Absent from Time

By Rev. Henry B.J. Cooper II

This book covers a spectrum of topics that deal with:
1. who we are as created beings
2. How we spend our time
3. The love of God for us, and
4. Our departure from the world; “absent from the body, present with the Lord”.
The composition of “man” is:
1. Spirit,
2. Soul and
3. Body, and this confuses even the well versed Christian.
We are actually SOULS that have a spirit residing in a body. This is what Jesus died for, to save from destruction “that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life”. In Ecclesiastes 12:7 it states that all men, when they die, their “spirit returns back to God who gave it”. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it (Eccl 12:7 KJV).
When we die:
1. the Spirit goes back to God who gave it,
2. the body goes back to the earth (for it is dust transformed by the power of God);
3. the soul is in the hand of God reserved for judgment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796053616

Rev. Henry B.J. Cooper II

Rev. Henry B.J. Cooper II is the 4th child of Henry Sr. and Iva Cooper (both deceased), the 7th Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Disciple Centre, High Rock, Grand Bahama. In his theological advancement, he served as the Youth Minister, Sunday School Superintendent, Minister of Music, and Superintendent of all the Baptist churches in East Grand Bahama that are affiliated with the Zion United Baptist Convention (tenure completed Feb. 2019). He is a Justice of the Peace and a Marriage Officer. Rev. Cooper began his early education at the High Rock All-age School, a graduate of Highbury High School (R.M. Bailey), Teachers’ College (Teachers’ Cert in Ed.), the College of the Bahamas (Associate in Business Admin.), Florida International University (Bachelors in Accounting & Computer Sc.). He has been married to Lucette Neely-Cooper for 45 years; and the proud father of Henry “BJ” III, Derrell and Samantha, and cherished by 6 grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2019 by Rev. Henry B.J. Cooper ii.

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Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

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The American King James version of the Bible was placed into the public domain on November 8, 1999.

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Rev. date: 08/20/2019

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1 God Does Not Live In Time

Chapter 2 Managing Time on Standby:

Chapter 3 Burial vs Cremation

Chapter 4 Our Transitory State

Chapter 5 The Last View

Chapter 6 In His Grace

Chapter 7 Vapor

Chapter 8 Absent from The Body, Present with The Lord.

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

I praise God for the gift and talent He has placed in me that I may be used to be a blessing and an instrument of His choosing to all.

I wish to acknowledge the presence and direction of the Holy Spirit throughout the compilation of this book. I am eternally grateful for the revelations on issues contained therein and the clarity that has come bout as a result of listening.

To my wife Lucette of 45 years who has been a motivator and an inspiration throughout this journey. Whenever I seemed to be dragging my feet and procrastinating, she was the driving force to get me going again; staying by my side at nights in the office, which caused me to devote more time to this timely gift to the body of Christ.

There is also my daughter Samantha Hanna who, in addition to her encouragement, spent many valuable hours reviewing and editing the manuscript when necessary.

Last and by no means least:

My Church Family of Emmanuel Baptist Disciple Centre in High Rock which afforded me the opportunity to be their 7th Pastor.

The Community of East Grand Bahama where I served as District Superintendent of all the Zion United Baptist Convention Churches.

Then there is my greatest fan Bro. Derek Elon Roberts who unceasing pushed me to complete this book because he has to be the agent for its worldwide distribution. He is so excited that his Pastor has written a book.

I speak blessings upon all of you; and on the many readers who will find clarity and understanding from its contents.

Introduction

A bone of contention that has always brought about much debate among the Church Family is the passage of scripture found in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verses 6 and 8 (KJV). It reads:

⁶ Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

⁸ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

There are so many misinterpretations and opinions about this, that at times, when the arguments and discourses start, that it seems as if we are not on the same side. Often times our inability to arrive at the same conclusion or point of view can leave the impression that we’re not even hearing from the same source.

We should always strive to be united in the truth and understanding of God’s Word, in its interpretation (explanation through revelation), and also in the promises found therein.

Our strongest defensive position against the powers of Darkness, (against Satan’s plots, plans, schemes and tactics), comes when we are seen as a united force, standing together.

One can chase a thousand and together two can easily kick 10,000 to the curb; but that’s when we are unified and not when we’re together having a tit-for-tat moment like little children.

Why on earth would two Christians be seen or heard arguing over what God meant, has said, or written in His Word? His Word is alive, inspired, and already established in Heaven. Therefore, it will never shift from what it was intended to do or say. If we are truly hearing from God, then we can’t get different messages about what He wants, or will do; (from what is stated in His Word, for what is written is written).

We fail to remember that God is still a Spirit; and in many instances we must wait for revelation from the Spirit. The things He does and says must be discerned by, and in the Spirit. Too often we, who are Expositors and Teachers of the Word, fail to remember that the Word of God is alive and it speaks to us.

You can schedule ten (10) speakers in as many locations to speak on the subject of The Prodigal Son, and I assure you that the basic story line about the behavior of the young boy and the unfailing love and forgiveness of the father would be spoken of. However, they would all say something of other aspiration to their audience, as the Holy Spirit acts upon each and