I'm confused, what should I believe? (Christians/Jehovah's Witnesses/everyone else)?

Think about this. When Adam and Eve sinned what did God tell them would happen? He did not tell them that they would burn in hell forever. He told them that would die.

(Genesis 2:16-17) . . .And Jehovah God also laid this command upon the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. 17 But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.”

(Genesis 3:19) . . .In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”

What happens to us when we die? Most of the world’s religions teach that something inside a person continues living after the body dies. Some religious groups still cling to the idea that God punishes the wicked by subjecting them to eternal suffering in a fiery hell. But is that the truth? What does the Bible really teach about death?

God’s Word states: “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages.” Since the dead “are conscious of nothing at all,” they cannot hear, see, speak, feel, or think. They no longer earn any wages. How could they? They are incapable of any work! Moreover, “their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished,” for they cannot express any emotion.—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10.

What the Bible says on this subject is simple and clear—the dead do not continue to live somewhere. There is nothing that leaves our body at death and lives on so as to be reborn in another body, as stated by those who believe in reincarnation. We might illustrate matters this way: The life that we enjoy is like the flame of a candle. When the flame is extinguished, it does not go anywhere. It is simply gone.

Think of the implications of that one simple but powerful truth. When a Bible student learns that the dead are not conscious, he should easily be able to conclude that no matter how resentful his dead ancestors may have been during their lifetime, they cannot trouble him. He should also quickly grasp the point that his dead loved ones can no longer hear, see, speak, feel, or think. Therefore, they cannot be experiencing unbearable loneliness in purgatory or suffering in a place of fiery torment. However, the Bible teaches that the dead who are in God’s memory will be resurrected. What a wonderful hope!—John 5:28, 29.

What happens at death is no mystery to Jehovah, the Creator of the brain. He knows the truth, and in his Word, the Bible, he explains the condition of the dead. Its clear teaching is this: When a person dies, he ceases to exist. Death is the opposite of life. The dead do not see or hear or think. Not even one part of us survives the death of the body. We do not possess an immortal soul or spirit.

After Solomon observed that the living know that they will die, he wrote: “As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” He then enlarged on that basic truth by saying that the dead can neither love nor hate and that “there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in [the grave].” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10) Similarly, Psalm 146:4 says that when a man dies, “his thoughts do perish.” We are mortal and do not survive the death of our body. The life we enjoy is like the flame of a candle. When the flame is put out, it does not go anywhere. It is simply gone.

Did Jesus teach that there would be a resurrection? Yes. He mentions it repeatedly. John 5:28, 29; John 6:40; John 6:44.

The apostle Paul taught this as well at Acts 24:15. He was even being judged by the Sadducees over his hope of the resurrection. Acts 23:6-8.

Even people in hell get resurrected. Revelation 20:13.

So the doctrine of the resurrection is firmly established in scripture, yes?

Now if we 'travel to heaven or to hell' when we die, what need is there of a resurrection? Resurrection is, plainly, for dead people, right? So if something survives death and goes to heaven, resurrection is unnecessary, is it not? Since resurrection is what overcomes death, then when we are dead, we are conscious of absolutely nothing, just as Ecclesiastes says, right?

So there is no contradiction, is there?

Hannah J Paul

Jehovah's Witnesses ARE Christians. True Christians to be exact. Instead of asking your question, why not GET your Bible, OPEN it and READ what it says for YOURSELF?

Every Bible has a table of contents in it to assist in making finding your way around the Bible easier. There aren't The views of Jehovah's Witnesses and the views of Christians, but rather, there is what The Bible itself teaches, true Christians who follow it and imitation Christians who follow what they are told to follow and or whose interpretations are based on the teachings of imperfect man rather than the Bible's clear Truth.

Although you are both right and wrong about two things. The Bible does teach that people do go to heaven, however it does NOT teach that it is the final eternal destination for ALL mankind who are faithful to God. The Bible shows and teaches that there are only FEW from among mankind (faithful women and men) who have this hope, it even tells you exactly how many have this hope and exactly what specific duty they perform when they get there.

On the other hand the Bible ALSO teaches that the vast majority of the faithful among mankind (men, women and children) will get to live forever on earth when God by means of His Kingdom Heavenly Government in the hands of Christ Jesus and those among mankind who were selected by God to go to heaven through God's spirit restore the earth to the paradisaic conditions it was originally meant to be according to Jehovah God's grand purpose.

Get your Bible out and read the brief Bible based article found in the 1st weblink of my sources section which will explain and answer exactly WHAT the Kingdom of God truly is.... according to The Bible. If you DON'T read it along with your Bible, you shall continue to remain in ignorance and confusion as to whether or not what we as Jehovah's modern day Christian Witnesses are proclaiming is in FULL harmony with The Bible. It will merely be a form of information (to you at least) not Biblical FACT.

Ecclesiastes 9:5-"For the living are conscious that they will die, but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all."

Ecclesiastes 9:10-" All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work, nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol (grave), the place to which all of you are going."

When Jesus resurrected his good friend, Lazarus, he told his followers that he was going to wake Lazarus from 'sleep'. When Lazarus, who was a good man, or Jesus would not have been his friend, was resurrected, he didn't get mad at Jesus for bringing him back from his reward in heaven, he just 'woke up'.

Use your bible to determine which is truth.

The bible does talk about an 'afterlife' for some, in heaven, but that is a different discussion. Talk to Jehovah's Witnesses about your questions, they will be happy to show you, from your own bible, that the bible teaches death is like sleep, from which Jesus awakens us, just like he did Lazarus.

I am an atheist but I do believe in a Supreme being but not in a religion I have read the bible, the koran and studied some religions of smaller civilizations. The bible says that when you die you await your final judgment so you will be dead until you are called to be judged. But religion has always been about controlling the masses since the beginning I mean that's why they have an omnipotent god and they scared everybody with a hell for not following the ten commandments or basic rules for behavior I mean thou shall: not steal, kill, lie, and what better way to collect tax than people willingly giving them 10 percent. Research outside the bible you will find out that everybody interprets the bible at their best interest to get you to attend their services and consequently leave your donation at their church. In the smaller religions there is no heaven or hell, even the trickster god (devil) is good. Because they did not have to control thousands or millions of people,

I am a Jehovah's Witness. As you can see from the tract that you were given that the witnesses weren't just telling you this information. They quoted you the scripture that tells you that at death you cease to exist. Therefore, they have proved it. I believe what the Bible says, period. It is the authority as it is the word of Jehovah God. Psalm 83:18 KJV.

It sounds like you were shocked to see this and that it is in the Bible! Ask the witnesses for the book entitled "What the Bible Really Teaches". You can use whatever Bible you wish to check what it is telling you and it's free of charge and no obligation on your part. I can send you one if you email me if that's easier for you.

It is a real eye opener. You read the tract, now get it all.

Did you look up the scriptures?

Yes, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that when we die we go into the ground and sleep in an unconcious state. Jesus himself said this regarding Lazarus and the little 12 year old girl. He said that they were "sleeping".

But guess what? Jesus was able to wake them both up! They were DEAD, Lazarus was dead for 4 days. The young girl had just died, but the Bible tells us that "there is going to be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous".

Jesus came to earth to provide the way for us to have this resurrection and for many to "never die at all".

We do not believe that a person has any hope of any "afterlife" unless it is by special provision, by means of the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; 26 and everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all." John 11:25-26

Notice he doesn't say it is automatic. He doesn't say that those who "excercise faith" in him will be resurrected to heaven and those who exercise faith in the Devil will be resurrected to hell. He doesn't say that there is an immortal soul that lives on after the death of the body.

Those who "never die at all" are those who are alive at the time that Jesus Christ establishes his kingdom over the earth. When he has brought Armageddon and destroyed the foes of that kingdom and has begun to rule as king. These ones, the ones living at that time who are NOT his foes, but his friends, the ones exercising faith in him will keep on living through into his new kingdom rule over the earth and will "never die at all".

What you may not understand is that Jehovah's Witnesses ARE Christian. We follow and believe the Bible and all the words that Jesus spoke. What you may not understand too, is that you most likely have PRAYED for that same kingdom to rule over you. "Let your kingdom come, let your will take place as in heaven also upon the earth". What we are praying for in the Lord's prayer is for Jesus to rule over this planet and to destroy his foes the evildoers so that we can live in a righteous peaceful "new earth".

I suggest that you study with Jehovah's Witnesses and let them show you what the Bible really teaches. You may be very surprised to learn many things you didn't know, but I assure you the confusion you are now feeling will disappear when you see the words themselves written within the pages of the Bible.

edit-- John 6:66 says that many of Jesus disciples "went off to the things behind" and would no longer walk with him.

You remind me of them. You get a little taste of Bible truth and you think it is enough. You make conclusions based on very little evidence. You see a few scriptures we have shown you and you think "why this contradicts everything that others say so it CAN'T be true". Why not? Jesus himself told us "broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."

That means what? that MOST people are not on the road to life. That it IS the minority that will have the truth about God. But rather than look at the scriptures, rather than dig a little deeper you choose to "go off to the things behind". How sad for you. Something you may not understand is that Jehovah's Witnesses DO believe in heaven. But we believe what the Bible has to say about heaven, which you haven't bothered to dig deep enough to understand.

A little bit of knowledge isn't going to help you if you don't dig deeper. It certainly isn't enough to draw conclusions from or make a decision regarding. You should LEARN the truth from the Bible.

ecclesiastes 9:5 says it all about the condition of the dead. read the bible and learn about the truth that sets you free from fear of a hellfire that is not real. there are many who say lord lord did we not do many great works in your name and yet he will say get away from me I never knew you. jesus said the road is narrow and few are the ones finding it. The whole world is wrong and many wolves pretending to be sheep christians that is why we encourage bible study don't take any man's word for it. I am Jehovah's witness, I am an ambassador for the christ. Jesus is my king and god hates all liars!

Dear Questioner:

For further information & learn more or for a free Bible study, you may wish to get in touch with Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or: <watchtower.org>

6 After Solomon observed that the living know that they will die, he wrote: “As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” He then enlarged on that basic truth by saying that the dead can neither love nor hate and that “there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in (the grave).” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10) Similarly, Psalm 146:4 says that when a man dies, “his thoughts do perish.” We are mortal and do not survive the death of our body. The life we enjoy is like the flame of a candle. When the flame is put out, it does not go anywhere. It is simply gone.

Jesus Christ spoke about the condition of the dead. He did so with regard to Lazarus, a man whom he knew well and who had died. Jesus told his disciples: “Lazarus our friend has gone to rest.” The disciples thought that Jesus meant that Lazarus was resting in sleep, recovering from an illness. They were wrong. Jesus explained: “Lazarus has died.” (John 11:11-14) Notice that Jesus compared death to rest and sleep. Lazarus was neither in heaven nor in a burning hell. He was not meeting angels or ancestors. Lazarus was not being reborn as another human. He was at rest in death, as though in a deep sleep without dreams. Other scriptures also compare death to sleep. For example, when the disciple Stephen was stoned to death, the Bible says that he “fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60) Similarly, the apostle Paul wrote about some in his day who had “fallen asleep” in death.—1 Corinthians 15:6.

The dead do not suffer pain or heartache. They do not need our help, and they cannot help us. Jehovah is a God of love and would never make people suffer in hell of fire. (1 John 4:8) How would you feel about a man who punished a disobedient child by holding his hands in a fire? Would you respect such a man? In fact, would you even want to get to know him? Definitely not! You would likely think that he was very cruel.

Jesus taught that someday “all those in the memorial tombs” will be resurrected. (John 5:28) Jehovah is the Creator of all life. Should it be hard to believe that he can re-create life? Of course, much would depend on Jehovah’s memory. Can he remember our dead loved ones? Countless trillions of stars fill the universe, yet God gives the name of each one! (Isaiah 40:26) So Jehovah God can remember our dead loved ones in every detail, and he is ready to restore them to life.

How, though, does Jehovah feel about resurrecting the dead? The Bible teaches that he is eager to raise the dead. The faithful man Job asked: “If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?” Job was speaking about waiting in the grave until the time came for God to remember him. He said to Jehovah: “You will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning.”—Job 14:13-15.

Just think! Jehovah actually yearns to bring the dead back to life. Is it not heartwarming to learn that Jehovah feels that way?

Bible -

It's lovely how open minded you are. You seem inclined to believe what you read though, what do you think happens? Nobody knows for sure, a lot of people think they do. How could the people writing and compiling the bible know any better then you or I? They can't! So believe what you like =D You'll never get an answer with proof. I've even resisted the urge to bore you with what I think. It is strange that there are so many religions, it does mean that billions of us are getting it wrong but then everyone reaches a certain age and they refuse to listen to any argument, they usually just believe what their parents/ friends believe in. No wonder so many of us get it wrong!