A Time to Speak

 

A Time to Speak

Most of the time it seems better to just keep our thoughts to ourselves in so many areas of life. Offending others by stating our own beliefs is not the best way to convince, much less help others. But sometimes it may help both our own thoughts as well as giving others another way of resting in facts rather than someone else’s way of thinking when we give the basis of our beliefs. That is what this epistle is attempting.

 

Recently someone suggested that my dead son was playing around in heaven with a certain beloved animal that the person knew he had appreciated in this life. My thoughts immediately went to the scripture: Ecc. 9: 5, 6. “But the dead know nothing.” Now the Catholics believe in a place called purgatory where some are “sentenced” by their lack of righteousness: (in Roman Catholic doctrine) “a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven. “

Obviously, the Bible does not agree with the Catholic doctrine if the dead, indeed, know not anything. Some of us believe the Bible rather than some doctrine established by men.

 

Then there are the good intentions of those who want me to believe that my loved ones are looking down on me knowing of both my trials and joys. If that were, in fact, true, then the idea of purgatory would be the most hideous thought that could come of such a situation. Who would want to watch the suffering of those left behind—especially if some of that suffering had been caused by their deaths.

 

Nope, dead is dead. Again, the dead know nothing.

 

But that is not to say that the dead are finished: 1 Thes. 4:16 “The dead in Christ will rise first.”

Rev. 20:5 “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the 1000 years were finished. This is the first resurrection.”

Sometimes we might especially think that some folks are just more likely to be in that first uplifting from the graves. But no matter what, God loves His children. He does not let them suffer through some indescribable purgatory. He lets them sleep. We will sleep until it is time to awaken. Whichever time that may be, then we will be awakened to joy.   

 

Enough for theology 101. It is my desire that my children know that they are loved and from whom that love comes.