THE SABBATH
When you read the Old Testament one thing that stands out is that it is replete with the command to keep the Sabbath. From Genesis to Malachi, God's command to keep the Sabbath is throughout.
The command to keep the Sabbath is not found in the New Testament.
Paul preached to Christians at Troas who were meeting
to break bread on the first day of the week.
Acts 20:7
After his resurrection Jesus met with the disciples on
the first day of the week.
John 20:19, 26
If one wants to meet on Sabbaths they may.
Paul did not say that you must meet on the Saturday Sabbath,
but he said "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
Romans 14:5-6
No one is to be judged according to the day of the week that they worship.
"Let no man judge you in ... holy days or Sabbath days:
which are a shadow of things to come."
Colossians 2:16-17
which are a shadow of things to come."
Colossians 2:16-17
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SOUL SLEEP
Adventism says that believers go to soul sleep in the grave until Christ's return.
The apostle Paul:
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord.
2nd Corinthians 5:
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord.
2nd Corinthians 5:
When one is "absent from the body" he obviously has died. But Paul takes is further and says that when one is absent from the body he is present with the Lord. Where is the Lord? Certainly not in the grave.
Paul's Dilemma
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:2
If there's no life after death, this statement is ridiculous. How can dying be gain?
"I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire
to depart, and TO BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better."
Philippians 1:23
Paul longed to be in heaven. He would not have said that lying in a grave is "far better."
"the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven
and to the SPIRITS of just men made perfect".
Hebrews 12:23-24
and to the SPIRITS of just men made perfect".
Hebrews 12:23-24
Where are these spirits of just men who have been made perfect? Certainly not in graves.
"I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God
... they cried with a loud voice saying..."
Revelation 6:9-10
... they cried with a loud voice saying..."
Revelation 6:9-10
These are people who were martyred. They are in heaven and they cry out with a loud voice..."
Souls in graves do not cry out.
Souls in graves do not cry out.
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The Thief On The Cross
The criminal who was dying next to Jesus asked him to remember him when he came into his Kingdom.
"And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise."Luke 23:43
today you will be with me in Paradise."Luke 23:43
Being in the grave with him would be a meaningless promise to that man. No, he was in Paradise with Jesus that very day.
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The rich man and Lazarus who had died spoke to each other.
Luke 16:19-31
Moses and Elijah
Jesus took Peter, James and John up onto a mountain and was transfigured before them. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and began speaking with Jesus. Obviously, Moses and Elijah had been dead for centuries, yet they appeared on that mountain with Jesus. Alive.
Matthew 17:1-4
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