Today, reply is on the state of the dead, the difference between angels and spirit content from men, and Christian ministry to children in their bereavement. At death the spirit content that projects the character, personality, and spirit makeup within the living is removed, and separated from the flesh. The lifeless body (we say, cadaver; corpse) may be buried or interred; while the spirit matter returns to GOD. The tool Christian believers have been given for comforting one another during their bereavement is called “prophecy”. How sacred truth is presented and shared with children may vary from how the same truth is shown to adults, however, there is only one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father of all. There is no teaching from the Bible that says spirit content that leaves a human body and goes to live and interact in heaven among the angels and other sacred creatures there. The dead praise not GOD; do not watch over and protect the living; and the dead have no carnal, mental, and social abilities (e.g., communication, talking, exchange). The dead must be restored to life (i.e., there must be resurrection) for judgment according to divine law. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shown) posted the following:
Religion- I told my son his late mom is now with the angels when he asked me. Am I deceiving him?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1st Corinthians 2: 6-14, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Lower Than The Angels? (09/12/2017); Signs From The Dead? (01/15/2017); Life Is GOD’s Intent (11/15/2016); On Really Seeing Angels (10/09/2016); Spirit, Spirit Beings, Spirit Persons? (10/13/2015); Getting It Right About Angels (05/10/2015); Comfort? (09/06/2014)
“Anonymous”, non-biblical teachings on the angels often result in spiritual confusion; this is also true during times of bereavement when honest expressions of ones developing belief and faith may contain and impart errors and misunderstandings. Expressions of our own individual affection and feelings of love can not replace, or accomplish all the sacred work required to be done within the household of faith by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the love of GOD. Among Christian believers there also are specific sacred things that are to be shared as comfort with those who endure bereavement. Believers are to minister to one another from what they themselves have received as deposits and endowments of spirit substance from the makeup of GOD through Jesus Christ. Included are expectation (we say, hope), faith, gratitude, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, personhood, purpose, resilience, regeneration, and renewal of the mind. Such consolations are effective during grief and mourning because a believer’s consciousness is centered on, and interwoven with streams of prophecy and divine revelation.
The Creator has made it that every man, woman, and child must be prepared to endure the completion of their own mortality and separation(s). Loss of a parent, a child, a spouse, and other loved ones will be experienced throughout every aspect of the emotional, material, psychological, social, and spiritual order fitted together within ones own person. Thus, many experience bereavement as a form of temporary insanity. The sudden introduction of absence and imbalance should not be met by dismissing reality and truth, or relying on exaggeration, fantasy, and extremes of imagination. Regaining balance, self-discipline, firmness, purpose, and stability are reasonable goals and practices. Existing as “born again,” finite, and mortal, children and adults who belong to Christ are continually challenged to “grow up again” (mature/ripen) on the earth before being harvested by Jesus Christ at his appearing (we also say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming).
Where we counsel children and those who are only beginning the long journey to fullness and maturity in their bereavement we must acknowledge the existing level of their grasp and understanding; and it is not incorrect or unkind to speak to them using (1) their own language, (2) the shared language within relationship as well as (3) the new language provided from GOD intended to carry them forward in the divine will. Often, where children mistakenly appear to be lying by adult standards, the young ones are answering with responses that correctly and sincerely express their heartfelt desire, their faith imparted from GOD, their intent, their perseverance, and their efforts to apply and focus their own self-will (willpower).
Even within the communities and families of Christians those enduring a loss may operate as though it is acceptable to use commonly held and familiar doctrine and teachings that are not found within the holy writings. Some feel they are justified on the basis of the importance of behaving as accepting, non-judgmental, supportive, and understanding. Others feel that children may be weaned from the devices used as short-term solutions while they are being brought gradually to the fullness of Christ. Because there are many subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning, quality, and value) involved, those who take up alternatives to Christ should be cautioned, for in effect they say, “I am right when I am wrong, because….” Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Corinthians 12: 25-27, King James Version (KJV): 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
(2.) Matthew 18: 10, KJV: 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
(3.) Colossians 2: 8-12, KJV: 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
(4.) Colossians 2: 18-19, KJV: 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) 1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18, KJV: 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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