
To understand this ordinance, see Leviticus 23:9-14. The High Priest was commanded to wave the first sheaf of the first-cut barley of the spring harvest each year following Passover.
But here is the CAVEAT!
These redeemed souls were not given their immortal, incorruptible, bodies yet! Romans 8:23 tells us that there is a specific day for all the redeemed to be given their incorruptible, (immortal) bodies:
Romiym (Romans) 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, WHICH IS THE REDEPTION OF THE BODY.
Many people like to cite this passage as proof that nobody goes to heaven:
Yahuwchanon (John) 3:13 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
This passage is telling us that nobody has BODILY ASCENDED YET!
How do we know that is what John 3:13 is conveying? The context of John 3:13 is better understood, when reading the previous verses of John 3:1-12. The interaction that took place between our Messiah and Nicodemus was BEFORE the resurrection, and our Messiah was explaining that up until that point “no man” had ascended into heaven yet!
3 Yahuwshuwa answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Elohiym.
4 Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Yahuwshuwa answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of Elohiym.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Ruwach (Spirit) is ruwach (spirit).
*Explanation: our Messiah is making a distinction here between being born physically, (via the water in the amniotic sack of a womb), and being born spiritually from above (from heaven).
Yahuwchanon (John) 3:
7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Ruwach (Spirit).
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Yahuwshuwa answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Yisrael, and know not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Yahuwshuwa was explaining to Nicodemus the difference between being born naturally into this world, and being born spiritually from above. This is the reason why he explained to Nicodemus that no man had ascended yet into heaven!
You see, moving forward, our Messiah was going to go into the lower parts of the earth (following his death on the tree, and he would then bring those souls in Abraham's Bosom (Paradise) up to heaven, before the throne as his “FIRST FRUITS OFFERING!”
In 1st Corinthians 15:44, we are told that there is “A NATURAL BODY & A SPIRITUAL BODY.”
The spiritual body that we receive upon death houses our spirit and soul (neshama), until that future event, when all those who died in Messiah will be given a permanent, incorruptible, glorified body.
Here is the Hebrew word for the spirit and soul:
#H5397 nshamah nesh-aw-maw' from 5395; a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect or (concretely) breath, inspiration, soul, spirit.
Therefore, the spiritual body that followers of Messiah receive upon death, is only a temporary one (which houses our neshesma), until that future day, when the bride of Messiah corporately receives “The redemption of the body.”
Examples of the use of the word “neshama” can be found in the creation account, when YaHuWaH breathed into the nostrils of mankind, giving him breath:
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:7 And YHWH Elohiym formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [neshama]; and man became a living soul [chay nephesh].
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 7:22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life [neshama], of all that was in the dry land, died.
Another Hebrew word that is closely related to neshama, is the word nephesh.
#H5315 nephesh neh'-fesh from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, desire, lust, man, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, soul.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 1:20 And Elohiym said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has [nephesh] life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 1:21 And Elohiym created great whales, and every living creature [nephesh] that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and Elohiym saw that it was good.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 1:24 And Elohiym said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature [nephesh] after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 1:30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life [nephesh], I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
As you can see, the word “nephesh” pertains to both animals and humans. Plant life is not included, because plants do not move or talk. However, the word “neshama” is the breath of Yah that animates all living creatures.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:1-14 bears this out, because we are told that when the corporate bride of Messiah is brought up from their graves, they will be given “New skin, flesh, and bones!”
So what is a “spiritual body?”
Our spiritual body houses our neshama—our soul and spirit, (upon death), until that future event known in Ezekiel 37, as “The Valley of the Dry Bones.” This is when our spirit and soul (neshema) will join our new glorified bodies! In the meantime, our neshema is being held by a temporary, spiritual body in heaven.
Post-Crucifixion, when an unbeliever dies, he goes immediately to the torment side of Hades aka “Hell.” At the final judgment, Hades will be emptied before the Great White Throne, where its occupants will be judged prior to entering the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:13–15).
On the other hand, when a believer in Messiah dies today, (Post-Crucifixion), he is “ABSENT FROM THE NATURAL BODY, AND PRESENT WITH YHWH” in heaven (2nd Corinthians 5:6–9).
There, he joins those who were redeemed by our Messiah from Abraham’s Bosom, as they are given “The First-fruits of the Spirit...until the redemption of the body!” (Romans 8:23).
A resurrection awaits everyone—either a resurrection to eternal life or a resurrection to “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
Scripture clearly states that Post-Crucifixion believers who have died, will be resurrected at the event we call the “Harpazo” (Post-Tribulation Rapture), aka the catching away of the bride (1st Thessalonians 4:16–17).
Both the Pre-Crucifixion & Post-Crucifixion followers of Yah will be joined to their glorified, immortal bodies at the end of the tribulation period, when Yahuwshuwa returns to earth to set up his millennial kingdom (Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14).
Here is an inconvenient truth for those that believe in “Soul Sleep!”
In Revelation 6, the souls under the throne in heaven are crying out for their blood to be avenged, and our Messiah tells them that they must wait for the rest of “qodeshiym” (holy ones or saints) to be martyred, before their blood can be avenged!
Chazown (Revelation) 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I SAW UNDER THE ALTAR, THE SOULS OF THEM THAT WERE SLAIN FOR THE WORD OF Elohiym, and for the testimony which they held.
Chazown (Revelation) 6:10 AND THEY CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAYING HOW LONG, O YHWH, HOLY AND TRUE, DO YOU NOT JUDGE AND AVENGE OUR BLOOD ON THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH?
Chazown (Revelation) 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and IT WAS SAID UNTO THEM, THAT THEY SHOULD REST YET FOR A LITTLE SEASON, UNTIL THEIR FELLOW-SERVANTS ALSO, AND THEIR BRETHREN, THAT SHOULD BE KILLED AS THEY WERE, SHOULD BE FULFILLED.
Do you see this? These souls are in heaven, under the throne, and they are petitioning Elohiym at the throne for vengeance! Their souls are not sleeping! They are awake, alive, and conscious!
Scripture teaches that when we die, (having been redeemed by Messiah), our mortal body decays in the ground, but our ruwach (spirit) goes back to Elohiym in heaven who gave it!
Ecclesiastes 12:7 THEN SHALL THE DUST RETURN TO EARTH AS IT WAS: AND THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN TO ELOHIYM WHO GAVE IT.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be CLOTHED UPON WITH OUR HOUSE WHICH IS FROM HEAVEN:
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, WHILE WE ARE AT HOME IN THE BODY, WE ARE ABSENT FROM YHWH.
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 5:8 We are confident, I say, and WILLING RATHER TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY, AND TO BE PRESENT WITH YHWH.
The Apostle Shaul (Paul) taught us that there is “A NATURAL BODY & A SPIRITUAL BODY.” The natural body is what decays (sleeps) in the grave. The spiritual body is what houses our spirit and soul (neshema).
When we die, our body remains in the grave, but our “neshema,” (spirit and soul) go immediately to heaven, as we are clothed, or housed in a “SPIRITUAL BODY!” The spiritual body is what houses our “neshema.”
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 15:44 It is sown A NATURAL BODY; it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY. There is A NATURAL BODY and there is A SPIRITUAL BODY.
On that final day when the qodeshiym (holy ones, saints), are changed into immortality, (as per Ezekiel 37), they will be raised up out of their graves, and given a new body, with new skin, flesh, and bones! They will also have new breath breathed into them, and shall become a great army called “The Whole House of Yisra’el!”
Therefore, it is obvious that when a person redeemed by our Messiah dies, their spirit and soul (neshema) goes immediately to heaven in a spiritual body, where they await that future event of Ezekiel 37:1-14, which is also explained in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17, and 1st Corinthians 15:50-55. Their body decays in the grave, but their soul and spirit never die!
Our Messiah even explained this to us when he said in John 11:26 “And whosoever lives and believes in me, shall never die. Do you believe this?”
This means that we shall not taste death, at all, if we are in covenant with YaHuWaH, and follow Messiah! It means that when we die, only the body dies, but the spirit and soul (neshema), lives on in eternity!
Yahuwchanon (John) 8:52 “If a man keep my saying, he shall not taste death.”
The Future Resurrection Day
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O you dry bones, hear the word of YHWH.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:5 Thus saith YHWH Elohiym unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:6 And I WILL LAY SINEWS UPON YOU, AND WILL BRING UP FLESH UPON YOU, AND COVER YOU WITH SKIN, AND PUT BREATH IN YOU, AND YOU SHALL LIVE; AND YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM YHWH.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:8 And when I beheld, lo, THE SINEWS AND THE FLESH CAME UPON THEM, AND THE SKIN COVERED THEM ABOVE: BUT THERE WAS NO BREATH IN THEM.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus says YHWH Elohiym; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 37:10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and THE BREATH CAME INTO THEM, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL BE CHANGED,
Note: the Greek word for “sleep” in the above passage is as follows:
#G2837. koimao koy-mah'-o from 2749; to put to sleep, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease:--(be a-, fall a-, fall on) sleep, be dead.
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 15:52 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.
*Note: the Greek word for “dead” in the above passage is as follows:
#G3498. nekros nek-ros' from an apparently primary nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead.
1st Qorintiym (Corinthians) 15:53 For THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY.
What About Soul Sleep?
There are three Scriptures that I want to share with you, about how the body appears to be sleeping, for those that have died. Is their body sleeping, or is their soul also sleeping as well?
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
The Hebrew word for sleep in the above passage is as follows:
#H3463 yashen yaw-shane' from 3462; sleepy:--asleep, (one out of) sleep(-eth, -ing), slept.
#H3462 yashen yaw-shane' a primitive root; properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old, stale or inveterate: -old (store), remain long, (make to) sleep.
You will notice that the Hebrew word for “sleep,” (yashen) is used “figuratively” to describe death!
It does not mean that the dead person is literally asleep. The Bible often uses poetic language when describing things as they appear to the observer.
Yahuwchanon (John) 11:11 These things said he: and after that he said unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
#G2837. koimao koy-mah'-o from 2749; to put to sleep, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease:--(be a-, fall a-, fall on) sleep, be dead.
It is the same language we use when we have to euthanize a pet that has become too old, and is suffering. We do not tell our children that we are going to kill their dog or their cat.
That would be too traumatic for them. Instead, we tell them that we have to put the pet to sleep. We know that the pet is permanently dead, once the animal has been put down. Yet, we use the word “sleep,” as a figure of speech, to help soften the blow.
The same word (koimao) is used in the following passage to describe death:
1st Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Yahuwshuwa died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Yahuwshuwa will Elohiym bring with him.
In the account of Jairus’s daughter, our Messiah uses an interesting choice of words when describing her condition.
Luke 8:49 While he yet spoke, there came one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Your daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
*Note: the above word for “dead” is a different Greek word than what was used previously.
#G2348. thnesko thnay'-sko a strengthened form of a simpler primary thano than'-o (which is used for it only in certain tenses); to die (literally or figuratively):--be dead, die.
Luke 8:52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps.
Luke 8:53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
#H2518. katheudo kath-yoo'-do from 2596 and heudo (to sleep); to lie down to rest, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively):--(be a-)sleep.
Now, we have to wonder why our Messiah did not use the same word for “sleep,” for this 12-year old little girl, as he did with Lazarus in John 11:11.
My hunch is that with Lazarus, he had been dead for four days, and had been wrapped in linen, and placed into a tomb. This means that his spirit and soul (neshama) had already departed his body, and had begun the journey to his heavenly abode, before he was resurrected.
With the daughter of Jairus, she had only died recently, and she had not yet been a buried. I presume that body had not yet begun to decay. This is perhaps, why our Messiah used the euphemism of her being asleep. It is because he knew that he was about to raise her up from the dead. He was letting them know that her condition was only temporary.
A few different views I've found on this subject...however I come into agreement with yours.
ReplyDeleteMy own personal experience in March 2007 seal this for me and some who think differently really have no explanation as to what they believe and what my account is.
Here is an extremely short version of what occured that evening...I had what is termed a widow maker and should be dead and in fact for a period of time I was dead. Just a little point to make...as I lay on the O R table and life begins to leave you it's actually a beautiful moment and one that forever changed me. I was totally conscience of everything going on as my body stopped and the Shemayin opened up...just magnificent!
Then I was taken and as if shot out of a bow and then I arrived in a place of just unreal peace and I knew I was with my Creator.
My words to Him were...Father I know that no one would ever want to leave here, but I know that what you created me for has not been finished yet and so I am asking you to send me back.
Immediately this Eternal Love poured over me, went into me and it was so intense it's hard to convey properly.
And then I was back in my body in the O R...the doctor tells me they had lost me for a while and I said...I know that and then he brings the floroscope over and shows me a replay of what happened.
What he was unable to explain is why my heart had no dark or shaded areas. In other words my heart had been completely healed and remains that way.
I take this as He gave me proof of where I was and to tell others.
Was I deserving? Absolutely not! At the time I was still in church, never had heard of His real Name or Set Apart Ways...I was wretched but I did know there was more to Him than what we were being taught.
The linger version is much longer and my hope is that someone would gleam something from this.
Shalom Brother Jim!
DeleteThanks for sharing that amazing testimony! I am going to be teaching on this subject this coming Shabbat (January 15th 2022), and I would like you to join us so that you can share some of your testimony!
Please contact me on Facebook Messenger or at my email address: DoublePortionInheritance@gmail.com. Let me know if you will be able to join us this coming Shabbat at 12 Noon PST.
Wow Jim that's beautiful.Haleluya
Delete'Unknown'
ReplyDeleteDo you NOT KNOW???
Have you NOT READ
that it is UNSCRIPTURAL
FOR ANY TRUE BELIEVER
to communicate wiih THE DEAD???
Amazing Maria mam description about the redeemed souls , I also was mistaken recently with some of these false claims regarding where our souls go after we die. Now I got a good conclusion from the Word of God which u explained through the Holy spirit about the mystery of our journeys to Hell or Heaven after we die. Thank u so much for this amazing study on this subject
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