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Are you saying that the only hope a Christian has is to live and die,go down in the grave and sleep in a state of complete unawareness until the day of resurrection?
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The only hope? Isnt that enough? You just proved my entire point!
Men have given a false hope and therby made the Christians real and true hope of no effect!
Is the "instant heaven" doctrine one of the foundation teachings of Christianity in Hebrews six? No it is not mentioned. The resurrection from the dead however is.
You along with many others think instant heaven is a greater hope to have than the resurrection. Note what Paul said about our hope:
14: But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15:
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Acts 24:14-15
Why does not Paul say his hope is that when he dies he will be immortal?
Note how he puts it to a personal level.
10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
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If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Phil. 3:10-11
Paul poured out everything in life for
THIS HOPE. The resurrection of the dead.
Get the point? There is
NO GREATER HOPE for a Christian than the resurrection of the dead!
Paul himself concluded if the
DEAD RISE NOT we should get out and party. We should get all lifes happines NOW. Why? Because nothing else is available for those seeking immortality.
32: If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me,
if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
1 Cor. 15:32
How perfectly clear! The context of this entire chapter is the resurrection of the dead. Paul says if
THIS DID NOT HAPPEN we would be better off to eat and drink now while we can.
HE OFFERS THEM NO OTHER HOPE EXCEPT THE RESURRECTION!
Yet many say "nay Paul our souls would yet be alive in Heaven".
Its a matter of who you believe what you think a Christians hope is.
I consider it wonderful to have the hope I will at the last day rise from death to eternal life-immortality.
My hope is the same as Pauls.