The Doctrine of Satan: State of The Dead
By: Sid Charles
There
are many erroneous beliefs that have crept, beliefs that are unsupported by the
Bible. An overwhelmingly acceptance of these teachings based on traditions and
unbiblical sources, are leading many astray from the Truth. Ultimately, sound
doctrine grounds its authority within the Bible and aligns with the Scriptures;
whereas, false doctrine is a product of the Devil and leads to ungodly living
and ideologies that are outside of the Word of God.
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9).
Due
to sin and its introduction to the fallen world, death is almost an absolute outcome
for humanity. When it comes to this touchy subject, various cultures,
religions, and denominations have different traditions and beliefs pertaining
to death and the afterlife. Reincarnation is widely believed to be a facet of
the afterlife in Hinduism as well as Buddhism; and some Christians believe that
at death loved ones go up to heaven to watch over their family members that are
still living. Across all cultures and religions, the beliefs pertaining to what
happens after death vary, but they all completely contradict the Bible; to them
death is not the rest or sleep that is taught in the Holy Scriptures.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the
earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt. (Daniel 12:2)
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my
God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; (Psalms 13:3)
12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the
heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
(Job 14:12)
Oftentimes,
many deal with losing a friend or a family member with the thought that those
respective individuals are looking down on them from Heaven. As a mean to
comfort someone in this time of need, these words are often uttered, “he/she
are in heaven looking down on you”. Even though that may be a comforting
thought, the Bible teaches differently. We have multiple accounts of
individuals that died and were subsequently resurrected; but heaven was not
something they encountered while they were dead. In the case of Jesus Christ,
He was laid to rest on Friday evening and resurrected on Sunday morning. When
Mary proceeded to attempt to touch him, He begged, “17 …
Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren,
and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and
your God” (John 20:17). Despite
risen from death, Jesus’s return to His Father, which ought in heaven (Matthew
6:9), was upon His resurrection and not His death!
From, the very beginning, the serpent (Revelation
12:9) has worked capably, designing supernatural occurrences to trap
individuals into believing this deception. That is a humongous deception that is
employed by Satan to deceive the nations (Revelation 18:23). In the same manner
he beguiled Eve, leading her to think that she would be like God (Genesis 3:4),
Satan furthers his deception by teaching so many that their deceased loved ones
are with God. Sometimes even masquerading himself or his demons as those loved
ones or even apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13), blinding so many from biblical Truth.
The evidence of any doctrine’s dependability lies solely on the Bible providing
supporting verses.
It
is our sacred responsibility to examine every doctrine to determine if it is
true or false. Indeed, God’s words are given, “…by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:15-16)
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