Bible Question:
does revelation 6:9-11 teach the immortality of the soul? most orthodox christians think so. Jehovah's witnesses are righ in saying that it doesnt. I have inserted an article that refutes this belief. I would like to hear your comments. ------------------------------------- Revelation 6: 9 - 11 9 And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they used to have. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying: "Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?" 11 And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number was filled also of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they also had been. Does the above scripture prove that a "soul" survives the body? An examination of the scripture should give the answer. Underneath this altar are "the souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they used to have." What does this mean? These could not be disembodied souls—like those believed in by the pagan Greeks. (Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 18:4) Rather, John knows that the soul, or life, is symbolized by the blood, and when the priests at the ancient Jewish tabernacle slaughtered a sacrificial animal, they sprinkled the blood "round about upon the altar" or poured it "at the base of the altar of burnt offering." (Leviticus 3:2, 8, 13; 4:7; 17:6, 11, 12) Hence, the animal’s soul was closely identified with the altar of sacrifice. But why would the souls, or blood, of these particular servants of God be seen underneath a symbolic altar in heaven? Because their deaths are viewed as sacrificial. All those who are begotten as spirit sons of God die a sacrificial death. Because of the role they are to play in Jehovah’s heavenly Kingdom, it is God’s will that they renounce and sacrifice any hope of life everlasting on earth. In this respect, they submit to a sacrificial death in behalf of Jehovah’s sovereignty. (Philippians 3:8-11; compare 2:17.) This is true in a very real sense of those whom John saw under the altar. They are anointed ones who in their day were martyred for their zealous ministry in upholding Jehovah’s Word and sovereignty. Their "souls [were] slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work [mar•ty•ri´an] that they used to have." The scenario continues to unfold: "And they cried with a loud voice, saying: ‘Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?’" (Revelation 6:10) How can their souls, or blood, cry out for vengeance, since the Bible shows that the dead are unconscious? (Ecclesiastes 9:5) Well, did not righteous Abel’s blood cry out after Cain murdered him? Jehovah then said to Cain: "What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground." (Genesis 4:10, 11; Hebrews 12:24) It was not that Abel’s blood was literally uttering words. Rather, Abel had died as an innocent victim, and justice called out for his murderer to be punished. Similarly, those Christian martyrs are innocent, and in justice they must be avenged. (Luke 18:7, 8) The cry for vengeance is loud because many thousands have thus died.—Compare Jeremiah 15:15, 16. The witnesses seem to be right |
Bible Answer: Greetings Beethoven! Your article claimed: "How can their souls, or blood, cry out for vengeance, since the Bible shows that the dead are unconscious? (Ecclesiastes 9:5) Well, did not righteous Abel?s blood cry out after Cain murdered him? Jehovah then said to Cain: "What have you done? Listen! Your brother?s blood is crying out to me from the ground." (Genesis 4:10, 11; Hebrews 12:24) It was not that Abel?s blood was literally uttering words. Rather, Abel had died as an innocent victim, and justice called out for his murderer to be punished." This was a very clever attempt, but notice that Rev. 6:9-11 never mentions their 'blood' saying anything. Further, these same people are mentioned in chapter seven. Notice what is said of them: Rev. 7:13 - "Then one of the elders asked me, 'These in white robes?who are they, and where did they come from?' 14 I answered, 'Sir, you know.' And he said, 'These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, 'they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'" This is not a description of blood crying out to God for vengence, but real people who live on after death. How can someone who has ceased to exist live before God's throne? How can someone who has ceased to exist serve Him day and night? The witnesses may seem to be right, but they are not! ;-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |