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QUESTION 176
Is the human soul destructible by death?

ANSWER:
The word "immortality" is mentioned six times in the New Testament and is usually used as an adjective. It is used in the context of the body, and not the soul. The body is mortal. That is, it is subject to death and decay. Hence it need to put on immortality at the Rapture or the resurrection of the body. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The phrase "immortal soul" is not mentioned in the Bible, however, the teaching of the existence of the soul after physical death is clearly taught. In physical death the soul leaves the body and the body dies. Genesis 35:18 it was said of Rachel when she died, "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."

Matthew 10:28, 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. This verse make a clear distinction between the body and soul at physical death. The body can be killed, but not the soul. In the resurrection of the body and the soul is reunited, and in the case of this verse, that body and soul will be, not killed, but destroyed in hell. The word does not mean cease to be, but it means loss of well being..

At death the soul of the Christian lives on and goes immediately to heaven with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6 and 2 Corinthians 5:8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The soul of the unsaved goes down into a place called "hades" in Luke 16:23 ... when they are in a conscious state of suffering. In their resurrection their souls and bodies are re-united and they are cast in the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14

What you do WITH, not FOR,Christ will determine where you go. If you reject or neglect the great salvation He has provided for sinners you will go to hell. It you repent of your sins and trust Christ, heaven will be your home. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. Have you repented of your sins? Have you trusted Christ as your Saviour from sin? Do it today.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen