Simon Brown.

Join me on this journey. Let's seek the truth together! 💡 Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.” Psalm 84: 11 For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. 12 Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you. 1 John 5:5 Now who is the one overcoming the world, except the one believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

Showing posts with label State of the Dead. Show all posts

Monday, 24 August 2026

Quick Facts: 2 Corinthians 5:8 – Are Dead Christians Already Alive in Heaven According to Dr Grady McMurtry?

A Bible-study examination of 2 Corinthians 5:8 comparing Paul's words about being at home with the Lord with passages concerning death, resurrection and the return of Jesus Christ.

QUICK FACTS: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:8

DOES 2 CORINTHIANS 5:8 PROVE THAT DEAD CHRISTIANS ARE ALREADY ALIVE IN HEAVEN?

Some Christians, including Dr. Grady McMurtry, appeal to 2 Corinthians 5:8 as evidence that when a Christian dies, the person immediately leaves the body and consciously enters Heaven to live with the Lord.

But is that actually what Paul said?

Let's examine the verse in its context and compare Paul's words with his other teachings about death, resurrection, and the return of Jesus Christ.

WHAT DOES 2 CORINTHIANS 5:8 ACTUALLY SAY?

2 Corinthians 5:8 — Berean Literal Bible

“Now we are confident and are pleased rather to be absent out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.”

This verse is often paraphrased as though Paul said:

“TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD.”

But notice carefully:

PAUL DID NOT SAY THAT.

He said that he would prefer to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

The verse itself does not tell us that the instant a Christian dies, a conscious soul travels immediately to Heaven.

So we need to ask:

WHEN DID PAUL EXPECT TO BE WITH CHRIST?

For the answer, we should allow Paul himself to explain.

PAUL'S HOPE WAS THE RESURRECTION

Paul repeatedly places the Christian hope at the future resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:22–23 — Berean Literal Bible

“For as indeed in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in the own order: Christ the firstfruit; then those of Christ at His coming.”

Notice the sequence:

CHRIST WAS RAISED.

↓

CHRIST WILL RETURN.

↓

THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST WILL BE MADE ALIVE.

Paul does not say:

“Those belonging to Christ are already alive in Heaven.”

Instead:

“THOSE OF CHRIST AT HIS COMING.”

WHEN DO THE DEAD IN CHRIST RISE?

Paul gives an extraordinarily clear answer:

1 Thessalonians 4:16 — Berean Literal Bible

“Because the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

When?

WHEN THE LORD DESCENDS FROM HEAVEN.

And who rises?

“THE DEAD IN CHRIST.”

Paul therefore places their resurrection at the future return of Christ.

THEN THE BELIEVERS WILL BE WITH THE LORD

The next verse is especially important.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 — Berean Literal Bible

“Then we the living who remain will be caught away together with them in the clouds, for the meeting of the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

Notice Paul's order:

Jesus returns.

The dead in Christ rise.

Living believers join them.

Then:

“SO WE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.”

That provides important context for understanding Paul's desire to be:

“AT HOME WITH THE LORD.”

in 2 Corinthians 5:8.

PAUL DID NOT WANT TO REMAIN “NAKED”

The immediate context of 2 Corinthians 5 is also frequently overlooked.

Paul writes:

2 Corinthians 5:2–4 — Berean Literal Bible

“And indeed, in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling which is from heaven, if indeed also having been clothed, we will not be found naked. And indeed, being in the tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.”

This is crucial.

Paul does not merely say:

“I WANT TO BE UNCLOTHED.”

He actually says:

“WE DO NOT DESIRE TO BE UNCLOTHED, BUT TO BE CLOTHED.”

And why?

“SO THAT THE MORTAL MAY BE SWALLOWED UP BY LIFE.”

Paul's concern is therefore connected with receiving immortality, not merely escaping from a physical body as a disembodied soul.

WHEN IS MORTALITY SWALLOWED UP?

Paul explains this elsewhere.

1 Corinthians 15:52–54

At the last trumpet:

“The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

Then:

“this mortal will have put on immortality.”

And only then:

“DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”

Compare that with 2 Corinthians 5:

“that the mortal may be swallowed up by life.”

The language strongly connects Paul's hope with the future transformation and resurrection of believers.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT DAVID?

If righteous believers automatically entered Heaven when they died, David would surely be an important example.

But Peter says:

Acts 2:34 — Berean Literal Bible

“For David did not ascend into the heavens…”

David was a faithful servant of God.

Yet Peter explicitly says:

DAVID DID NOT ASCEND INTO HEAVEN.

That should make us very cautious about using 2 Corinthians 5:8 to claim that all deceased believers are already there.

DANIEL DESCRIBES THE DEAD AS SLEEPING

Daniel's prophecy describes resurrection this way:

Daniel 12:2

“And many sleeping in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Notice the language:

SLEEPING

↓

IN THE DUST

↓

THEY SHALL AWAKE

The biblical hope is not presented here as souls already enjoying everlasting life in Heaven.

It is:

RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.

THE DEAD “KNOW NOTHING”

Ecclesiastes gives another striking description:

Ecclesiastes 9:5

“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing…”

And Ecclesiastes 9:10 says concerning Sheol:

“There is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.”

Whatever interpretation we adopt of 2 Corinthians 5:8 must be considered alongside passages like these rather than allowing one sentence to overturn the wider biblical picture.

PAUL HIMSELF USED THE LANGUAGE OF SLEEP

Paul describes deceased Christians as those who have:

“FALLEN ASLEEP.”

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 he comforts Christians concerning believers who had died.

His answer is not simply:

“Don't worry—they are already alive with Jesus in Heaven.”

Instead, Paul's explanation leads directly to the return of Christ and resurrection:

1 Thessalonians 4:16

“THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST.”

That is Paul's great consolation.

WHAT DID PAUL EXPECT FOR HIMSELF?

This becomes even clearer near the end of Paul's life.

2 Timothy 4:6–8

Paul knew his death was approaching.

He wrote:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

But when did Paul expect his reward?

He says:

“From now on, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me in that day; and not only to me, but also to all those loving His appearing.”

Notice:

“IN THAT DAY.”

And:

“HIS APPEARING.”

Once again Paul's expectation looks forward to the future coming of Christ.

SO WHAT DID PAUL MEAN BY “AT HOME WITH THE LORD”?

Paul was living under persecution and knew death could come.

But death could not destroy his hope.

From the standpoint of someone who dies and remains unconscious until resurrection, there is no experienced passage of centuries.

The next conscious experience would be awakening at the resurrection.

Therefore, Paul's two great realities could be expressed as:

PRESENT — MORTAL LIFE IN THIS BODY

and:

FUTURE — IMMORTAL LIFE WITH CHRIST

The intervening state of death is not the object of Paul's hope.

His desire is to reach the destination:

TO BE WITH THE LORD.

And Paul's other writings repeatedly tell us when believers are gathered to Christ:

AT HIS COMING AND THE RESURRECTION.

AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

We should also be careful not to make 2 Corinthians 5:8 say more than it actually says in either direction.

The verse itself does not explicitly describe the intermediate state of the dead.

Paul does not say in this verse:

“The dead are unconscious in their graves.”

But neither does he say:

“The instant a Christian dies, his conscious soul goes directly to Heaven.”

That conclusion has to be brought into the verse.

Therefore, the safest method is to interpret the passage alongside Paul's much clearer statements about resurrection.

PAUL'S TEACHING FITS TOGETHER

Put Paul's statements alongside one another:

2 Corinthians 5:8

Paul desires to be at home with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

At Christ's return, the dead in Christ will rise.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

After that resurrection:

“SO WE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.”

1 Corinthians 15:52

The dead are raised:

“AT THE LAST TRUMPET.”

1 Corinthians 15:53

The mortal then puts on:

IMMORTALITY.

This gives us a coherent sequence:

DEATH

↓

SLEEP

↓

CHRIST RETURNS

↓

THE DEAD IN CHRIST RISE

↓

MORTALITY PUTS ON IMMORTALITY

↓

BELIEVERS ARE WITH THE LORD

QUICK FACT CONCLUSION

Does 2 Corinthians 5:8 explicitly say:

“WHEN A CHRISTIAN DIES, HIS SOUL IMMEDIATELY GOES TO HEAVEN”?

NO.

Paul says:

“to be absent out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.”

But Paul's other writings tell us that his great expectation was:

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

THE TRANSFORMATION TO IMMORTALITY.

AND THEN BEING FOREVER WITH THE LORD.

This is why 2 Corinthians 5:8 should not be isolated from Paul's wider teaching and turned into a doctrine that the dead are already consciously living in Heaven.

Paul's hope was not:

ESCAPING THE BODY AT DEATH.

Paul's hope was:

RESURRECTION AND IMMORTALITY AT THE COMING OF CHRIST.

As Paul himself wrote:

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

“THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST.”

and then:

“SO WE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.”

That is the hope Paul taught Christians to look forward to.

OLD ARTICLE

Read the full research article

Research by Simon Brown
wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com

You tube videos:

EXPOSING FALSE TEACHERS ON REVELATION TV!

EXPOSING Dr. Grady S. McMurtry On Revelation TV!

According to Dr. Grady, John 14:9, John 10:30, PROVES Jesus is GOD Almighty!

FALSE TEACHINGS of Dr Grady John 10:30.

Dr. Grady McMurtry's FALSE TEACHING on HELL!

Dr Grady McMurtry says 2 Corinthians 5:8 proves the saints are in HEAVEN!

David Pawson & Answers in Genesis, FALSE TEACHINGS on the TRINITY.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Dr. Grady McMurtry False teachings: John 14:9 & John 10:30 – Do These Verses Really Prove Jesus Is God Almighty?

Dr Grady McMurtry's FALSE TEACHING on HELL!

Quick Facts: Revelation TV – Testing the Trinity Against the Word of God

Hebrews 1:10 – Did God Really Say to the Son, “You Laid the Foundation of the Earth”?

1 Corinthians 8:6 – One God the Father and One Lord Jesus Christ

Quick Facts: Does Romans 9:5 Really Call Jesus “God Over All”? What Did Paul Actually Mean?

Quick Facts: Does Matthew 28:19 Prove the Trinity?

Quick Facts: Does Hebrews 1:8 Really Call Jesus the One True God?

TITUS 2:13 — DOES THIS VERSE PROVE JESUS IS GOD?

What Did Isaiah See? A Bible Study of Isaiah 6:1 and John 12:41

Quick Facts: Who Is on the Throne of God — One God or Three?

Quick Facts: Does John 10:30–36 Really Prove Jesus Said He Is God?

John 8:24 Quick Facts — Unless You Believe That I Am He?

Did the Catholic Church Create the Doctrine of the Trinity? And Did Later Church Fathers Reject the Earlier Jewish Understanding of the One God?

The Shocking Trinitarian Claim – Unless Jesus Is God, He Cannot Be the Savior!

Sunday, 23 August 2026

Quick Facts: Luke 16:23 – Are the Dead Alive and Burning in Hell?

A detailed Bible research infographic examining Luke 16:23 and the traditional teaching of Hell. It compares the Greek words Hades and Gehenna, Matthew 10:28 and Revelation 20:14, and examines whether final punishment means eternal conscious torment or the second death.

QUICK FACTS: LUKE 16:23

DOES LUKE 16:23 REALLY TEACH THAT THE DEAD ARE ALIVE AND BURNING IN HELL?

Millions of Christians have been taught that when an unsaved person dies, the body dies but the soul remains consciously alive and immediately enters a place of fiery torment called Hell.

One of the principal passages used to support this belief is Jesus’ account of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16.

The King James Bible reads:

Luke 16:23 — KJV

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments…”

At first sight, that certainly appears to say that the rich man died and immediately found himself alive and suffering in Hell.

But there is an important problem:

THE GREEK TEXT DOES NOT SAY GEHENNA.

The Greek word in Luke 16:23 is:

ᾅδης — HADES

So before constructing a doctrine about eternal punishment from the English word “hell,” we need to distinguish the different biblical words that English translations have historically rendered by that one word.

LUKE 16:23 ACTUALLY SAYS “HADES”

The Greek text reads:

ἐν τῷ ᾅδῃ — en tō hadē

Meaning:

“IN HADES.”

The Berean Literal Bible therefore reads:

Luke 16:23 — BLB

“And in Hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torment, he sees Abraham from afar, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

The BLB preserves the word:

HADES

rather than translating it simply as “hell.”

That distinction is extremely important.

HADES AND GEHENNA ARE NOT THE SAME GREEK WORD

This is where considerable confusion can arise.

The New Testament uses:

ᾅδης — HADES

and:

γέεννα — GEHENNA

They are different Greek words.

Yet older English translations such as the KJV can translate both using the same English word:

“HELL.”

When the distinction disappears in translation, readers can easily assume that every occurrence of “hell” describes exactly the same thing.

But the original Greek does not allow us to make that assumption.

WHAT CORRESPONDS TO HADES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT?

The Greek Hades commonly corresponds to the Hebrew:

שְׁאוֹל — SHEOL

Sheol refers to the realm or state of the dead and is frequently translated:

the grave

the pit

or:

Sheol

depending upon the translation and context.

This connection can be seen particularly clearly when the New Testament quotes the Old Testament.

For example, Psalm 16:10 uses Sheol, while its quotation in Acts 2:27 uses Hades.

That gives us a direct biblical relationship:

HEBREW: SHEOL

GREEK: HADES

Therefore, we should not automatically equate every reference to Hades with the final punishment associated with Gehenna or the lake of fire.

WHAT, THEN, IS GEHENNA?

Now compare Luke 16:23 with Jesus' words in Matthew 10:28.

Matthew 10:28 — Berean Literal Bible

“And you should not be afraid of those killing the body but not being able to kill the soul. Indeed rather you should fear the One being able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

Here the Greek word is:

γέεννα — GEHENNA

Not Hades.

And notice something extremely important about Jesus' statement:

BOTH SOUL AND BODY CAN BE DESTROYED IN GEHENNA.

Jesus does not say here that God preserves the wicked eternally alive in Gehenna.

He uses the Greek verb ἀπόλλυμι — apollymi, translated in the BLB as:

“DESTROY.”

Whatever theological position we ultimately take concerning final punishment, that word must be allowed its proper place in the discussion.

JESUS SAID GOD CAN DESTROY BOTH

Look carefully at the contrast:

Man can:

kill the body

but:

God can:

DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN GEHENNA.

That statement presents a serious challenge to the claim that the human soul is inherently indestructible and therefore must remain consciously alive forever.

Jesus explicitly says God is able to:

DESTROY THE SOUL.

That deserves much more attention than it sometimes receives.

WHAT HAPPENS TO HADES ITSELF?

Revelation gives us another vital piece of evidence.

Revelation 20:14 — Berean Literal Bible

“And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

Notice the sequence:

DEATH

and:

HADES

are themselves eventually thrown into:

THE LAKE OF FIRE.

Therefore:

HADES CANNOT SIMPLY BE IDENTICAL TO THE LAKE OF FIRE.

If Hades is thrown into the lake of fire, the two cannot simply be treated as interchangeable terms.

And Revelation calls the lake of fire:

“THE SECOND DEATH.”

FIRST DEATH AND SECOND DEATH

This distinction helps us understand the biblical sequence.

There is:

THE PRESENT STATE OF DEATH

followed eventually by:

RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT

and then the final judgment described as:

THE SECOND DEATH.

Revelation 20:11–15 places the lake of fire after the resurrection and Great White Throne judgment.

This means we should be extremely cautious about teaching that every unsaved person is already experiencing the final lake-of-fire judgment immediately upon death.

The final judgment depicted in Revelation 20 occurs at the appointed judgment.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE DEAD?

Consider the language of Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes 9:5

“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing…”

And:

Ecclesiastes 9:10

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.”

Psalm 146:4 likewise says of man:

“His spirit goes forth; he returns to his earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish.”

These passages should be considered alongside any interpretation claiming that the dead continue thinking, remembering and experiencing conscious life immediately after death.

THEN WHAT ABOUT THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS?

This is the crucial question.

If Luke 16:19–31 is treated as a literal description of the geography and conscious experiences of dead people, it naturally becomes a major proof text for conscious existence after death.

But there are strong reasons to examine whether Jesus is instead using a story with symbolic and parabolic features to make a theological and moral point.

Consider what appears in the account:

Abraham's bosom.

A conversation across a great chasm.

The rich man's tongue.

Lazarus' finger.

A request for water.

And finally the central message:

“THEY HAVE MOSES AND THE PROPHETS; LET THEM HEAR THEM.”

The climax is not a geographical explanation of the afterlife.

It concerns people who refuse to hear Moses and the Prophets.

JESUS TELLS US THE CENTRAL LESSON

The account concludes:

Luke 16:31 — Berean Literal Bible

“And he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one should rise out from the dead.’”

That final sentence points us directly toward the spiritual warning.

People who refuse God's testimony will not necessarily believe even when confronted with resurrection.

The passage should therefore not be isolated from its literary purpose and turned automatically into a detailed map of what happens immediately after death.

THE KJV WORD “HELL” CAN HIDE IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS

This is one of the real problems with using the English word “hell” without checking the underlying biblical language.

Depending upon the passage, the KJV can use “hell” where the underlying word is:

SHEOL

or:

HADES

or:

GEHENNA.

Those words are not simply identical.

So when somebody says:

“The Bible says people are in Hell.”

we should immediately ask:

WHICH WORD?

SHEOL?

HADES?

GEHENNA?

THE LAKE OF FIRE?

Only then can we properly examine what the passage actually teaches.

AN IMPORTANT CORRECTION

There is one point from the older article that should be tightened considerably.

It is too broad to say:

“Hades simply means the grave.”

Hades is closely associated with Sheol and the realm/state of the dead, and in some contexts “grave” communicates that idea. But its lexical range is broader than simply a physical burial grave.

Likewise, Gehenna originally derives from the Valley of Hinnom and became associated with divine judgment. The Greek word itself does not literally mean “Great White Throne Judgment Day.”

Those distinctions actually strengthen the research because we don't need to exaggerate what the Greek words mean.

The strongest argument comes from allowing Scripture to define its own sequence.

THE BIBLICAL SEQUENCE

The picture presented in Revelation 20 is:

THE DEAD ARE RAISED

↓

JUDGMENT TAKES PLACE

↓

DEATH AND HADES ARE DESTROYED

↓

THE LAKE OF FIRE

↓

“THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH.”

Revelation 20:14

That makes an important distinction between Hades and the final judgment.

DOES MATTHEW 10:28 TEACH ETERNAL CONSCIOUS TORMENT?

Jesus' actual language should be taken seriously:

“DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN GEHENNA.”

He did not say in this verse:

“Preserve both soul and body alive forever in Gehenna.”

He said:

DESTROY.

And Revelation describes the ultimate punishment as:

“THE SECOND DEATH.”

This is why Christians who hold to conditional immortality or final destruction argue that the ultimate fate of the wicked is death and destruction rather than everlasting conscious life in torment.

Other Christians interpret the judgment texts differently, so Matthew 10:28 alone does not settle every aspect of that wider debate.

But it certainly deserves to be read exactly as Jesus gave it.

QUICK FACT CONCLUSION

Luke 16:23 in the Greek does not contain the word:

GEHENNA.

It contains:

HADES.

Matthew 10:28, however, actually uses:

GEHENNA

and Jesus says God can:

“DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY”

there.

Then Revelation 20:14 tells us:

DEATH AND HADES ARE THROWN INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE

and calls that final punishment:

“THE SECOND DEATH.”

So we should not collapse Hades, Gehenna, Sheol and the lake of fire into one English word and assume they all mean exactly the same thing.

And we certainly should not construct our doctrine merely from the KJV's use of the English word “hell.”

GO BACK TO THE HEBREW.

GO BACK TO THE GREEK.

COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE.

Then ask the crucial question:

Does the Bible really teach that the wicked receive everlasting life in torment—or does final judgment ultimately result in the second death?

That is the question the biblical evidence must answer.

OLD RESEARCH ARTICLE

Luke 16:23 — The Rich Man and Lazarus, Hades, Gehenna and the Truth About Hell

Read the full research article

Research by Simon Brown
wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com

You tube videos:

EXPOSING FALSE TEACHERS ON REVELATION TV!

EXPOSING Dr. Grady S. McMurtry On Revelation TV!

According to Dr. Grady, John 14:9, John 10:30, PROVES Jesus is GOD Almighty!

FALSE TEACHINGS of Dr Grady John 10:30.

Dr. Grady McMurtry's FALSE TEACHING on HELL!

Dr Grady McMurtry says 2 Corinthians 5:8 proves the saints are in HEAVEN!

David Pawson & Answers in Genesis, FALSE TEACHINGS on the TRINITY.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Quick Facts: 2 Corinthians 5:8 – Are Dead Christians Already Alive in Heaven?

Quick Facts: Revelation TV – Testing the Trinity Against the Word of God

The Bible's Truth About Eternity, Hell & the Human Soul

The Human Soul — Does the Bible Teach an Immortal Soul?

Revelation 14:11 — Does "Forever and Ever" Really Mean Forever?

Revelation 20:10 — Does the Devil Burn Forever?

Mark 9:44 — What Did Jesus Mean by "Their Worm Does Not Die"?

Matthew 25:46 — What Did Jesus Mean by "Eternal Punishment"?

Scriptures Proving the Unsaved Will Not Have Eternal Life

The Rich Man and Lazarus — What Did Jesus Really Mean? Luke 16:19–31

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Chapter 2: State of the Dead — Are the Dead Alive in Heaven or Asleep Awaiting the Resurrection?

A biblical study of the state of the dead examining Scripture's teaching about death, sleep, the grave, the return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, immortality, final judgment and eternal life.

For Chapter 1: Quick Facts: Are the Dead Alive or Dead? What the Bible Really Teaches and FULL article click here:

STATE OF THE DEAD — STUDY RECAP

ARE THE DEAD ALIVE IN HEAVEN, OR ASLEEP AWAITING THE RESURRECTION?

Before continuing with Part 24, let us briefly recap the biblical evidence we have examined throughout this study so far.

The central question has been simple:

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE ACTUALLY TEACH HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON DIES?

Are the dead consciously alive in heaven, hell, Hades or some other spiritual realm?

Or does Scripture teach that the dead are truly dead — described as sleeping or resting — while awaiting the future resurrection?

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR STUDY

Throughout this study we have repeatedly found Scripture describing death as:

SLEEP.

REST.

SILENCE.

RETURNING TO DUST.

AND:

WAITING FOR RESURRECTION.

Ecclesiastes tells us:

“The dead know nothing...”

— Ecclesiastes 9:5

The Psalmist says:

“His spirit goes forth, he returns to his earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish.”

— Psalm 146:4

Daniel describes:

“those sleeping in the dust of the earth”

who will one day:

“AWAKE.”

— Daniel 12:2

Daniel himself was told:

“you will rest; and you will arise for your inheritance at the end of the days.”

— Daniel 12:13, BLB

JESUS CALLED DEATH “SLEEP”

When Lazarus died, Jesus said:

“Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep...”

— John 11:11, BLB

When the disciples misunderstood Him, Jesus explained plainly:

“Lazarus has died.”

— John 11:14, BLB

Jesus then told Martha:

“Your brother will rise again.”

— John 11:23, BLB

Martha answered:

“I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day.”

— John 11:24, BLB

This became one of the major foundations of our study:

DEATH.

↓

SLEEP.

↓

THE LAST DAY.

↓

RESURRECTION.

PAUL TAUGHT THE SAME RESURRECTION HOPE

Paul repeatedly described dead Christians as:

“THOSE HAVING FALLEN ASLEEP.”

— 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15, BLB

He did not tell grieving Christians that their dead relatives were already consciously alive in heaven.

Instead he pointed them toward the return of Jesus:

“THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST.”

— 1 Thessalonians 4:16, BLB

Then the living and resurrected believers will be:

“CAUGHT AWAY TOGETHER WITH THEM”

to meet the Lord.

— 1 Thessalonians 4:17, BLB

Paul therefore directs the Christian hope toward:

THE RETURN OF JESUS.

THE RESURRECTION.

AND:

IMMORTALITY.

WHEN DO BELIEVERS RECEIVE IMMORTALITY?

Paul tells us:

“For it behooves this perishable to put on imperishable, and this mortal to put on immortality.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:53, BLB

Notice:

THE MORTAL MUST:

“PUT ON IMMORTALITY.”

Immortality is therefore not simply assumed to be something every human being already possesses naturally.

Paul connects immortality with:

THE RESURRECTION

AND:

THE LAST TRUMPET.

— 1 Corinthians 15:51–54

THE DIFFICULT PASSAGES WE HAVE EXAMINED

Throughout this study we have also confronted the passages most frequently used to argue that the dead remain consciously alive.

We have examined:

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS
— Luke 23:43

“ABSENT FROM THE BODY, PRESENT WITH THE LORD”
— 2 Corinthians 5:8

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
— Luke 16:19–31

CHRIST AND THE “SPIRITS IN PRISON”
— 1 Peter 3:18–20

“GOD WILL BRING WITH HIM THOSE HAVING FALLEN ASLEEP”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:14

THE “SOULS” UNDER THE ALTAR
— Revelation 6:9–11

“THE SPIRITS OF THE RIGHTEOUS HAVING BEEN PERFECTED”
— Hebrews 12:22–24

AND:

“DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN GEHENNA”
— Matthew 10:28

In every case we have asked the same questions:

WHAT DOES THE TEXT ACTUALLY SAY?

WHAT DOES IT NOT SAY?

WHAT DO THE ORIGINAL HEBREW AND GREEK WORDS MEAN?

WHAT DOES THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT SAY?

AND:

HOW DOES THE PASSAGE FIT WITH THE BIBLE'S CLEAR TEACHING ABOUT RESURRECTION?

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS

We examined Jesus' promise:

“Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

— Luke 23:43, BLB

We discovered that the ancient Greek text did not contain the modern comma that determines whether “today” modifies:

“I SAY TO YOU”

or:

“YOU WILL BE WITH ME.”

We also compared Jesus' statement after His resurrection:

“NOT YET HAVE I ASCENDED TO THE FATHER.”

— John 20:17, BLB

And we remembered what the thief himself requested:

“REMEMBER ME WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM.”

— Luke 23:42, BLB

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

We examined Luke 16 carefully rather than automatically treating every detail as a literal map of the afterlife.

We considered:

THE PARABOLIC CONTEXT.

ABRAHAM'S BOSOM.

HADES.

THE GREAT CHASM.

THE RICH MAN'S FIVE BROTHERS.

MOSES AND THE PROPHETS.

AND:

THE FINAL WARNING:

“If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one should rise from the dead.”

— Luke 16:31, BLB

“ABSENT FROM THE BODY”

We examined 2 Corinthians 5 within Paul's complete argument.

Paul's great hope was not merely:

BECOMING DISEMBODIED.

He looked toward being:

“CLOTHED”

and toward mortality being:

“SWALLOWED UP BY LIFE.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:4, BLB

We compared this with Paul's great resurrection teaching in:

1 CORINTHIANS 15.

THE SPIRITS IN PRISON

We examined 1 Peter 3:18–20 carefully.

We concluded that Christ was:

PUT TO DEATH.

↓

MADE ALIVE.

↓

AND THEN WENT AND PROCLAIMED TO:

“THE SPIRITS IN PRISON.”

We did not identify these “spirits” as dead human souls.

Instead we examined their association with:

THE DAYS OF NOAH

and the wider biblical evidence concerning:

REBELLIOUS SPIRITUAL BEINGS.

THE SOULS UNDER THE ALTAR

We examined Revelation 6:9–11 within the symbolic and apocalyptic nature of Revelation.

The martyrs are:

“SLAIN.”

Their “souls” appear:

UNDER THE ALTAR.

Their:

“BLOOD”

cries for justice.

We compared this with God's words concerning Abel:

“The voice of the blood of your brother is crying to Me from the ground.”

— Genesis 4:10

Abel's blood did not need to be literally conscious in order to:

“CRY.”

The imagery represents:

INNOCENT BLOOD

CRYING TO GOD FOR:

JUSTICE.

“THE SPIRITS OF THE RIGHTEOUS”

We examined Hebrews 12:22–24.

We discovered that the writer tells Christians who were still alive:

“YOU HAVE COME”

to:

HEAVENLY JERUSALEM.

Therefore the passage cannot simply be treated as a literal description of physical location.

We also examined Hebrews 11, where the faithful:

“DIED IN FAITH”

while:

“NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES.”

— Hebrews 11:13, BLB

And the chapter concludes that:

“not apart from us, they should be made perfect.”

— Hebrews 11:40, BLB

“DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY”

Most recently we examined Matthew 10:28.

Jesus says God is able to:

“DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN GEHENNA.”

— Matthew 10:28, BLB

This raises a serious problem for the doctrine that the human soul is naturally:

INDESTRUCTIBLE

AND:

IMMORTAL.

Jesus does not say God preserves the soul forever because it cannot be destroyed.

He explicitly uses the word:

“DESTROY.”

THE BIBLICAL PICTURE EMERGING SO FAR

After examining all these passages, a remarkably consistent pattern has emerged:

LIFE.

↓

DEATH.

↓

SLEEP / REST.

↓

THE RETURN OF JESUS.

↓

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

↓

JUDGMENT.

↓

IMMORTALITY AND EVERLASTING LIFE FOR GOD'S PEOPLE.

Paul says:

“THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST.”

— 1 Thessalonians 4:16, BLB

And:

“THIS MORTAL”

must:

“PUT ON IMMORTALITY.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:53, BLB

The Christian hope is therefore not that:

WE NEVER REALLY DIE.

The Christian hope is that:

DEATH WILL NOT WIN.

GOD RAISED JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.

AND THROUGH CHRIST:

THE DEAD WILL RISE.

BUT OUR INVESTIGATION IS NOT FINISHED

Several important passages remain.

We still need to examine:

“THE SPIRIT RETURNS TO GOD WHO GAVE IT.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:7

“TO DEPART AND TO BE WITH CHRIST.”
— Philippians 1:21–23

“THE SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT GOES UP TO AGES OF AGES.”
— Revelation 14:9–11

And finally:

THE LAKE OF FIRE.

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE.

THE SECOND DEATH.

AND:

THE FINAL DESTINY OF THE UNSAVED.

— Revelation 20:10–15

Then we will bring the entire investigation together in our:

FINAL BIBLICAL SUMMARY.

So now let us continue.

PART 24 — “THE SPIRIT RETURNS TO GOD WHO GAVE IT”

DOES ECCLESIASTES 12:7 TEACH THAT A CONSCIOUS HUMAN SPIRIT GOES TO HEAVEN AT DEATH?

Ecclesiastes says:

“the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

— Ecclesiastes 12:7

This verse is frequently understood to mean:

THE BODY DIES.

↓

THE CONSCIOUS SPIRIT LEAVES THE BODY.

↓

THE PERSON CONTINUES LIVING WITH GOD IN HEAVEN.

But is that actually what Ecclesiastes says?

To answer this, we must investigate:

THE HEBREW WORD RUACH.

THE CREATION OF MAN.

THE BREATH OF LIFE.

GENESIS 2:7.

ECCLESIASTES' OWN TEACHING ABOUT THE DEAD.

AND:

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS FOR THE:

“SPIRIT”

TO:

“RETURN TO GOD WHO GAVE IT.”

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

COMPARE THE TRANSLATIONS.

EXAMINE THE ORIGINAL HEBREW AND GREEK.

TEST EVERY TRADITION.

FOLLOW THE BIBLICAL EVIDENCE WHEREVER IT LEADS.

Research by Simon Brown

REAL DISCOVERIES

https://wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com/

Quick Facts: Are the Dead Alive or Dead? What the Bible Really Teaches.

Quick Facts Bible study examining whether the dead are alive in heaven or asleep awaiting resurrection, with Scriptures about death, Hades, Jesus' return, resurrection and final judgment.

THIS ARTICLE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUTION PLEASE COME BACK

A detailed Quick Facts Bible study examining what Scripture teaches about the state of the dead. The study compares the widespread Christian belief that people remain consciously alive after death with passages describing the dead as asleep and awaiting resurrection. Key Scriptures include Ecclesiastes 9:5–10, John 11:11–14, John 20:17, 1 Corinthians 15:20–23, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17, John 5:28–29 and Revelation 20:4–15.

For: Chapter 2: State of the Dead — Are the Dead Alive in Heaven or Asleep Awaiting the Resurrection?

PART 1 — WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?

The Bible’s Language of Death and Sleep

This will contain Quick Facts 1–10:

The Bible describes death as sleep
Jesus called death “sleep”
Martha expected Lazarus to rise “at the last day”
Jesus did not say Lazarus was alive in heaven
“The dead know not any thing” — Ecclesiastes 9:5
“In death there is no remembrance” — Psalm 6:5
“The dead praise not the LORD” — Psalm 115:17
At death, “his thoughts perish” — Psalm 146:4
Job described death as sleep
Jesus said those in the graves will hear His voice and come forth — John 5:28–29

PART 1 — WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?

THE BIBLE’S LANGUAGE OF DEATH AND SLEEP

INTRODUCTION

What actually happens to us when we die?

This is one of the greatest questions mankind has ever asked.

Many Christians have been taught that death is not really death.

They have been taught that when a saved Christian dies, an immortal soul immediately leaves the body and continues consciously living in heaven with Jesus.

Many are also taught that the unsaved dead remain consciously alive in Hades, awaiting the final judgment.

I once accepted teachings like these myself.

But when we put aside traditions and begin searching the Scriptures, we must ask:

IS THIS REALLY WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES?

Before examining difficult passages such as the thief on the cross, the rich man and Lazarus, “absent from the body,” and Paul's desire to “depart, and to be with Christ,” we first need to establish something much more fundamental:

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE NORMALLY SAY HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON DIES?

What did Jesus call death?

What did the prophets call death?

And when did Jesus say the dead would live again?

Let us begin with the clearest Scriptures.

QUICK FACT 1 — THE BIBLE REPEATEDLY DESCRIBES DEATH AS SLEEP

One of the most important facts in this entire study is remarkably simple:

THE BIBLE REPEATEDLY COMPARES DEATH WITH SLEEP.

Consider Daniel's prophecy:

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake...”
— Daniel 12:2, KJV

Notice exactly what Daniel says.

They:

“SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH.”

And eventually they:

“SHALL AWAKE.”

This gives us a remarkably simple biblical picture:

DEATH → SLEEP

RESURRECTION → AWAKENING

They are not described here as consciously living in heaven or consciously suffering somewhere beneath the earth.

They are described as:

ASLEEP.

And one day:

THEY WILL AWAKE.

QUICK FACT 2 — JESUS HIMSELF CALLED DEATH “SLEEP”

We do not have to rely only upon the Old Testament.

Jesus used exactly the same language.

When Lazarus died, Jesus told His disciples:

“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
— John 11:11, KJV

The disciples misunderstood Him.

They thought Lazarus was literally sleeping.

So Jesus explained exactly what He meant:

“Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”
— John 11:14, KJV

This could hardly be clearer.

Jesus said:

“LAZARUS SLEEPETH.”

Then Jesus explained:

“LAZARUS IS DEAD.”

Therefore, in this passage:

SLEEP = DEATH.

And what was Jesus going to do?

AWAKEN HIM.

This gives us a beautiful biblical picture:

DEATH IS THE SLEEP.

RESURRECTION IS THE AWAKENING.

QUICK FACT 3 — MARTHA EXPECTED LAZARUS TO RISE “AT THE LAST DAY”

There is another extremely important detail in the story of Lazarus.

Jesus told Martha:

“Thy brother shall rise again.”
— John 11:23, KJV

Notice Martha's response:

“I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
— John 11:24, KJV

Martha did not answer:

“I know Lazarus is already alive in heaven.”

Her hope was:

THE RESURRECTION.

And when did she expect it?

“AT THE LAST DAY.”

Jesus then declared:

“I am the resurrection, and the life.”
— John 11:25, KJV

The emphasis is upon RESURRECTION.

Death is not presented as the believer's final victory.

RESURRECTION FROM DEATH IS.

QUICK FACT 4 — JESUS NEVER SAID LAZARUS WAS ALIVE IN HEAVEN

Think carefully about what happens in John chapter 11.

Lazarus had been dead for four days.

Yet Jesus never comforts Martha by saying:

“Lazarus isn't really dead. He is alive with God in heaven.”

Instead:

JESUS CALLS LAZARUS' DEATH “SLEEP.”

JESUS THEN SAYS PLAINLY THAT LAZARUS IS DEAD.

MARTHA EXPECTS HIM TO RISE “AT THE LAST DAY.”

Then Jesus goes to the tomb and cries:

“Lazarus, come forth.”
— John 11:43, KJV

What happened?

“And he that was dead came forth...”
— John 11:44, KJV

Notice those words:

“HE THAT WAS DEAD.”

The passage does not tell us that Lazarus' immortal soul came down from heaven and re-entered his body.

It tells us:

LAZARUS WAS DEAD.

JESUS CALLED HIM.

LAZARUS CAME FORTH.

LAZARUS LIVED AGAIN.

This is RESURRECTION.

QUICK FACT 5 — “THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING”

Now consider one of the Bible's most direct statements concerning the dead:

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing...”
— Ecclesiastes 9:5, KJV

Please read those words again:

“THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING.”

Ecclesiastes continues:

“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished...”
— Ecclesiastes 9:6, KJV

And:

“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.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10, KJV

Notice what is absent:

NO WORK.

NO KNOWLEDGE.

NO WISDOM.

The dead are not described here as continuing normal conscious existence somewhere else.

The Bible says:

“THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING.”

PART 1 CONCLUSION

So what have we discovered from our first five Quick Facts?

DANIEL describes the dead as sleeping in the dust and eventually awakening.

JESUS describes Lazarus' death as sleep.

MARTHA expects Lazarus to rise “at the last day.”

LAZARUS is explicitly described as “dead.”

And ECCLESIASTES says:

“THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING.”

Already we have a serious biblical question to consider.

If the dead are consciously alive somewhere else, why does Scripture repeatedly describe death as:

SLEEP?

Why must the dead:

AWAKE?

Why did Martha expect Lazarus to rise:

“AT THE LAST DAY”?

And why does Ecclesiastes explicitly say:

“THE DEAD KNOW NOT ANY THING”?

BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE EVIDENCE TO EXAMINE.

In the next part we will discover what the Bible says happens to:

OUR THOUGHTS.

OUR KNOWLEDGE.

OUR PRAISE.

OUR CONSCIOUSNESS.

And we will examine where Jesus says the dead are when He finally calls them back to life.

COMING NEXT:

PART 2 — WHAT DO THE DEAD KNOW?

THE BIBLE’S DESCRIPTION OF DEATH, SILENCE AND THE GRAVE

We will examine:

“IN DEATH THERE IS NO REMEMBRANCE.”
— Psalm 6:5

“THE DEAD PRAISE NOT THE LORD.”
— Psalm 115:17

“IN THAT VERY DAY HIS THOUGHTS PERISH.”
— Psalm 146:4

Job's extraordinary description of waiting in death until God calls him.

And finally Jesus' own words:

“ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES SHALL HEAR HIS VOICE,

AND SHALL COME FORTH.”
— John 5:28–29

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

COMPARE THE EVIDENCE.

TEST EVERYTHING.

AND FOLLOW THE TRUTH WHEREVER IT LEADS.

Philippians 2:6 — Does "The Form of God" Mean Jesus Is Almighty God?

PART 2 CHAPTER 9. THE ALLEGED ALIEN MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

Thousands of people around the world have claimed that, during alleged alien encounters, they experienced unusual medical examinations, biological procedures, or unexplained physical interventions. This infographic introduces the major themes explored throughout Chapter 9, including reported implants, neurological testing, blood sampling, physical evidence, and the investigations of Dr. David Jacobs, Thomas Reed, L.A. Marzulli, and Dr. Roger Leir. The chapter also compares eyewitness testimony with sceptical viewpoints, scientific research, psychology, and the teaching of Scripture to encourage careful and balanced investigation.

How Did Jesus COME DOWN From Heaven, If He Was Not In Heaven?

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not that I should do My will, but the will of the One having sent Me. Most of Christianity are very confused and deceived into believing in a PRE-EXISTING Christ, who they say was WITH GOD before He was Begotten and BORN in the woman's womb, all because of what Jesus said by saying: HE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, as we read in scriptures like John 16:25, John 8:23, John 3:13, John 3:31, John 6:38, John 8:23. So in this short article, if you don't mind, can I, little old me, an ordinary man off the street, help out by sharing with you what I now know Jesus meant when He said in verses like John 8:23 And He was saying to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

Questions for Trinitarians!

Please give us ONE verse where Jesus is called the ONE TRUE GOD? Please give us ONE verse where GOD is said to be THREE PERSONS? 1. HOW MANY GODS are on the throne of GOD, as you also believe Jesus is GOD? 2. Where is the HOLY Spirit on the throne of GOD? 3. As Jesus has a GOD, how is Jesus that SAME GOD? 4 Where did GOD say He was the SON? 5. Where did Jesus say He is GOD? 6. Where did GOD or Jesus say we MUST BELIEVE Jesus is GOD to be saved? “For God so loved the world, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. 7. WHERE did GOD say He gave Himself to be crucified, if GOD is Jesus? 8. WHERE did GOD SAY the HOLY Spirit is a separate person? 9. WHERE is the HOLY Spirit in John 1:1? 10. WHERE is the HOLY Spirit on GODS THRONE, does He go on HOLIDAY? Is there ONE GOD, or THREE GODS, on the THRONE of GOD? 11. As there are NOT such teachings, WHY then do you believe what is NOT taught in the whole Bible? 12. As Jesus always taught ONE BIBLICAL SIMPLE FACT, that we MUST believe He is THE SON of His ONE TRUE GOD, how then do you think you will BE SAVED, for NOT believing in the REQUIREMENT of Salvation?

There are NO such teaching saying we MUST BELIEVE Jesus is GOD or A TRINITY!

Jesus said: Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! Matthew 11:15. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the SON of God? 1 John 5:5. There are NO such teaching saying we MUST BELIEVE Jesus is GOD or A TRINITY, but as St john has said: but he that believeth that *JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD?* 1 John 5:5. Notice we MUST believe Jesus is *THE SON OF GOD* 1 John 5:5. And yet MOST have been DECEIVED into believing the CATHOLIC doctrine that Jesus the Son of His GOD, is instead the SAME GOD He was BORN from, which makes GOD and His SON into LIARS, who have always declared they are a LITERAL Father and SON, and that GOD amazingly GAVE and SENT His SON, who BOTH have never taught, GOD GAVE HIMSELF, as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, but that GOD gave His BEGOTTEN SON Jesus, NOT to condemn us, but save us by GODS own Son PAYING THE PRICE FOR OUR SINS. And as Jesus has said: ETERNAL LIFE is believing His Father GOD, is the only ONE TRUE GOD, alone. John 17:3. *Which is the FIRST commandment one MUST believe, that GOD IS one person, NOT THREE CALLED THE CATHOLIC PAGAN TRINITY, Mark 12:29.* It was shown to you so that you might know that Yahweh is God. There is no one else besides him. Deuteronomy 4:35. This ONE single scripture of Deuteronomy 4:35, PROVES the TRINITY is false, because the TRINITY teaches there are THREE Gods SIDE by SIDE, and not ONE GOD.

My 12 Commandments.

Learn to be a better person, tuning and turning your weaknesses and failures to strengths and triumph's. Don't be angry with anyone, instead show love and patience that comes from our heavenly Father.

Don't let your heart rule your head, but the word and wisdom of GOD instead.

Don't let PRIDE rule your life, but be Humbled instead.

Don't let sex lead you astray, or it will destroy you in every way.

Don't let Money be your GOD, or it will separate you from GOD.

Let GOD rule your life, and strive to be perfect like the Christ.

In the good times and the bad times, Love GOD above all things, with all your being, and you will be a child of GOD.

Trust and follow GOD'S only begotten Son with all your heart, mind and soul, and He will be your perfect brother, King, and advocate.

Be a good Samaritan, by loving your neighbour, and helping when you can, and make GOD smile.

Give to the poor people, and GOD will give to you.

Keep and obey GOD and His Sons Commandments and teachings, for this is the duty of man.

Simon Brown.

Jeremiah 23:5,6 – Our Righteousness

Jeremiah 23:5 – Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” Jeremiah 23:6 – In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Yahweh our righteousness. World English Bible translation. Many quote the above scripture to support the claim that Jesus is Yahweh. The claim is that Jesus is being called “Yahweh (Jehovah) in Jeremiah 23:6, thus Jesus must be Yahweh. We have shown elsewhere that Jesus is the Son of the unipersonal God, he wassent by Yahweh, he spoke for Yahweh, etc. See: Jesus is Not Yahweh But let us examine Jeremiah 23:5,6: FULL ARTICLE HERE https://tanah44.wixsite.com/biblijaimi/jeremiah-236--our-righteousness

Correcting False Teachers:

And He said to them, "Having gone into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation. Mark 16:15.

Let's strive to be as gentle as doves and self-controlled, and as 1 Peter 3:8 tells us to have sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind, when declaring the truth, but when the truth is so often rejected, I believe there are times when we need to be aggressive to expose wickedness and seriousness, when there are countless false teachings in most churches today which is no joke.

This is interesting to read what Paul and Trinitarians like Pulpit Commentary say about exposing wickedness:

And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even expose them. Ephesians 5:11.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. The point of this exhortation is in the adjective "unfruitful." The works of darkness are unfruitful; they produce no goodness, give rise to no satisfaction, to no moral results that are "a joy forever;" or, if fruit they have, it is shame, remorse, despair. Contrast this with the renovating, satisfying, joy-producing, fruits of righteousness. But rather even reprove them. Do not be content with a passive attitude towards them, BUT TAKE THE AGGRESSIVE AND EXPOSE THEIR WICKEDNESS, whether in public or in the domestic circle. A testimony has to be lifted up against ways that are so shameful and that bring down the wrath of God.

Paul continues to say:

But those sinning, REBUKE before all, so that the rest might have FEAR as well. 1 Timothy 5:20.

holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to REFUTE those who contradict. Titus 1:9.

Correcting False Teachers:

10 For there are also many insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whom it is necessary to silence, who overthrow whole households, teaching things that they ought not for the sake of base gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”a

13 This testimony is true, for which cause rebuke them severely, so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish myths and the commandments of men turning away from the truth.

15 To the pure all things are pure; but to those being defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Instead, both their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.

Matthew 7: Berean Literal Bible

15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruits you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So every good tree bears good fruits, but the rotten tree bears bad fruits. 18 A good tree is not able to bear bad fruits, nor a bad tree to bear good fruits. 19 Every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down and is thrown into fire. 20 Then surely by their fruits you will recognize them.

21 Not everyone saying to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of My Father in the heavens. 22 Many will say to Me in that the day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.’

Below in 2 Peter 2: we find a perfect teaching exposing most of Christianity as being deceived, and most as being false teachers, who wrongly believe, say, and teach Jesus is GOD, which DENIES Jesus as the SON of His One True GOD, John 10:36, John 17:3, DENYING also GOD gave His SON, NOT HIMSELF John 3:16, DENYING also the Father and the SON Luke 9:35, and Yahweh GOD as GOD alone Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 45:22, Job 23:13, 2 Kings 19:15. Isaiah 44:24, Nehemiah 9:6. Mark 12:29, Deuteronomy 6:4.

Berean Literal Bible Deliverance from False Prophets. 2 Peter 2:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who will stealthily introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master having bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow after their sensuality, through whom the way of the truth will be maligned. 3 And through covetousness they will exploit you with fabricated words, for whom the judgment of long ago is not idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

What Emma and I Simon Brown believe?

We believe the MAIN Catholic doctrine of the Trinity is FALSE. GOD, is a single being which is strongly declared in the Bible. I am YAHWEH, and there is no other; THERE IS NO GOD BUT ME. Isaiah 45:5 HCSB. GOD ALMIGHTY makes this clear He is ONE GOD and NOT THREE called The Trinity. We know longer believe in the Trinity. We believe the Trinity is false. There is only ONE TRUE GOD said Jesus, who is His father. And this is eternal life, that they know YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3. I Simon Brown discovered the Trinity was false in January of 2016. My Wife confessed the same in January of 2017. We now both believe the Trinity is the greatest Christian deception in history. We believe GOD is ONE being as Jesus taught in Mark 12:29. and not THREE called the Trinity. We believe Jesus is truly the begotten SON. You can read my research on this blog and make up your own mind.

Over 100 Questions, If you believe Jesus Is GOD?

Would you PLEASE Help with some Simple Questions? If Jesus were GOD, WHY didn’t Jesus simply say to the Jews (I am GOD) in John 10:36, instead of saying: ‘I am the Son of God’? As Jesus has a GOD, how is Jesus that SAME GOD John 20:17? WHERE did GOD say He was the SON? WHERE did the SON say He was GOD? WHERE is it written ANYWHERE in the Bible saying the HOLY Spirit is a separate person? Is Jesus GOD or the Lamb of GOD? TRUE of FALSE as MOST teach we MUST believe Jesus is GOD to be saved?

The title of this commentary is: FOREKNOWLEDGE AND PREDESTINATION DOES NOT MEAN PREEXISTENCE.

Dear friends, I Simon Brown have added this very useful info I received last year to share with you here on my blog, from Don Smith. Don Smith. I would like to offer some of the Biblical evidence I have gathered that refutes preexistence. In this post below I don't deal with all the verses that seem to imply a preexistence for Jesus. I can do that in separate commentary on each scripture. I’m sure you will recognize that Anthony Buzzard and John Schoenheit have influenced me, as has Dustin Smith and Dale Tuggy, Too many other people to list off the top of my head.

FULL ARTICLE HERE:

The Challenge Facing Trinitarianism Today.

Anthony F. Buzzard, M.A. (Oxon.), M.A.Th. Contemporary Trinitarianism faces a formidable battery of arguments which have undermined some of its cherished biblical “proofs.” Unknown to most churchgoers there is a corpus of non-Trinitarian (in fact, if not in name) rather than anti-Trinitarian literature which in various ways abandons some of the main props of Trinitarianism. Anti-Trinitarianism has long presented its case by showing that various orthodox Trinitarians have explained key Trinitarian verses in a unitarian way.

THE MOST SHOCKING BIBLE PROPHECY MATTHEW 7-23!

In this new video I reveal how the TRUE PROPHETS, Teachers and preachers like Sir Anthony Buzzard are mostly rejected, showing how History has repeated itself, while the FALSE Teachers and preachers are mostly accepted. I Simon Brown then go on to reveal the SHOCKING TRUTH, and demonstrate who were the FIRST FALSE PROPHETS, which is oddly revealed to us by the very FALSE PROPHETS of today, who we were so often warned about by Jesus, John Paul, and Peter, that we were not to be deceived by, and yet we discover a SHOCKING truth, how most of Christianity have followed in the footsteps of the very first FALSE PROPHETS.

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?. He is GOD Almighty’s only BEGOTTEN Son, John 3:16, who became the Word of GOD for His GOD, Rev 19:13, He is the image of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15, And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent, Colossians 1:18, and the High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator, Hebrews 5:10, 6:20, 7:3, and the Messenger, and prophet, Matthew 21:11, Luke 24:19, Acts 3:22-23, Deuteronomy 18:15, He is the Messiah (who is called Christ), John 4:25, He is the bread of life, John 6:48, He is the light of the world. John 8:12, He is the way and the truth and the life, John 14:6, He is the gate, John 10:9, He is the resurrection and the life, John 11:25, For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18. We PRAISE Jesus for bringing us to His Father, the only ONE TRUE GOD: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living GOD. Matthew 16:16. And that by believing, you may have life, in his name. John 20:31. Amen. Simon Brown.

THE DANGER OF SIN:

When we WILFULLY sin and let sin in, we let the DEVIL in, and throw GOD in the bin.

By NOT letting sin in we are proving to GOD and His Son we love and respect them.

DON’T let Sex RULE your head, but the word of GOD instead, which proves you love GOD more instead.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21.

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23.

Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” John 8:51.

Don’t be deceived like most who live by GRACE on STEROIDS, and discover you were a foolish Virgin.

THE SHOCKING TRUTH:

There are many false gods, with many false Christ’s, with many false faiths, with many false prophets, who are mostly accepted, with many false teachings, with most being deceived, with many deceptions, with many BLACK HOLES that lead to HELL, where MOST go the easy way.

There is only one true GOD, and one true CHRIST, and one true FAITH, and few TRUE prophets who are mostly rejected by their correct teachings who are mostly neglected.

There is one NARROW road that leads to heaven that only goes through the one true Christ that gets us to the ALMIGHTY GOD where MANY are called, but FEW are CHOSEN.

And yet all is needed to gain eternal life, is to believe and follow what GOD and His Son only ever taught, that GOD is one person, and that Christ is the only Begotten SON of the ONE TRUE GOD, and that by believing we must take up our cross and follow Christ.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24. but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3.

Scientific Papers & Articles Compiled by Barrie M. Schwortz of Shroud.com

Read 100's of peer reviewed, scientific, visible and physical evidences of the crucifixion, death, and the ultimate Resurrection of Jesus (Yeshua) meaning Salvation. Researched by the best researchers, experts and scientists in the world, proving the facts of God's love for ALL humans, by sending Jesus who suffered severe pain and punishment by being whipped and nailed to a cross. NOT to condemn us. NO. But to save us.This Gateway Page provides a brief description of each scientific paper or article and some background on its author. It also includes a link to the "Submission Requirements" page of the site, where contributors will find detailed instructions for the preparation and submission of papers and articles.

DISCOVERED: The Tomb of Jesus.

See my VIDEO on the Tomb of Jesus, and my discovery of the GREAT STONE to the Garden Tomb. Matthew 27:57 to 61 tells us. The Burial of Jesus As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. HE ROLLED A BIG STONE IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE TOMB AND WENT AWAY.

Evolution Blown to Pieces. Read for FREE.

Evolutionist teach and believe the age of the Earth must be 4.54 billion years old for natural selection to progress and work for organs to adapt into complex life. However the Evolutionary theory is in complete conflict with all the present day authorities who are in absolute agreement with the Natural History Museum who all believe the Earth is only 4,600 million years old, because of the Geological Column of the Earth's history. This poses a ''severe problem'' for the theory of Evolution. It would simply not be possible for natural selection to adapt from single-celled organisms into highly complex life. The chances of Evolution in such a short time would be like seeing pigs fly. There again we now know fish can fly, which Evolutionist believe and teach jumped out of the water and became complex you and me. The fact is seeing pigs fly would still be a 100 billion times greater possibility than Evolution. Read my book for FREE Evolution Blown to Pieces.

Truth springs from the earth, And righteousness looks down from heaven. Psalm 85:11

EVOLUTION IS THE GREATEST DECEPTION IN THE WORLD.

DID YOU KNOW? The worlds greatest Palaeontologist. Who study the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms. includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments their

palaeoecology. CANNOT find one single ''missing link'' or ancestor to any living creature. Yes just ONE to any insect. Or Animal. Or us humans. This is a fact. There is absolutely NO evidence of (one single ancestor to a single insect. Or Animal. Or us humans, revealing their ancestors showing transition, transformation, adaptation, changeover, which is a process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another called Evolution. EVOLUTION IS THE GREATEST DECEPTION IN THE WORLD.

Only WISE people can look up into the glorious complex heavens, and understand the wonders of this earth, the complex DNA, the building blocks of life, could NOT possibly have come into existence by random chance.

But as we are told, throughout the Bible, all the glorious wonders we see, through our complex human eyes, were created by an intelligent designer. As our complex clocks work, houses, aeroplanes, boats, and cars and the amazing technology of computers, of which NONE came into being were caused by a BIG BANG, which does not create, but DESTROYS everything in its path, so was all the wonders we have today were built by intelligent designers called HUMANS.

This explains why Sir Isaac Newton, Biography Philosopher, Astronomer, Physicist, Scientist, Mathematician (1643–1727) understood the truth and said: The true God is a living, intelligent and powerful Being. Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion.

God governs all things and knows all that is or can be done.

This most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.

This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called Lord God. Sir Isaac Newton: https://wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com/2015/01/sir-isaac-newton-and-albert-einstein.html

Heritage of Evidence: In the British Museum Paperback.

In today's atheistic climate most people have no idea how much powerful evidence exists for the literal accuracy and authenticity of the biblical record. The British Museum holds a huge number of discoveries that provide direct corroboration and background confirmation for an immense sweep of Bible history. ‘Heritage of Evidence in the British Museum’ by Dr Peter Masters provides a survey of Bible-authenticating exhibits. It has been designed as a guide for visitors, and also to give pleasure and interest to readers unable to tour the galleries. It is also most suitable for people who need to see the accuracy and inspiration of the Bible. Order a copy from here. See more books on Bible evidence at the bottom of this page.

God/Jesus is the source of ALL love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Grace. Jesus was nailed to a cross.

NOT to condemn us. BUT to SAVE us. Why is Jesus second coming taking so long? But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8 - 9. King James Bible. Do you know Him? He is coming back ''in our life time'' to take ALL the people who accepted His love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Grace. The good news is, for the ones who follow and put their trust in Jesus will live on for ever and will go in a perfect paradise to come, where God will restore the world back to being more than perfect. And: He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4 As born again believers, we look forward for the time when Jesus will restore the world back to Paradise; and where there will never again be any more suffering or pain, dying or killing. We look forward to seeing the day when, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6. Dear friend, WILL YOU BE THERE? Where will your soul end up? Are you saved? Click here to give your life to Jesus. Jesus came to set us free by reversing the curse of the earth and death that came because of Adam's disobedience, when the earth was cursed. Once we accept Jesus, as He was raised from the dead, so are we directly at death and are ''set free'' from the curse, sin and the spiritual prison called (HADES) followed by Hell and death. This is why Jesus was crucified.

NEVER GIVE UP SEEKING GOD AND HIS TRUTH

Never give up loving God. Never give up loving one another. Never give up praying. Never give up repenting when you have done wrong. Never give up forgiving others. And never give up SEEKING, STUDYING and SEARCHING the Scriptures for truth. Do not simply believe something because I say it. Do not believe something merely because a church, denomination, pastor, priest or teacher tells you it is true. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES FOR YOURSELF. This is exactly what the Bereans did. The Bible praises them because they listened with an open mind, but then carefully checked what they had been taught against the Scriptures: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” — Acts 17:11, KJV What a wonderful example for every Christian. They did not blindly accept what they were told. THEY SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY. They examined the evidence. They tested what they heard. They wanted to know whether these things were really true. We should do exactly the same today. KEEP SEARCHING. KEEP LEARNING. KEEP PRAYING. KEEP FORGIVING. KEEP LOVING. KEEP FOLLOWING JESUS. AND NEVER STOP SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES FOR THE TRUTH. Because discovering the truth about God and His Son Jesus Christ is a treasure worth seeking for the rest of our lives. “Search the scriptures.” — John 5:39, KJV Quick Commentary by Simon Brown REAL DISCOVERIES

NOAH'S ARK – DOUBTS, DISCOVERIES AND DEBATE.

IN THIS ARTICLE What is the truth? How did Noah's Ark survive the greatest storm ever? Why did the Titanic sink in the calmest weather ever? Is Global warming real? Where is Noah's Ark? Does it matter where Noah's Ark rested? Does the existence or non existence of Noah's Ark affect a believers’ faith? How can there be two different sites with Noah's Ark? Why have some Christians condemned Ron Wyatt and his claims? What does Henri Nissen say in his book - Noah's’ Ark Uncovered? Sodom and Gomorrah - has it been found? What are the brimstone and sulphur, balls we found? Is the existence or non- existence of the ark a salvation issue? What does the Bible say about judging others? CHRISTIAN TV. What must we do to be sure we are saved?

A REMARKABLE EVIDENCE FOR THE BIBLE — THE UNBELIEF IT PREDICTED

There is a remarkable fact about the Bible that is often overlooked. The Bible never predicted that everyone would believe its message. Quite the opposite. Jesus and the biblical writers repeatedly warned that MANY PEOPLE WOULD NOT BELIEVE. Nearly 2,000 years later, that unbelief continues. Millions of people reject the Bible. Millions do not believe Jesus was the Messiah. Millions do not believe in the God whom Jesus proclaimed. But here is the fascinating point: THE BIBLE SAID THIS WOULD HAPPEN. JESUS SAID THE WORLD DID NOT KNOW GOD Shortly before His death, Jesus prayed to His Father: “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee...” — John 17:25, KJV Notice what Jesus said: “THE WORLD HATH NOT KNOWN THEE.” Jesus did not predict that His message would immediately convince the entire world. He recognised that much of the world DID NOT KNOW GOD. JESUS SAID MANY WOULD CHOOSE THE BROAD WAY Jesus gave another sobering warning: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and MANY there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.” — Matthew 7:13–14, KJV Notice the contrast: MANY — THE BROAD WAY. FEW — FIND THE WAY TO LIFE. Jesus never taught that the majority would necessarily accept the truth. JESUS ALSO SAID PEOPLE COULD SEE WITHOUT PERCEIVING Jesus said: “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” — Matthew 13:13, KJV People could actually hear Jesus speaking. They could see what He was doing. Yet many still did not believe. Jesus therefore anticipated something that continues to happen: PEOPLE WOULD HEAR THE MESSAGE AND STILL REJECT IT. DO NON-BELIEVERS “PROVE” THE BIBLE? We should state this carefully. The existence of unbelievers does not, by itself, prove every claim contained in the Bible. However, widespread unbelief is certainly CONSISTENT WITH what Jesus and the biblical writers said we should expect. And that raises an interesting question: If unbelief in Jesus and the biblical message is supposed to disprove Christianity, why did Jesus Himself repeatedly warn His followers that unbelief would occur? The Bible did not promise: “EVERYONE WILL BELIEVE.” Instead, it warned us that many WOULD NOT. THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH This pattern existed long before the ministry of Jesus. Jesus quoted Isaiah: “By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.” — Matthew 13:14; compare Isaiah 6:9 Jesus applied this ancient warning to the unbelief He encountered during His own ministry. Therefore unbelief was not something that took Jesus by surprise. THE QUESTION FOR EVERY READER The important question is not: DO MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE? Truth is not determined by a majority vote. The important question is: IS IT TRUE? Was Jesus really the Messiah? Did God really raise Jesus from the dead? Is the Bible historically reliable? Were its prophecies fulfilled? Does the evidence support its claims? Those questions must be investigated on their own merits. DO NOT FOLLOW THE CROWD — FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE If millions believe something, that does not automatically make it true. And if millions reject something, that does not automatically make it false. Jesus Himself warned that the way followed by the majority is not necessarily the way leading to life. So investigate for yourself. READ. SEARCH. QUESTION. COMPARE THE EVIDENCE. OPEN YOUR BIBLE. And above all, seek the God whom Jesus called: “O RIGHTEOUS FATHER.” — John 17:25 Jesus said: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” — Matthew 11:15, KJV Quick Commentary by Simon Brown REAL DISCOVERIES

The Pearl Of Great Price.

I believe there are many many people who are spiritually hungry and are spiritually searching for evidence of God, which I believe was clearly illustrated by Jesus in His parable called The Pearl Of Great Price in Matthew 13:45-46. Although this parable told by Jesus was illustrating the value and preciousness of the kingdom, Jesus also illustrated a merchant, who was "searching" for that "pearl of great price". which I believe was a person who was on a mission to find the truth of God. (Just as people who are looking at Bible Discoveries and The Shroud of Turin) who find the truth of God, if they have open hearts. Who believe there is something out there worth looking for, or they would not be seeking for it. As was the merchant, "searching" for that "pearl of great price". After seeking (Bible Evidence) They discovered The Pearl Of Great Price. Jesus Christ himself (becoming Born Again) and experience the ultimate blessings of the "kingdom of heaven" I pray ALL scoffers and the Doubting Thomas will change their way of thinking and use Bible Evidence to bring the lost to faith and know the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and testify to the majority of the world who are lost and not as blessed as born again believers, who clearly need to see the evidence of Jesus to bring them to faith. Which is precisely why Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 seek, and ye shall find.

(The prophecy still being fulfilled today confirming the accuracy of Jesus teachings)

He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you (Believers) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, (The truth regarding God and his Kingdom) but to them (Unbelievers) it is not given. For whosoever hath, (Faith in Jesus ) to him shall be given, (The Holy Spirit teaches believers the truth and mysteries) and he shall have more abundance: (For ever learning the truth) but whosoever hath not, (Unbelievers) from him shall be taken away (Satan takes the truth from Unbelievers) even that he hath. (any truth that is told to unbelievers is removed) Matthew 13:11 - 12. (King James Version) Quick Commentary by Simon Brown.

WHY CAN BRILLIANT MINDS LOOK AT CREATION AND NOT SEE A CREATOR?

Why do some of the brightest, most highly educated and scientifically accomplished people in the world look at this extraordinary planet — filled with life, information, order and astonishing complexity — yet conclude that no Creator is necessary? How can two people look at the same universe, the same stars, the same Earth and the same extraordinary complexity of life, yet reach completely different conclusions? One sees evidence of an INTELLIGENT CREATOR. The other sees only natural processes. The Bible gives us a spiritual explanation that deserves serious consideration. Jesus said: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” — John 3:19, KJV Jesus was teaching something profound about human nature. Our conclusions are not always determined by intelligence alone. The HEART matters too. A person can possess extraordinary intelligence, education and scientific knowledge and still reject the things of God. According to Jesus, human beings can resist the light because they prefer darkness. This does not mean that every unbelieving scientist is deliberately dishonest or consciously rejecting evidence. Nor should Christians assume that intelligence and education are enemies of faith. Many outstanding scientists throughout history have believed in God. The deeper biblical point is that intelligence alone does not guarantee spiritual understanding. THE APOSTLE PAUL EXPLAINS FURTHER Paul wrote: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14, KJV What one person considers foolishness, another may recognise as profound truth. The Bible teaches that there is more involved in knowing God than possessing a brilliant mind. There must also be a willingness to SEEK Him. SIN CAN DARKEN THE HUMAN HEART The Bible repeatedly warns that sin can influence the way human beings think and perceive spiritual truth. When people continually choose darkness rather than light, their hearts can become hardened. A hardened heart can then affect the mind. And a person who refuses God's truth can become increasingly vulnerable to deception. This is why Scripture repeatedly calls people to turn back to God. BUT THIS MESSAGE IS FOR BELIEVERS TOO Christians should never read these passages and simply point their fingers at unbelievers. We must examine OUR OWN hearts as well. Religious people can also become blinded by pride, tradition, prejudice and unwillingness to reconsider what they believe. Every one of us should therefore ask: AM I REALLY SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH? Would I change my beliefs if the evidence showed me that I was wrong? Am I listening to God — or merely defending what I already want to believe? LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE Look at the universe. Look at our extraordinary planet. Look at life. Look at DNA. Look at the astonishing order and complexity found throughout nature. Then ask one of the greatest questions a human being can ask: WHY DOES ANYTHING EXIST AT ALL? Do not believe merely because someone tells you to believe. But neither should you reject God merely because someone tells you that science has made Him unnecessary. SEARCH. QUESTION. INVESTIGATE. OPEN YOUR HEART. AND SEEK THE TRUTH. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” — Matthew 11:15, KJV Quick Commentary by Simon Brown REAL DISCOVERIES

DID YOU KNOW?

Virtually all modern scholars of antiquity agree that Jesus existed, and most biblical scholars and historians see the theories of his non-existence as effectively refuted. In antiquity, the existence of Jesus was never denied by those who opposed Christianity. Geoffrey Blainey notes that a few scholars have argued that Jesus did not exist, but writes that Jesus' life was in fact "astonishingly documented" by the standards of the time - more so than any of his contemporaries - with numerous books, stories and memoirs written about him. READ the full article by Wikipedia, The Historicity of Jesus.

THE PEARL OF PROPHECY — STILL BEING FULFILLED TODAY

One of the most remarkable prophecies quoted by Jesus concerns something we can still observe today: People can SEE the evidence, yet not perceive its meaning. They can HEAR the message, yet not understand it. Why? Jesus explained: “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” — Matthew 13:13, KJV Jesus then pointed directly to an ancient prophecy from Isaiah: “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.” — Matthew 13:14, KJV Think about this carefully. Jesus was quoting a prophecy written centuries before His ministry, yet He said it was being fulfilled among the people listening to Him. But why could they not understand? Jesus continued: “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed...” — Matthew 13:15, KJV Notice those final words: “THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED.” The problem was not simply a lack of evidence. Jesus pointed to the condition of the HEART. A person can examine the Bible, hear the words of Jesus and look at evidence concerning God, yet remain unconvinced if they have already closed their heart and mind to the possibility that it could be true. Jesus continued: “...lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” — Matthew 13:15, KJV What an extraordinary statement. SEE WITH THEIR EYES. HEAR WITH THEIR EARS. UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART. TURN BACK. AND BE HEALED. A PROPHECY STILL WORTH THINKING ABOUT TODAY Nearly 2,000 years after Jesus spoke these words, people still respond to Him in dramatically different ways. Some examine the evidence and believe. Some investigate and remain unconvinced. Others reject Jesus, God and the Bible without seriously examining the evidence at all. Jesus warned us about something deeply human: We can look without truly seeing. We can listen without truly hearing. And we can approach evidence with a heart already closed to its conclusion. This is why I believe the words of Jesus remain extraordinarily relevant today. BUT JESUS ALSO GAVE HOPE Jesus did not merely speak about those who would not understand. He then turned to His disciples and said: “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” — Matthew 13:16, KJV The message is therefore not that an unbeliever can NEVER understand. The invitation is to SEEK. To listen. To investigate. To question. To open your heart to the possibility that God is real and that Jesus truly is His Messiah. Jesus said elsewhere: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” — Matthew 7:7, KJV QUICK COMMENTARY Evidence alone cannot force someone to believe. A person must be willing to examine it. If we approach God, Jesus and the Bible having already decided that none of them could possibly be true, then even powerful evidence may mean very little to us. But if we genuinely seek the truth with an open heart and mind, we may begin to see things we had previously overlooked. So whether you are a believer, an unbeliever, or simply unsure: SEARCH. QUESTION. INVESTIGATE. READ THE WORDS OF JESUS FOR YOURSELF. And follow the evidence wherever it leads. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” — Matthew 11:15, KJV Quick Commentary by Simon Brown REAL DISCOVERIES

CAN LIFE COME FROM NOTHING?

The extraordinary complexity of life raises one of the greatest questions we can ever ask: WHO CREATED IT ALL? A clock does not assemble itself. Its intricate parts point to intelligence, purpose and a designer. How much more does the astonishing complexity of life, the heavens and the earth point us toward an ALMIGHTY INTELLIGENT CREATOR? Who is He? The Bible gives us this beautiful answer: “And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said: ‘O LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are THE God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.’” — 2 Kings 19:15 The Creator is THE ONE TRUE GOD ALMIGHTY — the God who made heaven and earth. And according to the New Testament, God accomplished His saving purpose through His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Do you know them? Jesus prayed: “And this is eternal life, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” — John 17:3 To discover the One True God and His Son Jesus Christ is to discover a treasure greater than anything this world can offer — the hope of resurrection and everlasting life. Jesus also declared: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” — Matthew 24:14, KJV And He said: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” — Matthew 11:15, KJV The Apostle Paul explained the message of salvation: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9, KJV Notice those wonderful words: GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD. The God who raised Jesus has also promised resurrection and everlasting life to those who belong to Him. So search for the truth. Open your Bible. Learn about THE ONE TRUE GOD and the Son whom He sent. You may discover the greatest hidden treasure of your life. Amen. If you would like to discover this hidden treasure and examine the biblical evidence for yourself: CLICK HERE: http://wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/how-can-we-be-sure-jesus-was-who-he.html ```

DO NOT PUT YOUR TRUST IN MORTAL MAN — PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.”— Psalm 146:3 Look at the heavens. Look at the magnificent universe, the earth, the oceans and the extraordinary complexity of life. Consider DNA — the remarkable information-bearing molecule at the heart of living organisms. A precision clock points us toward a clockmaker. How much more should the extraordinary order and complexity found throughout creation cause us to ask: WHO CREATED ALL OF THIS? The Bible gives us the answer: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”— Genesis 1:1 The heavens and the earth point us toward the awesome power and wisdom of their Creator. The Bible asks: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?”— Genesis 18:14 And again: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?”— Jeremiah 32:27 The prophet Jeremiah declared: “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”— Jeremiah 32:17 What powerful words. NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD. Yet mankind repeatedly places its confidence in human beings rather than in the God who gave us life. Scripture warns: “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.”— Psalm 146:3 Dear friends, let us seriously consider what the Bible tells us, because the question of God, salvation and everlasting life concerns our ultimate future. Jesus said: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”— Matthew 11:15 The Psalms declare: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”— Psalm 118:8 And: “Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.”— Psalm 40:4 Isaiah warns: “Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?”— Isaiah 2:22 And Jeremiah gives an equally serious warning: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.”— Jeremiah 17:5 The message could hardly be clearer: DO NOT PLACE YOUR ULTIMATE TRUST IN MAN. PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD. Human beings come and go. Kingdoms rise and fall. Governments change. Human knowledge changes. But God remains. SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND. Jesus declared: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”— Matthew 24:14 Do not allow the distractions of this temporary life to prevent you from searching for the truth about God. Open your Bible. Seek God. Learn the teachings of Jesus Christ. Put your trust in the One who gave you life. And follow the Messiah whom God sent. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”— Isaiah 55:6 If you would like to learn more about following Jesus, surrendering your life to God and discovering the biblical message of salvation: CLICK HERE:http://wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/surrender-your-heart-to-god.html Amen. Research and article by Simon Brown REAL DISCOVERIES

How can God be THREE when God—and His Son Jesus—declare that GOD IS ONE?

Dear Friends, For months now, day and night, I have been carrying out serious and intensive research into one of the most important doctrines in Christianity—the Trinity. During this time, I have had hundreds of discussions and debates with Trinitarian Bible teachers and scholars, repeatedly asking for clear biblical explanations of the doctrine. My central question has remained remarkably simple: How can God be THREE when God—and His Son Jesus—declare that GOD IS ONE? After countless hours of praying, studying, researching, questioning, comparing Scripture, and debating the evidence, I have reached a firm conclusion. I do not believe there is a mysterious biblical doctrine called the Trinity that Christians are required to accept without being able to understand it. Instead, I believe Scripture presents something far simpler: GOD IS GOD ALONE. “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me.” — Isaiah 46:9 And Jesus is the true and literal: SON OF GOD. Jesus Himself said: “…because I said, ‘I am Son of God’?” — John 10:36, BLB Even more importantly, Jesus identified His Father as: “THE ONLY TRUE GOD.” “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You sent.” — John 17:3, BLB This takes us directly back to what Jesus called the foremost commandment: “The foremost is, ‘Hear this O Israel: The Lord our God is One Lord.’” — Mark 12:29, BLB Jesus was repeating the great declaration of Deuteronomy 6:4: GOD IS ONE. For me, therefore, the great mystery is no longer “How can three persons be one God?” The mystery I am now left asking is: How did so many sincere Christians come to believe that God must be understood as three persons when Jesus Himself reaffirmed that God is one and repeatedly distinguished Himself as God's Son? When Jesus asked His disciples who they believed He was, Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:16, BLB And when John explained exactly why he wrote his Gospel, he said: “But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” — John 20:31, BLB That is the confession I believe Christians should examine very carefully: ONE GOD — THE FATHER. JESUS CHRIST — HIS SON AND MESSIAH. I encourage everyone: do not simply believe me, and do not simply believe tradition. Read these Scriptures for yourself, examine their context, compare the evidence, pray for understanding, and decide what you believe the Word of God actually teaches.

Articles below on history’s greatest scientists, Sir Isaac Newton.

The history's greatest scientists mainly believed in creation by God. English physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton (described in his own day as a "natural philosopher") who is widely recognised as one of the most influential scientists of all time and as a key figure in the scientific revolution. Although the laws of motion and universal gravitation became Newton's best-known discoveries, he warned against using them to view the Universe as a mere machine, as if akin to a great clock. He said, "Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can be done.