Can A Spirit Being Die?

What the Bible says about Angels Marrying Women? (From Forerunner Commentary) The fact is that angels do not marry. Jesus tells us this clearly: "For in the resurrection they [humans] neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven" (Matthew 22:30; see Mark 12:25). Angels cannot cohabit nor reproduce with women. Angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:13-14).

Controlling Influence – What is the Holy Spirit

Can a Spirit Being Die? by Voy Wilks

Can a spirit being die? More exactly: Can deity (a divine personage) die? If Yahshua the Messiah pre-existed as Deity, or as a Spiritual Being before the world was created, was it possible for him to die (on the tree)? Let the Scriptures answer.

"And Yahshua answering said unto them, The sons of this age marry, and are given in marriage, but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to the angels; and are sons of Yahweh, being sons of the resurrection." (Lu.20:34-36, RSV).

We see that angels of Yahweh cannot die. Once resurrected we will be "equal to the angels" in that we cannot die either. Why is this? It is because we are sons of Yahweh, being sons of the resurrection. But when do we become spirit beings? Is this the same as becoming "sons of Yahweh?"

"But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." (1Cor.15:35, 42-44).

It is at the (first) resurrection that we become a spirit being - that we obtain a spiritual body. Please notice the following things that happen at the (first) resurrection:

1) We are raised in power

2) We are raised in glory

3) We are raised in incorruption

4) We are raised to immortality (1 Cor.15:52)

5) We are raised equal to the angels

6) We are raised to become sons of Yahweh, being sons of the resurrection

7) We are raised with a spiritual body

8) We are raised to immortality so we cannot die any more

Luke says those of the first resurrection cannot die. Synonyms of "cannot die" are "incorruption" and "immortal." Paul says those of the first resurrection come forth as spiritual bodies and are incorruptible and put on immortality. Accepting the statements of both Luke and Paul, we find that spirit beings cannot die. When did Yahshua become a spirit being? Again, the Scriptures have the answer. "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Yahshua] was made a quickening [life-giving] spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual."(1Co.15:44-46).

This indicates the Messiah was not a spirit being before he was born physically. The physical (body) comes, then the spiritual (body). When was Yahshua declared to be the son of Yahweh? Just as we will be sons of Yahweh by our resurrection from the dead, so Yahshua was declared to be the son of Yahweh "by his resurrection from the dead" (Rom.1:4).

Conclusion? Once mortal man receives immortality (a spiritual body) he cannot die. Is Deity any less? We must conclude, then, that Deity cannot die - in the past, the present, or in the future. Therefore, Yahshua was not Deity nor did he exist as a spiritual being before the world existed - except in the plans of the Father - plans made from the beginning.

"Who verily was foreordained [in the plans] before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you," (1Pe.1:20).

WITH WHAT BODY ARE THE DEAD RAISED?

By Voy Wilks Reprinted from The Faith, 10-12, 2001

Did Yahshua ascend to the Father in his physical body?

When we review the several Scriptures dealing with this topic of study, we will see that the Messiah did, indeed, ascend to the Father in the same body which was buried, although it had been changed from a mortal body (one subject to death), to an immortal body (one unable to die), but it was the same body. The scars in his hands, feet, and side were the very reason, it seems, that Thomas was convinced Yahshua had indeed risen from the dead. The Apostle Paul further explains this:

“Lo! I tell [explain to] you a mystery. We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable nature [or body] must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature [or body] must put on immortality. When the perishable [body] puts on the imperishable, and the mortal [body] puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. 0 death, where is thy victory? 0 death, where is thy sting?" (l Cor. 15:52-55 RSV).

We mortal men and women gain the victory over death and the grave through Yahshua, the Messiah for, just as he arose from the dead to immortality, we too will rise from the dead to immortality (1 Cor. 15:42-44; Rev. 20:4-6). This change takes place when the dead come from the grave in the first resurrection. At that same time, the living saints will be changed in a moment (to immortality) to meet Yahshua in the air (1 Thes. 4:13-18). This will be at the sounding of the last (and seventh) trumpet (l Cor. 15:52; l Thes. 4:16; Mt. 24:31; Rev. chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, especially 10:7 & 11:15).

Scriptures tell us that even though we cannot completely understand it, we will “be like Him” (Yahshua) when he appears again (l John 3:2). Job, the ancient saint, helped our understanding a great deal by writing,

"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see Elohim: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me" (Job 19:25-27 KJV).

This indicates a resurrection from the grave. Job in the flesh will, with his own eyes (not the eyes of another) see Yahweh. This, of course, will be after Job's flesh has been changed to immortal (undying) flesh; that is, his physical body will be transformed into a spiritual body, then his eyes will see Yahweh.

Comprehension of the spiritual body is made easier by the proverb which says, "The physical body is tangible and real, but the spiritual body is more real than the physical body."

In line with this, may I call attention to Israel's great (and future) resurrection from the dead which Ezekiel predicted? It is found in Ezek. 37. Very dry bones lay on the plain of the valley, but at Ezekiel's command the bones stood upright, then sinew came upon them, then flesh came upon the sinew, then skin covered the flesh, after which breath came into each restored body. Because the exiled Israelites expected to die in a foreign land, many felt they were lost forever, so Yahweh revealed this prophecy to Ezekiel as an encouragement to the people showing he had not forgotten his promise to Abraham (Gen. 17) and to David (Jer. 33). There will be a resurrection from the dead and Israel will return to the homeland, at which time they will once again become one kingdom with one king.

This is what "salvation" (being saved) is all about - being rescued from our greatest enemy death and the grave (l Cor. 15:26). It is our physical bodies which are held captive by death and the grave. Yahshua came to set us free from death, and from the fear of death (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23); “... to deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage (Heb. 2:15). The Apostle Paul wrote that we and all creation are in "bondage" to decay and death, but we look forward to a time when we will be "set free" and will become children of Yahweh (Rom. 8:18-25). In the meantime “… we wait for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our BODIES" (Rom. 8:23).

In view of all these Scriptures it is reasonable to conclude that this very human body will rise from the dead, but in the moment of rising it will be given immortality, making it impossible to die again. This mortal "puts on" immortality, and so becomes a spiritual being at the moment of rising from the dead (1 Cor. 15:42-44). The fleshly body is first, and only later comes the spiritual body - the immortal body (1 Cor. 15:45-48). The very body which is placed in the grave (not some ethereal spirit within us) will be saved (redeemed) from death and the grave. Yahshua captured the keys of death and the grave, as indicated by the following Scriptures:

"Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Rev. 1:17-18 RSV).

He will, so to speak, unlock the doors to the prison which holds captive all mankind - death and the grave. This may be why the Messiah said to his disciples, "... be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33).

''As they were saying this, Yahshua himself stood among them. But they were startled and frightened, and supposed they saw a spirit [a ghost, or apparition]. And he said to them, 'Why are you troubled, ...? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit [or ghost, an apparition] has not flesh and bone as you see that I have. ... Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven" (Lk. 24:36-39, 50-51 RSV).

Halleluyah!

[ARCHIVED] THE SOUL OF MAN By Voy Wilks 1970, Revised 1993

DID JESUS CHARGE FORMS?

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

After that ... A little time, or some few hours after, on the selfsame day; see Luke 24:13 he appeared in another form: it seems to have been the form, or habit of a gardener that he appeared in to Mary; since she thought him to be one, and to be the gardener that belonged to the garden, in which the sepulchre was: but now it was in another form, or habit, that he appeared; very likely in the habit of a Scribe, or doctor; since he took upon him to expound the Scriptures to the persons he appeared to; as also took bread, and blessed it, when at supper with them, Luke 24:27. According to the Jewish canons (m).

"if two persons eat together, and one of them is a Scribe, and the other an unlearned man, , "the Scribe blesses", and the unlearned man is excused.''

This is not to be understood of any change in the shape of his body, or the features of his face; for as soon as their eyes were opened, which had been before held, they knew him perfectly well: whereas, if there had been such an alteration made in him, that he could not have been known for the same, there would have been no need of holding their eyes, that they should not know him, Luke 24:16. ~ Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Did Jesus Have the Same Physical Body After His Resurrection? By Eric Lyons, M. Min.

A gentleman once contacted our offices at Apologetics Press, questioning whether Jesus had the same body after His resurrection as He did before being raised from the grave. According to this man, Jesus “appeared to people he knew but nobody recognized him…. It’s as though He had a different body”—and possibly one that was not physical. At the outset, it is incorrect to assert that “nobody recognized Him,” because Matthew 28:9,17 clearly implies that at least some of Jesus’ disciples knew Who He was and worshipped Him. Moreover, that Jesus had essentially the same physical body after His resurrection that He had when He died on the cross, is evident from at least three different passages. In Luke 24:39 Jesus stated: “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” Jesus expected His disciples to observe His physical body. Later in the same chapter, we read that Jesus ate a meal with His disciples (24:42-43; cf. Acts 10:41). And then in John 20:25-29, which is the most often-used passage in defense of Christ’s having His same physical body, Thomas was asked to touch Jesus’ nail-scared hands and reach into His side that had been pierced with the Roman spear. But what about those occasions when some of His disciples did not recognize Him? Do such verses as Luke 24:31,37 and John 20:10-16 represent a contradictory element in the resurrection story? First, just because the text says that the disciples thought they had seen a spirit when they actually saw Jesus (Luke 24:37), does not indicate that He looked different. Since they knew He had been killed, seeing His resurrected body caused them to think that He was in spirit form rather than physical. A similar thing happened to Peter when some thought his unexpected presence must be an indication that “it is his angel” (Acts 12:15). Second, the reason the two disciples who were traveling on the road to Emmaus failed to recognize Jesus initially was not because Jesus had a different body, but because God had miraculously prevented them from recognizing Him. Luke 24:16 indicates that at the beginning of their conversation with Jesus “their eyes were restrained,” but then just before Jesus vanished from their sight, “their eyes were opened and they knew Him” (24:31). Thus, the disciples’ recognition ability failed, not because Jesus possessed a different body, but because their eyes were miraculously restrained.

A final person often mentioned as not having recognized the Savior (allegedly because Jesus had a different body) is Mary Magdalene. John 20:11-18 certainly testifies of her initial inability to identify Jesus. The question is: Was Mary’s failure to recognize Jesus, her fault or the result of Jesus having a different body? As with the above cases, there is no indication in John 20:11-18 that Jesus had anything other than His risen crucified body (cf. 20:25-29). There are at least four possibilities, however, as to why Mary failed to recognize Jesus right at first.

The sun may not have risen all the way yet, thus making it difficult to see (cf. 20:1).
Mary was engaged in deep weeping that likely obscured her vision (20:11,13). In fact, the first words Jesus said to Mary were, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (vs. 15).
Considering Jesus’ clothes were taken from Him when He was crucified (John 19:23-24), and that the linen cloths which were used in His burial were lying in the tomb (John 20:6-7), Jesus likely was wearing clothes that made His exact identity less conspicuous at first glance. Perhaps His post-resurrection attire was similar to what a gardener or watchman would wear (cf. John 20:15).
It also is possible that Mary’s eyes were restrained miraculously, as were the disciples with whom Jesus conversed on the road to Emmaus.

Once all of the Scriptures are taken into account, one can see clearly that Jesus physically rose from the grave in essentially the same body that was crucified on the cross. The fact that some of Jesus’ disciples did not immediately recognize Him, in no way contradicts His physical resurrection.

http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=6&article=673

Links Of Interest

What is Conditional Immortality?

Are the Dead Really Dead?

(Adapted from a sermon by Elder Voy Wilks)

In Philippians 1:21-23, the Apostle Paul stated: "For me to live is (the) Messiah, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with (the) Messiah; which is far better…"

Jewish authorities in Jerusalem had arrested the Apostle Paul because he preached that Yahshua is the Messiah. Because of circumstances, he was forced to appeal to Caesar. The letter to the Philippians was written about 64 C. E. while he was a prisoner in Rome (Phil. 1:7, 12-24; 2 Tim. 1:16-17).

At his first trial before Caesar in C.E. 66, no one stood with Paul. All deserted him (2 Tim. 4:16-18). While writing this letter to the Philippians, Paul debated with himself whether he would (1) gain his freedom, or (2) be executed. In either case, he belonged to Yahshua the Messiah. Should he live, he would live for the Messiah. Should he be executed, he would die as a martyr for the Messiah. There was "gain" for him in doing so (Phil. 1:21).

What is the gain Paul expected? Immediate entrance into Yahshua's presence in heaven, as most people believe? No. The gain was a "better resurrection" (Heb. 11:35). This is made clear in his continuing comments to the Philippians:

Phil 3:8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Messiah Yahshua my Savior. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Messiah.

Phil 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Messiah, the righteousness from Yahweh based on faith.

Phil 3:10 I want to know Messiah and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death,

Phil 3:11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Messiah Yahshua has made me his own.

Phil 3:13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Phil. 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of Yahweh in Messiah Yahshua.

We see, then that the Apostle Paul's hope was not immediate entrance into heaven at death. Instead his hope was in the resurrection from the dead - release from the grave - release from decay and death. In his letter to the Romans Paul again spoke of "the hope" as a future event.

In Romans 8:18-25, Paul reported that we wait for the redemption of our bodies. When does this occur? Our hope is in the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:42-56); the resurrection of the just (Acts 24:15); Heb. 11:35; Rev. 20:4-6).

Now back to Phil. 1:23. Our English versions imply that if Paul departed this life by being executed, he would have been immediately ushered into the presence of Yahshua, who is in heaven. As noted above, Paul did not expect this. If executed, he expected to lay in the grave and await the resurrection. Paul himself wrote that the resurrection occurs at the Messiah's return, and only then will the Saints be with Him.

"…the dead in the Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Yahshua in the air; and so we shall always be with Yahshua" (I Thes. 4:16-17, RSV).

What, then, did Paul mean in Phil. 1:23? The key to understanding is in the word translated "depart." The Greek word is "analuo." This word appears in the New Testament only one other time, and there it is translated "return."

But "return" is the very opposite of "depart," so let's look at the other Scripture, found in Luke 12:35-37:

Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return (analuo) from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

We see plainly from the context that "analuo" is definitely related to the Messiah's return, and not His departure, or his going away. There is other evidence in Phil. 1:23 indicating that analuo should not be translated "depart," but "return."

First, if Paul really spoke of his "departure," the Greek word should have been "anachoreo." This word is translated "depart" eight times, according to Young's Concordance. However, as we have seen, in Phil. 1:23, it is translated "analuo," and means "come back," Mastering Greek Vocabulary, 2nd Ed. By Thomas A. Robinson; Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA, p. 150.

Second, there are two words in the Greek manuscripts of Phil. 1:23 that were not translated and brought over into the English versions. This is according to the Diaglott, the George Ricker Berry Greek/English Interlinear New Testament, and the NIV Greek/English Interlinear New Testament.

These two words are "for the." Why were they omitted? Possibly to conform to a preconceived doctrinal idea?

When we bring these two words over into English, the correct message in Phil. 1:23 seems to be as follows:

"For I am in a strait between two, having a desire for the return, and to be with the Messiah; which is far better:…" (Phil. 1:23)

Please be aware that I have not added these two words (for the). No, the Greek text does indeed contain these words, but English translations omit them. This could have happened in all sincerity, as most Bible scholars believe the soul of the righteous man goes to heaven immediately after death.

In Phil. 1:21-23, Paul speaks of three things in particular:

Paul might be executed (v. 21).

Paul might be acquitted and go free (v. 21).

Paul longed for the return, so he could be with the Messiah, "which is far better" than either of the other options (v. 23).

In the Ben Wilson Version (Diaglott), Phil. 1:23 reads as follows:

"I am indeed hard pressed between the two things; I have an earnest desire for the returning, and being with the Messiah, since it is very much to be preferred,…"

This should finalize Paul's statement: He did not expect to die and immediately be with the Messiah. Instead, whether he lived or died, he looked forward to the Messiah's return.

The view that man has within him an immortal soul that flits off to heaven or to hell at the moment of death is not a biblical doctrine. It has been adopted from pagan religions. Believing in the immortality of the soul is one step toward believing in reincarnation, a pernicious doctrine. Let us drop all paganism and believe the Sacred Writings which were inspired by Yahweh, the Most High El (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

Other Scriptures that confirm this conclusion are found throughout the Bible. Here are a few:

Psa 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

Psa 115:17 The dead praise not Yahweh, neither any that go down into silence.

Psa 146:4 (when a person dies) His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Eccl 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,…

Eccl 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

The Apostle Paul, being a doctor of the Law, knew and understood these Scriptures. Once dead, that is the end of man's thoughts and activities - until the resurrection.

Acts 24:14-15 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the El of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward Yah, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. (Paul believed the Old Testament)

Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Not at the moment of death. Yahshua's report).

Do we have immortality now? If not, when?

Romans 2:7, To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: Paul: We seek for immortality. We don't have it yet.

1 Cor 15:16-18 For if the dead rise not, then is not the Messiah raised: And if the Messiah be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in the Messiah are perished.

Paul says if there is no resurrection, then the righteous are perished (dead, as in Rom. 6:23).

1 Cor. 15:53, Paul says we are now mortal, and must put on immortality. When? At the resurrection.

Titus 1:2, Paul says we hope for immortality (eternal life.

Titus 2:13, Paul writes, we await our blessed hope, the appearing of our great El, and Yahshua the Messiah.

Titus 3:7, Paul writes, we are heirs in hope of eternal life.

1 John 3:15 All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. (NRSV)

So we see from many witnesses that we do not have immortality yet, but rather it is something to seek for, to hope for, to strive for. That is an integral part of Yahweh's plan of salvation for mankind - to grant His redeemed ones eternal life at the resurrection of the just.

Paul was not contradicting himself and the rest of Scripture in Phil. 1:23. The difficulty was caused by the way it was interpreted and translated into English. ~ VW

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