Is it proper to have rituals, such as masses, for those who died?

Question: I have a handful of questions about the dead. Is it okay to have masses for the dead? My uncle just past away a few days ago and as relatives, we have to attend the funeral wake for several days. What does the Bible say about people who have passed on along with the…

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Does God still raise people from the dead?

Question: A friend of mine seems to think that it is possible for someone to raise from the dead now. I thought that Jesus was the last person to do that. He seems to think that I am underestimating God’s power. I believe that God can do anything, but I don’t think He will raise…

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Do near-death experiences reflect the afterlife?

Question: I have heard about different accounts that people have had in the afterlife.  I have heard people who were unbelievers say that nothing happened and it was simply dark, but no experience of hell.  I have also heard an account of a pastor who was in a car accident and according to people who…

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Will our dead bodies be physically raised on the last day?

Question: I’ve had someone ask me about where the soul goes after death and how that correlates with the resurrection. I looked up articles on your site and was able to answer most of her questions, but one still remains. In Luke 16:19-31 we, of course, read the account of the rich man and Lazarus, gleaning the spiritual…

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Do people physically go to heaven or hell?

Question: Where is paradise? Is it above the earth or below? When Jesus was raised, how can he be lifted up in the flesh? By flesh, will a man go to heaven or hell? When Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus in what form did they appear, flesh or spirit? Where is third heaven? After…

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Thank you. I found information for a Bible study on your site.

Question: I really appreciate your home page. I was raised in north Alabama in a small church of Christ and now live in Florida. It is sometimes hard to find a congregation that teaches the Bible as you do on your home page. I still attend a Bible-teaching church of Christ and found your site…

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Does the Bible say we will know our loved ones in heaven?

Question: Does it say anywhere in the New Testament that we will know our loved ones in heaven? I have read the scriptures that you gave previously regarding this topic from the Old Testament. Answer: In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man was able to recognize Abraham and Lazarus while in…

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What happens if we sin just before we die?

Question: For a faithful child of God, one who has put on Christ in baptism, and has lived a faithful life in Christ, but in a moment of weakness commits a sin, which the Scriptures tells us we all do, and he dies in that moment of weakness – do you believe that the blood…

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When are we judged, at death or on the Judgment Day?

Question: Here is something that I am confused about. In I Thessalonians 4:17 Paul told the Thessalonians “then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and shall we ever be with the Lord.” Now in II Corinthians 5:10, Paul…

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Is Enoch included in Hebrews 11:13 when it said all these died in faith?

Question: You said that Enoch did not die.  What about Hebrews 11:13 where it says, “These all died in faith….”? Is not Enoch included in that verse? Answer: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers…

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Where did my stillborn child go upon his death?

Question: I was five months pregnant and was happy to hear I was having a little boy.  My son was so active in me and kicked all the time. One day I noticed that he hadn’t kicked me at all, so I rushed into the hospital to make sure everything was all right and I…

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Is it okay to pray for my dad or does he hear my prayers?

Question: My dad just passed away and I’m worried about his soul. My question is: Is it okay to pray for him and does he hear my prayers? It’s a calming thought that your parents are in heaven watching us like angels. Is this possible, or do they really have no more knowledge of earthly…

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Is there a second chance of salvation after death?

Question: Is there a second chance of salvation after death? Answer: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The writer is clear that this life is our chance to do God’s will. After this life is over, what comes next is our Judgment. “For we…

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What is God’s view pertaining to cremation?

Question: What is God’s view pertaining to cremation? Answer: When a person dies, his spirit leaves his body. In speaking of his death, Peter said, “knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me” (II Peter 1:14). Peter saw his body as a tent in which his…

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Did Jesus go to Hell?

Question: Did Jesus go to Hell? Answer: The idea comes from a poor choice of words selected by the translators of the King James Version of the Bible. “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption” (Acts 2:31). The…

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Reflections on a Funeral Service

by Wayne S. Walker Several years ago I had the unpleasant task of attending and participating in the funeral service of a relative. It was not difficult from the standpoint that the deceased was an evil person, for such was not the case. Rather, the distressing aspect was due simply to the sorrow of loss…

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Lesson from a Funeral

by Harry R. Osborne via Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 21, p. 10, November 3, 1994 Have you been to a funeral lately? None of us enjoys funerals, but the reflection demanded by such occasions is good for us. The Bible speaks of the need to learn the lessons that are taught by facing death’s reality. Notice the…

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How did Saul actually die?

Question: I want to know how Saul died. In I Samuel 31:4 the Scripture says that Saul fell upon his own sword and in verse 6 it says Saul, his three sons, and his armorbearer died that same day. Then in II Samuel 1:10. the Scripture says an Amalekite stood upon him and killed him.…

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Do people know what is happening on earth after their death?

Question: Do saved people, after they go to heaven, know what is going on down here on earth? Answer: Those who have died are no longer involved in the activities on earth. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of…

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What will our spiritual bodies be like?

Question: Do you have articles on “Our spiritual bodies after death and more specifically after the resurrection?”  Please send information.  Thanks, your web site is great. Answer: John stated, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed,…

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What is death like?

Question: Hi! I would like to know is when you die, is it like you are still living, but the only thing is that you can’t do anything like you did when you were alive? How does it feel when you die? Would you see things below, such as other people, while you are above?…

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What about ghosts and speaking with the dead?

Question: I heard that communication with spirits is forbidden. Is this true? How about those who claim that they can communicate with spirits? Is it a gift from God that they can do that? I learned that there is a verse in Revelation that goes something like this: “…the dead in Christ shall rise first…

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Where does it talk about souls asking how long must we wait?

Question: I read in the Old Testament, something about souls saying how long must we wait. I think it meant the souls that have died and are in the waiting place until the final judgment. I have looked and looked and can’t find it. Can you help? Answer: I believe you were looking in the…

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I just want to understand, why did this happen?

Question: I’m sorry if I’m always coming to you for answers. It’s just that I can’t still sleep at night. I think and think they’re still coming home, but what I don’t understand is why do bad things happen to good people that have nothing but good in them? I don’t understand why God lets…

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When Do the Tears Stop?

by Jefferson David Tant via Guardian of Truth, December 18, 1997 The day began a little earlier than usual. I woke soon after five, and since sleep had fled, I got up and accomplished a few things in preparation for my trip to Birmingham. There were many things to gather — checkbook, will, deed, title, burial…

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Can we talk with those who have died?

Question: I have a question: when a loved one who was pure and good dies, is it possible for that person to come back to the living? How can one learn ways to communicate with a loved one? Answer: The Bible teaches that those who die are not able to return. Job asked the rhetorical…

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