My Story

What is it like to die?

I first learned about death through a Bible Study. After learning the truth about death and that death is the last enemy that will be conquered, I wanted to learn more. Here’s a few scriptures that may give you some Relief and Comfort.

“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

My Catholic upbringing always taught me that hell was an eternal place of torment and inescapable. This religious teaching never sat well with me. I could never figure out why the God of Love would do such a thing.

Then at my Bible Study, I came across this scripture, “hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” (Rev 20:13) This blew my mind because it connected the dots for me. See, the priests would take money from the parishioners to pray for their dead loved ones, telling us this might get them out of hell. All the while, preaching that hell is ETERNAL. Did they know something I didn’t, I wondered? This was nothing but a ponzi scheme.

Other scriptures that gave me Relief and Comfort is the good news about the Resurrection. “And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) I was elated to learn this about my loved ones that have passed in death.

Then Jesus Christ told his followers, “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out” (John 5:28)

Would you like to live on a Paradise Earth?

Think of it. No more sickness, nor more suffering, no more death. Seems impossible doesn't it? Today, we live in a system that thrives on greed and disregarding the downtrodden. The Bible can help you make marvelous changes to you Life for the Better. You can live a quiet and peaceful Life in a world full of turmoil.

Why do so many religions reject the Good News about God's Kingdom? Why do so many religions join political systems to engage in maiming and killing one another? Who Really Controls the World? The Answer may Surprise You. "Who can conquer the world? Is it not the one who has faith that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5;5)

When sharing he Good News of God's Kingdom, True Christians would share several staples of the Lord's Prayer.

1.    True Christians would Sanctify the Father's Name by making it known. (Matthew 6:9)
2.    True Christians would Pray for God's Kingdom to come. (Matthew 6:10)
3.    True Christians would Pray the Father's Will to take place on Earth as it is in Heaven.

As True Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses obey the teachings of Jesus Christ, doing the same work Jesus Christ started two thousand years ago. Jesus stated, You heard that it was said: ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:43-45) You must accordingly be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

"Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." (Psalms 37:9-10)

"The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it" (Psalms 37:29) Trust in Jehovah and do what is good; Reside in the earth, and act with faithfulness. (Psalm 37:3)

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the undeserved kindness meant for you made a diligent inquiry and a careful search.  They kept on investigating what particular time or what season the spirit within them was indicating concerning Christ as it testified beforehand about the sufferings meant for Christ and about the glory that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were ministering, not to themselves, but to you, regarding what has now been announced to you by those who declared the good news to you with holy spirit sent from heaven. Into these very things, angels are desiring to peer." (1 Peter 1:10-12)

The 144,000 are the living stones that Jesus was speaking about when he stated, “Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) The term "this temple" was not the Temple of Stone that existed then. Jesus already inspected that Temple and upon his inspection of it, he found it as a cave of robbers. Did you never read this scripture: ‘The stone that the builders rejected, this has become the chief cornerstone.' (Mark 12:10)

"But he was talking about the temple of his body." (John 2:21) Notice the scripture doesn't state his fleshly body for his fleshly body was to be sacrificed once and for all time, but rather 'the temple of his body.' “Just as the body is one but has many members, and all the members of that body, although many, are one body, so too is the Christ.”​ (1 Cor 12:12)

Allow scripture to interpret scripture. If Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone of God's temple, then there must be other stones. The other living stones are in fact the 144,000. (Rev 7:4) "Just as the Christ is head of the congregation, he being a savior of this body." (Ephesians 5:23b)

These living stones are Christ's Body.

• "Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you individually is a member." (1 Cor 12:27)
• "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that the spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• WTS Quote: Paul calls the congregation “God’s temple.” At Eph 2:21, 22, the congregation is called “a holy temple” that God inhabits “by spirit.” This means that God uses his holy spirit, or invisible active force, to motivate those in the congregation, to sustain them, and to help them cultivate its fruitage. (Ga 5:22, 23) The apostle Peter uses a similar comparison, calling the disciples “living stones.” (1Pe 2:5)

The Apostle Peter also referred to the temple by stating, "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen, precious to God, you yourselves as living stones are being built up into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, in order to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5)

The 144,000 are Christ's body in which mankind can approach the One True God, Jehovah through Jesus Christ. They are also known has Christ's Brothers in how the world of mankind will be Judged in the Last Days that are now coming to their end. Notice the following scriptures:

• Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17) Jesus own statement exposes the lie that he and the evildoer went to heaven the same day they were to die. Notice he stated to Mary Magdalene, "Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father" after his resurrection.
• "For just as we have in one body many members, but the members do not all have the same function, so we, although many, are one body in union with Christ, but individually we are members belonging to one another." (Romans 12:4)
• Then he will answer them, saying: ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’ (Matthew 25:45) Jesus will condemn those who mistreat the least ones of his brothers.

But how long would the sealing of the 144,000 take? This sealing process is a timed event. It did not take place in a literal 72 hour period. "And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000" (Rev 7:4) And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrise, having a seal of the living God; and he called with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” (Rev 7:2-3)

Did you notice what is to happen before the four angels are allowed to harm the earth? It was after a certain event. Once the 144,000 are sealed, then it paves the way for Jesus to bring judgement upon those who mistreated his chosen ones of the 144,000. The scriptures are pointed. "If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:17)

So let's review Jesus' Prophecy that has been unfolding since Pentecost 33 CE. “Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) This temple is Christ's Brothers of the 144,000 which are in turn Christ's Body. Jesus stated "in three days I will raise it up."

Jesus could of stated this in several ways.

• in three days
• on the third day
• after two days

Again, allow scripture to interpret scripture. "He will revive us after two days. On the third day he will raise us up, And we will live before him." (Hosea 6:2)

Look and see with eyes of faith. Apply the scriptures. "However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8)

• The Body of Christ began to be collected on Pentecost 33 CE.
• Pentecost happened on 33 CE + 2000 yrs = 2033 CE the third day begins 2034. Not all anointed will be heavenly at this point but you can apply other scriptures during the Last Days of this Age as they come to their End:

"Look! I tell you a sacred secret: We will not all fall asleep in death, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we will be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

You won't find 2034 in the Bible, but you won't find 33 CE either. Yet, 33 CE was a 'timed event' that comes from the Messiah being cut off in the middle of that 70th week and Pentecost followed 50 days later. They looked with their eyes but they could not see.

We also get 1914 from another 'timed event' that occurred. But when you add the Last Days of Noah, what do you get for the Last Days of this Age? 1914 + 120 yrs = 2034

Knowing these things doesn't give you divine protection or extraordinary insight but it may make you more accountable to Jehovah. "For the vision is yet for its appointed time, And it is rushing toward its end, and it will not lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it! For it will without fail come true. It will not be late!" (Habakkuk 2:3)

What does it mean? Jesus replied to the thief “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The Apostle Paul explains that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. (Acts 24:15) Since no unrighteous individuals are allowed entry to Heaven. Both Jesus and Paul were speaking about an Earthly Paradise.

False Religion and her minions reject "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;  and that he was buried, yes, that he was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures;" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Nobody is resurrected from Heaven to be on the earth. Notice Jesus never stated you will be with me in Heaven as oppossers of the Jesus Christ claim. Romans 10:9 states if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, You will be saved.

Why is such a simple message often reected by false religion? Many translations place a comma before the word “today” and thereby giving the impression that both Jesus and the evildoer both entered into Heaven that very same day. Jesus himself was dead and in the tomb until the third day and was then resurrected as “the firstfruits” of the first resurrection. The scriptures state that Jesus ascended to Heaven after 40 days after his resurrection. Where was he during those 40 days? Since Jesus sacrificed his fleshly body once for all time, he manifested and taught his disiples in different fleshly bodies her on earth about God's Kingdom. (Acts 1:3-11)

The scriptures state after he had suffered, he showed himself alive to them (how?) by many convincing proofs. He was Seen by them throughout 40 days, and he was speaking about the Kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3) Just think, after spending 40 days with his disciples in different bodies, he still showed himself ALIVE by Many Convining Proofs. Something he would have no need to do, if he was resurrected in his own body.

When you think of it. Even when Jesus appeared to his disicples a second time as a group, this time with Thomas. They saw a man standing in their midst saying 'May you have peace'. None of them exclaimed, there he is.... JESUS! This is because the did not know who this man was. But then Jesus says to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop doubting but believe." (John 20:27)

What was different with this specific mafifesting than others? This time was the only time he manifested with wounds. See, if Jesus manifested in his own body, even without wounds, his disiples would have surely knew who he was. But, because he was in a different body yet again notice what Thomas' response was,“My Lord and my God! (Johm 20:28)

When a person performs a certain feat that overwhelms a person witnessing it, we might hear the expression OMG! It doesn't mean that this person is God. However, if we look up the Greek we can see how Thomas made a simliar statement that was much more refining.

Thomas answered and said to him, "You are the Lord of me and the God of me!" (John 20:28 Greek) It was at this precise moment in time, that Thomas realized and was given an epiphany that Jesus is 'the Christ, the Son of the living God.' (Mathew 16:16) In like manner, Moses was God to Aaron and Pharoh. Yet, we all know that Moses is not God.

One should also note that Thomas never asked to see Jesus body but rather his nail prints and his side. Evidently all the disciples and the women alike, had the same account of seeing Jesus in a differnet body, but without wounds. Therefore, this would cause Thomas to doubt that it was Jesus appearing to them and this is why the account reads as it does, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will never believe it.”

Yet, after all these proofs, notice what (John 20:30-31) states. "To be sure, Jesus also performed Many Other Signs before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll. But these have been written down so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and because of believing, you may have life by means of his Name."

Why not take a Free Bible Online Lesson and see how much you know. Will you accept a Free Home Bible Study today, to continue living on through the Great Tribulation?

The Bible says that Jesus “was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18)

Jesus was put to death, how? In the flesh.... here's one of several teachings of Jesus Christ. "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and for a fact, the bread that I will give is My Flesh in behalf of the life of the world." (John 6:51) So, if for a fact, Jesus gave his flesh in behalf of the life of the world, then proclaiming that he took back the flesh he sacrificed would be wholly inaccurate.

"So from now on we know no man from a fleshly viewpoint. Even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, we certainly no longer know him in that way." (2 Corinthians 5:16)

So how was Jesus Christ resurrected? So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living person.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit." (1 Corinthians 15:45) Spirit creatures/angels, can manifest in the flesh, even eating and drinking with those who entertain them. "Do not forget hospitality, for through it some unknowingly entertained angels." (Hebrews 13:2)

Since Jesus became a life-giving sprit, he manifested in various fleshly bodies and many times without the wounds. Consider the account of Mary Magdalene, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ who went to the tomb for the purpose of dressing his wounds. Notice the account, "After saying this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her: “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She, thinking it was the gardener, said to him: “Sir, if you have carried him off, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her: “Mary!” On turning around, she said to him in Hebrew:“Rab·boʹni!” (which means “Teacher!”) - John 20:14-16

Two points for Consideration at John 20:14-16

1. Obviously Jesus wasn't resurrected in the same flesh that was sacrificed.
2. No Wounds, otherwise Mary Magdalene would have noticed who this person was...

Account continues: "Moreover, some women from among us also astonished us, for they went early to the tomb and when they did not find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a supernatural sight of angels, who said he is alive." (Luke 24:22-23)

Then some of those who were with us went off to the tomb, and they found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” So he (Jesus) said to them: “O senseless ones and slow of heart to believe all the things the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” And starting with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures. Finally they got close to the village to which they were traveling, and he made as if to travel on farther. But they urged him to remain, saying: “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is nearly over.” With that he went in to stay with them. (Luke 24:24-30) Again, they did not see him because Jesus manifested in a different body with no wounds.

They only recognized him from the things he said and did. "And as he was dining with them, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and began handing it to them. At that their eyes were fully opened and they recognized him; but he disappeared from them." (Luke 24:31-32)

"And they got up in that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the Eleven and those assembled together with them, who said: “For a fact the Lord was raised up, and he appeared to Simon!” Then they related the events on the road and how he became known to them by the breaking of the bread." (Luke 23:33-35) We are not sure of how many Jesus appeared too but they were not of the Eleven Apostles, therefore it is possible to conclude that they were believers and may have been Lazarus and Simon the leper who was a Pharisee whom Jesus dined with just before his execution.

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Another account: "Then they remembered his words, and they returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. They were Mary Magʹda·lene, Jo·anʹna, and Mary the mother of James. Also, the rest of the women with them were telling these things to the apostles. However, these sayings seemed like nonsense to them, and they would not believe the women." (Luke 24:8-11)

"But Thomas, one of the Twelve, who was called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him: “We have seen the Lord!” (John 20:24) Evidently, they all gave the same witness that Jesus appeared to them but in a different body without wounds. Notice Thomas did not ask to see Jesus' body, "But he said to them: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will never believe it.” (John 20:25)

Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: “May you have peace.” Next he said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop doubting but believe.” (John 20:26-27)

Notice the following verses exist for the reason he was manifesting in different fleshly bodies. "To be sure, Jesus also performed many other signs before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll. But these have been written down so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and because of believing, you may have life by means of his name." (John 20:30-31)

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Yet, another account: Jesus appears again in a different body without wounds again! "However, just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them: “Children, you do not have anything to eat, do you?” They answered: “No!” (John 21:4-5)

He said to them: “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast it, but they were not able to haul it in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: “It is the Lord!” Now Simon Peter, on hearing that it was the Lord, put on his outer garment, for he was naked, and plunged into the sea." (John 21:6-7) Simon Peter plunging into the sea is 'an act of faith' my friends!

Jesus said to them: “Come, have your breakfast.” Not one of the disciples had the courage to ask him: “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after being raised up from the dead." (John 21:12-14)

Accepting Jesus as the Christ can add a profound meaning for your Life.​

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If it doesn't why not? What hope did the people of the OT had when it come to "life after death" (Resurrection)?

I am sure if does, the OT speaks of Bodily Resurrection the NT will affirm it? Where? CM

As a guide to help us focus, consider the following questions:
1. Are we reading into the OT (about resurrection) what promised in the NT or is it continuing an established truth?
2. What hope or belief did the people in the OT had beyond the grave? I don't mean life after death. To be clear, are the two the same?
3. What are the key passages in the OT, on the resurrection, if any?
4. Is resurrection just an NT doctrine, if not, what OT references are made to reflect its continuity and hope.
5. What do the Deuterocanonical Books have to say about the resurrection? Is there any truth to be had here?

Let's resurrect this topic to bring new hope of the promise, to those us who are alive, until the return of Jesus. CM