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NASB | Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they no longer have a reward [here], for the memory of them is forgotten. |
Subject: The dead know nothing ??? |
Bible Note: Hi Emmaus: This is a good way to pose a question. If you do not agree with a statement, consider other passages that seem to be related. To say that the verse about the dead knowing nothing must not be read in isolation from the passages you quote here is to imply that the verses you quote must not be read in isolation from the passage about the dead knowing nothing. Both statements have to be true. Until one sees an interpretations that allow both statement to stand, one should keep looking, and not say the one they do not like is wrong. Statement: the dead know nothing. Statement: Samuel came out of the ground from the dead to speak to King Saul. Both went back to the place of the dead, in the earth. Conclusion: The dead know nothing, BUT there is the possibility for calling someome from the dead to be in a body for a short time and then return to the place of the dead in the state of knowing nothing. Jesus did this for Lazarus and numerous others. Therefore while in the place of the dead, the dead are not aware of anything. But there are examples of people being recalled from the dead, at which time they are aware, as Samuel was, and also Lazarus. Elijah-John the Baptist-One Witness in Revelation. These are the same people. Elijah did not die but was translated the first time he was here. He came the second time as John the Baptist. He will come again as one of the witnesses in the end times before all things are restored. Elijah is surely a very special case. There seems to be a possiblilty of one other person who goes thesame route. Elijah translated, comes back as John the Baptist, is killed, is seen in the transfiguration, is to come again in the end times, is killed, comes back to life and is transslated again. Surely he is a hard man to keep down. Makes one wonder if he ever really among the dead for long. The first resurrection has not yet occured. This is to happen after Christ returns in the end times. Resurrection means bring back to life if I have that right. Just after the first resurrection it says the rest of the dead were not brought back to life till the 1000 years are over. Rev 20:5 This means those in the first resurrection were dead just moments before it. Matt 22:32 God is God of the living not the God of the dead. This does not mean we do not die, but we are not dead to God. We are only asleep for a moment between dying and the first resurrection. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; This clearly says believers do die, but will be resurrected. God is that God of those who are spiritually alive. He is not the God of those spiritually dead. They have other gods, in that they worship gods of stone, metal, money or anything else that has no life in it. There is a passage refering to a person who is physically alive but already dead. Can't find it at present. Thus dead has more than one meaning in scripture. Therefore context dictates which to apply. Phsically dead Spiritually dead. God is God of the spiritually alive God is not the God of the spiritually dead. Sincerely Henry and Emmy |