Flesh Soul Spirit
There is a man who is holding a ice drink in a hot summer, he uses a plastic drinking straw enjoying the drink. “Ah… it’s cool! Feel really good!”.
“Hi, how do you do? Today is hot?” – plastic straw says.
“Oh hi, yep today is really hot. What is your name?” – The man.
“My name is Plastica, what do you mean of ‘feel good’, I really don’t understand.”
“Well… this is my feeling about the temperature.”
“What’s that? I really don’t understand but it’s very interesting, may I know more?”
“Well, it’s very difficult to explain to you because our body are formed by 2 totally different materials. Your body is structured by plastic but my body is structured by living cells.”
“Wow…I never heard before. So what is the difference?”.
“Well, my body is form by many cells and blood, and blood will non stop move surround the whole body.”
“Wow terrible! You mean something is moving surround your body? “
“Yes, it’s my blood. Not only the blood moving, but my whole body can also walking, running or swimming.”
“That’s unbelievable!! How can you do it?”
“Ha Ha.. I am proud to tell you, I can also sing a very beautiful song.”
“Wow, it’s really amazing!!!”
“There are many things I can do such as fly into the sky, make tools and products such as plastic drinking straw. You know you are made by me?”
“Oh! Really? Unimaginable!! I can’t fully understand what you’re saying. I need time…”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Spirit
Do you have the same feeling like the plastic straw when we think about the “Spirit“? You know, in our world all matters such as air, water, food… all are formed by the atoms. We call the “Raw Material” of the structure of matters “Atom“. There are many different types of atom, and scientist made a periodic table to show their orders. All living things and non-living things are constructed of atoms. But how about the “Spirit“?
Before we discuss “Spirit”, we have to know the characteristics of atom. Matter(atoms) have 3 states such as solid, liquid and gas, it depends on the temperature. In our galaxy, somewhere might be very cold such as -200 degrees, in this status, the movement of atoms become very very slow. But somewhere might be very hot such as the surface of the sun is 5,500 degrees, atoms become very active and run away, atoms become the gas state, cannot combined together.
Therefore, the “Spirit” must not be formed or constructed by atoms. Because the “Spirit”(e.g. Angels) can go to sun surface or somewhere of the galaxy. If so, their body will be frozen or gasification(disintegrated). Therefore “Spirit” must be the another different “raw material“, different structure type other than atoms, that’s why the scientist can’t use the machine(atoms) to detect or find “Spirit”. God calls this “raw material” is “Spirit“. The “Spirit” is completely free from the physical laws of atoms, because it is not atom at all. For example…
Ezekiel 1:12,17 “12 And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went.17 When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went”.
Ezekiel saw the heavenly wheel can move to any direction no need turning around, without bounded by the laws of physics of the parabola, for the “Spirit” is completely not the atom at all, that’s why “Spirit” is free from the laws of atoms.
If you are in a cave and also surrounded by the metal, surely your phone must be no signal to make call. But how about your prayer? Do your prayer is also no signal? Is there anything can limit our prayer? Does God can’t receive your prayer if you are inside the cave? No, whatever where you are, God can receive your prayer, why? Because God is spirit, and we are communicated through spirit that won’t be limited by atoms’ law. But we are the flesh(formed by atoms), how could “atoms” can send message to the “Spirit” God? We can prayer and send message to God because of “Soul“, let’s see what is “Soul”…
Soul
Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”. This verse says God according his own image(“Spirit”) to create male and female.
Then Genesis 2:7 “And the YHWH God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath(“Spirit”, YHWH God’s image) of life; and man became a living soul.”
So man was created with two parts, “flesh” means the body and the other is “Spirit” means “image of YHWH God”. We call this “flesh + the spirit God created” = the “living soul“. These 2 parts must be combined together indispensable, then man will become a “Living Soul“. Neither flesh nor “soul” can be alive alone. Let’s see some verses to prove that…
Job 27:3 says, “as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils”
Ecclesiastes 8:8 “No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death.”
Ecclesiastes 12:7 “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
Jesus also proved that we are the combination of the body(flesh) and soul(the spirit God created). What did he say? 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”. So he proved man is the body + soul, then man became the living soul.
And James 2:26 says, “26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”. Apostle Peter also said in 2rd Peter 1:13,14 “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me”. All of above verses proof that we are the “living soul” that combined by body and soul.
So that’s why our prayer can reach to the God, because the living soul has this build-in function– the prayer(“spirit inter communication“) is communicated between soul(Spirit) and God(Spirit). So you can pray whatever where you are, material laws cannot limiting the “spirit”.
What is the “soul”? Does it has shape?
1st Cor 15:38-40 “38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.”
Same as our earth there are many different kinds of bodies, heaven are also have many different kinds of “spirit bodies”. Because “spirit” is the other type of structure, we can’t see them though our atomic flesh eyes. And the “soul” is an unique one among of “spirit“, it is God’s special creation, special designed for man only, only fit to humans.
It’s like a clock that missing a most major and unique “gear”, if put this gear into it, the clock will move and work. The flesh also need a gear(“soul”) to make it moves(become a living soul). And this gear(“soul”) only fit the human. So the “soul” is a “spirit”(the image of YHWH) which created by God, the soul is the unique “spirit” genus, our inter-core. It is designed for human, and fit human only.
Soul Functions
What is the functions of flesh body and the “Soul”? You know, the most important part of our body is our brain. It controls our feeling, memory, logical thinking, language… Does the “soul” also have these functions? I don’t think so, otherwise we will have the double feeling, double memory, or double thinking… And scientists prove that different areas of the brain has different functions. If the brain injury can lost the memory, language… So this proves that the “soul” does not have those functions. Is that true? What does the Bible say?
Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 9:9,10 “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
Same as what scientist has discovered, Bible also proves that our body(brain) have all above functions such as memory, knowledge, wisdom, love… But when people died all of these functions will be lost, although “soul” is not died. What does it mean? It means soul does not have these functions, thought, memory, knowledge… all of these are the functions of the body(brain).
Then what is the soul’s function? How does it co-operate with brain?
You know, our body are the cell constructed, our body have million cells died and replaced by new cells per hour. And about 7 years all cells of our whole body will be replaced with new cells at least one time. What does it mean? It means you are completely a new “you” or another “you“, comparing with the “old you” that 7 years before. The old “you” was died, and “the existing” you will be died too 7 years later.
Can I describe you this way? Maybe you would say, “Yes, I agree my body will be replaced with the new cells every 7 years. I will grow or become old, but I still “me” nothing change, although all cells are replaced.”
Wouldn’t it be unscientific if you say like that? Does it go against science(truth)?
No, it is “truth” that we say it from our heart. Whatever how your body change, how many cells are died, you are still “yourself” nothing change. Do you know why? You know, the cell of our brain/body will die, and replaced by the new one, the cell cannot be “Me”. If so, you have died 7 years ago or will die 7 years later. It seems “Me” this consciousness is the eternal thing inter our heart. Why? Because we are the soul(the spirit God created) that won’t affected by any atoms change or replacement.
Sleep mode
So even people have death, their bodies and cells have died, “you” are not really died. You are entered a sleep mode that is no feeling, no memory, no thoughts. Why we can say that you become a “sleep mode”? Because Jesus said the same in John 11:11-14,
11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died”.
When Jesus resurrect you, he will prepare your body first and then “breathed into your nostrils the breath(your original soul)”, then you will be a living soul again. Ezekiel 37:6,8-10,14 proves that man is combined with flesh and soul…
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath(spirit of soul) in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am YHWH.
8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath(spirit of soul) in them.
9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath(spirit of soul); prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath(spirit of soul), Thus says YHWH God: Come from the four winds, O breath(spirit of soul), and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath(spirit of soul) came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
14 And I will put my “Spirit“(spirit of soul) within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am YHWH; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares YHWH.”
So the “soul” is the “spirit” image of God created – our inner person and motives, that is the consciousness of “I”, won’t affected by the death or decompose of cell. Flesh is constructed by cells, the main part is the brain, that controls the feeling, memory, language… those functions. Flesh and Soul are combined indispensable, they works interactively and cannot be separated. Surely, we don’t know the details how they can work and interactive together.
It’s really amazing!!! Our heavenly Father is really the Almighty God! He created the “soul” that can work and interactive with the flesh perfectly, that’s why humans are big big different of animals. Glory, Praise and Thanks God Father. Amen.
Someone may say “I have never seen the spirit, how can I know we are “soul”?”
No, everyday you have seen many “living soul” surrounding you, although you may not realize that. Next time try using “soul” to communicate with people, that you will know the truth, also pray to God with “soul” of spirit. Because John 4:24 “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth”. If you believe God is spirit and he created the spirit of angel, why not he could create the spirit of “soul”?
Sheol and Hades – Storing Soul
There is an interesting but scared question. What is Sheol and Hades? What is Hell and “the lake of fire that burns with sulfur”? Let’s see the Sheol first.
Genesis 37:35 ‘…but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.’”
Proverbs 7:27 “Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.”
Proverbs 27:20 “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied”
Hosea 13:14 “I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?”
Psalm 16:10 “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”
Psalm 30:3 “O YHWH, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;”
So those verses prove that the dead is closely related to Sheol. When people was died, their body will decay and break down, but their soul(spirit) will “go to” the Sheol. It seems Sheol is a house or room where storing all soul when they have died(Proverbs 7:27). On the other hand, if the dead have to be resurrected, that means God has to prepare a place to store the dead(soul). The place storing the soul is called Sheol, and Sheol like a bottomless pit(bottomless store room) to store all souls(Proverbs 27:20). “Sheol” is Hebrew and “Hades” is Greek, they are the same meaning, it means the place(bottomless/unlimited) storing all “Soul“.
Hell and Lake of Fire – kill the Soul
Then what is Hell and “the Lake of Fire that burns with sulfur”?
Let’s see some verses about Hell, the Lake of Fire.
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.”
Matthew 18:8,9 “And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”
Revelation 20:13,14 “And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades(Sheol) gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades(Sheol) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”
Firstly, “Sheol” or “Hades” are the same meaning, but different from “Hell“. “Hell” and “Lake of Fire” are the same meaning. Why we can say that?
Because Jesus said death can only kill the body, and soul will enter the “Sheol“(the storing place), but “Hell” can destroy both body and soul. What does it mean? It means people can come out from Sheol(Rev.20:13) and judged by God. But if people throw into the “Hell“, it means they are totally destroyed and won’t come out again.
When all souls have come out from “Sheol“, it will be empty, then death and Sheol(Hades) will also throw into the “Lake of Fire” the “Hell“(Rev. 20:14). Evil ones enter the Hell means they are really be killed, “both soul and body will be destroyed”. The “Death” means the situation of dead and “Sheol” (both are not physical matter), will thrown into the “Lake of Fire“.
“Lake of Fire” or “Hell” also means a situation, and angel says clearly it means the situation of the “second death”, the real destroyed situation, not a real place. Because no real fire can burn “death” and “Shoel”, fire can’t burn a situation, therefore “Hell” and “Lake of fire” is not a real place with real fire.
What is Hell or lake of fire look like? Let’s see some verses…
Revelation 19:20 “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”
Revelation 20:10 “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Revelation 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
The “Lake of Fire” means the second death. What does it mean “the second death”? Is there a “first death”? Yes, the first death is body killed and soul enter to the Sheol. Sheol is the room store all dead, that is the first death. After experienced the first death, people will be resurrected and judged, and those who are judged as evils will be thrown into the “Lake of Fire” / “Hell“, that means the second death( really destroyed, really killed).
There are many pictures describe evil ones burn in hell and lake of fire forever and ever, they look in agony. Is that true? Is there the fire burns evils with sulfur forever?
We can say the Hell and Lake of Fire does not mean the real fire. Why we can say that? Firstly, as the above we have explained that “death” and “Sheol” is not the physical things, it is only the meaning of body died, and Sheol can be say is a situation. Then how can they be burned? So clearly “Hell” and “Lake of Fire” does not mean the real fire, but also means a situation which means real and totally destroyed.
Another reason is burning “Soul” to punish evils is meaningless, for “Soul” that God designed has no feeling and it won’t feel pain. On the other hand, “Soul” is spirit not the matter, the real fire cannot burn “Spirit” actually. Can we use the real fire burns the sound or light to destroy it? That’s the same reason for burning the “Spirit”.
Moreover, this goes against God’s love and justice character. For example please imagine a man who kill one person once a day, at 60 years old he is died, if God judge him is evil, then he will be thrown into the Hell. If “Hell” really means the place with fire burn the evils, he will be burned in Hell forever and ever(more than billion and billion years). It seems really not fair to him for he only killed 21900 people in 60 years. If he needs to burn one year for he has killed one man, then he has to stay in Hell for 21900 years only. How could the justice God would burn him and make him suffer forever? It’s really not fair to him. We are surely God won’t do it. Why?
Jeremiah 7:31 says, “…to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind“.
So all evidences prove that “Hell” and “Lake of Fire” does not mean a real place with fire burning evils. It is what God used it to symbolic the total destroyed status only, no exist and appear anymore.
But if God is love and justice won’t use fire to burn people, then why God uses “Lake of Fire” to describe this situation? Why not God use other thing to symbolic it? And why Bible says Devil, the beast and the false prophet will be burned and “tormented day and night forever and ever“?
The only reason I can know is : God uses “lake of fire” just saying the truth. What truth? That is in the inter-core of our earth is the real of lake of fire which is the lava magma and with high temperature and high pressure. In our real inter-core earth, all matters thrown into it will be destroyed and all molecules will be broken down, it symbolic no life inside. So God use the “Lake of Fire” to symbolic the complete destroy, no life. “Hell” “Lake of Fire” symbolic the second death destroy all include “Sheol”, “Soul”, “False Prophet”, “Beast”, “Devil” and even the “Death”. God uses “Lake of Fire” this real situation of “inter-core of earth” to tell us this truth.
On the other hand, we know that Devil actually represents an organization in heaven that rebelled against God, please read “Bruise Serpent Head“. And the beast means an political organization the ruling Empire, the false prophet means an organization of false religion. So all of them are organizations, could they be burned and tormented with real fire? Surely couldn’t. Then why God said they will be burn and tormented day and night forever?
Revelation 19:3 “Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” Burning smoke goes up means people can see it. This will be the sign to show to everyone what evil have done of the Devil, Babylon the Great, the Beast and the False prophet. Burn forever and ever also means the evils won’t come again and warned people never to do it again, otherwise will be destroyed completely like them.
People are scared about hell and lake of fire, that’s true. This is the warning sign of God, who done evils will be judged and thrown into lake of fire. That’s why God warned people turn back, Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them, As I live, declares the YHWH God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”
So repent and turn back turn back from evil way now, believe Jesus and ask Lord Jesus forgive our sins, and ask our Heavenly Father Jehovah God to forgive us too. God is Love and Just, He lights up the way, He shows the way of evil is death, and the way of good is life. May we all choose and walk on the way of good, then we will have life forever and ever. Believe in the power of Almighty God who can and wish all have life. Amen.
Let’s Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, you are love and full of goodness and kindness. You are Holy, Holy, Holy and hate evil. Please forgive our sins and help us deliver from evil. May we all turn back from evil, repent and be goodness. You are worth our Glory, Honor and Praise, thanks to you to show us the life way, the way of goodness.
Thanks for giving us the grace of life(soul) that you created. We are the image of you so we have to show love, goodness and kindness to glory you. Amen. May we all turn back to you, you will forgive, you will accept, you will give us the everlasting life, for you are the goodness, kindness and love Father. Amen. Thanks Father and Lord Jesus again. Amen.
Prayer is also in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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