Page 81 - Cults and Marginal Groups - Textbook w videos short

JWs teach that at the moment of death, the person returns to dust, just as the animals do. Human
beings do not possess an immaterial nature that goes on living as an intelligent personality after death,
When the body dies, the life force wanes and ceases to exist. Because of this, man is not conscious of
anything following death of the physical body. Even for the righteous, the dead remain unconscious
and inactive in the grave until the time of a future resurrection.

Satan is said to be behind the concept of hell as an eternal place of suffering. The ideal of hell as a place
of eternal punishment is a “god-dishonoring religious doctrine.” According to the JW literature, “hell”
simply refers to the common grave of humankind. Sheol and Hades are but common graves of all
mankind.

According to Genesis 2:7, God breathed into man a living soul (nephesh). This word describes the
immaterial nature of man – meaning seat of the emotions and experiences. For example, nephesh can
be sad (Deut. 28:65), grieved (Job 30:25), in pain (Psalm 13:2), distressed (Genesis 42>21), bitter (Job
3:20), troubled (Psalm 6:3) and cheered (Psalm 86:4). Man’s soul (nephesh) can experience a wide
range of emotions.

The word nephesh refers to the “inner man” within a human being (body). See 2 Kings 4:27, Psalm 42:6,
Psalm 43:5. These verses describe the soul as being within.

According to Matthew 10:28, the soul exists after death. The Greek word, psuche is used which means
“breath of life” -- “ the seat and center of life that transcends the earthly.” This verse clearly indicates
that it is possible to kill the body without killing the soul (psuche).

WITNESSING NOTE: How do you reconcile the Watchtower position with Matthew 10:28, which
clearly says that it is possible to kill the body without killing the soul?

In Revelation 6: 9-10, the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God are standing before the
throne of God and crying out with a loud voice to be avenged. These are souls, not living beings. Their
souls are existing and conscious despite the fact that they had been physically slain.

Salvation only for Jehovah’s Witnesses

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