After Death, What?: A Panacea to Your Intrigue Question

By Sunday Izuagie

Adam was a dead soul after having been formed from the dust of the earth. The breath of life through his nostrils animated him to become a living soul (Genesis 2:7). The soul is what you are, not what you have. Acts 2:31 says, He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This followed after Christ had committed his spirit into Gods hands before his death (Luke 23:46).

Christ spirit was not a spiritual person; neither did his spirit returns to the so-called hell to preach to the so-called living dead. After his resurrection, he refused to be touched, saying he had not yet ascended to the Father (John 20:17).

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Dec 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481770309

Sunday Izuagie

Sunday Izuagie is a writer and a teacher of God’s Word. His area of interest in the field of theology and philosophy is metaphysics. His task and objective in these two disciplines are to see the metaphysical problems in Christianity solved. He believes that philosophysical theories have been infiltrated to almost all the Christian doctrine because translators have used their subjective thoughts to colour the work of translation and transliteration. He says there is a need to knock off mental laziness and search for the truth that satisfies mankind. He does not believe in vague and obscured works. To him, pragmatism should be the guide in all institutions of human endeavours and agents of socialization to avoid wrong division of God’s Word, which leads to perpetual misconception and confusion.

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CONTENTS

About The Author

Acknowledgement

Foreword (1)

Foreword (2)

Preface

Chapter1  Introduction

Chapter2  The Breath Of Life-Spirit And Soul

Chapter3  Spirit Or Soul, Which One Leaves The Body At Death?

Chapter4  Hell, Hellfire And The Lake Of Fire

Chapter5  What I See In The Theological Setting

Chapter6  Why Are We Here?

Chapter7  Painful Times

Chapter8  Bible Versus Human Conduct

Chapter9  Freewill And Predestination

Chapter10  Conclusion

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunday Izuagie is a writer, and a teacher of God’s word. His area of interest in the field of Theology and philosophy is Metaphysics. His task and objective in these two disciplines is to see the Metaphysical problems in Christianity resolved.

He believes that philosophysical theories have been infiltrated to almost all the Christian doctrine, because translators have used their subjective thoughts to colour the work of translation and transliteration, he says there is need to knock off mental laziness and search for the truth that satisfied mankind. He does not believe in vague and obscured works. To him, pragmatism should be the guide in all institutions of human endeavours and agents of socialization to avoid wrong division of God’s word, which leads to perpetual misconception and confusion.

To my father, Izuagie Asunomeh whose sunset begins on the 29th of November, 2002 and my sister Mrs Ruth Imabele whose sunset was on the 21st of June 2003. Also my good neighbour Mrs Ngozi, a Deeper Life member married to Mr. Leke, who latter abandoned her. She died in an auto accident in 2009; I look forward to her better resurrection.

Written in 1996 published in . . . .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My profound acknowledgement is to my able friends, sisters and brothers who contributed in no small measure to make this work a reality.

I sincerely thank the following: Mrs Angela Sodimu, Miss Naomi Adinoyi, Mr Goddy N.Nnadi, Miss Imorobebi A. Amos, Rev. Timothy Eboye, Mr Babarinde Solarin and the late pastors Emmanuel Irhekponor and Daniel Isah, for all their invaluable assistance.

My gratitude also goes to Mr Halilu Ojochide, Mr Samuel George, Mrs Regina Okeke and pastor Omagbemi J. Lawrence who proof read the typescript, to them I owe my gratitude.

FOREWORD (1)

For too long, the error of scriptural misinterpretation has been the vogue of independent christianity. Diverse modes of preaching by people who have no formal theological training show that mediocrity is the order of the day, as they are unable to give informed interpretation of bible scriptures. What a great disservice to great commission of believers.

There is absolute truth from God to mankind. However, truth is relative to various cultures, even at this we have no reason not to believe the Holy Scriptures as the authoritative canon. But then, there is the problem of lack of good translation as well as transliteration, because contextual interpretation has become a scarce commodity to modern preachers who are out there to make it at all cost through messages that don’t hold water in the lives of the hearers.

However, scriptural exegesis reveals that, while it is pertinent to mention that both the Old and New Testaments have pictures of life, death and the beyond well depicted, it is also sad to note that the majority have not been able to align these concepts properly due to scriptural misinterpretation.

I do not know what view you hold as regards this subject, but I think Sunday Izuagie has something to tell you and he has told it systematically. Therefore I recommend the book ‘After death-what?’ to mankind.

Dr. Francis E. Okponaviobo

FOREWORD (2)

The mind of the average man and most humanists have pondered variously, the existential nature of man, the quest for man, the objective of his being and his constituents as man.

At the forefront of this controversial and often misunderstood philosophyical thought is the church of God with its responsibility of presenting spiritual truth to man. In its bid to find answers to man’s questions about soul, spirit i.e. ‘the realness of man’, his end and after life, lots of polemical ideas have been proffered which had tended to confuse the topic the more.

As a result, this book After Death—What? written by erudite researcher to the glory of God Almighty, is presented to tackle this question in order to put man’s mind to rest with respect to ‘his being’. The book After Death—What? is a Bible based treatise with the explicit aim of raising the appreciative instincts of man for religious truth.

It is a great pleasure to commend the book After Death—What? to the reading public and to the glory of Almighty.

Babarinde A. Solarin (B.A.)

PREFACE

If the Old and the New Testaments are canonical, we ought not to divorce the New Testament from the Old; the New Testament is conceived in the Old and the New is the Old clearly revealed.

Adam was a dead soul after having been formed from the dust of the earth. The breath of life through his nostrils animated him to become a living soul Genesis 2:7. The soul is what you are, not what you have. Acts 2:31 says, he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This followed after Christ had committed his spirit into God’s hands before his death. Luke 23:46.

Christ spirit was not a spiritual person; neither did his spirit returns to the so-called hell to preach to the so-called living dead. After his resurrection, he refused to be touched saying he had not yet ascended to the Father. John 20:17.

Are the dead in a literal place of torment and paradise bliss? Does man possess a spiritual replica inside him that survived death as a personal immortal soul? Is the breath of life through Adam’s nostrils a spiritual Adam? Adam didn’t exist before he was formed from the dust, in death, Adam return to a state of no existence. After Adam sinned, he was sent out from the Garden of Eden, not to eat from the tree of life. Adam died and return to dust. Genesis 3:22-24. Take away resurrection, Adam is without hope; this is applicable to all mankind. 1 Cor. 15:16-18.

There have been lots of arguments about the existence of paradise, often referred to as Abraham’s bosom and hell, popularly known as a literal place of torment. The Bible narrates that the angels took Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom. The Jerusalem Bible footnote attests that, it is a parable in a story form without reference to any historical personage. When reading the Bible account on how Adam was made, it will be naive to believe that Lazarus who desired to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table ever exist as a non-fictional person.

David in Psalm 37:25 says, I have been young and now am old; I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. If the words of David are biblical truths, was Lazarus a child of God who took the position of a dog in a rich man’s house?

Before Christ’s resurrection did he preach in hell, which many believe to be a literal place of torment, to those who perished in the flood during Noah’s days? The Bible in 1Peter 3:19-20 records clearly that the preaching was not to human beings, but to disobedient spirits. Those who perished in Noah’s days, perished as persons, not as disembodied souls.

In this relative and post modern age, religions truths have been narrowed down considerably. Metaphysical problems have not given room for cohesion. The book After Death—What? is written to critically examine these problems, by reaching out with the truths to mankind, in clear-cut analogy.

It is not written from the spirit of criticism to attack already existing beliefs; neither is it a polemical literature. The objective is to enhance the thinking process of those who are interested in religious truths and perhaps through the application of practical experience. The repetition made in the latter chapters became necessary, to extend the readers understanding.

Chapter one introduces the Book from the origin of the first human Adam and his death in the light of the Holy Scriptures. The chapter further stresses the doctrine of reincarnation, if the Bible supports the teaching, because religious adherents and those of Christian faith believe John the Baptist is Elijah reincarnated.

Chapter two examines the breath of life, which energised Adam to become a living soul. The concept of spirit and soul are included in the discussion, which have confused many for centuries.

Chapter three briefly looks at the controversy, if any, between spirit and soul and the one that leaves the human body at death. The form it takes, when leaving and when coming in the resurrection.

Chapter four discusses hell, hellfire and the lake of fire. Chapter five examines the theological setting, how philosophical theories influenced theologians, biblical interpretation and Pentecostal approach to metaphysical problems. Chapter six looks at the purpose why we are here. Chapter seven stresses the present battle of life in relation to biblical accounts. Chapter eight goes on to examine human conduct versus biblical truths. Chapter nine is free will and predestination. Chapter ten summarises the book, written in a simple language.

SUNDAY IZUAGIE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

For centuries, many clergy and laymen have wrongly interpreted the Bible from personal perspective, the Bible and its inspired records are based on reasoning by analogy. The subjective interpretation made many to give up interest in christianity, while the man on the street is being enslave, due to misinterpretation. Faith has significant values to the adherents of christianity, if accompanied with the truths that satisfied the cravings of a living soul. The objective of the ecumenism is far from being achieved. Things seem to be falling apart without reasonable prospect. Every man is after his own tent. Others say you are lost, if you are not in the same denomination with them. The subjective minds refuse objectivity, afterall, they are entitled to their own opinions. Who is who in the religious scholastic hall of fame?

No doubt, psychologists and sociologists see religion from the oriental and religions fundamentalists’ points of view. They see religion as a psychological apprehension and social struggle; because opinions vary, many have conflicting ideas and logically cohesive doctrine are now subjects of debate. Before the end of all ages, the Papacy will ever see Martin Luther and his followers as heretical and rebellious. To Luther followers, the Papacy is not doing it right. Who is at a loss?

As mankind continue the search for the meaning of life, they look forward to that breakthrough in scientific and technological research that would proffer clue to their problems, which have compelled many to different religions.

While the present system seems helpless, religious truths differ; people often asked for the meaning of life that ends in death? Abortion and abandonment of babies is no longer news. Scientific and technological breakthrough have not resulted in man’s total liberation. Though, natural and social scientists are working hard, the more they try, the more the problems enlarge in their faces. When will mankind have peace without pain and tears? The diverse deaths mankind face daily mar their dignity. Poverty, sickness are making millions helpless, without the way-out. Many don’t see the need to follow and serve God due to lives agonising problems. They are thoughtful about the God who does not care about their plight philosophically.

The problem of death is a daily phenomenon and is inevitable. Everyone fears death; including the suicidal, who commits suicide. They have come to the cross roads, where their thinking have been strongly channelled towards death. They react vehemently to hopelessness, anxiety, depression, crying spells and intentionally killed themselves. Drugs, injections and all kinds of therapies have not conquer death, the fear of death remains in human hearts as people die daily. More importantly, human beings want to know, where they go when they die. This question has diverse answers. All nations, tribes, religions and denominations have their beliefs on after death. Many have abandoned their traditional beliefs for religions teachings on death.

There was this day, I went to Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, (Kaduna Zonal Workshop), from a business discussion, religion came in. The subject was Death. Before I knew it, the discussion drew the attention of other mechanics in the workshop. I shared my view on what I believe about after death. Their interest was, where do people go when they die? When they sensed, I was not interested to go far on the subject, they began to lose interest one after the other. One became desperate, Mr. Ambrose who drew my attention with a sign of pleading to tell him, where people go when they die. I felt their pastors might have taught them about hell and the bosom of Abraham. The teachings on hell and the bosom of Abraham have not given satisfaction to the past and present generation on the subject of death. While I was discussing with these group of young men, I could sense the fear of death on their faces, even when they were not ill.

Death is the opposite of life; but it is believed in Christendom that the moment one dies his soul goes to heaven to be with Christ, and if not saved, he goes into a perpetual torment.

"What happens when you die? Your spirit will leave your physical body. Your body will remain here, since it was made to fit into this world. However, you will always be fully conscious.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ, you will go to be with him at once. But if you have refused God’s offer of eternal life, you will go away from him to the place, which is called Hades or Hell. Hell was prepared for Satan and all those who follow him.

The above is supported by Luke 16:22, 23. The poor man died and was carried by angels… to the feast in heaven. The rich man died and in Hades… was in great pain.

The bodies we now have are not suited for heaven. They are temporary houses that are given to us for life on earth. When we die, we leave them behind. God has prepared a new kind of body or home for us, one that will fit into His new creation. This is according to (International Correspondence Institute) that is dead wrong.

Death is sensitive, its news creates fear among the living. It has no respect for anyone, and does not consider one’s status, family, wealth and beauty. What you feel about your only child does not scare death. Millions have concluded against this back drop that, they will be conscious in another realm when they die, but this belief is erroneous.

Is death a spiritual person that kills human beings? Is it a condition? What is the relationship between death and illness? How close is death to fatal accident? What is the primary cause of death? Is there prospect insight? Perhaps, the answer is within the religious circle. What do all the world’s religions teach us about the enigma called death?

A writer said, If I read as much as other men, I would still know as little as they do. Does this philosophy apply to all fields of learning including the religious? Religious beliefs about death are diversified. Comparative religions may not help matters; it will enable us gather data that will lead us to much hypotheses due to cross-cultural diversities and perspective. However, God has not hidden the truth from us.

A mother will not refuse feeding her baby, because it refuses her breast milk at the first approach. Perhaps, the baby may not have known the value of the milk to his health. It might be ignorance, which should be over looked, and effort made to persuade the baby to take milk. Peter gave the appeal in one of his epistles. As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow there by: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious 1 Peter 2:2-3. He says again, but grow in Grace, and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, to him be glory both now and forever Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.

The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines death, . . . as the power that destroys life. Going by this definition what happens to the so-called spirit or soul? What form does it take, when leaving the body? Is it a spiritual replica of the dead person? It is important, we resort to the Bible, though some people don’t believe its inspired records.

Peter added, We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Paul also attests, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and they are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. This awesome God, created the dust from nothing and from it He made Adam. Are all other mankind related to him biologically? He lived on this earth like we are today. What happened to him when he died?

Adam is the first human creature on earth. Eve, is the second. God’s promises through them is to all mankind. What applies to Adam apply to all. Paul told the Athenians, God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and determined the time before appointed, and the bounds of their habitations; That they should seek the Lord if happily they might feel after him, and find him, though He be not far from every one of us: for in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, for we are also His offspring Act 17:26-28.

Luke 3:23-38 traced the genealogy of Jesus to Adam, from Adam to God. If mankind are from one stock, belonging to the first family on earth, the history of Adam should be of interest on how it links with successive generations. Skeptics don’t believe that all humans have one ancestry. The Grail Message teaches that other human race exist apart from the generation of Adam where Cain took a wife in the land of Nod Genesis 4:16-17. The Bible is not specific about Cain taken a wife from his father’s house or marrying her from another race. If other race exist outside Adam’s, I can’t doubt Romans 5:12 which says;