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QUESTION 106:
In Revelation 6 and Luke 16 it seems that physical death does not terminate consciousness?

ANSWER:
Here is one of the portions, "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held, and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Revelation 6:9-10 These souls are that of those that were martyred during the reign of the Antichrist. They are crying out for vengeance on the enemies of God that killed them.

That the soul does not cease to be conscious in death is very clear from several Scriptures. 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." Note carefully, that the body is dead (physical), but not the soul. This is the first death in contrast to the second where both body and soul are separated from God forever. The scene in Revelation 20:11... is the resurrection of all unsaved. Revelation 20:14, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Death claims the bodies, and hell (hades) claims the souls of the unsaved. So death gives up the body and hades the soul (Luke 16:23) and the inhabitants are cast, body and soul, in hell fire. (Matthew 10;28)

When God made man He made him a living soul (Genesis 2:7). That soul will never cease to exist either in hell or heaven. Jesus has died to save us from our sins and hell. However, this saves only those that repent of their sins and that trust in His sacrifice for sins.

The invitation is, ". .And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17, He said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Reader friend, it is most important that you get right with God and end up in heaven and not hell. Hell is a terrible place when the remorse of neglecting salvation will haunt people there forever. Is that where you want to go? Turn while it is the day of salvation and be saved. Acts 16:31

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen