Life After Death

SCRIPTURES SAYS of the Patriarch Jacob that "he gathered up his feet into his bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people" (Genesis 49:33). CHARLES F. PFEIFFER comments in his little booklet The Book of Genesis that Jacob being "gathered to his people" must not be thought of as equivalent to burial which is evident from the fact that burial took place in Canaan some days after Jacob's death. Jacob died in faith, and his soul is thought of as joining his ancestors in another world. Subsequent revelation clarifies the condition of the soul of the believer after death. In Christ, life and immortality are brought to life. Even in Genesis, however, at the dawn of Israel's history, the consciousness of a continuing joyful existence is clearly indicated." (p. 107).

THE CASE OF DAVID AND BATHSHEBA'S BABY. The little baby that was born as a result of David and Bathsheba's adulterous affair died shortly after being born. David pulled himself together after the child's death because he said, "But now he is dead; why should I fast (continue to fast, pmc)? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:23). Now, if where the little baby went at death was merely the grave, what consolation would that bring David? No, David took consolation in the fact that where that little baby went he could also go. Yes, here and there in the Old Testament, there IS a little insight into the hereafter.

REGARDING AFTER-LIFE IN THE OT, we have this from Proverbs 23:13,14: "Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell." Campbell argued that "Hell" (sheol) in this passage cannot mean just the grave "for as dies the worthless youth so dies the virtuous." Good point, anyone can see that. Also, Psalms 9:17: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God." "Hell" (sheol) here must mean more than the grave for all men, evil or good, go the grave. And surely anyone can see that?!

REFERENCES FOR MAN POSSESSING A SOUL. Some 25 plus years ago when I compiled material regarding Arguments for Everlasting Punishment (mostly from the Campbell/Skinner Debate on the same), I appended the following (and I have added a few since): "Such a study as this presupposes the dual nature of man. That man has a body AND a never-dying-soul or immortal spirit. And the following references from the word of God teach it: Genesis 1:26, 27, 35:18; 49:33; 2 Sam. 12:23; 1 Kings 17:21, 22; Job 14:14 with 19:25, 26 (RSV); Zechariah 12:1; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Matthew 10:28; 16:26; 22:29-32; 26:41; Luke 12:4; 16:19-31; 23:46; Acts 2:31; 7:59; 17:28,29; Romans 7:22; 8:16; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2:11; 2 Cor. 4:16; 5:1-10; 12:2-5; 7:1; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 12:9; James 3:9; 1 Peter 3:3, 4; 2 Pet. 12-15; James 2:26; Revelation 6:9-10. Perhaps there are more references as well. But enough to show that man is alive after death, only his body sleeps (body is sometimes called soul: John 11:11-14; Daniel 12:2, etc.). But man also possesses a soul which is separate and distinct from the body. Consult W.E. Vine for the various ways in which the soul is used in the Bible, including the inward man, spirit or soul."
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I am trying to get a better copy of my original compilation of work from the Campbell/Skinner debate. As soon as I get my hands on one (I have no more copies and my original is too marked up) I will get the complete collection ready for Proclaimer as an attachment for your consideration.

​~Peter McPherson