LIFE AFTER DEATH.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18987, 3 July 1933, Page 9

LIFE AFTER DEATH.

(To the Editor.) r Sir, —The correspondence on the 1 above subject has admittedly been ini teresting, but its futility must have ’ been apparent to even the most eni grossed reader. It is a question which i cannot be settled this side of the , divide, and for theologians, logicians > and others to fling Bible texts at each , other is but mere beating of the air—--1 a practice which Paul inferentially con- ■ denraed as being worse than useless. • Surely brains can be devoted to better ■ purpose in these stressful times. [ For my own part, I cannot see why 1 the question should raise such a comI motion. I yield to none in my acce.pti ance of the simple Gospel story and the assurance that “when thou passeth through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee,” etc., and that being so I feel that my chief concern should be to seek to walk humbly and circumspectly in accordance with my profession. Confident that the Judge of All the Earth, will do right I can leave my future with Him.—l am, etc. ZAMZUMMIN. Hamilton, June 28, 1933. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Having read the correspondence on the above subject one is struck by the various opinions and Scriptural interpretations given on the subject. Every one is entitled to his opinions, nevertheless your readers will admit that the opinions of men differ so much that one could not build upon the changing views of men. The only reliable authority on this matter is the Scriptures of Truth. There right translation or interpretation is easily understood by those who would learn through the Holy Spirit. Why the Scriptures should be twisted to suit some of your correspondents I clo not know. I believe that it teaches there is life after death. In 1 Thess. v, 23, it reads thus: “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord." This shows that man is a tripartite being, having three parts to his one personality. The Lord tells us in Luke xvi, 19, of two persons who died. One was' carried by angels to Abraham, who was in paradise, the other died and was buried, and in hell (Gehenna) he lifed up his eyes, having both thought and memory. “Oh, but it is a parable," says one. The Lord did not say so. Whether it be a parable or an incident, it is a representation of facts. He did not adopt the superstitions. He condemned or made the traditions of men the basis of His own authoritative teaching. Stephen while being stoned (Acts vii, 59) called upon God saying: "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Why did he say that? It was because he saw Jesus standing on 'the right hand of God. (See verse 55.) It would only be a few minutes and the Lord would receive him.

In concluding I would emphasise that there is life after death—a heavenly bliss for those who lcnow the Lord and a place for the lost who know Him not.—l am, etc., j.n.

Rototuna, June 30, 1933. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Having read with great interest the letters of both sides on "Life After Death,” I feel I would like to add my quota to all this data coming before the notice of believers and unbelievers alike, and each can weigh it up. Twenty years ago I believed sincerely in the doctrine of immediate continuance of life following death. With this in mind I made a pact with a beloved dying friend for a message from the “other side.” Within three months of death taking place I certainly got a message, in which at the time I fully believed. That episode opened my mind to possibilities of spiritism. I read books on the subject, listened to people who expounded their beliefs fully in my hearing. I have examined spirit photographs and personal phenomena has occurred to me, of which I told at the time of occurrence, and which happened through no seeking of my own; but apparently I had opened my mind to these things. When the phenomena occurred I was always wide awake and in my senses. The feeling was one of “tension," and later of fear as well. As long as I can remember 1 have believed in the Gospels of Jesus Christ. So, wanting to know what God had said on this matter, I looked up the Bible and found many passages absolutely forbidding any intercourse with the occult. I have space to quote just one passage (Leviticus xix, 31): “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards to be deilled by them. I am the Lord your God." I took God’s words in this matter as my guide, and discarded all thought of spiritism. It has been a struggle for years. The last phenomenon was a most terrifying one, when even my thoughts seemed suspended; but calling on the Lord Jesus Christ, who casteth out devils, I am free at last. I assert here that at every phenomenon my senses registered the thoughts, “unclean spirits." “Marcus James” says in one of his letters that in the days of Christ and the apostles on earth the dead were raised. Granted; but they were not raised spirit beings, but “bodily whole,” lo live again among people for a short space, then died again. This cannot be mistaken for consciousness in death, which once were alive among us. The Word of God which lias already been quoted in oilier letters of tim defenders of Hie faith definitely asserts: “There is no consciousness in death." We have not immortality of ourselves through the incidence of birth, but God will give immortality as a gift at Hie rcsurrcelion lo all who believe in His Soil Jesus Christ.. This same Christ, who in His resurrection body could cat and could be touched. —I am, etc., L.M.P. Glaudclamls, June 30, 1933. (To ttic Editor.) Sir, —I not ice in your correspondence columns that. Mr R. E. Hansen lias entered lhe lists of those who have been discussing this great subject. My reason for writing is to try as fully as your valuable space will allow to answer a question which lie asks, and which is of vital importance to the people at this time, j am not a student of “Douglas Credit,” so I leave it lo your correspondent, who lias evidently studied it, and lie would 1m well advised to do likewise as regards the discussion on life after death, because iiis letter clearly

shows that he knows absolutely nothing whatsoever about this truth.. lie asks “Why, if God really was and Is the Creator of all things, and if lie rules all tilings with perfect love and justice, does lie not start off all His children with equal competence and an equal chance in this life we know?” As space is valuable I can only give very few of the proofs, but there arc many more in support of those I give. God is the Creator, but Ho has not been the ruler of this world, as for centuries man lias been laught to believe. 11. Corinthians iv, 4, tells us that Hie God of this world lias blinded the minds of the people lest Hie glorious light of the Gospel of Christ should shine unto them. The god of this world is Satan, and we can follow the terrible havoc and distress of the peoples because this great spirit being who desires man’s worship and wiio himself desires to he exalted higher Hum God (Isaiah xiv, 13, 14) has deceived man into believing that God is the ruler and therefore responsible for the troubles of Hi is world. In Luke iv, 5-7, Satan claims Hie kingdom of this world as hjs, and .lesus does not deny his claim. Satan’s time for his rulership has now practically ended, and soon God’s Kingdom, for whirl* we were laught lo pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will de done in earth as in heaven,” will soon be here. All prophecies arc being -fulfilled; the Gentile times have ended; the Jews arc returning lo Palestine exactly on time, and all prophecies prove that soon wo will have the Kingdom of God ruling on this earth, when all people will have that

- equal opportunity that your correspondent claims they should have, i The Gentile times ended in 1914, ( and Jesus tells us that would be the i beginning of sorrows. Never before lias the world passed through such a s time of sorrow and distress as during : the world war and since. This distress . will continue till Satan has been de- , stroyed in Armageddon, which is very • close at hond. ■ “Marcus James’ ” statement that 1 the wicked flourish and the righteous have much suffering is in perfect accord with the above statements. ' While this world is ruled by Satan the wicked will flourish and the righteous will be persecuted, because Satan is evil. When this lime of trouble ! .s over and God rules through Jesus Christ, then the righteous will flourish and the wicked will be cut off. God is not enlightening the people through tho medium of spiritualism; He is enlightening them through His Holy Word. Daniel xii, S-10, is proof that many things were hidden till the time of the end. We arc passing through that time now.—l am, etc., RE IB EVER. Ngahinapouri, June 30, 1033.