Today, focus is on bereavement, and the opportunities for service that are gifts from GOD and from the deceased. In Christian belief, the dead may not communicate with the living; and the dead do not praise GOD. While some, like Jesus, died, were carried through resurrection and are now alive, most of the dead are believed still in the condition of burial and internment where their divine spirit content is separated from their body. Those having salvation as Christians are not to practice keriah (i.e., shaving to remove body hair; rending or tearing ones garments to display grief, outrage, shock, and dismay) or use scarification and tattoos (i.e., cuttings in their own flesh) to indicate mourning and remembrance of the dead. Bitterness, complaining, hopelessness, and wrath are not to appear. Through ignorance, many continue to spread death in the form of feelings and thoughts because, rather than promote hope, life and trust in GOD, their emotional focus fosters despair, sadness and sorrow. Offering glory, honor, prayer, or exaggerated attention to the dead is a form of idol worship. Thus, a requiem mass or memorial service is never to worship the dead. A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Why is it a sin for me to pray to my dead mother, my dead sister and my dead father?
The belief that this is a sin seems very cruel and heartless to me
THE GOLDEN ARROW: 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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 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. 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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The GOD Named “Jealous” (09/15/2016); About Judgment By GOD (08/29/2016); The Dimensions of Death? (04/24/2016); No Other gods? (08/14/2015); The Dead in Christ? (11/18/2013); Too Much Holy Spirit? (11/19/2013); Ghosts (09/02/2012); About Conversion (09/03/2012)
“Anonymous”, the mature expression of love is always challenging and—more than affection, gentleness, or kindness—often requires such elements as “holding back,” self-denial, self-discipline, silence, and restraint. Because divinity demands exclusive commitment and devotion, focus upon ones spouse, siblings, parents, children, and others can come into view as adultery, betrayal, “cheating”, and “whoring after idols and false gods.” Because the goal of Creation is life, the death of loved ones are intended to make us stronger, not weaker, and more fit as divine companions. The responses of GOD to our need when we first lose a loved one seem directed to breaking off bereavement. It is as if the Holy Spirit comes in and says, Roll up your sleeves; let’s get to work. Believers are to become active in unselfish ways that maintain their place with Deity and with the living, rather than mope and pine in isolation. Survivors are to comfort others who mourn and encourage their expressions of hope, joy, love and respect. The heir is granted a double portion of the estate to complete the “unfinished business” of the deceased. With the sad occasion of burial and internment there usually also is a small feast to celebrate the departed. The death of any who are close is always their last, great gift of life to us, for it carries us into new levels of emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth by calling forth maturity and strength. Nonetheless, consider again the following from the holy writings:
(1.) Leviticus 10: 1-6, King James Version (KJV): 1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. 5 So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled. 7 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.
(2.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Psalms 50: 16-23, KJV: 16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. 18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. 23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.) 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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