Immortality and the "Soul" of Man!
Question: Why is the term “immortal soul” not found in the Bible but “immortal” by itself only 3 or 4 times?
SUMMARY:
It becomes apparent that each and every case in Scripture where the terms "soul and spirit" are used needs careful examination, to ascertain the actual usage and meaning. To emphasise that point, we need only look at two examples:
- Gen. 1:20, the Hebrew word Nephesh is translated "life"!
- Gen. 2:7, here the same word Nephesh is translated "soul"!
This is clearly to suit the Dogma of the organization that had commissioned the translation. These are two examples of hundreds, and underlines the need for the student to examine every case where Nephesh is used!
These have been very carefully done by the late Dr. E. W. Bullinger, in his Companion Bible. They are found at the back of that Bible under the heading "Appendixes", and the ones to study are 9,13,101 and 110. Every single verse where the words are used are detailed, so that every student can be sure of the actual meaning.
Alternatively, they are available on the Web, courtesy of Levend Water, at: http://www.levendwater.org/companion/index_companion.html
The ideal is the Companion Bible, as each page has a wide margin with crucial information on many subjects of Scripture, including that of the soul and spirit!
Apparent evidence of a post mortem Soul!
Mention should be made here at this stage of instances in Scripture that seem to confirm an enduring soul after death.
Enoch was a man of God, the 7th in line from Adam (Gen. 5:19-24). The fact he was taken by God (v24), has been understood by many Christians as proof of an eternal soul!
The same people often do not know of or accept the dire conditions that existed at that time of the “sons of God” and their activities with “the daughters of men” (Gen. 6:2); which illicit activity produced the Nephilim (giants).
Enoch’s heart was so dedicated to God in his relationship, that he is described as “walking to and fro with Him”, and had been for 300 years (Gen. 5:22). That close relationship, which God had desired from Adam resulted in Enoch being taken by God directly, prior to his natural death!
He was thus spared the anguish of what was to happen to all people (including his daughters with fallen angels), prior to the destruction of the flood; of whom only Noah and his family were rescued from; as they were not polluted by fallen angel seed (Nephal = to fall)!
It has been speculated that Enoch’s “taking” was a precursor/sign, of the Rapture of Christians prior to the Wrath of God on Earth in the future; which certainly has veracity, as Paul uses his example in Heb. 11. In so doing, Paul is indicating that similar conditions will prevail (do now prevail); prior to the “taking” (Rapture) of Christ’s Body, (Christians true) from the Earth!
It is also speculated by some people, that a further eruption of fallen angel seed will happen prior to the Rapture of Christ’s Body; but that is not easily verified in Scripture.
Enoch is further mentioned in Luke 3:37, Heb. 11:5, Jude 1:14-15 & Romans 10:17; for his importance in Jesus’ lineage; and his faith!
The action by God however does not prove the “eternal soul” teaching; and the “taking” was/is a prerogative of God as the Almighty, for His purpose and planning.
Some have speculated that as Enoch’s example and that of Elijah; (2Kings 2) of “taking” by God, and are the only two examples in Scripture; that as He has stated that “it is given to men once to die” (Heb. (9:27); that these two may be the “witnesses” of Rev. 11, who cannot be killed until their witness work is completed. That again has veracity, which must be held as a serious possibility!
A further example some try to use as proof of post-death survival of a “soul”, is that of “Samuel’s post death appearance”. What must be noted by all Bible students is that Saul was again in disobedience to Jehovah’s commands re. Deut 18, namely to never consort with “familiar spirits”!
The “appearance” of Samuel post mortem seemed apparent, but was not so! What was happening was a demonic “personification” by a servant of Satan, to give the impression of an “immortal soul”; and to support Satan’s comments to deceive Eve (Eve and Adam).
As said above, Satan has since Eden been trying (successfully), to convince humankind (starting with Eve); that they do not die, and that was/is his attempt to disrupt the minds of sincere people worldwide; as they do not want to die! In doing so, Satan is as usual contradicting God Almighty, and His provision in Christ Jesus; which attempts to kill or stop people from trusting what God has said and written in the Bible regarding His "Only Begotten Son"! See: God's Only Begotten Son.
God only wants people at this present time to trust Him in Jesus Christ (have faith in Him), in the same way as the first faithful example, Enoch; and those that followed Him in Heb. 11.
To reiterate, and emphasise: Satan's most successful ploy is that of the myth of the “eternal soul”!
The fact is that all people will die; (except for those that are “translated” just prior to the end of this Age, see: Rapture (The) Those Taken and Those Not.), and there is not an enduring entity called the “soul”!
The “soul” is described in Genesis 2:7 as “the dust of the ground” + “the breath of life” (from God) = the soul!
This is very hard for many people to accept, because of their indoctrination by wrong teaching; but Scripture is God’s Word which is Truth!
All supernatural activity in the Old Testament that does not have God’s declaration as of Him, is of the god of this world (at present), Satan; and he will use anything and everything to delude and mislead the unwary, and unlearned! See: Mystery Babylon:
The final and conclusive evidence of the non-existence of an “eternal soul”; is our Lord’s last utterances on the Cross; “Father into Thine Hands I commit My SPIRIT:” (Luke 23:46).
See: Soul and Spirit, The Error: (Study)
If you have questions or comments, please click here.
Subjectindex or