Some time ago, Juan Alvarez started asking for prayer for
wisdom, specifically, so that he can share God’s word more effectively with
pre-believers. On February 15 Juan was
giving a ride home to a co-worker when the subject of conversation turned to
spiritual things. The Co-worker was a
Jehovah’s Witness (as least in name - not practicing very much) and he asked
Juan what he believed happened to people when they die. He explained to Juan that JWs believe that
the soul sleeps until the resurrection and the judgment.
Juan told his friend that the Bible says that when a
believer dies his soul is immediately in the presence of Jesus. As they were discussing the idea Juan told
his friend the story of the two men who were crucified with Jesus. When he finished he reminded his friend of
Jesus’ words to the man who believed, “This day you will be with me in Paradise .” Juan
asked, “If Jesus said that THIS DAY you will be with me in Paradise ,
when did his soul have a chance to sleep?”
Juan’s co-worker replied, “You’re right!
He had to be with Jesus that same day.”
I was very impressed… and blessed.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to
all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” -
James 1:5
4 comments:
there is so much to learn when it comes to our lord, I'm impressed to hear this and glad.
Awesome! Is that 1 day a 24 hour day or a thousand years?
Jim C.
That would be a 24 hour day. The Bible never says a day IS a thousand years. 2 Peter 3:8 says, "with the Lord one day is AS a thousand years, and a thousand years AS one day" (emphasis mine).
Yep 24 hour day. But, after a bit of study, the text say; "I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise." Not that he will be with Him in Paradise today, but that on that perticular day "today, (Comma)" He promised he would be ressurrected, eventually, along with everyone else, to "be with Him in Paradise". Which is consistannt with His promise that at the resurrection, we will be raised up to be with Him, Otherwise, this thief would receive a promise No one else gets. What do you think?
Jim
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