[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 017

Sat Apr 28 20:22:50 CDT 2007

The Messenger

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

bibleanswers at charter.net                                    www.mainstreetcofc.com

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

VOLUME 002::ISSUE 017::April 29, 2007  

ARTICLE ONE: The Bitter Fruit of Folly

ARTICLE TWO: What We Know About Hades

Article One: The Bitter Fruit of Folly

      On April 16, 2007 a young man began a shooting rampage in a dormitory and then an education building on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. During this tragic event 32 innocent lives were taken; then the gunmen took his own life.

Just eight short years ago on April 20,1999 two young men entered their own high school in Littleton, Colorado and began what was then the deadliest killing spree among young people-when 15 people were killed and 24 were injured.

Between these two occurrences: Nine more similar incidents were written in the pages of history in California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington State and even Tennessee. These tragedies were all carried out by young students. Are these just random events or are these events the fruits of modern influence? Perhaps if we can see some underlying circumstances we might be able to make some corrections for our own families and those around us.

Looking For a Point of Blame 

There are those who want to simply resign this to an "irrational act"; one that cannot be rationally understood. In these horrible situations one cannot help but ask this simple question, "Why?" To what or whom does the blame for these events belong? Certainly the bulk of the guilt of these horrifying crimes belongs to the perpetrators. But is there a root cause behind these and other echoing tragedies? Is it guns, parents, the school system, the internet, the media, the lack of security in our schools? 

With some liberty to further observe our modern world there may be a better understanding of these events. There is a growing lack of respect for God in our country-a common lack of respect for God's word from the Government down to the general public. Society seems to be determined on tearing down any reminders of God and promoting laws that would perpetuate His ban. 

What has brought society in general so far away from God? Many things may be pointed out but let me suggest that our points in this lesson are prime culprits in what we are tasting today-the bitter fruits of folly.

Some blame God for problems-take the time to consider these facts: God provides righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and is about peace (Philippians 4:9) and strongly desires for all souls to be saved (Matthew 28:18-20). God provides truth (John 17:17). Knowing these facts we also know that God is not to blame for these, or any, tragedies. God does not promote carnality (2 Corinthians 10:1-6; Ephesians 6:10-12). The removal of God: removes righteousness (Romans 3:10-12) and truth (Romans 2:5-10). Removing God leaves us with no standard of right or declaration of wrong. Without God there is no ultimate answering for our decisions (2 Corinthians 5:10). This is the necessary conclusion of all teachings of men that are void of God.

Humanism Is a Point of Blame

Humanism is the elevation of man to the ultimate being in this universe; it is the total refusal of God as the Creator or the Divine Loving Provider that His is. Humanist ideas are not new (Romans 1:20-25). This very popular idea leads all of its adherents to the necessary conclusion that humans are not answerable to anyone.

What can we do? We must now, and always, realize the facts of Psalm 100:3 "Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture."  Cherish the Bible-God's communication with us (Hebrews 1:1-2; 3 Timothy 3:16-17). The Humanist Manifesto can be quoted saying, "It is time that we put away the restraints of the past quaint idea that there is a God". They would teach that it is foolish to believe in a Higher Being. They say it is unreasonable and unintelligent. The truth is."The fool says in his heart there is no God" (Psalm 14:1). The word of God is perfect (Psalm 19:6-11), everlasting (Matthew 24:35), the guide for every soul, and the standard of each one's judgment (John 12:48). 

The Teaching of Evolution Is a Point of Blame

The removal of God is of course joined with a discarding of His book-the Bible. Without God's answers we are left with man's guesses. The promotion of evolution is a root behind many modern problems. If evolution is true and we are here by chance and circumstance only: then we ultimately answer to no one but our self. The ideals of right and wrong are completely subjective and dependent upon one's own view. All these points being considered, the only realistic conclusion is that human life without much value. In fact, one might sum life up as being only as valuable as the primordial ooze from which we first began to evolve. 

The truth is evolution is at best a guess, an assumption, and a hypothesis. It cannot be proven. Evolution has never once been reproduced in a lab and therefore does not have a scientific right to be validated as a theory-let alone the "fact" that so many claim. At no time has man ever found solid evidence to support the wild guess of evolution.

What can we do? We must teach that God created us (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3) with purpose. We are hear to rule the earth (Genesis 1:26); to seek our Creator (Acts 17:27) and to worship Him (John 4:23-24). We are here to find God and do His will by our own free choice. In the fulfillment of these points of purpose we also find God's rewards (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 11:6). We must consistently teach that God places a high value on human life. He always has (Genesis 9:6 Take a life; your life should be taken). We must teach that God places a high value on the human soul. God gave His Son for our souls (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). 

Conclusion: Humanism is not new; we read about Humanists in Romans 1:20-25. The root of the "problems" that we now seeing is one thing: Godlessness. This is the problem that rises up in a society that thinks too highly of its own intelligence. It is ironic because through the pursuit of higher thinking most rest on foolish conclusions. 

We must teach both the young and the older that God is. God is our Creator.  God will judge. By promoting the truth about God we may be able to build again that which has been destroyed by the teachings of Godlessness. We also must continue to teach that God's way will end problems and human conflicts. God loves His creation and has given His only Son for them. That brings us to the ultimate message that we must share with you today. At the bottom of this e-bulletin there is a chart that outlines God's plan of salvation. Consider the progression of points and the scriptures that support each need. Then please obey God today. ~tss

Article Two: What We Know About Hades

    It is hard to determine if there has ever been a subject that has been more worrisome, more troubling to minds or that has involved more indecision-than the time after death. There are many who have set out to "cross over" and return. As of yet, none, except those who God, by miraculous means, has raised have returned from the realm of death. (None of those individual told us anything about that place). 

    The subject of our existence beyond this mortal life is the focus of our lesson today. Specifically, we are going to consider the Hadean Realm-better known simply as "Hades". The Bible has not left its readers in the dark on the subject of death. There are a number of passages that give us insight to this seemingly obscure subject. 

Things We Know About Hades.

            We know that Hades is mentioned in the Old Testament.  The term used in the Old Testament is the Hebrew term "Sheol". Passages such as 2 Samuel 22:6, Job 11:8, 17:16, 26:6, Psalms 16:10, 18:5, 86:13,116:3, Proverbs 1:12, Isaiah 5:14, 14:11; 14:15; 28:15; 28:18; 38:10; 38:18; 57:9, and Jonah 22 all mention this place as real. 

This limited Old Testament information concerning Sheol, the "holding place" of departed spirits, seems one sided. The inspired writers of these words seemed to make reference to "the lower pits of Sheol" or "the suffering" of that place. For some balance there are references made to a place of rest where their ancestors awaited them. This is perhaps a reference to the "good" side of Sheol. Some thirty-six times the reference is made to "resting with the fathers" and is said of such notables as David, Solomon, Omri, Hezekiah, and Manasseh. (1 Kings 2:10, 11:21, 11:43, 14:20, 14:31, 15:8, 15:24, 16:6, 16:28, 22:40, 22:50, as well as many references in, 2 Kings, and 2 Chronicles).

            We know that Hades is mentioned in the New Testament. The term used is first an English transliteration from the Greek letter to the English letter "Haide" and then it is further translated into our English word Hades. Matthew 16:18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Here Jesus is referencing to Hades as a powerful place. He is stating that, even though it is powerful, it will not overpower His church. His church would be able to withstand the captivity (within the gates) of Hades.

Luke 16:19-31 and Hades

            The passage found at Luke 16:19-31 explains more about this subject than any other. Although, Jesus speaks of a place which He called Hades in Matthew 11:23, 16:18; Luke 10:15; He did this without any further explanation. When we read Luke 16:19-31, we see that Jesus reveals many more details concerning this place called Hades.

            The things that are taught by this passage are: 

    1. It is place that is found after death (v.22)    

    2. Angels carried the righteous soul to "Abraham's Bosom" (v.22)

    3. There is also a place   of torment (V.23).

    4. There was some recognition or consciousness there (vs. 23)

    5. The torment is true suffering-burning in flame (v. 24)

    6. Those in Abraham's bosom were comforted (vs. 25)

    7. There is a barrier in between those two places (vs.26)     

    8. A barrier, which cannot be crossed (vs.26).

    9. There was some consciousness of the past life (vs.27-28)

     We know, according to this passage, that Hades is the holding place of all souls. Those who are unrighteous are held in torments (Luke 16:23). Those who are righteous are held in paradise (Luke 16:23). All souls are held in Hades until that final Day of Judgment. At the time of judgment that realm called Hades will be destroyed in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). Those who have done the will of God, will be granted entrance into eternal life in Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23). Those who have not done God's will be sent away to eternal torments (Matthew 25:46).

Hades Has a Purpose and A Place

            We know that there is a place for the soul of man to reside between this life and the great Day of Judgment (Acts 17:30-31). We learn from Luke 16:19-31 that both good and evil are held in this place called Hades. Its purpose is singular in nature: simply a place for departed souls to dwell. Its place is spiritual; it is not on this earth, nor in Heaven. It is separated from this life by mortality; we must die to enter Hades. It is not in Heaven; it is separated from God's dwelling place. We learn this from Jesus who said He would be in Paradise-the good side of Hades (Luke 23:43). We know that He did not stay there (Acts 2:27-31). 

            We know that Paradise was not God's dwelling when Jesus says, "Do not cling to Me, I have not yet ascended to My Father..." in John 20:17 after His resurrection. We also know that it is not eternal. It will be destroyed in the Day of Judgment (Revelation 20:13-14). All souls will be released from Hades in the resurrection of the last day (1 Corinthians 15:42-55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" Christ has the key to our release (Revelation 1:18). 

Conclusion:

       We know that Hades is a place for departed souls to dwell awaiting judgment. There are two separate areas: one for the righteous and the other for the unrighteous. There is no opportunity for release from one side to the other in either direction. We know it exists and the scriptures teach that it still exists today and everyday until the last day when it will give up those souls who dwell there and it will be destroyed in the lake of fire. The side called Paradise or Abraham's bosom is where we need to be heading.  That place of rest is prepared for the faithful. It is not our ultimate reward in Heaven, but it is a place closer to God, separated from the works of the flesh and from sins. 

            Hades is a place where we will know where we are and why. The side called torments is clearly a punishment-a foretaste of Hell. Those who have charted their own course and either disregarded, ignored, or refused God's will, shall find themselves suffering there. They also will know where they are and why. 

            The one verse that perhaps intrigues me most about that place is found in Luke 16:22, where we are told that angels carried the beggar's soul to Paradise. What a wonderful thought. Those who are righteous will be taken to this place called Paradise-a foretaste of Heaven, to await the final Judgment. The only thing that remains is the question of where you want to be. The preparation time is now. Which will it be? ~tss

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   Sean

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