The fact remains, if man was given a soul, spirt, or just one of these, independent of the fleshly body and that goes somewhere after death before Jesus comes, then that message would have well and truly been covered in the Bible and more than once.
Genesis 2:7 - "The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This passage suggests that humanity has a breath of life that is not purely physical.
Job 32:18 - "For I know that it shall be at last said, 'Behold, this is bitterness: my heritage that I have inherited is grievous to me.' " - The Hebrew word "nephesh" (soul) is used here, which can refer to a person's entire being, including their emotions, thoughts, and spirit.
Psalm 103:1-4 - "Bless the Lord, O my soul! And all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul! And forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy..."
Ecclesiastes 12:7 - "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." This passage uses the Hebrew word "ruach" (spirit), which can refer to a person's breath, wind, or spiritual being.
Matthew 10:28 - "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This passage uses the Greek word "psyche" (soul), which can refer to a person's entire being.
Hebrews 12:9 - "Furthermore, we had only a temporary high priest for whom it is unfit for him to offer himself repeatedly because of death." This passage uses the Greek word "pneuma" (spirit), which can refer to a person's breath or spiritual being.
Luke 16:19-31 - The parable of Lazarus and Dives suggests that there is a place called Abraham's bosom where righteous souls go after death. Matthew 10:28 - "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This verse clearly distinguishes the soul from the physical body, indicating the soul's immortality.
Luke 23:43 - "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." This passage, along with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), suggests that the soul continues to exist and experience either reward or punishment immediately after death, prior to the final resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:8 - "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." This verse indicates the soul's ability to exist separately from the physical body after death.
Revelation 6:9-11 - "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained." This apocalyptic vision depicts the souls of the martyrs existing in a disembodied state prior to the final resurrection.
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