• Only 2 lifeforms in known existence.

    From James to alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Sun Dec 21 11:31:03 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    Only 2 intelligent lifeforms in known existence.

    Human (flesh and blood body) and angelic (spirit body).

    Both were created by God. (Gen 1:1; Col 1:15,16) Remnants of both will
    be living forever with God. (Rev 21:3,4)

    But what are the others? Ghosts and extraterrestrials? Either lots of
    people in this world are crazy, or such things really exist. They are
    not that hard to figure out.

    They say ghosts are usually dead humans who have not 'moved on'. Well
    look at it logically, would gentle old aunt Milly come back to HAUNT
    her loved ones? Or would she even come back to HAUNT strangers and
    scare the bejabbers out of them?

    And what about extraterrestrials? If they are really from other
    planets, why the cat and mouse games? They should have contacted us
    years ago. The Bible does answer such questions, though indirectly.

    Concerning ghosts being dead humans, THEY CAN'T BE. Because the Bible
    says the dead are not conscience:

    -- New King James
    Ecclesiastes 9:5a For the living know that they will die; but the
    dead know nothing,

    -- New King James
    Ecclesiastes 9:10b for there is no work or device or knowledge or
    wisdom in the grave where you are going.

    - King James
    Psalms 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in
    that very day his thoughts perish.

    Thus a dead human knows "nothing" and has no "knowledge", or
    "thoughts" or "wisdom". Also, Jesus and Paul referred to the dead as 'sleeping'. (John 11:11; 1 Cor 7:39)

    So if ghosts are not dead humans, what are they? What's left? Angels.
    Only these are bad angels. They were kicked out of Heaven because of
    rebelling against God. And Satan took the lead. They want to call God
    a liar, so they pretend to be dead humans. And they even pretend to be righteous at times to confuse people. (2 Cor 11:14,15)

    Well, what about the occupants of those flying saucers (UAP's)? They
    can't be human because of the tremendous G-Forces involved. The
    average human can take around 6 G-forces. Flying saucers have been
    detected at 5000 G-forces, like the Nimitz encounter. And they
    supposedly can go much higher. They don't operate within our laws of
    physics.

    Thus it is impossible that those UAP's are flesh and blood creatures,
    whether human or extraterrestrials. Thus they are spirit beings,
    wicked angelic beings that originally came from Heaven. They are not
    bound by the same natural laws that we are. G-forces mean nothing to
    them. And they have killed humans, and will do so again if it pleases
    them.

    Thus Christians should stay away from Ouija boards, which at times
    seems to attract them. Mediums who claim to contact the dead. (but in
    reality are demons) And playing around with the occult.

    Hitler and his wicked henchmen went after the occult because of the
    special powers it has. And the power-hungry Hitler wanted a piece of
    that pie. He esp wanted the Ark of the Covenant, which he believed
    could help him win wars.

    Notice. Also, keep on the lookout for this:

    -- Revised Standard
    1 Thessalonians 5:3 When people say, "There is peace and security,"
    then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a
    woman with child, and there will be no escape.

    "THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO JESUS
    Episode 1: The True Light of the World
    In this episode, see the amazing events that led up to JesusA birth.
    Watch This Video".
    See jw.org (12/21/2025)
    James: zebrabible@proton.me


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  • From Christ Rose@usenet@christrose.news to alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Sun Dec 21 19:53:05 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    1. rCLOnly two intelligent lifeforms exist: humans and angels.rCY

    Scripture never states a numerical limit on intelligent or accountable
    created beings. Scripture affirms humans and angelic beings, but it does
    not assert exclusivity.

    rCLFor by him all things were createdrCa whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesrCY (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

    Scripture also shows that God may grant awareness, communication, and responsibility beyond ordinary categories, without redefining created kinds.

    rCLThen the Lord opened the mouth of the donkeyrCY (Numbers 22:28, ESV)

    The donkey reasons from lived experience and long habit.

    rCLAnd for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I
    will require itrCY (Genesis 9:5, ESV)

    rCLWhen an ox goresrCa the ox shall be stonedrCY (Exodus 21:28rCo29, ESV)

    God assigns judgment and accountability according to His purposes.
    Scripture therefore does not support a rigid philosophical claim that
    only two kinds of intelligent or accountable agents exist.

    2. rCLThe dead are unconscious and know nothing.rCY

    Ecclesiastes speaks from the perspective of life under the sun,
    describing the cessation of earthly activity.

    rCLFor the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothingrCY (Ecclesiastes 9:5, ESV)
    rCLThere is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in SheolrCY (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV)

    The same book affirms continued existence of the spirit.

    rCLThe dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God
    who gave itrCY (Ecclesiastes 12:7, ESV)

    New Testament revelation clarifies and exceeds this perspective by
    explicitly teaching conscious existence after death.

    rCLToday you will be with me in paradiserCY (Luke 23:43, ESV)

    rCLBeing in torment, he lifted up his eyesrCY (Luke 16:23, ESV)

    rCLWe would rather be away from the body and at home with the LordrCY (2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV)

    rCLMy desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far betterrCY (Philippians 1:23, ESV)

    rCLThese soulsrCa cried out with a loud voicerCY (Revelation 6:9rCo10, ESV)

    The New Testament does not contradict Ecclesiastes; it completes and
    clarifies it. Ecclesiastes describes life as observed under the sun. The
    New Testament reveals the conscious state of the dead before God.

    3. rCLPsalm 146 proves thoughts cease at death.rCY

    Psalm 146 addresses earthly plans and purposes.

    rCLOn that very day his plans perishrCY (Psalm 146:4, ESV)

    Scripture elsewhere teaches continued consciousness, memory, and
    awareness after death.

    rCLThe rich manrCa lifted up his eyesrCY (Luke 16:23, ESV)

    rCLRemember me when you come into your kingdomrCY (Luke 23:42, ESV)

    The perishing of plans does not mean the extinction of consciousness.

    4. rCLDeath described as sleep proves unconsciousness.rCY

    rCLSleeprCY describes bodily death.

    rCLOur friend Lazarus has fallen asleeprCY (John 11:11, ESV)
    rCLLazarus has diedrCY (John 11:14, ESV)

    Jesus defines the metaphor Himself.

    Paul teaches conscious presence after death.

    rCLAway from the body and at home with the LordrCY (2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV)

    Sleep refers to the bodyrCOs state, not the soulrCOs awareness.

    5. rCLGhosts cannot be dead humans.rCY

    Jesus affirms the reality of spirits while denying they possess physical bodies.

    rCLA spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I haverCY (Luke 24:39, ESV)

    Jesus does not deny existence. He distinguishes nature.

    Scripture forbids inquiry of the dead.

    rCLOne who inquires of the deadrCY (Deuteronomy 18:11, ESV)

    The prohibition presupposes real contact.

    rCLSamuel said to SaulrCY (1 Samuel 28:15, ESV)

    Scripture identifies Samuel. It does not say a demon impersonated him.

    6. rCLDemons pretend to be dead humans.rCY

    Scripture never teaches demons impersonate deceased humans. Scripture
    does teach deception through false righteousness.

    rCLEven Satan disguises himself as an angel of lightrCY (2 Corinthians
    11:14, ESV)

    rCLSo it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as
    servants of righteousnessrCY (2 Corinthians 11:15, ESV)

    This includes demons pretending to be rCLJehovahrCOs Witnesses,rCY acting like angels of light while they deny the true identity of Christ, corrupt the saving gospel, and promote darkness, death, and damnation.

    7. rCLUAPs must be demons because they defy physics.rCY

    Scripture never mentions extraterrestrials, UAPs, or physical forces
    such as G-forces.

    rCLThe secret things belong to the Lord our GodrCY (Deuteronomy 29:29, ESV)

    Assigning modern phenomena to demons lacks biblical warrant.

    8. rCLDemons are not bound by natural limits.rCY

    Scripture teaches demons are powerful but finite creatures under GodrCOs authority.

    rCLOnly against him do not stretch out your handrCY (Job 1:12, ESV)

    Demons are not omniscient.

    rCLNow we know who you arerCothe Holy One of GodrCY (Mark 1:24, ESV)

    They gain knowledge by encounter, not by all-knowing awareness.

    Demons are not omnipresent.

    rCLThen it goes and brings with it seven other spiritsrCY (Matthew 12:45, ESV)

    Any freedom from physical constraints does not imply divine attributes
    or unlimited power.

    9. rCLDemons kill humans at will.rCY

    Scripture denies autonomous demonic authority over life and death.

    rCLOnly spare his liferCY (Job 2:6, ESV)

    God alone governs life and death.

    10. rCLOccult practices attract demons.rCY

    Scripture forbids occult practices without explaining unseen mechanisms.

    rCLWhoever does these things is an abomination to the LordrCY (Deuteronomy 18:12, ESV)

    The condemnation rests on rebellion against God, not speculative
    explanations.

    11. rCLHitler, the Ark, and occult power.rCY

    Scripture does not address Hitler. Scripture condemns treating holy
    objects as instruments of power.

    rCLLet us bring the arkrCa that it may save usrCY (1 Samuel 4:3, ESV)

    IsraelrCOs superstition brought judgment, not power.

    12. rCLPeace and securityrCY as end-times deception.

    rCLWhen people say, rCyThere is peace and security,rCO then sudden destruction will comerCY (1 Thessalonians 5:3, ESV)

    Scripture explains why deception succeeds.

    rCLGod sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is
    falserCY (2 Thessalonians 2:11, ESV)

    rCLBecause they refused to love the truth and so be savedrCa who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnessrCY (2 Thessalonians 2:10rCo12, ESV)

    Deception follows rejection of the saving gospel and delight in unrighteousness.

    13. Governing biblical principle.

    rCLNot to go beyond what is writtenrCY (1 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

    Claims about unconscious souls, demon impersonation of the dead,
    unlimited demonic power, and modern phenomena exceed what Scripture states.

    The consistent error throughout JamesrCOs argument is not quoting
    Scripture, but freezing revelation at selective passages while ignoring
    how later Scripture clarifies, corrects, and completes earlier
    perspectives. The Bible progressively reveals that the dead remain
    conscious, that spiritual beings remain finite creatures under GodrCOs authority, that deception succeeds through moral rejection of the gospel rather than secret knowledge, and that God alone defines the unseen
    realm. Where Scripture speaks, it speaks clearly. Where Scripture
    remains silent, believers must not speculate. The governing safeguard
    remains submission to the full counsel of God, read canonically, Christ-centered, and constrained by what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6,
    ESV).
    --
    Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (rCa), and God
    raised Him from the dead?

    That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death
    satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John
    2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your
    sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.

    On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on
    the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name
    of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).

    https://christrose.news/salvation

    To automatically receive daily Bible teaching updates with colorful
    images and website formatting, subscribe to my feed in a client like Thunderbird:

    https://www.christrose.news/feeds/posts/default
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  • From James to alt.christnet.christnews,alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Mon Dec 22 18:32:36 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    On Sun, 21 Dec 2025 19:53:05 -0600, Christ Rose
    <usenet@christrose.news> wrote:

    1. oOnly two intelligent lifeforms exist: humans and angels.o

    Scripture never states a numerical limit on intelligent or accountable >created beings. Scripture affirms humans and angelic beings, but it does
    not assert exclusivity.

    True. It also doesn't say Donald Duck isn't living on the planet
    Venus. I am just going by what the Bible says.

    And it is unlikely there are other life forms out in the cosmos. If
    so, does Jesus have to go and die for them also? Did they screw up
    just like Adam did? Are there millions of Gardens of Edens? Go figure.

    So I will just stick with what is known in the Bible for now.


    oFor by him all things were createda whether thrones or dominions or
    rulers or authoritieso (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

    Scripture also shows that God may grant awareness, communication, and >responsibility beyond ordinary categories, without redefining created kinds.

    oThen the Lord opened the mouth of the donkeyo (Numbers 22:28, ESV)

    The donkey reasons from lived experience and long habit.

    oAnd for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I
    will require ito (Genesis 9:5, ESV)

    oWhen an ox goresa the ox shall be stonedo (Exodus 21:28u29, ESV)

    God assigns judgment and accountability according to His purposes.
    Scripture therefore does not support a rigid philosophical claim that
    only two kinds of intelligent or accountable agents exist.

    It doesn't unsupport it either.


    2. oThe dead are unconscious and know nothing.o

    Ecclesiastes speaks from the perspective of life under the sun,
    describing the cessation of earthly activity.

    Yes, we are make of dust, so that is the point of view.


    oFor the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothingo >(Ecclesiastes 9:5, ESV)
    oThere is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheolo
    (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV)

    The same book affirms continued existence of the spirit.

    oThe dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God
    who gave ito (Ecclesiastes 12:7, ESV)

    The big question here is, what is the spirit? Is it a life form that
    contains all your memories etc. (some may call it the "soul") No, it
    is not an intelligent life form. The "spirit" in Ec 12:7 is defined in
    Strong's Concordance:

    "Strong's Ref. # 7307

    Romanized ruwach
    Pronounced roo'-akh

    from HSN7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even
    violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by
    extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a
    rational being (including its expression and functions):

    KJV--air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X
    side, spirit([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-])wind(-y)."

    Its primary definition is "wind". Thus it is a force of some kind. In
    this case, it is the life force existing within a person. God gave him
    life, and the life returns to God at death.

    Spirit also means "a rational being" such as God and the angels. (John
    4:23)


    New Testament revelation clarifies and exceeds this perspective by >explicitly teaching conscious existence after death.

    Not in any translation that is not symbolic, that I know.


    oToday you will be with me in paradiseo (Luke 23:43, ESV)

    Bad translation. Jesus had to be in the ground for 3 days (like Jonah
    in the fish) before he was resurrected. So that paradise Jesus is
    talking about is the paradise earth after God cleanses it from
    wickedness. (see Jesus at Mt 5:5)


    oBeing in torment, he lifted up his eyeso (Luke 16:23, ESV)

    Alright let's stay literal. How heavy were his eyes? They must have
    been like barbells for him to have to lift them up just to see. This
    is an ILLUSTRATION, and not meant to be taken literally.


    oWe would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lordo (2 >Corinthians 5:8, ESV)

    Yes, the apostle Paul and others back then, were part of the 144,000
    and would be going to Heaven at the instant of death. God would give
    them a body that could live in the Heavenly existence.


    oMy desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far bettero >(Philippians 1:23, ESV)

    See above


    oThese soulsa cried out with a loud voiceo (Revelation 6:9u10, ESV)

    This book is a book of SYMBOLISM, a dragon, beasts with little crowns
    on their heads, some with multiple heads, etc. (must be our pollution
    got to them) If you take it literally, you enter Disneyland or the
    Twilight Zone, take your pick.


    The New Testament does not contradict Ecclesiastes; it completes and >clarifies it.

    Always.


    Ecclesiastes describes life as observed under the sun. The
    New Testament reveals the conscious state of the dead before God.

    Negatrons. Well, if they are conscience before God, THEN THEY ARE NOT
    DEAD! Make up your mind.



    3. oPsalm 146 proves thoughts cease at death.o

    Psalm 146 addresses earthly plans and purposes.

    oOn that very day his plans perisho (Psalm 146:4, ESV)

    The KJV says "thoughts perish".

    Strong's concurs:

    "Strong's Ref. # 7476

    Romanized ra`yown
    Pronounced rah-yone'

    (Aramaic) corresponding to HSN7475; a grasp. i.e. (figuratively)
    mental conception:

    KJV--cogitation, thought."


    Scripture elsewhere teaches continued consciousness, memory, and
    awareness after death.

    Then they are not dead. They simply pass from one state of
    consciousness to another. It's like going asleep. When sleeping we are
    in one state, when awake, another.


    oThe rich mana lifted up his eyeso (Luke 16:23, ESV)

    Here are those heavy eyeballs again.


    oRemember me when you come into your kingdomo (Luke 23:42, ESV)

    The perishing of plans does not mean the extinction of consciousness.

    According to you, THEY NEVER DIE, But just slip into a different
    mental and 'physical' state.


    4. oDeath described as sleep proves unconsciousness.o

    oSleepo describes bodily death.

    oOur friend Lazarus has fallen asleepo (John 11:11, ESV)
    oLazarus has diedo (John 11:14, ESV)

    Jesus defines the metaphor Himself.

    Jesus attributes death like sleep. When you are asleep, you are not
    conscience. And when you are not dreaming as well, you are as nothing.
    (which is what death is really like)


    Paul teaches conscious presence after death.

    Then the person never really dies. And since according to you, the
    deceased person either ends up in Heaven, or hellfire, all humans are
    immortal. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES. (Gen 2:17) And God
    didn't created the earth as a breeding station to send people to
    Heaven or hellfire. He created it to be inhabited:

    -- American Standard
    Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith Jehovah that created the heavens, the God
    that formed the earth and made it, that established it and created it
    not a waste, that formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah; and there
    is none else.


    oAway from the body and at home with the Lordo (2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV)

    Sleep refers to the bodyAs state, not the soulAs awareness.

    5. oGhosts cannot be dead humans.o

    Jesus affirms the reality of spirits while denying they possess physical >bodies.

    oA spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I haveo (Luke
    24:39, ESV)

    Yes, that is true for a spirit being. But spirits can manufacture a
    physical body in order to interact with humans. Angels in the OT did
    that, such as the one that led Lot out of danger.


    Jesus does not deny existence. He distinguishes nature.

    Scripture forbids inquiry of the dead.

    According to you, they are still alive, just in a different state.
    There should be nothing wrong with contacting a living person.

    But now if they were Scripturally dead (not conscience), it would be
    forbidden to contact them because they couldn't. Anyone claiming to be
    them, would be the demons.



    oOne who inquires of the deado (Deuteronomy 18:11, ESV)

    The prohibition presupposes real contact.

    oSamuel said to Saulo (1 Samuel 28:15, ESV)

    Scripture identifies Samuel. It does not say a demon impersonated him.

    It doesn't have to. The Bible already tells you enough to reason that
    out.

    Samuel is in his 'grave' awaiting the resurrection. What is amazing
    about the Bible's teachings, is that we will be able to meet almost
    all people of the OT. (Acts 24:15) And even a few in the NT, such as
    John the Baptist.


    6. oDemons pretend to be dead humans.o

    Scripture never teaches demons impersonate deceased humans. Scripture
    does teach deception through false righteousness.

    There is nothing wrong with drawing conclusions from the Scriptures.
    Mary did that when the angel told her about her upcoming pregnancy.

    -- King James
    Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her
    heart.


    oEven Satan disguises himself as an angel of lighto (2 Corinthians
    11:14, ESV)

    Remember the Fatima experience? He is a master trickster.


    oSo it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as
    servants of righteousnesso (2 Corinthians 11:15, ESV)

    That's right. Those who know much of the Bible are not fooled by their shenanigans.


    This includes demons pretending to be oJehovahAs Witnesses,o acting like >angels of light while they deny the true identity of Christ, corrupt the >saving gospel, and promote darkness, death, and damnation.

    They would be stupid to do that. Like you do, they are going to get
    more persecution than listening ears. No, what they control is the
    churches, who perpetuate a torturous god of eternal pain. They are so
    pleased that so many people are falling for their deception, it really
    makes their day!

    But they are not happy with JW's, who know the truth about them, and
    exposes them. If it wasn't for Jehovah's protection, we would be like
    a smear on a windshield.


    7. oUAPs must be demons because they defy physics.o

    Scripture never mentions extraterrestrials, UAPs, or physical forces
    such as G-forces.

    Of course not, it is not a science book, but a religious one. But we
    were given reasoning power, and can use it.

    For example, can fire hurt angels? We can deduce NO, after reading the
    account of the 3 Hebrews in Daniel. Also when Jesus was resurrected
    (by himself?) by God, did he have the same body? No. How do we know?

    One way is that when he appeared to Mary Magdalene, she thought he was
    the gardener. So not even close to the same body.


    oThe secret things belong to the Lord our Godo (Deuteronomy 29:29, ESV)

    Assigning modern phenomena to demons lacks biblical warrant.

    Some of these seriel killers that have mutilated and even ate their
    victims, have said they heard voices in their head telling them to do
    that. True, there are diseases such as schizophrenia that can cause
    the same thing. But even in Jesus' day, people were possessed by
    demons, and Jesus would get rid of them. Today we are stuck with them.



    8. oDemons are not bound by natural limits.o

    Scripture teaches demons are powerful but finite creatures under GodAs >authority.

    oOnly against him do not stretch out your hando (Job 1:12, ESV)

    Demons are not omniscient.

    oNow we know who you areuthe Holy One of Godo (Mark 1:24, ESV)

    They gain knowledge by encounter, not by all-knowing awareness.

    Demons are not omnipresent.

    oThen it goes and brings with it seven other spiritso (Matthew 12:45, ESV)

    Any freedom from physical constraints does not imply divine attributes
    or unlimited power.

    9. oDemons kill humans at will.o

    Scripture denies autonomous demonic authority over life and death.

    People in the occult have been known to be injured or killed, likely
    by demons.

    There is an account in the Bible, where a boy kept trying to kill
    himself (unwillingly). Jesus drove the demon out and saved him. (Mt
    17:14-18)

    There is a JW reference in Africa where a man in the occult, had his
    head twisted 360. So they are not something to play around with.



    oOnly spare his lifeo (Job 2:6, ESV)

    God alone governs life and death.

    10. oOccult practices attract demons.o

    Scripture forbids occult practices without explaining unseen mechanisms.

    oWhoever does these things is an abomination to the Lordo (Deuteronomy >18:12, ESV)

    The condemnation rests on rebellion against God, not speculative >explanations.

    Disobeying God can bring about many 'curses'.


    11. oHitler, the Ark, and occult power.o

    Scripture does not address Hitler. (Duhh) Scripture condemns treating holy >objects as instruments of power.

    The Scriptures do not even want God's servants from having in their
    possessions "holy objects". People tend to worship them, and that
    brings out anger from God.

    Your god is probably going to pull their fingernails out real slow,
    before tossing them in the 'Holy Fire'.


    oLet us bring the arka that it may save uso (1 Samuel 4:3, ESV)

    IsraelAs superstition brought judgment, not power.

    Hitler and his mercinaries didn't know that. He just read or heard the
    accounts of great power in them, like the fall of Jericho with the
    ark.

    12. oPeace and securityo as end-times deception.

    oWhen people say, aThere is peace and security,A then sudden destruction >will comeo (1 Thessalonians 5:3, ESV)

    Scripture explains why deception succeeds.

    oGod sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is
    falseo (2 Thessalonians 2:11, ESV)

    That is a real sign that will be literally fulfilled. They may believe
    that there is peace and security, whether there really is or not, they
    will SAY it, then destruction follows.


    oBecause they refused to love the truth and so be saveda who did not
    believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesso (2 Thessalonians >2:10u12, ESV)

    Deception follows rejection of the saving gospel and delight in >unrighteousness.

    13. Governing biblical principle.

    oNot to go beyond what is writteno (1 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

    Yes, the churches need to memorize that Scripture. For example, the
    4th century Trinity is way beyond what is written. The celebrations of
    pagan holidays, even Christmas. The Bible doesn't ONCE describe any of
    Jesus' apostles or the apostle Paul celebrating Jesus' birth. None,
    ziltch, zero. Take a hint from God!


    Claims about unconscious souls, demon impersonation of the dead,
    unlimited demonic power, and modern phenomena exceed what Scripture states.

    Gen 2:7 says a soul is a person. Eze 18:4 says a soul can die. Demons
    imitating dead people happens all the time. People call them ghosts.
    And very few ghosts are considered righteous. The majority are at
    least troublesome. And at most, deadly.


    The consistent error throughout JamesAs argument is not quoting
    Scripture, but freezing revelation at selective passages while ignoring
    how later Scripture clarifies, corrects, and completes earlier
    perspectives.

    Your OPINION is noted. But not all agree with your opinion.

    The Bible progressively reveals that the dead remain
    conscious

    Then they are not dead, are they. They are just alive under a
    different environment.

    , that spiritual beings remain finite creatures under GodAs
    authority,

    Yes, living forever is DEPENDANT upon obeying God's commands.
    Otherwise one don't live forever. (1 John 2:17)

    The gift of righteousness is EVERLASTING LIFE. Everlasting
    non-existence is just the opposite.

    that deception succeeds through moral rejection of the gospel
    rather than secret knowledge,

    Nonsense.

    and that God alone defines the unseen
    realm. Where Scripture speaks, it speaks clearly. Where Scripture
    remains silent, believers must not speculate.

    But reasoning on the Scriptures is permitted. (see Acts 17:2,3)

    The governing safeguard
    remains submission to the full counsel of God, read canonically, >Christ-centered, and constrained by what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6, >ESV).

    Of course.

    And the churches need to PROVE their doctrines such as an immortal
    soul. (Eze 18:4) Otherwise you are hearing nothing but teachings of
    demons. (1 Tim 4:1)

    "THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO JESUS
    Episode 1: The True Light of the World
    In this episode, see the amazing events that led up to JesusA birth.
    Watch This Video".
    See jw.org (12/22/2025)
    James: zebrabible@proton.me
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Christ Rose@usenet@christrose.news to alt.christnet.christnews,alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Mon Dec 22 18:05:54 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    ========================================
    Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:32:36 -0500
    <rthikk9cj50v93ofk1ql53bmjea993s96k@4ax.com>
    Watchtower Heretic James <James> wrote: ========================================
    rCLThese soulsrCa cried out with a loud voicerCY (Revelation 6:9rCo10, ESV)

    This book is a book of SYMBOLISM

    You repeat the same stupid lies over and over, no matter how many times
    they are refuted. This is consistent with someone who relies on
    brainwashing to accomplish what he knows he cannot demonstrate from the
    Bible:

    rCo Most of the figurative speech in Revelation is in the form of
    "like" or "as". This is to compare something we understand with
    something we don't. Thus, Christ has hair "like" wool. That
    doesn't mean His hair is made of wool, but that it is "like"
    wool. That this is figurative speech does NOT mean Christ has
    no hair, or that we may dismiss it as meaningless or make it
    mean the opposite of what it says. Symbols never mean nothing
    or the opposite of what they symbolize, as they would have to
    in order for you to simply say "symbolic", as if it refutes
    everything you know your lies cannot explain.

    rCo Where Revelation uses symbols, it explains what the symbols
    mean. For example, the seven lampstands represent the seven
    churches (Revelation 1:20, ESV). The seven stars represent the
    angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20, ESV). The great
    prostitute represents the great city that rules over the kings
    of the earth (Revelation 17:18, ESV). The waters symbolize
    peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages (Revelation 17:15,
    ESV). The fine linen worn by the bride represents the righteous
    deeds of the saints (Revelation 19:8, ESV). These explanations
    show that Revelation does not leave its symbols open to private
    redefinition. When Scripture uses symbols, Scripture interprets
    them.

    rCo Where Revelation does not explain symbols, other places in the
    Bible do, such as Daniel. For example, the four beasts
    represent four kings or kingdoms (Daniel 7:17, ESV). The ten
    horns represent ten kings (Daniel 7:24, ESV). The ram with two
    horns represents the kings of Media and Persia (Daniel 8:20,
    ESV). The male goat represents the king of Greece (Daniel 8:21,
    ESV). These established explanations govern how similar imagery
    functions in Revelation, showing that biblical symbolism
    carries fixed meaning supplied by Scripture itself.

    So no, sorry but simply saying "Symbolic" every time your lies are
    clearly refuted from the direct statements of Scripture may deceive you
    and Watchtower heretics, but not me. You convince me again and again
    that you are a stupid, satanically manipulated, brainwashed liar and
    heretic.
    --
    Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (rCa), and God
    raised Him from the dead?

    That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death
    satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John
    2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your
    sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.

    On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on
    the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name
    of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).

    https://christrose.news/salvation

    To automatically receive daily Bible teaching updates with colorful
    images and website formatting, subscribe to my feed in a client like Thunderbird:

    https://www.christrose.news/feeds/posts/default
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  • From Christ Rose@usenet@christrose.news to alt.christnet.christnews,alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Mon Dec 22 18:12:53 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    You repeatedly argue, rCLIf the dead are conscious, then they are not
    dead.rCY Scripture does not define death as non-existence. Scripture
    defines death as separation.

    rCo Physical death separates the soul from the body (James 2:26;
    Ecclesiastes 12:7).

    rCo Spiritual death separates the sinner from God (Isaiah 59:2;
    Ephesians 2:1).

    Adam died the day he sinned, yet he continued to exist and speak
    (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:8rCo10, ESV). If death meant non-existence, Adam vanished that day. He did not.

    You insist that consciousness after death would make man immortal by
    nature. Conscious existence is not the same as self-existent
    immortality. Angels are conscious and finite. Demons are conscious and
    finite. Consciousness does not equal deity.

    You claim Ecclesiastes proves unconsciousness. Ecclesiastes explicitly
    limits its perspective to rCLunder the sunrCY (Ecclesiastes 1:3, ESV). The same book affirms that the spirit returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7,
    ESV). That alone refutes annihilation. A force does not rCLreturnrCY to God. Breath does not account for moral accountability, judgment, or personal reckoning.

    You dismiss Luke 23:43 by moving the comma. This shows what a stupid
    hypocrite you are. You claim elsewhere that the stated meaning cannot be
    so obvious that it would not need to be stated. Yet to twist the meaning
    of this passage, you claim that what Jesus really meant to do was to
    inform this man that today was the day he was informing him about where
    he would be at some point in the future. As if the man wouldn't have
    realized that he was being told about it today. This shows what an
    insincere, double-minded hypocrite you are. You feign deep personal
    conviction that the Bible couldn't mean what it plainly states
    elsewhere, because that would be too obvious. Then you claim that this
    man wouldn't have realized that today was the day Jesus was informing
    him about the future, so that must be what "today" means there.

    Greek manuscripts have no punctuation. Word order controls meaning. rCLTodayrCY modifies rCLyou will be with me,rCY not rCLI say to you.rCY Your interpretation makes Jesus state the obvious and drains the sentence of meaning.

    You mock Luke 16 by hyper-literalism. Scripture never teaches that
    symbols reverse reality. Parables and illustrations communicate truth consistent with their imagery, not the opposite. Fire represents
    torment. Thirst represents conscious suffering. Memory functions. Speech functions. Moral awareness functions. Your reading requires every detail
    to collapse into absurdity while the lesson disappears.

    You argue that sleep proves unconsciousness. Jesus Himself defines the metaphor. rCLLazarus has diedrCY (John 11:14, ESV). Sleep describes the bodyrCOs condition, not the soulrCOs awareness. Scripture never says the
    soul sleeps. Scripture says the body sleeps in the grave while the
    spirit departs.

    You claim necromancy would be permissible if the dead were conscious. Scripture forbids it because God forbids it, not because of a mechanical limitation (Deuteronomy 18:11, ESV). The prohibition rests on rebellion,
    not metaphysics. Scripture explicitly identifies Samuel speaking to Saul
    (1 Samuel 28:15, ESV). You assert demon substitution without a single
    verse saying so.

    You appeal to Ezekiel 18:4 to prove annihilation. The text says the soul
    that sins shall die, not cease to exist. Scripture repeatedly uses rCLdierCY to mean judgment, separation, and loss, not erasure (Matthew 10:28, ESV).

    You accuse others of speculation while asserting entire doctrines
    Scripture never teaches:
    rCo souls cease to exist
    rCo demons impersonate every apparition
    rCo paradise equals future earth in Luke 23
    rCo only 144,000 experience conscious presence with Christ

    None of these claims appear in Scripture.

    Your position repeatedly collapses into contradiction:

    rCo You deny consciousness after death, yet assign consciousness to the
    spirit when convenient.
    rCo You deny symbolism means what it depicts, yet insist symbols negate
    their meaning.
    rCo You deny immortality, yet redefine death so that no one truly dies.

    Scripture teaches progressive revelation. Later revelation clarifies
    earlier observation. Ecclesiastes observes death. The New Testament
    explains it.

    Scripture speaks plainly:

    rCo The dead are conscious (Luke 16:23, ESV).
    rCo The righteous depart to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23; 2
    Corinthians 5:8, ESV).
    rCo The wicked experience conscious judgment (Revelation 14:11, ESV).
    rCo Immortality comes by resurrection, not by nature (1 Corinthians 15:53rCo54, ESV).

    The issue is not symbolism, translation, or philosophy. The issue is
    whether later Scripture governs earlier Scripture. Scripture says it does.

    Where Scripture speaks, we submit. Where Scripture remains silent, we do
    not invent doctrines to escape its warnings.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From James to alt.christnet.christnews,alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Tue Dec 23 09:52:59 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    On Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:05:54 -0600, Christ Rose
    <usenet@christrose.news> wrote:

    ========================================
    Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:32:36 -0500
    <rthikk9cj50v93ofk1ql53bmjea993s96k@4ax.com>
    Watchtower Heretic James <James> wrote: >========================================
    oThese soulsa cried out with a loud voiceo (Revelation 6:9u10, ESV)

    This book is a book of SYMBOLISM

    You repeat the same stupid lies over and over, no matter how many times
    they are refuted.

    These are Bible truths. Be ready to hear them over and over.

    This is consistent with someone who relies on
    brainwashing to accomplish what he knows he cannot demonstrate from the >Bible:

    I have already.


    o Most of the figurative speech in Revelation is in the form of
    "like" or "as". This is to compare something we understand with
    something we don't. Thus, Christ has hair "like" wool. That
    doesn't mean His hair is made of wool, but that it is "like"
    wool. That this is figurative speech does NOT mean Christ has
    no hair, or that we may dismiss it as meaningless or make it
    mean the opposite of what it says. Symbols never mean nothing
    or the opposite of what they symbolize, as they would have to
    in order for you to simply say "symbolic", as if it refutes
    everything you know your lies cannot explain.

    o Where Revelation uses symbols, it explains what the symbols
    mean. For example, the seven lampstands represent the seven
    churches (Revelation 1:20, ESV). The seven stars represent the
    angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20, ESV). The great
    prostitute represents the great city that rules over the kings
    of the earth (Revelation 17:18, ESV).

    Yes, she also commits fornication with the Kings of the earth. She is
    intimate with them. This is the realm of all false religion. (Rev
    18:4)


    The waters symbolize
    peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages (Revelation 17:15,
    ESV). The fine linen worn by the bride represents the righteous
    deeds of the saints (Revelation 19:8, ESV). These explanations
    show that Revelation does not leave its symbols open to private
    redefinition. When Scripture uses symbols, Scripture interprets
    them.

    Not always. See above the harlot.


    o Where Revelation does not explain symbols, other places in the
    Bible do, such as Daniel. For example, the four beasts
    represent four kings or kingdoms (Daniel 7:17, ESV). The ten
    horns represent ten kings (Daniel 7:24, ESV). The ram with two
    horns represents the kings of Media and Persia (Daniel 8:20,
    ESV). The male goat represents the king of Greece (Daniel 8:21,
    ESV). These established explanations govern how similar imagery
    functions in Revelation, showing that biblical symbolism
    carries fixed meaning supplied by Scripture itself.

    So no, sorry but simply saying "Symbolic" every time your lies are
    clearly refuted from the direct statements of Scripture may deceive you
    and Watchtower heretics, but not me. You convince me again and again
    that you are a stupid, satanically manipulated, brainwashed liar and >heretic.

    And a good day to you also.

    You probably can't help being in spiritual darkness. The churches have brainwashed their flocks to accept the teaching of demons. (1 Tim 4:1)
    They have a good grip on people with such teaching of demons like
    hellfire, an immortal soul, and the pagan Trinity. You need to let go
    of the churches' frayed rope, and grab the rope of salvation through
    Jesus Christ our Lord. (John 14:6; Php 1:18,19)

    You have a distorted view of the Bible, which is the churches' view.
    Keep the following prophecy in mind. When the governments turn on the
    churches and all false religion, know that the end is near. Notice
    this from AI:

    "AI Overview
    The idea that
    governments will turn on false religion is a specific prophetic
    interpretation held by Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs), derived primarily
    from their reading of the Bible books of Revelation and Daniel. This
    is not a concept found in secular law or a general global trend in the
    way you might be asking for, but rather a theological viewpoint.
    The Prophetic Belief
    According to the Jehovah's Witnesses' interpretation of the book of
    Revelation, the world's political powers (symbolized as a
    "scarlet-colored wild beast" and its "ten horns," often linked to the
    United Nations) will eventually turn against "Babylon the Great,"
    which they identify as the world empire of all false religions"

    Right on.

    "The Good News According to Jesus
    Learn more about Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of mankind,
    in this exciting video series.
    Watch Now".
    See jw.org (12/23/2025)
    James: zebrabible@proton.me


    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Christ Rose@usenet@christrose.news to alt.christnet.christnews,alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Tue Dec 23 17:30:26 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    Your reply exposes the core problem: you keep saying rCLsymbolicrCY as if
    that word cancels the text. Scripture never uses symbolism that way.
    Symbolism communicates truth. It never reverses truth or empties it.

    Revelation explicitly presents conscious, vocal souls.

    rCLThese are the souls of those who had been slainrCa They cried out with a loud voicerCY (Revelation 6:9rCo10, ESV).

    A symbol still has semantic content. Crying out with a loud voice
    communicates awareness, memory, desire for justice, and expectation of
    future judgment. A symbol cannot coherently signify non-existence,
    silence, or annihilation. Symbols convey realities consistent with what
    they depict, not their negation.

    Your appeal to rCLfalse religionrCY and the harlot does not help you.

    BabylonrCOs fornication with kings remains a real relationship expressed through imagery. The symbol explains how false religion allies itself
    with political power. It does not mean Babylon is imaginary, inactive,
    or empty. The symbol explains the manner of corruption, not its absence (Revelation 17:1rCo6, ESV; Revelation 18:3rCo4, ESV).

    Scripture itself defines how symbols work.

    In Revelation, symbols are either explained in the text or governed by
    prior revelation. Lampstands signify churches. Stars signify angels.
    Waters signify peoples. Linen signifies righteous deeds. None of these explanations negate reality. They clarify it (Revelation 1:20, ESV;
    Revelation 17:15, ESV; Revelation 19:8, ESV).

    The same rule governs prophetic imagery drawn from Daniel.

    Beasts signify kingdoms. Horns signify kings. Rams and goats signify
    empires. These symbols establish continuity of meaning across Scripture. Revelation builds on Daniel. It does not reinvent symbolism so that life
    means death or consciousness means extinction (Daniel 7:17, ESV; Daniel
    7:24, ESV; Daniel 8:20rCo21, ESV).

    Your charge about rCLteaching of demonsrCY reverses PaulrCOs warning.

    Paul warns that demons promote doctrines that dull judgment and distort
    truth, not doctrines that sharpen fear of God and accountability (1
    Timothy 4:1). Jesus warned repeatedly of unending punishment, not
    cessation. He said it would have been better for Judas if he had not
    been born, which makes no sense if Judas simply ceases to exist (Matthew 26:24, ESV). He said it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for cities
    that reject Him, which requires degrees of judgment, not non-existence (Matthew 11:23rCo24, ESV).

    Scripture also denies your claim that death ends personal existence.

    Jesus said men can kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matthew
    10:28, ESV). Paul said to be absent from the body brings presence with
    the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV). Jesus promised the repentant thief immediate presence with Him in paradise that very day (Luke 23:43, ESV).
    These texts do not rely on Revelation. They destroy annihilation outright.

    Your final appeal to Watchtower prophecy admits the real issue.

    You cite an interpretation unique to JehovahrCOs Witnesses and then call
    it rCLright on.rCY Scripture never tells believers to measure truth by organizational distinctives. Scripture calls us to submit to what is
    written, even when it offends our systems (John 5:39, ESV).

    The issue is not symbolism. The issue is submission. Revelation speaks
    plainly through symbols, and those symbols testify that judgment
    involves conscious accountability before God. Christ bore wrath for
    sinners so they would not bear it themselves. Denying conscious judgment diminishes the cross, weakens the gospel, and contradicts the words of
    Jesus Himself (1 Corinthians 15:1rCo4, ESV; Romans 3:23rCo26, ESV).
    --
    Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (rCa), and God
    raised Him from the dead?

    That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death
    satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John
    2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your
    sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.

    On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on
    the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name
    of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).

    https://christrose.news/salvation

    If you want to automatically receive my daily messages from God's word,
    and view them with the images and formatting of the website edition,
    just use a client like Thunderbird, and subscribe to this feed link:

    https://www.christrose.news/feeds/posts/default
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From James to alt.christnet.christnews,alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Tue Dec 30 10:41:47 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    On Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:30:26 -0600, Christ Rose
    <usenet@christrose.news> wrote:

    Your reply exposes the core problem: you keep saying osymbolico as if
    that word cancels the text.

    Morning,

    There is nothing wrong with reasoning on the Bible.

    -- King James
    Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three
    sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

    Scripture never uses symbolism that way.
    Symbolism communicates truth. It never reverses truth or empties it.

    OK.

    Symbolism simply relates Bible accounts by using substitutions.


    Revelation explicitly presents conscious, vocal souls.

    oThese are the souls of those who had been slaina They cried out with a
    loud voiceo (Revelation 6:9u10, ESV).

    But you need to show the rest of it:

    -- New King James
    Revelation 6:9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
    the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the
    testimony which they held.

    Notice this group of God's servants have been SLAIN. Thus they are
    dead. And they are recalling what they would say IF they were alive.


    A symbol still has semantic content. Crying out with a loud voice >communicates awareness, memory, desire for justice, and expectation of >future judgment. A symbol cannot coherently signify non-existence,
    silence, or annihilation. Symbols convey realities consistent with what
    they depict, not their negation.

    See above where those "souls" were slain, thus were dead.


    Your appeal to ofalse religiono and the harlot does not help you.


    BabylonAs fornication with kings remains a real relationship expressed >through imagery.




    The symbol explains how false religion allies itself
    with political power. It does not mean Babylon is imaginary, inactive,
    or empty.

    I never said it was. As for false religions, Peter relays some info to
    us:

    2 Peter 2:1,2

    1. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as
    there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in
    destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring
    on themselves swift destruction.
    2. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the
    way of truth will be blasphemed. (NKJV)

    Thus Christians must be cautious where they go.

    The symbol explains the manner of corruption, not its absence
    (Revelation 17:1u6, ESV; Revelation 18:3u4, ESV).



    Scripture itself defines how symbols work.

    OK.


    In Revelation, symbols are either explained in the text or governed by
    prior revelation. Lampstands signify churches. Stars signify angels.
    Waters signify peoples. Linen signifies righteous deeds. None of these >explanations negate reality. They clarify it (Revelation 1:20, ESV; >Revelation 17:15, ESV; Revelation 19:8, ESV).

    -- New Revised Standard with Apocrypha
    1 Corinthians 11:30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and
    some have died. {Gk [fallen asleep]}

    Yes, many "negate reality." by their death sleep.


    The same rule governs prophetic imagery drawn from Daniel.

    Beasts signify kingdoms. Horns signify kings. Rams and goats signify >empires. These symbols establish continuity of meaning across Scripture. >Revelation builds on Daniel. It does not reinvent symbolism so that life >means death or consciousness means extinction (Daniel 7:17, ESV; Daniel >7:24, ESV; Daniel 8:20u21, ESV).

    Yes, Daniel's beasts are symbolic for governments. And so is
    Revelation's.



    Your charge about oteaching of demonso reverses PaulAs warning.

    Paul warns that demons promote doctrines that dull judgment and distort >truth, not doctrines that sharpen fear of God and accountability (1
    Timothy 4:1).

    OK.


    Jesus warned repeatedly of unending punishment, not
    cessation.

    On the contrary, Jesus informed us that the dead were 'sleeping'.
    (John 11:11) And thus Jesus was going to awaken him. (resurrect him)
    (Ec 9:5,19; Ps 146:4)

    He said it would have been better for Judas if he had not
    been born, which makes no sense if Judas simply ceases to exist (Matthew >26:24, ESV).

    Judas sinned against the Holy Spirit, thus he will NOT be resurrected:

    -- King James
    Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and
    blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the
    Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

    Also, all his relatives have to live with the fact of Judas, the
    betrayer of Jesus. That would not go well with them. Yes, it would
    have been better for him to return to the nothingness that he started
    from.


    He said it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for cities
    that reject Him, which requires degrees of judgment, not non-existence >(Matthew 11:23u24, ESV).

    Being our Creator, God has the right to pass judgments. The flood of
    Noah's day, Sodom and Gomorrah, and disobedient angels, were all "made
    them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;". (see 2
    Pe 2:4-6)

    Also it should be noted, yes the city of Sodom would have remained to
    Jesus' day as he said at Mt 11:23, but none of all of its inhabitants
    that existed at the time of its actual destruction, would still be
    there. And the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked. Ge 13:13,

    "Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the
    LORD." (NIV)

    Now if Jesus would have appeared back in Sodom, would many have
    repented? We don't know for sure just exactly how "wicked" they really
    were. Perhaps none would have repented. Perhaps some. But the point
    is, we should not all rely upon God's patience indefinitely. That is
    putting God to test, and the Bible says not to do that. (Lu 4:12)

    God could be extremely patient and let people eternally repent, but
    then there would always be new wicked ones coming upon the scene and
    disrupting things etc. There would go paradise and peaceful conditions throughout all eternity etc.

    So God has a day set aside when he will 'pull the plug' on the wicked,
    and remove them forever, so that a true lasting peace and security and
    good health etc, will forever exist. (see Re 21:3,4) Thus we have had
    a few examples of God's judicial rulings in the past, and should learn
    from them, and live EACH DAY as if God is going to make this day, His
    judgment day, and not assume that God will give us a lot more time to
    repent. Ac 17:31,

    "For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the
    man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising
    him from the dead." (NIV)



    Scripture also denies your claim that death ends personal existence.

    Are you saying the Bible contradicts itself? (review Ec 9:5,10; Ps
    146:3,4)


    Jesus said men can kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matthew
    10:28, ESV).

    Look at it again. BUT GOD CAN KILL A SOUL. (Eze 18:4)

    Paul said to be absent from the body brings presence with
    the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV).

    Paul knew he was going to Heaven when he died, and knew he would not
    remain in hell (grave). He described getting a new body in the
    "twinkling" of an eye. (1 Cor 15:50-52)

    Jesus promised the repentant thief
    immediate presence with Him in paradise that very day (Luke 23:43, ESV).

    Then how can you explain the Scriptures that say that like Jonah's
    days, Jesus was to be in the heart of the earth for 3 days following
    his death? (Mt 12:40)

    You just can't ignore Scriptures that don't agree with your beliefs.
    For your salvation, accept ALL the Bible.


    These texts do not rely on Revelation. They destroy annihilation outright.

    Not at all, if you don't twist them. The whole Bible falls right in
    place when you believe all Bible truths in the correct way. (John
    17:17)



    Your final appeal to Watchtower prophecy admits the real issue.

    You cite an interpretation unique to JehovahAs Witnesses and then call
    it oright on.o Scripture never tells believers to measure truth by >organizational distinctives. Scripture calls us to submit to what is >written, even when it offends our systems (John 5:39, ESV).

    Actually, the Bible does teach organizational teachings, such as the requirements for elders and ministerial servants. And there is only
    "one faith". (Eph 4:4,5)

    The issue is not symbolism.

    On the contrary, people are not born automatically understanding Bible symbolism such as the book of Revelation. To get true meaning out of
    it sometimes requires research. In some cases, going to extra-Biblical
    sources, and in others, supporting Scriptures or both.

    The issue is submission. Revelation speaks
    plainly through symbols, and those symbols testify that judgment
    involves conscious accountability before God. Christ bore wrath for
    sinners so they would not bear it themselves. Denying conscious judgment >diminishes the cross, weakens the gospel, and contradicts the words of
    Jesus Himself (1 Corinthians 15:1u4, ESV; Romans 3:23u26, ESV).

    No one needs to be tortured in order to get adverse judgments. The
    Bible contrasts living forever with dying forever. Thus giving up
    one's life is the ultimate price to pay for sin. (Rom 6:23)
    The "wages of sin is death", not a life of torture.

    "Bible-Reading Plans

    Whether you want a daily Bible-reading plan, a historical overview, or
    a plan for beginners, this schedule will help.
    Get Started".
    See jw.org (12/30/2025)
    James: zebrabible@proton.me
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  • From Christ Rose@usenet@christrose.news to alt.christnet.christnews,alt.bible,alt.religion.christian on Tue Dec 30 09:53:05 2025
    From Newsgroup: alt.bible

    Your reply again treats rCLsymbolicrCY as a solvent that dissolves meaning. Scripture never uses symbolism that way. It uses symbols to communicate realities, not to negate them.

    Acts 17:2 shows Paul reasoned from the Scriptures. He did not reason
    against what the Scriptures plainly said. Reasoning submits to the text.
    It does not redefine it.

    Revelation 6:9rCo10 does not say the souls were recalling what they would
    say if alive. It says what they did say. John saw souls. They cried out
    with a loud voice. Crying out requires consciousness, awareness, memory,
    moral judgment, and expectation of future vindication. None of those fit non-existence. Saying they were rCLslainrCY describes the cause of death,
    not the condition of the soul after death. Scripture regularly
    distinguishes body and soul (Matthew 10:28, ESV).

    Your appeal to rCLsleeprCY confuses metaphor with ontology. Scripture uses sleep as a figure for the bodyrCOs death because of its temporary nature
    and future awakening. It never teaches the soul lapses into
    non-existence or unconsciousness. Jesus used rCLsleeprCY of Lazarus while
    also teaching conscious existence after death elsewhere. Metaphor does
    not cancel doctrine.

    Ecclesiastes 9 speaks from the perspective of life rCLunder the sun.rCY It describes what the dead no longer participate in among the living. It
    does not address the state of the soul before God. Progressive
    revelation matters. Later Scripture clarifies what earlier Scripture
    leaves undeveloped.

    Matthew 11:23rCo24 cannot be reduced to cities only. Jesus explicitly says rCLit will be more tolerablerCa on the day of judgment.rCY Judgment applies to persons. Degrees of tolerability require degrees of experience. There
    are no degrees of non-existence.

    Matthew 26:24 cannot be explained by annihilation. rCLIt would have been better for that man if he had not been bornrCY makes sense only if Judas
    faces a fate worse than never existing. Not being born and ceasing to
    exist are functionally identical. Scripture treats them as different.

    Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit means unforgiven guilt, not
    non-existence. Scripture never says unforgiven sin results in
    annihilation. It results in judgment.

    Matthew 10:28 explicitly distinguishes what men can do and what God can
    do. Men kill the body. God destroys both body and soul. That text proves
    the soul survives bodily death. rCLDestroyrCY does not mean annihilate. It regularly means ruin, loss, or judgment, as when wineskins are
    rCLdestroyedrCY yet still exist.

    2 Corinthians 5:8 does not describe a centuries-long unconscious gap.
    Paul contrasts present bodily life with immediate presence with the
    Lord. He does not insert a pause of non-being. He comforts believers
    with conscious fellowship, not eventual awareness.

    Luke 23:43 does not conflict with Matthew 12:40. Paradise and rCLthe heart
    of the earthrCY are not the same referent. JesusrCO body lay in the grave.
    His spirit went where He said it would go. Scripture elsewhere affirms
    this distinction.

    RevelationrCOs symbolism follows consistent rules. Symbols clarify
    reality. They never reverse it. Beasts signify kingdoms, but kingdoms
    still act. The harlot signifies false religion, but false religion still corrupts. Souls under the altar signify martyred believers, but
    believers still speak, remember, and await justice.

    Annihilation requires redefining words so they mean their opposites:
    life becomes death, awareness becomes silence, judgment becomes
    disappearance. Scripture never teaches that.

    Romans 6:23 contrasts death with eternal life. It does not redefine
    death as non-existence. Scripture elsewhere defines that death as
    exclusion, judgment, and punishment before God. Eternal life and eternal punishment stand in parallel (Matthew 25:46, ESV). Parallel terms carry parallel duration.

    Scripture repeatedly describes judgment as conscious, personal, and accountable. Denying that does not protect GodrCOs character. It
    contradicts His revealed word.

    The issue is not symbolism. The issue is whether Scripture may speak
    plainly even when it offends a system. Scripture does. And it does so consistently, coherently, and Christ-centrically.

    Christ bore judgment so sinners would not bear it themselves (1
    Corinthians 15:1rCo4, ESV; Romans 3:23rCo26, ESV). Emptying judgment of consciousness empties the cross of its weight. Scripture does not allow
    that.
    --
    Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (rCa), and God
    raised Him from the dead?

    That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death
    satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John
    2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your
    sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.

    On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on
    the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name
    of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).

    https://christrose.news/salvation

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