Psalms 6:5 (KJV) For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
(Proverbs 16 also read)
One of the books I have been reading had a discussion about hell. It was rather interesting, even if the topic is one that I do not enjoy. One of the topics looked at was the word that is used here for “grave”. Many of the more modern translations transliterate the word as Sheol.
Some Bible scholars are of the belief that the ancient Hebrews did not have a concept of heaven and hell like we do. The opinion was they went along with the general pagan idea of Hades, where the dead go to live in darkness and gloom. Often they say there is no difference between the resting place of the righteous or the wicked.
This verse would seem to go along with that if it were the only witness we have in the Bible. This would seem to say that once you’re buried, there’s no awareness or way that you can be praising or thanking God. If this was the only place we had we could make that conclusion. Fortunately, there are many other places where a different view is given, including the place where Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be in paradise with Him that day.
So? Be careful who’s opinion you listen to. Do some reading on your own. You’d be surprised at what you can find.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
A Word for the Afterlife
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2 comments:
It is a really good question. There is what we say we believe and will argue till the end, and but you might also wonder about it yourself.
I am still on the side of eternal torment even though I don't like the idea. Evidently that has not always been the unanimous position of the church. As an example of a contrary view look at John 3:16 where it says believers will not "perish" which implies that the unbelieving will. Perish sounds like extermination to me. But that is only one verse.
Grace and peace
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