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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