We learned in our last study that 'nephesh' and 'psuche', translated 'soul'
have the same exact meaning. This has been proven by listing the same Scripture verses
from the O.T. and the N.T.
From our earlier studies we've learned the various meanings of the word 'soul'
and that animals and creeping things are souls just as man is a living soul.
Job 12: 9, 10 - Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath
wrought this? In whose hand is the soul (nephesh) of EVERY LIVING THING, and the breath of
all mankind.
It cannot be found in the Word of God that souls never die. As a matter of
fact, the opposite is stated:
"The soul (person) that sinneth IT (that person) SHALL DIE. (Ez. 18:4,
20). Are we to believe God or man?
Now we are told explicitly to beware of anything that is after the
"tradition of men" .
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit. AFTER THE
TRADITION OF MEN, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col. 2:8).
In the last 4 studies
it was shown from the Word the various meanings of the word 'soul' (nephesh). Many
Christians have no concept that animals are living
souls just as man. I would ask them "Since animals are souls, do they live forever
after dying?" The answer is, of course not.
Many have no understanding of the meaning of the word 'soul'. They have not
studied this subject at all from the Word of God. They believe that if a doctrine is
taught for years and passed down from one pastor or teacher to another, then it must be
true. Actually, if what is believed by the masses is not based on the Word of God, it is
called 'tradition'.
Tradition teaches that souls never die and use the following terminology that
cannot be found in the Word of God. Why not check this out for yourself by using any
exhaustive concordance? Here's the list:
1. Immortal soul
2. Immortality of the soul
3. Immortal spirit
4. Immortality of the spirit
5. Spiritual death
6. Disembodied spirit
7. Disembodied soul
8. Never-dying soul
9. Purgatory
10. Spirits of the dead
Although the phrases above are continually used by Christians in reference to
'fundamental doctrine' these cannot be found in the Word of God. Search and See.
In the next lesson I will be listing more verses that show from the Word of God
that souls die.
From our previous study we touched on the fact that tradition believes that
souls never die and that we are to beware of these 'traditions of men' (Col. 2:8).
Now we will proceed with Scripture verses showing that 'nephesh' (souls) die.
Ex. 31:14. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that
defileth it shall surely be PUT TO DEATH: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul
(nephesh) shall be cut off from among his people.
Josh.10:28 - " And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the
sword, and the king thereof he UTTERLY DESTROYED them, and all the souls (nephesh) that
were therein; he let none remain…"
Ex. 22:25. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion
ravening the prey; they have DEVOURED souls (nephesh); they have taken the treasure and
precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.
Prov. 28:17. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person (nephesh) shall flee to
the pit; let no man stay him.
You will remember that 'nephesh' means pronouns, such as he, she, as well as persons and
animals possessing life. Life can be taken away from that soul. This is clear from the
previous passages.
Here are passages in the N.T. that show souls die. Remember "psuche"
in the N.T. is equal to 'nephesh' in the O.T.
Acts 3:23. And it shall come to pass, that every soul (psuche), which will not hear that
prophet, SHALL BE DESTROYED from among the people.
John 10:11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life (psuche) for the
sheep.
Rev. 16:3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the
blood of a dead man: and every living soul (psuche) DIED in the sea.
Mark 10:45. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and
to give his life (psuche) a ransom for many.
Rev. 12:11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony; and they loved not their lives (psuche) unto the death.
Rev. 20:4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:
and I saw the souls (psuche) of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for
the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had
received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with
Christ a thousand years.
Keep in mind that the previous verse was a vision of John. The Lord told him to "
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which
SHALL BE HEREAFTER" (REV. 1:19). John wrote of future events. He saw those souls
(persons) that were killed for Christ, the SOULS THAT WERE BEHEADED for the witness of
Christ. These are the Overcomers that will be resurrected in the future.
Understanding the meaning of the word 'soul' solves so many problems. To
believe that 'immortal souls' are beheaded just doesn't make sense and those that were
beheaded were believers! But once you understand that souls are people, living beings that
had life or possessed life at one time, then it will make sense.
Lessons 7 & 8>
<Lessons 3 & 4
