DEATH AND RESURRECTION: Spiritually and Physically

[LuftWaffle]

On 10/9/2017 at 5:12 PM, Bro.Tan said:

Let's find another witness. The Lord said that David was a man after His own heart. David should know about this subject. Let's see if David and Solomon are on the same page.

Psalms 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help". Why did David make this statement in verse 3? No man can give you eternal life; neither does any man have a lake of fire to put you in. Whom shall you put all your trust? Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. How do you lean on the Lord's understanding and not your own? By reading the book without putting a twist on it and taking every word for what it says, you will never go wrong. Why should you do that? Pay close attention. Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. If his thoughts are higher than ours, why should anyone try to interpret His Word. Seems like David and Solomon are on the same page.

Look at verse 4. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. His thoughts perish when he gives up his last breath. Man is made of 2 elements dust, and breath, no more, no less. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. When David said he gives up the ghost he simply means his breath. David clarifies this even further in the 88^th Psalm.

Psalms 88:10 Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?

12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

What did he call the grave? The land of forgetfulness. So far the Bible is consistent.

Let's check out a few more Psalm.

Psalm 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Was that hard to understand? No. If you are dead you have no wisdom, no knowledge, no memory who can you praise? No one. Here is another Psalm.

Psalm 115:17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

This verse clarifies the 6^th Psalm. David and Solomon are consistent. Let's go to another Prophet, the Prophet Isaiah and see what he has to say about this subject.

Isaiah 38:18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.

19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

The Prophet Isaiah confirmed what David and Solomon said. "For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth". Does anything else need to be said? This is very clear. Look at verse 19. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth. While you are alive you can praise the Lord. There's more on the subject..... 

Interesting...

While I'm still studying the topic and not willing to plant my flag on either physicalism or substance-dualism where it comes to the human make-up, it's nice to see the scriptural case for physicalism laid out plainly and clearly.

I'm assuming that the physicalist rebuttal for story of the rich man and Lazarus is that it's a parable meant to teach a lesson, rather than an actual description of what the realm of the dead is like, yes?

 

[Your closest friendnt]

 King David, knew that at the the time of his death he will descend at the same place as Abraham. 

As a matter of fact the Jewish people, believe as the children of Abraham at time of death they will be gather to Abraham, they will see Abraham at the time of their death, and Abraham will be the one to welcome them, not the Lord their God. 

God promise to Abraham to wait there for him, when as the Christ will descend there, and take him to Heaven with him. 

At the right time Jesus sent John the Baptist, the forerunner before the Christ to announced his coming to the paradise of Abraham and free them and take them, with him to where he was going Heaven. 

 Luke 1:73, The oath which he swear to our Father Abraham. 

Luke 1:76, and thou child shall be the prophet of the Highest: for thou Sall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. 

Luke 1:79, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the Shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

Isaiah 9:2,  the people that walk in darkness have seen a great light, they that dwell in the Land of the Shadow of death, upon them has the light shined. 

Isaiah 61:1, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them to them that are bound. 

Isaiah 53:9, And he made his grave with the wicked, and the rich in his death. 

Isaiah 53:12, Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he hath pour out his soul unto death, and he was number with the  transgressors, and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  

Mathew 26:38, then he said unto them. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. 

John the Baptist descend to the dead so as to announce the coming of the Christ to Abraham and his children, and identify Jesus as the Son of God. 

 

[Bro.Tan]

On 10/10/2017 at 12:55 PM, LuftWaffle said:

Interesting...

While I'm still studying the topic and not willing to plant my flag on either physicalism or substance-dualism where it comes to the human make-up, it's nice to see the scriptural case for physicalism laid out plainly and clearly.

I'm assuming that the physicalist rebuttal for story of the rich man and Lazarus is that it's a parable meant to teach a lesson, rather than an actual description of what the realm of the dead is like, yes?

 

It actually a true physical story of the future second death. Let go into the future and take a look at in Isaiah 66: 22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. 24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Remember what Paul say in Hebrews 10: (v.26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. Now do we understand what’s being said here? If you sin willfully after you have knowledge of what the truth is, no more animals are going to die for you. (v.27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Now if you are being deceived into believing that once you are under God’s grace you no longer have to keep his commandments, and you continue sinning, all you have to look forward to is the day of judgement and the lake of fire (fiery indignation). Paul say in   Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

[Bro.Tan]

We move to the book of Revelation. This set of verses may sound contradictory, and if they are, we might as well throw the Bible out the back door. So far we have found out that the dead are still in the grave, they have no thoughts, no wisdom and knowledge. We also found that the heavens will be no more. Pay very close attention to John, he's letting you know something very important. Once you understand what he is saying there is no contradiction.

Now, let us go into 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 God, and for the testimony which they held:

Look at what John said, "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God. These people must be in heaven, right? (Next verse)

Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

They were talking to the Lord. (Next verse)

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.

These people were told by the Lord, rest a little season. They must be in heaven? (Next)

Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Notice something, The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together. This is the same thing David, Paul, and now John said. This must be true. What about the souls under the altar? Let's see if we can find an example. Pay close attention here.

  

Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. Cain didn't bring the best that he had, if he did the Lord would have accepted Cain's offering.

Genesis 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Notice something, If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted. Remember the people in Revelation. Did they do well? Were they accepted? Yes. Now look at what the Lord says here.

Genesis 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

What did the Lord say in verse 7? "If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Cain committed 2 sins, murder and baring false wittiness. These verses alone let you know that the law was in effect from the beginning. Notice this in the next verse.

Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

When is the last time you heard someone's blood cry? Blood doesn't cry. It wasn't the blood that was crying, it was Abel's righteous acts. Notice this in Revelation. , I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: These people were slain for the word of God, and the testimony that they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Notice it said our blood. Here is the key. What were these people given for their testimony?

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.

They were given white robes. What does this mean? Let's let the Book tell us.

Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

You see it was their righteousness that cried unto the Lord . Look what Paul said.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.  

 

 

 

[JohnD]

On 10/9/2017 at 10:04 AM, Bro.Tan said:

Let's go into the scriptures to get a better look at Luke 16 in Isaiah 66: 22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. 24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

This is the future, and at this time the Lord will have change the fleshly body to a spiritual body. Understand that a spiritual body can't burn, like a flesh. Let's take a look at the first two people who will beat Satan in the fire. Let's go into Revelation 19: 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. At this point you have to have a spiritual to burn forever.

Lets see what Paul say about different bodies in 1 Corinthians 15: 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

 

 

 

 

 

Then what was that business of the rich man wanting to warn his brothers still alive here on Earth?

The "future" events you describe are at the end of the age.

[vlad]

On 10/8/2017 at 3:08 AM, Bro.Tan said:

Death and resurrection, spiritually and physically. What does this statement mean? There are a few things we must find out. Preachers are misleading people into believing fantasy stories. People go to grave talking to dirt and statutes, buying flowers, wasting time and money. People believing that they love ones are looking down on them smiling, with all this hell going on in earth. When a person dies, does he or she have any consciousness? Does a puff of smoke leave their body and go flying off into the third heaven? Do you really believe your love ones looking down at you from heaven, smiling. Or do they just float around the earth hunting houses, jumping from behind trees scaring people? If you have a logical bone in your body you know that is sheer nonsense. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true" (John 8:17). We will quote testimonies from the Prophets and the Apostle.

Who gave them the word? (Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.) They received the law by the disposition of angels.

Where did the angels get the word? (Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:) The angels got it from the Lord. The Lord got it from the Father. The Prophets and the Apostle are simply quoting the Lord. If you don't believe them, you don't believe the Lord. Our first witness is Solomon. He is very wise, as a matter of fact he was wiser than any man that walked the earth, except for Jesus of course. Why? I Kings 3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. I Kings 4:1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel. He had the wisdom of God.

Let' see what Solomon has to say about this subject. Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

Take a look at what Solomon said. This event happened to us all while we are under the sun. Why did he say under the sun? We'll find this out later. Pay close attention here. The heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live. While they live. Then what happens after that? They go to the dead. 

Ecclesiastes 9:4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

While you are still alive there is still hope. What hope is this? Romans 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: This is what you hope for while you are still alive. Notice something else, Solomon said. For a living dog is better than a dead lion. Why is that? The dog is alive and the lion is dust. Can a dead lion be of any use? No! Solomon said a mouth full, look at the next verse. 

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

For the living know not any thing, neither any more reward. Why? Once you're dead there is no more hope. If you went to the grave in Christ, he will awake you in the first resurrection, and you will live and reign on the earth with him and the saints. If you did not die in Christ he will wake you in the second resurrection and you will be judged according to your works. If you are dead do you have any memory? What did Solomon say? "For the memory of them is forgotten". Now we know you have no more memory while you are in the grave. If you did something wrong to a person and they're dead, you don't have to worry, they won't come and haunt your house.

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

This verse speaks for itself. To put it short you don't remember anything while you are in the grave. Why does he continue to say "under the sun"? He's said it twice. We will find out a little later.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.

If there is no work, no device, no knowledge, no wisdom, in the grave, why does

the status quo say there are spirits that walk the earth? They have no knowledge of the Word of God. There are spirits that walk the earth, but they are not dead people. They are fallen angels. We will see an example of one later. In short, the dead don't know anything. 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Hi, Too many questions. Let me answer the first one and if you like it we will continue our discussion. Resurrection. Very little is really known for sure. There are stages though. Nobody is looking down as far as I know. The day of judgement has not come yet. As for the forms it is all speculation. One thing is clear from Jesus Christ. That is when those beings are given life again they are completely different. They can not marry and get married. So I presume they have no gender difference. Another thing is also clear that there is happiness incomparable to anything here. I believe in all this. My belief is a gift from God. No gift - no belief. It does not come after study or from mere experience. It does not come as a proof. It comes as a gift.  As simple as that. Of course nobody will describe the gift. People are very weak with their thinking and languages and explanations. Just think: no language is able to describe the taste of an apricot as against a ripe plum. Or take different scents. I mean direct definitions without comparison. If we are that weak in our simple things how do we expect anyone to explain complicated spheres in detail.

[Bro.Tan]

On 10/14/2017 at 12:06 PM, vlad said:

Hi, Too many questions. Let me answer the first one and if you like it we will continue our discussion. Resurrection. Very little is really known for sure. There are stages though. Nobody is looking down as far as I know. The day of judgement has not come yet. As for the forms it is all speculation. One thing is clear from Jesus Christ. That is when those beings are given life again they are completely different. They can not marry and get married. So I presume they have no gender difference. Another thing is also clear that there is happiness incomparable to anything here. I believe in all this. My belief is a gift from God. No gift - no belief. It does not come after study or from mere experience. It does not come as a proof. It comes as a gift.  As simple as that. Of course nobody will describe the gift. People are very weak with their thinking and languages and explanations. Just think: no language is able to describe the taste of an apricot as against a ripe plum. Or take different scents. I mean direct definitions without comparison. If we are that weak in our simple things how do we expect anyone to explain complicated spheres in detail.

 Everything that is made comes with a set of instructions. Whether it is home appliances, toys, automobiles, pet accessories, clothing, food, etc. Man is no different. Man was created by God and given an instruction manual, that if read and followed carefully, he would be able to make the best of his life given him on earth. Man's instruction manual is called the Bible. The definition of Bible from World Scope Encyclopedia reads: "The book held by Christians and Jews to contain the word of God and to be of divine authority. The word Bible is derived from Medieval Latin,"biblia" in the singular number, and means a book. The Greek form of the word is a plural and means books. As commonly used it signifies the book, in comparison with which other books or writings are unworthy; or if they be called books, then the Bible becomes the book of books. The Latin word scriptura = writing, scripturae = writings, convey the idea that the scriptures are the only writings worthy of being called writings; therefore, they are of higher standing than all other books.”

With that established, let me say that any knowledge that man has of God he got it out of the Bible. All preachers preach, or teach their congregations from the Bible. If you really look close, you will see that all of man's laws have the Ten Commandments as their foundation. Now before we go any further, let's establish this very important point. "Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Peter 1:20-21) So if you believe in the Bible the word of God, then there's no speculation on the dead or resurrection, it's all in the Bible. 

Also, let me show you that God's word is contained in a book. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success". (Joshua 1:8) "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read". (Isaiah 34:16) 

 

 

 

 

[Bro.Tan]

On 10/14/2017 at 12:32 AM, JohnD said:

Then what was that business of the rich man wanting to warn his brothers still alive here on Earth?

The "future" events you describe are at the end of the age.

Luke 16: 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.  If his brother don't take heed to the word of God, reading the books of the prophets, then they could in up where he is.

 

But lets take a look at what Jesus said in Matthew 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Notice verse 41 Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: The Lake Of fire was made for the devil and his angels. Now man has become a candidate by not obeying the Royal Law.

[vlad]

10 hours ago, Bro.Tan said:

 Everything that is made comes with a set of instructions. Whether it is home appliances, toys, automobiles, pet accessories, clothing, food, etc. Man is no different. Man was created by God and given an instruction manual, that if read and followed carefully, he would be able to make the best of his life given him on earth. Man's instruction manual is called the Bible. The definition of Bible from World Scope Encyclopedia reads: "The book held by Christians and Jews to contain the word of God and to be of divine authority. The word Bible is derived from Medieval Latin,"biblia" in the singular number, and means a book. The Greek form of the word is a plural and means books. As commonly used it signifies the book, in comparison with which other books or writings are unworthy; or if they be called books, then the Bible becomes the book of books. The Latin word scriptura = writing, scripturae = writings, convey the idea that the scriptures are the only writings worthy of being called writings; therefore, they are of higher standing than all other books.”

With that established, let me say that any knowledge that man has of God he got it out of the Bible. All preachers preach, or teach their congregations from the Bible. If you really look close, you will see that all of man's laws have the Ten Commandments as their foundation. Now before we go any further, let's establish this very important point. "Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Peter 1:20-21) So if you believe in the Bible the word of God, then there's no speculation on the dead or resurrection, it's all in the Bible. 

Also, let me show you that God's word is contained in a book. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success". (Joshua 1:8) "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read". (Isaiah 34:16) 

 

 

 

 

Hi, 1). By speculation I meant all those constructions outside the gospel like the exact shape of those who died or the material they are made of (light, some spooky spheres etc) that I often hear and read about or weighing the corpse. By the way the difference in the weight can be explained as they fluids in the dead body release some heavier than air gases. Now you see what I mean. That was the answer to the idea of our dead relatives looking at us. That would mean that they have this perception, eyesight. 

2) I do not agree (may be I am not right) that the Bible is instruction. As I feel it is more than a material  instruction, a miracle in itself. If we look at it as a material instruction we are no better than those scribes who were sticking to the letter and not the Spirit. They were sticking to the letter when they tried to accuse Jesus (washing hands, working on the Sabbath day etc.). Sticking to instruction is not enough. You can not learn how to love by instruction. In general it is impossible to reason and think without emotions and feelings. These are parts of human thinking. Those who can usually have problems with themselves and with society. 

 

[Bro.Tan]

8 hours ago, vlad said:

Hi, 1). By speculation I meant all those constructions outside the gospel like the exact shape of those who died or the material they are made of (light, some spooky spheres etc) that I often hear and read about or weighing the corpse. By the way the difference in the weight can be explained as they fluids in the dead body release some heavier than air gases. Now you see what I mean. That was the answer to the idea of our dead relatives looking at us. That would mean that they have this perception, eyesight. 

2) I do not agree (may be I am not right) that the Bible is instruction. As I feel it is more than a material  instruction, a miracle in itself. If we look at it as a material instruction we are no better than those scribes who were sticking to the letter and not the Spirit. They were sticking to the letter when they tried to accuse Jesus (washing hands, working on the Sabbath day etc.). Sticking to instruction is not enough. You can not learn how to love by instruction. In general it is impossible to reason and think without emotions and feelings. These are parts of human thinking. Those who can usually have problems with themselves and with society. 

 

 

 

Man as a whole has never fully understood the word love as God defines it in His commandments and one can confirm that by simply looking at the condition of the world. People relate love to emotions and they base it on terms of feeling. The problem with this is when feeling change so does one's love. The love that God requires of man is one of will. And this love is a deliberate attitude whereas circumstances and changes in situations do not impact one's actions.

The religious leaders were constantly questioning Jesus in order to test Him and on this occasion a lawyer asked Jesus what is the great commandment?

Matthew (22:35) Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

(36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus reply was the 1st great commandment was to love God and the 2nd was to love ones neighbor. These were given as a commandment for man to love.

Matthew (22:37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

(38) This is the first and great commandment.

(39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

One should note that by following the 1st and 2nd great commandment they will be adhering to the 10 commandments issued by Moses. If they love the Lord they won’t have any other Gods before him, or make any graven images or take his name in vain, they will remember his Sabbath day to keep it Holy and if they love their neighbor they will honor their Father and Mother and they won’t kill or commit adultery or steal or bear false witness nor will they covet. This is why Jesus goes on to state that on these two commandments hang the law and the prophets. Because by fulfilling these two commandments one fulfills the law.

(40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Jesus stated that these 2 commandments where the 2 great commandments however the following verses will show that these commandments were not new and that the Jews and Jesus was speaking to were aware of them. These were the same ones issued to Israel by Moses. 

Deuteronomy (6:5) And thy shall love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Leviticus (19:18) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Now that it has been established that man was commanded to love one needs to examine the scriptures to get an understanding of the love required in these great commandments. In the following verses Moses is telling the Israelites that God chose them strictly out of His love for them.

Deuteronomy (7:7) The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

(8) But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

(9) Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Note in verse (9) Moses states a condition that God requires in order for Him to keep covenant and have mercy. And that is an individual must love God and keep His commandments. The scriptures will show that there is only one way to love God and that is by keeping His commandments.

Note that Jesus states in the following verse that in order to love Him one has to keep His commandments.

John (14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

 

 Keep in mind Jesus said "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, Ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5: 20).