In "honour is not enough" Jefferson Vann shows us how to respond when those around us become famous when we feel insignificant. Psalm 49:16-20 (JDV) Psalm 49:16 Do not be afraid when a person gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases Psalm 49:17 because when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down. Psalm 49:18 Though he empowers … [Read more...]
Immortality
Articles in this subcategory focus on the subject of immortality, and particularly whether human beings or angels possess this attribute. Afterlife contributors hold the view of conditional immortality, which teaches that immortality is not innate or naturally inherent within any beings except God. We also teach that God promises to confer immortality upon the saved after their resurrection by Christ when he returns. This view is also called potential immortality because the good news of the gospel includes the fact that although humans are mortal now, they can become immortal in the future by trusting in Christ now.
pandemic!
In "pandemic!" Jefferson Vann talks about the universal pandemic of sin, and its eventual cure. pandemic! For months now, the planet has been in the grips of a pandemic that has caused us all to stop and take drastic measures, because it has been literally killing us. What makes this coronavirus so insidious is that it is not contained to a specific region, but has spread … [Read more...]
why we are so mortal
In "why we are so mortal" Jefferson Vann answers Ethan the Ezrahite's question about why humans are mortal. "Take note of my brief lifespan! Why do you make all people so mortal? No man can live on without experiencing death, or deliver his life from the power of Sheol (Selah)" (Psalm 89:47-48 NET). The Coronavirus pandemic has turned our world into an anxiety factory. It … [Read more...]
Enosh – a mortal
In "Enosh - a mortal" Jefferson Vann shares how a Hebrew word indicates that human beings are mortal by nature. The Coronavirus pandemic is giving us daily reminders that we are all mortal, or are we? What does the Bible actually teach on the subject? There are several words in Hebrew which can be translated 'man' -- meaning a human being, and Job 4:17 uses two of … [Read more...]
all the throats
In "all the throats" Jefferson Vann explains that the biblical word soul does not mean what people think it means. Here's an interesting study. How many different words are used in the Hebrew Old Testament for throat? According to the Jewish Virtual Library, the word lev (לֵב) usually translated heart, actually often means throat: "This is what lev means in Isaiah … [Read more...]
perks of being adopted
Jefferson Vann lists the "perks of being adopted" into God's family. Galatians 4:1-7 (JDV) Galatians 4:1 But I am saying that as long a time as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is the master of everything. Galatians 4:2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. Galatians 4:3 In the same way we … [Read more...]
Psalm 58
In “Psalm 58” Jefferson Vann shares his translation and analysis of that Psalm – an example of conditionalist exegesis. Psalm 58:1-2 (JDV) Psalm 58:11 Are you really saying the right things, you gods? Do you judge people fairly? Psalm 58:2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts; with your hands you weigh out violence in the land. The first question that must be … [Read more...]
preventing Immortality
In "preventing Immortality" Jefferson Vann explains why God does not want us to live forever without the redemption he offers through Jesus. Genesis 3:22 - 4:10 (JDV) 22 Then the LORD God said, "See, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, to prevent him reaching out his hand and taking also of the tree of life and eat, and living forever-" 23 … [Read more...]
lived and died
In "lived and died" Jefferson Vann shows that none of us is immortal by nature. Only through Christ and his resurrection will we be able to achieve immortality. Genesis 4:25 - 5:11 (JDV) 25 And Adam was intimate with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and called his name Seth, for she said, "God has provided for me another child in place of Abel, because Cain … [Read more...]
dogs and lions
In “dogs and lions” Jefferson Vann explains some ancient wisdom about the reality of death, and why Jesus is our only hope of a life after death. Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 (JDV) 4 Because whoever is connected with all the living has hope, because a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 Because the living ones are aware of the fact that they will die, but the dead ones are … [Read more...]