Retrobyter

Shalom to all. Time to get back to the topic. For the rest of us who have no problem believing that we live upon the surface of a planet that is spherical with a circumference known to be 24,902 miles, I'd like to draw your attention to my signature lines: The avatar now reflects a cut-away view of the New Jerusalem showing the twelve foundation stones, each a level of this three-dimensional city of the future. It is the "stone CUT out of the mountain without hands that ... became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth!" (Dan. 2:35, 45) It is the LITERAL "mountain of the house of the LORD!" (Mic. 4:1-2) Yeshua` is the "stone which the builders rejected that has become the head stone of the corner!" (Psalm 118:22) The children of Israel KNEW what a "capstone" was after spending 430 years in Egypt! (Compare that to the mere 240 years (now 243 years) the United States of America has been in existence!) Let's investigate this a little deeper: Here's Daniel 2:35-45 in the KJV: Daniel 2:31-45 (KJV) 31 Thou, O king (Nebuchadnezzar), sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings (world emperor): for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee (Medo-Persia), and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth (Macedonia/Greece). 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron (Rome): forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. So, picture what Nebuchadnezzar was seeing about the kingdom which shall never be destroyed: He sees a mountain. Then, he sees the stone cut out of this mountain without hands. Stone cutters usually cut flat sides. Then, the stone breaks the other kingdoms in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, and finally, that stone grows becoming itself a great mountain that fills the whole earth. A cone is a "pyramid" with an infinite number of "sides" and a circle for its base. Mountains, regardless how steep or shallow its slopes, are generally CONICAL in shape. However, a cone that has flat sides with a polygon for a base is called a pyramid. Now, the pyramid is not necessarily a square, right pyramid, but such a pyramid does have its precedence in those structures on the plain of Giza in Egypt. How much easier would it be for a pyramid-shaped stone to grow into a pyramid-shaped mountain? Then, we have Micah 4:1-2: Micah 4:1-2 (KJV) 1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths": for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. So, "the MOUNTAIN of the LORD'S house" (and the New Jerusalem IS called the "tent of our God") will be higher than the mountains and exalted above the hills! Sounds like the New Jerusalem to me! We read in Psalm 118:22-26 the following passage that was quoted quite a bit in the New Testament: Psalm 118:22-26 (KJV) 22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now (Hebrew: howshiy`aah naa', which was transliterated into the Greek as "Hosanna"), I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD (quoted by Yeshua` in Matthew 23:39): we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. The children of Israel spent 430 years in the land of Egypt (called Mizrayim in Hebrew), and most of that time was spent as slaves. They were possibly used in the making of some of those pyramids, and as I said, they were quite familiar with what a capstone was. The phrase "head stone of the corner" or the "stone at the head of the angle" is a perfect description of the capstone. This phrase is NOT talking about a "cornerstone" as that rectangular stone in the corner of the foundation of a building!

Shalom, R. Hartono. What more can I say? You have the wrong definition of "heaven," the wrong definition of "paradise," and the wrong philosophy/theology of the afterlife. And, while it comes as no shock to me that these would be in error, it's most unfortunate and heart-sickening to me. I'll reiterate what I said recently regarding the words of Yeshua` about the rich man and Elezar ("Lazarus"): First, let's look at the parable of the rich man and Elezar ("Lazarus"). To do this, one must go back a few verses, at least. The whole account begins in chapter 15, verse 1. Yeshua` had received the publicans and sinners - the outcasts of society, and the P'rushiym ("Pharisees") and the transcribers of the Torah, generally accepted to be the scholars and experts on the Bible, had noticed and commented on their disgust. So, Yeshua` gave them a few parables to correct their thinking: First, He gave them the parable of the man who lost one sheep out of 100 he owned and how he left the 99 to find the one, and rejoiced when he had found it! The 99 were never lost in the first place. Then, He gave them the parable of the woman who had 10 silver pieces and searched for a missing piece, and when she found it, she rejoiced with her friends! The 9 pieces were never lost in the first place. Then, He gave them the parable of the prodigal son. The son finally came humbly home and his father welcomed him back, while his brother who never left his father did not. In all three, something was lost and was found, and the one who had lost them, was rejoicing at the find. That which was lost represented the publicans and sinners! That which was not lost was everyone else in Israel, including the P'rushiym and the transcribers of the Torah, and these leaders were also represented by the brother who never left. Then, He gave them the parable of the unjust steward, a man who mismanaged his master's affairs, was caught in the act, and cushioned the blow he knew was coming by giving his master's debtors a break that would make him a welcome guest in the future. This was a warning to these leaders to act wisely before the hammer falls. We pick up the story here: Luke 16:10-31 (KJV) 10 "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them (the P'rushiym or Pharisees), "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16 "The law and the prophets (collectively the Tanakh, the whole Bible they had at the time) were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached (heralded), and every man presseth into it (pushes to get in). 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle (a hook on a Hebrew letter to distinguish it from another) of the law (the Torah) to fail. 18 "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. 19 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 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; 23 And in hell (Greek: en too hadee = "in the unseen" or "in the unknown") he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 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.' 25 "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. 26 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.' 27 "Then he said, "'I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham saith unto him, "'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 "And he said, "'Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 "And he said unto him, "'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.'" I should also mention that the rich man and Elezar ("Lazarus") is frequently misunderstood. The timing of this parable is NOT between death and the Resurrection; it's AFTER the Resurrection! The word used for "hell" in verse 23 is "hadee," the dative form of "hadees": 86 hadees (hah'-dace). From a (as negative particle) and eidoo; properly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls -- grave, hell. Greek uses a backward apostrophe called "rough breathing" over a vowel (or the second vowel in a diphthong) at the beginning of a word that we equate with an "h" sound in translation. Thus, in Greek it is spelled "alpha-delta-eta-sigma." 1492 eidoo (i'-do). A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent optanomai and horaoo; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know -- be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare optanomai. 3700 optanomai (op-tan'-om-ahee). A (middle voice [a specific form of passive voice]) prolonged form of the primary (middle voice) optomai (op'-tom-ahee); which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of horaoo; to gaze (i.e. With wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from blepoo, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from eidoo, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while theaomai, and still more emphatically its intensive theoreoo, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and skopeoo a watching from a distance) -- appear, look, see, shew self. 3708 horaoo (hor-ah'-o). Properly, to stare at (compare optanomai), i.e. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally); by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear -- behold, perceive, see, take heed. Despite the Greek influence on the usage of this word, including Greek mythology in which the Romans used the Latin equivalent "Pluto," the word itself is a word that is equivalent to what we call "the unknown." This man, the rich man, had his eyes. He had his feeling sensors in his skin such that he could be tormented in flame. He had his tongue. He had his ears to hear Avraham's response. He had his voice to call out to Avraham. This isn't evidence that "human spirits have eyes"; it's evidence that he was alive as a human body! He was already resurrected! That makes MUCH more sense than "human spirits have eyes!" The definition of "the heaven" is simply "the sky" (or "the skies") in both the Hebrew word "hashaamayim," and the Greek words "ho ouranos" and "hoi ouranoi." Genesis 1:6-8 (KJV) 6 And God said, "Let there be a firmament (Hebrew: raaqiya`) in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament "Heaven (Hebrew: hashaamayim, the same word used in Genesis 1:1 with the definite article)." And the evening and the morning were the second day. Here's the two words in Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary: 7549 raaqiya` (raw-kee'-ah). From raaqa'; properly, an expanse, i.e. The firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky -- firmament. 7554 raaqa` (raw-kah'). A primitive root; to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal) -- beat, make broad, spread abroad (forth, over, out, into plates), stamp, stretch. And, it IS an expanse; not a two-dimensional expanse like a plate, but a THREE-dimensional expanse of GASES! After all, they expanded to separate the waters above this expanse from the waters below this expanse which was later called "hamayim" or "the seas." 8064 shaamayim (shaw-mah'-yim). Dual of an unused singular shaameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve) -- air, X astrologer, heaven(-s). Actually, the dual refers more simply to the day sky and the night sky. The Greek is simple, too. The P'rushiym and Ts'duqiym ("Pharisees and Sadducees," meaning "Separatists" and "Righteous Ones") used a word translated into Greek as "ho ouranos": Matthew 16:1-4 (KJV) 1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven (Greek: ek tou ouranou = "out-from the sky"). 2 He answered and said unto them, "When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky (Greek: ho ouranos = "the sky") is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky (Greek: ho ouranos = "the sky") is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky (Greek: tou ouranou = "of-the sky"); but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." And he left them, and departed. I believe that you are spot on, here. Here, however, you've misunderstood the word "soul." A "soul" (Hebrew "nefesh" and Greek "psuchee") means an "air-breathing being." That's hard to do without having their bodies resurrected first! Genesis 2:7 (KJV) 7 And the LORD God formed man (not the body of a man) of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Hebrew: nefesh). 5315 nefesh (neh'-fesh). From naafash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental) -- any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire, X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it. 5314 naafash (naw-fash'). A primitive root; to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon, i.e. (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air) -- (be) refresh selves (-ed). This verse was quoted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:45 using the Greek word "psucheen," the accusative form of "psuchee": 1 Corinthians 15:45 (KJV) 45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam was made a living soul (Greek: psucheen zoosan = "an-air-breather living");" the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 5590 psuchee (psoo-khay'). From psuchoo; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from pneuma, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from zooee, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew nefesh, ruwach and chay) -- heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you. 5594 psuchoo (psoo'-kho). A primary verb; to breathe (voluntarily but gently, thus differing on the one hand from pneoo, which denotes properly a forcible respiration; and on the other from the base of aeer, which refers properly to an inanimate breeze), i.e. (by implication, of reduction of temperature by evaporation) to chill (figuratively) -- wax cold.

Shalom, iamlamad. First, let's look at the parable of the rich man and Elezar ("Lazarus"). To do this, one must go back a few verses, at least. The whole account begins in chapter 15, verse 1. Yeshua` had received the publicans and sinners - the outcasts of society, and the P'rushiym ("Pharisees") and the transcribers of the Torah, generally accepted to be the scholars and experts on the Bible, had noticed and commented on their disgust. So, Yeshua` gave them a few parables to correct their thinking: First, He gave them the parable of the man who lost one sheep out of 100 he owned and how he left the 99 to find the one, and rejoiced when he had found it! The 99 were never lost in the first place. Then, He gave them the parable of the woman who had 10 silver pieces and searched for a missing piece, and when she found it, she rejoiced with her friends! The 9 pieces were never lost in the first place. Then, He gave them the parable of the prodigal son. The son finally came humbly home and his father welcomed him back, while his brother who never left his father did not. In all three, something was lost and was found, and the one who had lost them, was rejoicing at the find. That which was lost represented the publicans and sinners! That which was not lost was everyone else in Israel, including the P'rushiym and the transcribers of the Torah, and these leaders were also represented by the brother who never left. Then, He gave them the parable of the unjust steward, a man who mismanaged his master's affairs, was caught in the act, and cushioned the blow he knew was coming by giving his master's creditors a break that would make him a welcome guest in the future. This was a warning to these leaders to act wisely before the hammer falls. We pick up the story here: Luke 16:10-31 (KJV) 10 "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them (the P'rushiym or Pharisees), "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16 "The law and the prophets (collectively the Tanakh, the whole Bible they had at the time) were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached (heralded), and every man presseth into it (pushes to get in). 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle (a hook on a Hebrew letter to distinguish it from another) of the law (the Torah) to fail. 18 "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. 19 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 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; 23 And in hell (Greek: en too hadee = "in the unseen" or "in the unknown") he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 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.' 25 "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. 26 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.' 27 "Then he said, "'I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham saith unto him, "'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 "And he said, "'Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 "And he said unto him, "'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.'" I should also mention that the rich man and Elezar ("Lazarus") is frequently misunderstood. The timing of this parable is NOT between death and the Resurrection; it's AFTER the Resurrection! The word used for "hell" in verse 23 is "hadee," the dative form of "hadees": 86 hadees (hah'-dace). From a (as negative particle) and eidoo; properly, unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls -- grave, hell. Greek uses a backward apostrophe called "rough breathing" over a vowel (or the second vowel in a diphthong) at the beginning of a word that we equate with an "h" sound in translation. Thus, in Greek it is spelled "alpha-delta-eta-sigma." 1492 eidoo (i'-do). A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent optanomai and horaoo; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know -- be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare optanomai. 3700 optanomai (op-tan'-om-ahee). A (middle voice [a specific form of passive voice]) prolonged form of the primary (middle voice) optomai (op'-tom-ahee); which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of horaoo; to gaze (i.e. With wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from blepoo, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from eidoo, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while theaomai, and still more emphatically its intensive theoreoo, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and skopeoo a watching from a distance) -- appear, look, see, shew self. 3708 horaoo (hor-ah'-o). Properly, to stare at (compare optanomai), i.e. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally); by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear -- behold, perceive, see, take heed. Despite the Greek influence on the usage of this word, including Greek mythology in which the Romans used the Latin equivalent "Pluto," the word itself is a word that is equivalent to what we call "the unknown." This man, the rich man, had his eyes. He had his feeling sensors in his skin such that he could be tormented in flame. He had his tongue. He had his ears to hear Avraham's response. He had his voice to call out to Avraham. This isn't evidence that "human spirits have eyes"; it's evidence that he was alive as a human body! He was already resurrected! That makes MUCH more sense than "human spirits have eyes!"

Shalom, iamlamad. Yes, He is! However, WHY were the dead raised? It's NOT because God was just "trying to be a great Guy!" Have you ever considered this relationship revealed in the Bible? Matthew 4:23-25 (KJV) 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Greek: didaskoon en tais sunagoogais autoon kai keerussoon to euaggelion tees basileias), and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. didaskoon = teaching en = in tais = the sunagoogais = synagogues autoon = of-them kai = and/also keerussoon = heralding to = the euaggelion = good-news tees = of-the basileias = Kingdom There is a DIRECT LINK between the teaching and heralding of the Good News of the Kingdom and the miracles that Yeshua` performed! The miracles were God's (Yeshua`s Father's) way of AUTHENTICATING and ENDORSING His Son's teachings and heralding of the Kingdom's good news! They also FULFILLED the Scriptures, as Yeshua` noted: Luke 4:14-21 (KJV) 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias (Greek: Eesaiou [genitive of Eesaias pronounced "ay-sah-ee'-as"] = Hebrew: Yeesha'yah = English: Isaiah). And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach (herald) the gospel (good news) to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Isaiah 61:1-2a) 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." (When reading God's Word, just sit back and ENJOY the reading, as though reading it for the first time! Take it slow and take it all in! Don't try to figure out how it fits in to what you believe; simply listen to what the author is trying to say!) His quotation was taken from the following: Isaiah 61:1-11 (KJV) 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD (or to proclaim the year for accepting the LORD), and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. 7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. 8 For I the LORD (God, the Father of Yeshua`) love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. By stopping early (halfway through verse 2), He was saying that much was fulfilled, but not the rest ... YET! Mark 1:14-15 (KJV) 14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel (heralding the good news) of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand (within your grasp): repent ye (turn 180 degrees around), and believe the gospel (good news)." So, unless one is heralding God's Kingdom's good news, there's no reason for God to authenticate or endorse what one is saying with the performance of a miracle, particularly raising one from the dead! God doesn't perform miracles on a whim, like some trained seal! Furthermore, this "good news," this "gospel of the Kingdom," is NOT "the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!" How many people at this time in the "Gospels" even KNEW that Yeshua` was to die, let alone would ACCEPT it! Fooey, they didn't even know that He was God's Messiah - God's Christ - at this time! My faith - My TRUST - is in God; that's where my faith is! As I said, miracles are, AT BEST, TEMPORARY! These "resurrections" are NOT like Yeshua`s Resurrection, who was the Firstfruits of the PERMANENT Resurrection! (1 Cor. 15:20-28.)

yea, let God be true, but every man a liar (Romans 3:4). Stick to the Scriptures; we can rely on them. I wouldn't trust these "eye-witness (without their real eyes) accounts!"

Shalom, Still Alive. Well, not precisely. We ARE in God's perfect plan for this world; however, we may still sin. Knowing that we will sin, He PLANNED for it, despite the sin, and it's His PLAN that is perfect, not the individuals within His plan, and CERTAINLY not their sins! Let me also say, that this is God's PLAN we're talking about, not His WILL. God's WILL - what God WANTS - is our SANCTIFICATION! He wants us to be HOLY (singled out, unique) and RIGHTEOUS! However, righteous or not, we have no choice but to be a part of His PLAN. A saying I grew up with is "Did it ever occur to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?" God TELLS us what His Will is, but God does NOT tell us everything about His PLAN! It's not our business! He only reveals part of His PLAN in His prophecies.

Shalom, iamlamad. No, what YOU have are the "testimonies" of many people who have been oxygen deprived! They haven't "been to heaven, [having] seen the Holy City" or they'd STILL BE THERE! Sorry, but we don't NEED another "planet heaven!" We have the confidence in the prophecies of God's Word: Psalm 72:1-17 (KJV) 1 {A Psalm for Solomon. [Deferred to David's "Seed"} Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. 5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. 6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. 8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. 11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. 12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. 15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. 16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and theyof the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. 17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Ecclesiastes 1:4 (KJV) 4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. Psalm 78:1-37 (KJV) 1 {Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.} I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens (skies). 3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, 4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. 5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. 6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? 7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. 8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? 9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. 10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. 11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. 12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. 13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. 14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. 15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. 16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. 17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. 18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king. 19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. 20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: 21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him. 23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. 24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted. 25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. 26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. 27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. 28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. 29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. 30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; 31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. 34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. 36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. You trust your "eye-witness accounts" (without eyes, btw), and I'll trust God's Word.

Shalom, Still Alive. Continuing on... As I was saying, when Yeshua` said "I am come that you might have life," He was saying "I have arrived that you might have life" (which would be the present perfect tense). So, to use this example, verse 22 would be saying "ye have arrived unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...." Just looking at the English, however, is not enough if one wants to get to the "nitty gritty" details. One must go back and look at the Greek. Here's verses 22 and 23 in Greek: Pros Hebraious 12:22-23 (UBS Greek New Testament) 22 Alla proseleeluthate Sioon orei kai polei Theou zoontos, Ierousaleem epouranioo, kai muriasin aggeloon, paneegurei 23 kai ekkleesia proototokoon apogegrammenoon en ouranois, kai Kritee Theoo pantoon, kai pneumasi dikaioon tetekeioomenoon, 22 Alla = 22 But proseleeluthate = ye-have-been-approaching Sioon = to-Tsiown; Zion orei = mountain kai = and/also polei = city Theou = of-God zoontos, = living, Ierousaleem = Yerushalayim; Jerusalem epouranioo, = from-above-the-sky, kai = and/also muriasin = groups-of-ten-thousand aggeloon, = messengers, paneegurei = all-in-meeting-place-for-celebration 23 kai = 23 and/also ekkleesia = a-called-out-(assembly) proototokoon = of-firstborn apogegrammenoon = having-been-enrolled en = in ouranois, [the]-skies, kai = and/also Kritee = to-[the]-Judge Theoo = of-God; God's pantoon, = of-all, kai = and/also pneumasi = to-winds dikaioon = of-righteous-[ones] tetekeioomenoon, = having-been-perfected/completed, According to BibleHub (as one of many sources), the word "proseleeluthate," pronounced "pros-el-ay-LU-thah-teh," is the "perfect indicative active (2nd person plural)" of proserchomai which means "I am coming toward" or "I am approaching," which is ALREADY in what we call the "present continuous tense" even though the word in Greek is in the present tense! Therefore, the perfect indicative active is applied to the present continuous tense, and we get "you have been approaching." It's a bit complicated, but it's not unmanageable. This verse is NOT saying "we're already there"; it's saying "we're already IN THE PROCESS OF APPROACHING!"

Shalom, Still Alive. "Who's to say"? GOD'S to say! When God created this earth and its inhabitants, He pronounced them ALL "VERY GOOD!" (Gen. 1:31.) When a PERFECT God declares His own Work, the Creation, "ALL 'VERY GOOD,'" then that Creation is also PERFECT! Why would God change PERFECTION?! That's how the Creation came to be IMPERFECT, when the man (as two) changed perfection by disobeying God! No, what God created He doesn't "un-create!" His Creation was based upon His physical laws (also created for the physical frame) which we call the "Space-Mass-Time Continuum." That is, when mass moves through space, that movement is measured in what we call units of time. We say, "D = RT." or Distance equals Rate multiplied by Time, and "F = ma," or "Force equals mass multiplied by acceleration," where the "acceleration" is measured as "velocity per time" or "distance-per-time per time." So, by creating space and creating mass, God created time. The VERY COMMON MISTAKE is thinking that there will be no more time, popularized by the lyrics in several songs, such as "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder." The mistake stems from the following verses in Revelation: Revelation 10:5-6 (KJV) 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: However, this is because, as a people who relies heavily upon a "single-verse" theology mentality, Christians fail to read on to the rest of the statement: Revelation 10:7 (KJV) 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. By verifying this in the Greek text, we find that the word for "time" in verse 6 is "chronos." Strong's Greek Dictionary lists this word: 5550 chronos (khron'-os). Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from kairos, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from aioon, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay -- + years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while. And, some versions will so translate this way: Revelation 10:5-7 (NIV) 5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” So, when reading the King James Version, one should read it this way: Revelation 10:5-7 (KJV) 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be DELAY no longer: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. There ARE some ABSOLUTES! It is NOT true that "everything is relative!" So, it is also NOT true that "we will all be in different 'realities'," as opposed to our current "linear time perspective." "Linear time" will continue into "eternity." Thus, "eternity" is NOT "the ABSENCE of time," but ... "eternity" is "time going on FOREVER!" I believe, too, that this perspective comes from a MISUNDERSTANDING of Hebrews 12:22-24 that is COMMON among many believers. Hebrews 12:18-24 (KJV) 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. In this English version, it SOUNDS LIKE we are already there because it is the present perfect tense in English, although today we would say "ye are coming" (present continuous) or "ye have come" (present perfect). When Yeshua` said "I am come that you might have life," He was saying "I have arrived that you might have life" (which would be the present perfect tense). (More later...)

Shalom, iamlamad. In space and traveling toward the earth, and however fast it's going, it will arrive in a little over 1,000 years from now!

Shalom, iamlamad. Wouldn't it be easier to recognize that what "Christians" call "Heaven," is actually the New Jerusalem? Think about its description, "a city of pure gold, golden streets, pearly gates, foundations of precious stones," these all describe the CITY found in Revelation 21 and 22, not "Heaven!" The twelfth foundation is made of amethyst, and amethyst is purple in color, a royal color. I can see the ENTIRE twelfth foundation reserved for this "throne room" of God. Based on the descending order of distances for each higher foundation spaced evenly apart from the other foundations, I believe that the twelfth foundation will be 1,000 stadia x 1,000 stadia in area. That's 115 (114.989) miles x 115 (114.989) miles or 13,222.5 square miles. That would be a big enough room, don't you think? The church in general believes in a "real heaven" because they don't know any better, and they've been LIED TO for the last two millennia! Look, I believe in a real heaven, too, but I recognize that the English word "heaven," the Greek word "ouranos," and the Hebrew word "shaamayim" ALL mean the "sky" - the "atmosphere" - around this planet earth! That's VERY real! And, I don't ignore what Paul said; I just believe that one closes his/her eyes in death and the next moment he/she opens them in the Resurrection, "present with the Lord!" Regarding the quote from Isaiah 6:1, look it up! This is not a common word used for God's Temple (Baiyt YHWH = "House of-the-LORD")! This is the word listed in Strong's Concordance as... 1964 heeykaal (hay-kawl'). Probably from yakol (in the sense of capacity); a large public building, such as a palace or temple -- palace, temple. Thus, "His train filled the PALACE!" This is how it can be reconciled with the New Jerusalem, when Yochanan (John) said, Revelation 21:22 (KJV) 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. However, he said NOTHING about there not being any "palace" in the City! To the contrary, Yeshua`s words in John 14:1-3 were translated into the KJV as... John 14:1-3 (KJV) 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And, those "mansions" (or very large "rooms") ARE in the New Jerusalem, Yeshua`s Father's house! It just all makes good sense that way.

Shalom, iamlamad. Why didn't he wake up this time, too? Didn't anyone pray for him, like his sister did? I didn't say that miracles don't happen; I said that he was a glory-seeker for claiming he went to heaven and came back to tell about it! MIRACLES ARE TEMPORARY FIXES AT BEST!!! HOWEVER, in the TRUE Resurrection (in which Paul named THREE), we shall be resurrected permanently! We can have flowers embedded in our floors today! All it takes is a clear plastic that hardens after the flowers are put inside the soft, hot plastic. Think of the more common application of the coating in garage floors where they sprinkle gold flecks in the coating! It's the same sort of procedure. Once the coating hardens, cars can drive over the floor and nothing will harm the gold flecks in the coating. Now, you said, "Did you ever wonder just how big the throne room must be? The entire bride of Christ was seen in the throne room, in Rev. 7. That could have been several billions: 50 generations or so of believers!" Did you ever stop to think about the other billions of people who will trust in THEIR Messiah, too? Do you REALLY think that "Christians" have the monopoly on trusting in God?!!! Don't you yet realize that the New Covenant was to the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL???!!! Gentiles were merely ADDED INTO them in the First Century A.D.! How is it then that this "entire bride" of the JEWISH MESSIAH, could be a mere "50 generations or so of believers"? (And, I get it; 50 generations x 40 years / generation = 2000 years. What about the OTHER 4000 years?) Don't you WANT to meet Avraham? Don't you WANT to see David and Jonathan together again? Don't you WANT to meet Eliyahu (Elijah) or Elisha or Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) or Daniel or Yechezk'el (Ezekiel)? What good is Hebrews 11 anyway? YOU say, "Gary is now in heaven"; show me where this "heaven" is. Prove to me that there is some "immaterial part of a man called a 'soul' (or a 'spirit')" that goes to this "heaven!" I say that this notion is just a form of neo-Platonism that was adopted in the late 100s and early 200s A.D. by Christians who needed some continuity in death and had a fascination for Greek philosophy and its pagan mythology. I say Gary is in the grave awaiting the Resurrection, just like everyone else is.

Shalom, iamlamad. As far as Lazarus (Elezar) is concerned, Yeshua` explained this to His disciples: John 11:1-15 (KJV) 1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, ***"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."*** 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, "Let us go into Judaea again." 8 His disciples say unto him, "Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." 11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." 12 Then said his disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." Do you understand? This has nothing to do with "second chances." It has EVERYTHING to do with "the glory of God and that the Son of God might be glorified by it!" I HIGHLY DOUBT (and with GOOD reason) that these so-called "resurrections" have the same purpose. I've taken the time to listen to the interview that Sid Roth had with Gary Wood. The man is a flim-flam man. This incident happened on December 23, 1966, and he described rising up out of his body into a funnel-shaped cloud, engulfed by a "tranquil light, not as bright as the studio lights." He talked about seeing "a golden satellite" and "walls made of solid jaspers, that's DIAMONDS!" he emphasized. He made the claim that it was "2.7 cubic billion miles at its circumference." He's obviously no mathematician. First, he said this backwards; it should be "2.7 billion cubic miles." However, "CUBIC miles" is a measure of VOLUME, not distance! Therefore, it has NOTHING to do with "its circumference!" He also claimed that it was 780,000 stories high and had enough room for a "hundred thousand million people!" That translates to... 100 x 1,000 x 1,000,000 = 100,000,000,000 or 100 billion people. That's only a tenth of a trillion people! He said that his own mansion was a southern-style ranchhouse with a fence and marble columns. He described three buckets of paint sitting in his livingroom that created floral arrangements when thrown against the wall! ( WHAT?????!!!) He talked about how "pure solid gold" doesn't have "the normal impurities that makes gold yellow and is transparent." He talked about how heaven had this library where angels will wipe out deeds with a cloth from a person's book! He talked about a room that contained body parts as SPARE PARTS! That way, when a miracle of a restored limb would be performed, the parts would be ready! (Again, WHAT????!!!!!) He talked about hearing new songs before they were given to men to write down, and that they were floating down to them as "notes floating through the air!" He talked about hearing these songs as "trees were clapping their hands and flowers with faces were singing!" (This man watched too many old Disney cartoons!) No, this man just wanted his 15 minutes of fame; that's all. The same is true for Nathan Wheeler. (I watched him, as well, since his "testimony" was next.) These men are glory seekers, but not for GOD'S glory but their own. There's much more to say, but I don't have the stomach for it tonight.

Shalom, iamlamad. Well, THAT'S fiction! "Enough people have been there to see it and return to testify"??? Sorry, but God's Word says, "It is appointed unto men ONCE to die, and after this the judgment!" "Have returned," my eye! They experienced some hypoxia while on an operating table, did NOT truly die, and were brought back to health, remembering their hallucinations while their brains suffered oxygen deprevation! People in other religions have experienced similar hypoxia and reported their own versions of an afterlife that was patterned after what they believed, too. Should we believe them, as well?! Such conditions should NEVER be used for proof, particularly for believing a certain way! "Planet heaven"! What a crock! I'll stick to the Scriptures, if you don't mind. Let's rephrase your last paragraph: Jesus SHALL descend from the sky, and while IN the sky, He will call up the saints to the sky WITH HIM, "and so shall they ever be with the Lord" Yeshua` (Jesus). However, HE'S NOT GOING BACK! He will continue on His mission to rescue His people - His family - His relatives - the nation Israel, beginning at Botsrah in Edom! I certainly believe in Yeshua`s words recorded in John 14, just not in YOUR version of how they should be interpreted! Watch carefully; He NEVER says that He's going or taking anybody BACK! Look: John 14:1-3 (KJV) 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. He says "where I AM," not "where I will be!" Y'all ASSUME He means "I will take you back there," but He DOESN'T! Instead, we're told later by Yochanan (John) that the Father's house COMES HERE! Revelation 21:1-3 (KJV) 1 And I saw a new heaven (sky) and a new earth: for the first heaven (sky) and the first earth were passed away (LITERALLY); and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven (the sky), prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven (the throne) saying, "Behold, the tabernacle (Bedouin tent) of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." This is the same kind of Bedouin tent that Avraham lived in with his son and grandson: Hebrews 11:8-10 (KJV) 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles (Bedouin tents) with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. This was the FIRST instance when the word "Adonay" ("Adonai") was used. The word "Adonay" means "my foundation Layer"; that is, "my Layer of a foundation."

Shalom, iamlamad. Sorry, but there's no such thing in the Bible as a "church age." That was made up by theologians to explain "end of the age" for those who believed in the pretribulational rapture theory! Thus, it is a form of circular reasoning to use the phrase! Let's look again at what Paul wrote in his "resurrection chapter," the great treatise on resurrection that Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 15: It's somewhat masked by the verse divisions, but there are THREE resurrections that Paul mentions in verses 20 through 28: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (KJV) 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: (0) Christ the firstfruits; (1) afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 (2) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Let's compare this to your statement, "(0) Jesus first, (1a) the church second, (1b) the 144,000 third, (1c) the Old Testament saints and (1d) 70th week martyrs fourth. (2) Finally, after the 1000 years, the second resurrection." Second, John didn't say the 144,000 were resurrected! Revelation 7:4-8 (KJV) 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim) were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. Revelation 14:1-5 (KJV) 1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion (that's Har Tsiyown or Mount Zion on earth!), and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven (a voice from the sky), as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. It is commonly assumed that the "throne of God" is in some far-off place called "Heaven," but God's throne will be WHEREVER He reigns over the lives of human beings, and at this time, it will be through His Messiah, Yeshua` the Lamb (Hebrew: haKeves, the Yearling Lamb), who is His REPRESENTATIVE King, since God, His Father, is a Spirit.