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"And this Good News of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto
all nations and then shall the end come." (music playing)
"Fact is His only true name Yahweh was obscured for centuries while the incorrect substitute
Jehovah was mistakenly put in its place."... "We find here that it was Paul's manner to
worship on the seventh day Sabbath"... "There's only one way to be just in scripture
and it happens through obedience to the Father and that means His commands and His laws."...
"If there is any one truth that we must understand about the Messiah it is His heritage."...
"Yahweh saw something in you that He can use and so He called you as a candidate for everlasting
life"... (music playing)
"He told him that his son's name would be called Yahshua because He would save His people
from their sins"... "When you understand that the New Testament
is an extension of the Old Testament"... (music playing)
I would like to welcome you to Discover the Truth and say that it�s a blessing to be
with you. I would like to begin by asking, does mankind
live forever? According to many, the answer�s yes. Does the Bible though support this conclusion?
Do we find verification within our Father�s Word that mankind has an immortal soul?
To the surprise of many this concept is absent, that's right it's absent from the Bible. Matter
of fact, according to scholars this idea was received not from Scripture, but instead from
Greek philosophy. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, it says,
�The belief that the soul continues its existence after the dissolution of the body
is a matter of philosophical or theological speculation rather than of simple faith, and
is accordingly nowhere taught in the Holy Scripture�.The belief in the immortality
of the soul came to the Jews from contact with Greek thought and chiefly through the
philosophy of Plato�.� We see here evidence that the belief of an
immortal soul did not originate in Scripture. It says here that the Jews received this idea
from the Greeks, mainly from the Greek philosopher Plato. Who was Plato? Plato was a notable
mathematician he was also a Greek philosopher. He was a student of Socrates and teacher of
Aristotle. Not only did he shape much of western philosophy, but was instrumental in shaping
some of the theology of the early church through the Greek thought.
For example, in his work called the The Phaedo he states this, �The soul whose inseparable
attribute is life will never admit of life�s opposite, death. Thus the soul is shown to
be immortal, and since immortal, indestructible�.� According to Plato here the soul of mankind
is immortal and as a result, indestructible. In other words, man�s soul is perpetual
or without end. Now if we look back far enough into antiquity
we�re going to find that Plato did not originate the idea of an immortal soul. From scholarship
we find that this likely goes all the way back to the Egyptians.
Here�s what the Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature
says anout this topic, it says, �Perhaps we may say that the idea of immortality assumed
a more definite shape among the Egyptians, for they clearly recognized not only a dwelling-place
of the dead, but also a future judgment,� As believers it�s important that we recognize
that this notion is (1) absent from the Bible and (2) was again only through ancient civilizations,
it was borrowed including from the Egyptians and Greeks.
Matter of fact, according to Paul in 1Timothy 6:16 only our Father contains immortality.
Here's what it says, �Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach
unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.�
Only our Father Yahweh possesses immortality. In the Greek this word literally means, �deathlessness.�
So how do we justify mankind being immortal when Scripture states that only our Father
in heaven is immortal? The answer is we can�t. The belief of man�s soul being immortal
simply doesn�t fit with what we find in the Bible. Again, only Almighty Yahweh, our
Father in heaven, has immortality. As we�ve seen already, this belief isn�t found in
Scripture, but through the chronicles of man�s tradition.
Knowing that man doesn�t have an immortal soul, what then does the word �soul� in
Scripture refer to, what does it mean? This word is from the Hebrew is nephesh. The Brown
Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon defines this word as, �A soul, self, life, a creature,
a person, an appetite, a mind, a living being, a desire, an emotion, a passion.�
Notice here that this definition doesn�t include an immortal soul; instead it focuses
on the actual life or person of man. Now one of the best ways to determine the meaning
of a Hebrew or Greek word in the Bible is to examine its usage. Let�s do that now
with nephesh and let�s begin with Genesis 2:7.
It says there, �And Yahweh Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life [nephesh]; and man became a living soul [nephesh].�
We see here that Yahweh breathed nephesh within Adam and as a result, be became a living nephesh
or a living soul, a living person. So we find here that nephesh doesn�t refer to immortality,
but to the life and person of mankind, specifically here to the life of Adam. Again, when reviewing
a Hebrew or Greek word we must consider the context in which it�s used.
We find another example in Genesis 9:5. There in Genesis 9 it says, �And surely your blood
of your lives [nephesh] will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it,
and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life [nephesh]
of man.� We find our Father Yahweh here pronouncing
the penalty of *** -- by the way, notice that this is before the giving of the Law
at Sinai. He says here that if a man or beast takes another man�s life or nephesh that
they in turn will lose their life or nephesh. So based on this passage, how is nephesh defined?
It refers to the life of mankind. Matter of fact, we find here that nephesh can be killed
or destroyed, and that's an important point. We find a similar example in Deuteronomy 19:21.
There in Deuteronomy 19 it says, �And thine eye shall not pity; but life [nephesh] shall
go for life [nephesh], eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.�
Our Father Yahweh here is again providing the judgment for *** and retribution. He
says here that life or nephesh shall go for life or nephesh. So again we find here that
nephesh refers to the life of mankind and can be destroyed or extinguished. This also
provides additional support that nephesh doesn�t refer to an immortal being.
I'm going to take a short break but when we come back we're going to begin looking at
the evidence for the immortal soul, what those who advocate this position use to support
this notion. Stay with us, we'll be back in just a short moment.
What happens after death? It's the one question that has intrigued man
for thousands of years. Is our soul immortal and does it continue
on into the next life? Or do we sleep awaiting the resurrection?
What about those loved ones who have passed away? Are they looking down on us from heavenly
bliss, guiding our very thoughts and actions? What about those who never accepted the Messiah?
Are they below the Earth in prison forever in unimaginable torment in an actual fiery
place called hell? Or did the concept of hell derive form allegorical
artistry by medieval poets? You may be surprised to know that much of
what is taught from pulpits regarding the afterlife does not come from scripture but
from traditions and beliefs of ancient pagan civilizations gone by.
If you are concerned about the life to come, then you need our free booklet - "What Happens
After This Life?" Request now by dialing 1-573-896-1000; the
number again is 1-573-896-1000. Don�t delay, operators are standing by.
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Holts Summit, MO 65043. Read and request from our website,
yrm.org. For an evening of amazing scriptural insight
join host Randy Folliard in Kentucky at the Lexington Public
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For those interested in baptism, please contact the Ministry
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Welcome back! I would like to now transition to some of
the evidence used by those who believe that man�s soul is immortal. The first example
is Genesis 35:18. It says there in Genesis 35, �And it came to pass, as her soul was
in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him
Benjamin.� In this passage we find the death of Rachel,
Jacob�s wife. We see here that she died in child-birth giving birth to Benjamin, the
youngest of Jacob�s sons. Many will use this example to support the belief of an immortal
soul, specifically where it says, �as her soul was in departing.� They claim that
this offers evidence of our immortal soul departing at death. The problem with this
though is again the word �soul� or �nephesh� doesn�t refer to an immortal being, but
to the life of mankind. Matter of fact, here�s how the NIV renders
this passage, it says: �As she breathed her last-- for she was dying....�
Instead of stating that her soul was departing, the NIV states that �she breathed her last�.�
By the way, we also find this same phrase in the Jewish TANAKH. So from the NIV and
the TANAKH we find that this isn�t referring to an immortal soul, but simply to the breath
or life of Rachel. In 1Kings 17:21 we see Elijah restoring a
child�s soul. It says there in 1Kings, �And he [referring to Elijah] stretched himself
upon the child three times, and cried unto Yahweh, and said, O Yahweh my Elohim, I pray
thee, let this child's soul come into him again.�
In this passage we find an incredible story of Yahweh�s provision through his prophet
Elijah or Eliyah, in Hebrew meaning my El is Yah. Elijah was staying with this woman
and her family. During his stay, her child became sick and died and here we find Elijah
praying for Yahweh�s deliverance, His provision. He prayed and cried out three times that Yahweh
would restore the soul of this child. In verse 22 we find that Yahweh answered Elijah�s
prayer. Now many will again use this as evidence for
an immortal soul, but again the word �soul� here is nephesh, referring to the life of
the boy. Matter of fact, we again find this usage from the NIV and the TANAKH. The NIV
reads, ��let this boy's life return to him!.�� The TANAKH states, ���let
this child�s life return to his body!.�� So from both the NIV and Jewish TANAKH we
see that this word �soul� or nephesh isn�t referring to an immortal soul, but simply
to the life of the boy. I want to consider now some of the examples
used to support this notion from the New Testament. The first is Matthew 10:28. This passage is
probably one of the more common used in the New Testament to support this belief.
Reading from the King James, it says, �And fear not them which kill the body, but are
not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and
body in hell.� What did Yahshua mean here when He said �but
rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell�� Before looking
at the body and soul here, I want to quickly speak to this word �hell.� It�s from
the Greek word gehenna which parallels with the Hebrew Ge-Hinnom. Ge-Hinnom refers to
the valley of (the son of) Hinnom, where Israel would burn their trash and later offered their
sons and daughters to the god Molech. You know contrary to popular belief, this
word doesn�t refer to a place of perpetual punishing, but listen to a place of perpetual
punishment. In other words, the valley Hinnom refers to the totality of Yahweh�s destruction.
This concept of an ever burning hell-fire was again given to us from the Greeks, which
was then later adopted by the Church. Now getting back to what Yahshua says here
about the body and soul, is He showing evidence here that the body and soul are distinct with
the soul being immortal? To explain this, we must spend a few moments examining the
Greek text. The word �body� here comes from the Greek
�soma".� Strong�s defines this word as, �the body (as a sound whole), used in
a very wide application� the word �soul� comes from the Greek "psuche". According to
Strong�s this word is �from NT:5594; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit�thus distinguished
on the one hand from NT:4151, which is the rational and immortal soul�these terms thus
exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew OT:5315, OT:7307�"
So we find that the primary definition for "psuche" is breath. We also find here the
immortal soul mentioned in reference to 4151, which is the Greek pneuma. Remember that this
concept is absent from the Bible and was only the result of Greek philosophy. So what is
our Savior conveying here when he says, �but rather fear him which is able to destroy both
the soul and body�.� As we find through the Greek, this word �soul�
refers to the breath of life. What Yahshua�s saying here is simply this, �but rather
fear him which is able to destroy both the breath or life and body�.� There�s nothing
within this passage indicting the immortality of man�s soul.
Before moving on, I want to spend a few moments within the Greek here looking at the definition
of "psuche". Within this definition, it states here that the Hebrew equivalent for Greek
NT:5594, Psucho, and NT:4151, pneuma, is OT:5315, nephesh, and OT:7307, ruach. Why is it important?
It's important because we need to understand the equivalence of these Greek words. Through
the Hebrew we find that these words were originally defined and how they were used within the
Bible. For example, we�ve already seen evidence of nephesh referring not to the immortal soul,
but to the life or person of mankind. In the same way, we�re going to see that ruach
refers to the breath or life. We'll see that after we take this short break.
So stay with us, we'll be back in a short moment.
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For an evening of amazing scriptural insight join host Randy Folliard in Kentucky at the
Lexington Public Library (Northside Branch) on June 18 at 7:00
pm and in Tennessee at the Brentwood Library on June
19 at 7:00 pm. Refreshments will be served. For those interested in baptism, please contact
the Ministry at 573-896-1000 prior to the seminar. For
more information about upcoming seminars Visit us online
yrm.org or on Facebook search
Yahweh�s Restoration Ministry. Welcome back!
There are two other examples I want to consider in Revelation that are often used to again
promote this belief of an immortal soul. The first is found in Revelation 6:9.
Revelation 6:9 says, �And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of them that were slain for the word of Elohim, and for the testimony which they
held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Yahweh, holy and true, dost thou
not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 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 fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they
were, should be fulfilled.� To give some context here, this is the 5th
seal of Revelation and represents or symbolizes the martyrdom of the saints. Many will again
use this passage as evidence for the immortal soul. They will point out here where it talks
about the souls crying out for retribution on their enemies.
In the Bible it�s common though to see such imagery. For example, in Genesis 4:10 we find
these word in reference to Abel�s blood, �And he said, What hast thou done? the voice
of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.�
Now was Abel�s blood literally crying out from the ground? Of course not, this passage
offers an example of figurative speech, which by the way is very common within the Hebrew
language. Just as Abel�s blood cried out from the grave symbolically, we find the same
type of speech here in Revelation, where the saints are calling out from the grave for
retribution. The intent of this passage was not to show that man was immortal, but to
confirm that those who die to Messiah will receive white robes, symbolizing eternal life
in His coming Kingdom. In Revelation 20:4 we have another example
of this type of speech. It says, �And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment
was given unto them: and I saw the souls [psuche] of them that were beheaded for the witness
of Yahshua, and for the word of Yahweh, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither
his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they
lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years.�
The word �souls� here is again from the Greek word psuche, which again corresponds
to the Hebrew ruach and nepehesh. As we saw in the Old Testament, nephesh doesn�t refer
to an immortal soul, but to a living person, neither does ruach. The timing here is also
important to understand; this isn�t referring to immortal souls in heaven, but is referring
to the future Kingdom on Earth when the saints will rule with the Messiah as priests.
If man doesn�t have an immortal soul, we need then to answer where then does he go
upon death? In Ecclesiastes 12:7 Solomon explains what happens when we die. He says, �Then
shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit [ruach] shall return unto Elohim
who gave it.� Solomon states here that when we die that
our bodies return to dust and our spirit returns to our Father Yahweh. What is our spirit?
This is from the Hebrew ruach and literally means, �wind; by resemblance breath�.�
Ruach is the breath that gives every living creature life, even animals. So how does ruach
differ from nephesh? Ruach refers to the breath of life, while nephesh refers to the actual
person or life of man. So we find here that when we die our bodies
decompose back to dust and our breath returns back to Almighty Yahweh and we are there in
the grave. Now David, Solomon�s father, says something similar to what we found in
Ecclesiastes in Psalms 146:4, we find these words,
�His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.�
Just as we saw from Solomon, David says here that when we die our breath or ruach goes
forth to Yahweh and our bodies return to the earth. And again remember that ruach doesn�t
refer the immortal soul, but the breath of life that our Father provides to every living
creature including animals so we know that it is not immortal. Animals are not immortal.
David also says here that when this happens, that in the very day our thoughts perish.
What it means to have our thoughts perish? This word �perish� is from the Hebrew
abad, which is a primitive root meaning, �to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication
to perish.� So to summarize, when we die our bodies decompose
to dust, our breath or ruach returns to Yahweh and we lose all thought and awareness, consciousness.
Scripture shows that we then �sleep� in the grave, waiting for the resurrection of
the Messiah. What does Scripture say then about the resurrection?
Well I believe we have time for one more passage here. Paul, in 1Corinthians 15:20 speaks about
the resurrection he explains this he says, �But now is Messiah risen from the dead,
and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also
the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made
alive. But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah's
at his coming.� What do we learn from this passage? Number
one, we learn that the Bible speaks about a resurrection. Number two, that Yahshua the
Messiah was the firstfruits of those that slept or died to be resurrected. And number
three, that those in Messiah shall be resurrected at His coming.
So we find here that our hope is in the resurrection of our Savior, Yahshua the Messiah. You know
Yahshua in His Olivet Prophecy we see there that He's going to send forth His angels to
gather His elect when He returns, He's going to send forth His angels and then in Scripture
it also says that we shall be like the angels that we shall live forever and at that point
we shall have immortality. But listen friends, not before.
Well I pray that this program has been a blessing for you and I would pray and hope that you
would join us next time for Discover the Truth. May Yahweh bless you!
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