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NASB | 2 Corinthians 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 5:8 we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. |
Bible Question:
some one said that there were no souls in heaven. and showed scipture to back it up. But I keep thinking about Elijah and how he was taken away in a chariot. and in Thess were it says that the dead in Christ shall rise first please help me. |
Bible Answer: Sylaws: I had a lengthy answer for you, but the computer took it away. Souls in heaven? Where is heaven? It is where Jesus is! In 11 Cor. 5: 8-9 Paul teaches us that if we are present in the body we are absent from the Lord. However, if we are absent from the body we are present with the Lord. Present has the sense of a concious knowledge of him. He has not given us much to understand what saved loved ones are enjoying in his presence. Are there souls already in heaven? You have mentioned 1 Thess. 4 We read in v. 14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" When Christians die they are said to be asleep in Jesus. We find that they are already in his presence and when he comes there is an order in resurrection. a) they which are dead in Christ shall rise first". Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Paul expands on this idea In 1 Cor. 15:54 "the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" The change which we shall undergo is the same as Enoch who was translated that he should not see death. I would agree with you that there are at least two who are with Christ in changed bodies, namely, Enoch and Elijah. When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead he emptied the saved side of hades and transferred them to paradise, the third heaven, the abode of God. God has not given us the details. However, I am sure that those of the old testament who died in faith are with him and will enjoy him forever. Those who have trusted him after the cross and have died are in his personal presence waiting until he comes to this earth. I love the words of Paul "to be absent with the body, present with the Lord." This is our hope as we watch for the Lord from heaven. Are souls asleep. According to Rev. 6:10-11 we read of the souls who were martyered for Christ and how they cry for justice. Souls which are asleep do not cry for justice. I hope I have helped Robert Lift up your heads your redemption draweth neigh. |