Are the Souls of the Wicked Annihilated?

by Bill Pierce Some time ago, Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong, in a broadcast, stated that the souls of the wicked dead cease to exist. Besides using Matthew 10:28 as his proof text, he used cartoons to mock the idea of everlasting punishment. This is a favorite doctrine, not only for him but also for other…

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I Hate Death

by Zeke Flores I hate death. Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash Yet, it’s all around us. My office is in a building across the street from a city cemetery, and it’s not unusual to see mourners sitting and weeping at the graves of their loved ones days, weeks, and even months after they’ve passed…

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Precious in the Sight of the LORD

by Tommy Peeler “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones” (Psalm 116:15). What does this mean? Psalms 116 is best described as an individual psalm of thanksgiving. He is thanking God for saving his life. The writer had an experience where the “cords of death encompassed me and…

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Do the dead return to haunt their killers?

Question: Dear brethren, I hope I find you well. I need your input on whether the dead return to haunt or get revenge on their killers. It’s a hot topic in this region. One preacher wrote the following arguments in favor of the spirits avengers. Afternoon, Brother’s. Allow me to draw back a little bit…

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How can you discount near-death experiences?

Question: Hello, I have a few comments about near-death experiences. First, you answered “No” to Job’s question: “If a man dies, shall he live again?” To me, your answer is not biblical unless I misunderstand you. Jesus Christ promised eternal life for those who repent while on Earth and believe in him. So if one…

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Rulers and Authorities

by Doy Moyer All things were created by, through, and for Jesus, including all “thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 1:16). Paul elsewhere calls these not only rulers and authorities but “cosmic powers over this present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” These are the ones against whom we…

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Do marriages really end at death?

Question: Marriage vows say, “Until death, do we part,” is this the truth? If so, I am so sad about this. I need to understand. Though, I cannot find a definite answer. I know there are things that we are not to know. Also, I understand that I am human. I am searching for a…

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One article was an answer to my prayer

Question: I have turned to your website many times to find specific answers, but today was not for that reason. However, it turned out to be very helpful at this particular time. The article written by Doy Moyer, ‘Beyond Our Strength,” was the answer to a prayer.My husband of 55 years passed away recently and…

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Were we created to die?

Question: Your website is a huge blessing! Thank you for all the work you do to keep it up. My question is, why do babies die if they are born without sin? I recently heard a debate between a gospel preacher and a Primitive Baptist, and this question was brought up. The response from the…

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Death Is Yours!

by Paul Earnhart via Christianity Magazine, 12(7), 10 (1995) Solomon warns of the folly of building life on youth because it slips away like the morning mist and the once vital body turns frail and slips its earthly moorings (Ecclesiastes 11:9 to 12:7). I remember my first intimate contact with death. As a young and…

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Saved from the Wrath of God

by Doy Moyer To be saved from the wrath of God is generally equated in Scripture with being saved from judgment. It is set opposite of eternal life. For example, Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God…

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One Last Verse

by Matthew W. Bassford Throughout my life, there was a series of verses that I identified as “my verse”. These were verses that, in some way, exemplified me or what I needed to become. I kept II Timothy 2:24-25 on my bathroom mirror for years because I needed the reminder. Later, I took great encouragement…

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Why Death?

by Doy Moyer Why is death a consequence of sin? Because sin is a direct affront to the glory of the God of life. When we reject God, we reject life. Death is what’s left. We cannot turn our backs on life and expect to live. Why did Christ come to die? He died for…

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Dying for Jesus

by Matthew W. Bassford These days, it seems like people in our country are increasingly being led astray by a godless, secular mindset. This worldview has a lot of superficial appeal. After all, if there is no God, you don’t have to submit to anybody. You can do whatever you want with whomever you want.…

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Reincarnation

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2005/07/Reincarnation.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 14:1-15   I.         Death is an event that puzzles many people.             A.        We know it is a step that we all must take – Ecclesiastes 8:8             B.        It is an appointment that we must keep – Hebrews 9:27             C.        Not that people don’t try. The finality of death is too final. II.        Reincarnation…

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Grace Is Sufficient

by Doy Moyer Paul describes certain visions and revelations that were beyond his understanding (II Corinthians 12). He then spoke of what he calls a “thorn in the flesh,” given to him to keep him from becoming conceited. He implored the Lord three times that this thorn would be removed from him. Whatever it was,…

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Which Apostle Had It the Easiest?

by Perry Hall Which apostle had it the easiest? James. That answer may be surprising. Even more surprising is why and how. In Acts 12, James is martyred first among the apostles. Some may question God’s fairness, and may even complain, “Why did God allow James to die but allowed Peter to live?” Considering the…

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Did Jesus take some of the dead with him to heaven?

Question: Good morning, sir, In Ephesians 4:8, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men,” Do you have a lesson on this? Does it mean that Jesus took some of the dead to heaven with him? Answer: “And you were dead in your trespasses and…

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A Death, a Burial, a Resurrection

by Doy Moyer Josiah was one of the greater kings of Judah who initiated reform and called the people back to God. Sadly, his reforms did not last and the people soon reverted to evil after his death. While Josiah himself would not live to see Judah taken into captivity, his children, who did not…

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What if Judas had given Jesus permission to kill him?

Question: There is a question I have about Judas in the gospels who betrayed Jesus and committed suicide. I was curious that if Judas instead of committing suicide, decided to give Jesus permission to kill him, do you think that Jesus would have done that? Jesus could decide that since he is God and has…

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Are we bound by our culture’s traditions?

Question: In this region of my country, there is a traditional belief that the spirit of your ancestors will kill you and your children if your wife has an affair. If you present a cow to your in-laws during your father-in-law’s funeral and you did not do the same during your father’s burial, your ancestors…

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Is it wrong to observe All Souls Day?

Question: Good day, brother Jeff. I want to know what are your thoughts about the observation of All Saints Day or All Souls Day that is done by many brethren here in the Philippines. One elderly lady asked me about this, and I promised to give her an answer by the time we meet. She…

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Joshua’s Encouragement

by Doy Moyer As the children of Israel were preparing to go into the Promised Land, Moses delivered a series of speeches to help them understand how important their love and obedience to God would be (see Deuteronomy 6:1-9). Moses would not enter the Land himself, but Joshua had been chosen as the successor who…

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A Review of Homer Hailey’s book, “God’s Judgments and Punishments”

by Jim R. Everett Such is the title of the last book of brother Hailey’s illustrious career. Brother Hailey was writing excellent, resourceful material well past his 70th birthday. However, if I live to be 70, I will probably quit writing. That is not to denigrate others who write so ably when they are much…

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Watering Down Hell

by Jim R. Everett An Answer to “Conditional Immortality” The modern, liberal theologian has joined the cultic religionist in seeking to “water down” hell and make eternal punishment nothing more than a momentary oxidation of the body. He inconsistently affirms the eternal nature of God and the future state of the righteous by denying the…

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The Memory of the Righteous

by Matthew W. Bassford Proverbs 10:7 reads, “The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.” It neatly sums up what is left of my earthly aspirations. My life is so reduced that the usual distractions don’t matter much to me anymore, but my reputation has become even more…

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James, Peter, and I

by Matthew W. Bassford Acts 12 offers one of the great conundrums of the New Testament. In the first few verses of the chapter, the wicked king Herod Agrippa arrests and executes the apostle James, the brother of John. Shortly thereafter, he arrests Peter with the same intention. However, God sends his angel to rescue…

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The Wages of Sin Is Death

by Doy Moyer “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). Why should death have been the penalty for sin? In short, because we have disregarded the Giver of all life and breath and all things. If in our own pride we try to usurp God and take His throne and His glory for…

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Would it be wrong to be buried in a denominational graveyard?

Question: Greetings brother. I hope all is well with you. I’ve been added to the church and have been an active member for over a decade. I’ve enjoyed my time growing up as a Christian, and I’ve been thinking about my mortality lately. I’m thinking about having my funeral service with the brethren and having…

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If babies are not sinners, then why do some babies die?

Question: Hello, The Bible says for the wages of sin is death. If you claim that babies are not born sinners why do babies die? Thanks Answer: “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting…

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Praying for the Dead

by Wayne Jackson via The Christian Courier Whenever someone we love dies — in old age or tragically before their prime — our hearts cannot but anguish with those who are suffering soul-tearing losses. Some children have lost one or both parents. Husbands and wives have been robbed of loving mates. Others will never see…

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Why do we see the spirits of the dead?

Question: My wife lost her mom. However, she claimed her mom visited us almost every day before she was finally buried. Sometimes she would say: “She’s standing at the door”, but I couldn’t see anything. Why do we see the spirit of the dead? Answer: Keep in mind that truth is established by the testimony…

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What should I tell my son who has a fear of death?

Question: What should I tell my son who has a fear of death like me? He is only six but seems to be afraid of the concept of death. Answer: In order for you to help him, you will first have to conquer your own fears. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me…

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Does God answer requests to die?

Question: I have a question for you. When someone prays for death does God ever answer that prayer? I have had so many health issues and depression that I want to die and go to heaven. I have asked God to take me peacefully in my sleep. I’m still here and I don’t know why.…

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Will I be aware of my body decomposing?

Question: I have a random question about death that I was hoping you could answer. When I die will I be aware of my body decomposing? I’m afraid of that and afraid of bugs and worms eating my body. Will I truly not be in the grave? And is cremation wrong? Answer: Your body is…

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Is I Corinthians 11:30 talking about physical or spiritual ailment and death?

Question: Jeffrey, “For this reason many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” (I Corinthians 11:30). I have heard, I think more than one person, state that the Greek rendered “sleep” here means dead (physically dead). Is this correct? I guess I’m trying to figure out if they were physically weak and sick…

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To Live Is Christ; to Die Is Gain

by Matthew W. Bassford Among its other effects, a terminal diagnosis will lead you to read the Scriptures with very different eyes. All sorts of passages that you thought you understood take on new depth and meaning. For me, the chief of these is Philippians 1:21-24. Years ago, I read this passage as Paul being…

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Death

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Death.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 14:1-15   I.         Death is first mentioned in Genesis 2:17 as a consequence for partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil             A.        In the punishment of Adam, death is mentioned – Genesis 3:19             B.        Yet, Adam lived 930 years before dying – Genesis 5:5…

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Its Own Body

by Terry Wane Benton Some brethren have gotten caught up in the AD 70 doctrine that the resurrection and only judgment happened in AD 70. They argue that the resurrection of “the body” is just a spiritual resurrection of the collective body of Christ (the church). So, they do some tripping around in I Corinthians…

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Holy War

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-War.mp3 by Ralph Walker How could a just God order His people to slaughter whole nations, including women and children? Preaching the Bloody Bible

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