Bereavement Support Group

I believe that they go to a place called Heaven because I was raised Catholic.My brother is in a much better place and I still miss him.I will see him again after my life is over.

Thank-you, everyone for your responses! profxaviersq, thank-you for those long and involved insights. I will have to print them out and go over them really well. It's hard to do the long, skinny thing. lol

I know this is reaching, but like others, I want so much to connect with my loved one, I do that. :) I'm just wondering what about the idea that they may be able to interact with us from another time zone??? Or that God may make it possible for them to interact through Him somehow?

my daughter was 21 mos when my 9 week old son died.....the night before we was laying across the bed....hubby had run to the store and Joshua was awake looking around and our daughter was playing....all of a sudden she got up on the bed and points up to the corner of the room ( no mirror, picture or anything was there) she says "GaGa" ( let me give you history my 17 y/o son called my mother GaGa because he couldn't say Granny and it stuck and she was called GaGa....she passed away in 2003 my daughter never met her......but here she is pointing to the ceiling in the corner of the room saying her name....I was in tears.....about 4 hours later we had all went to bed and Joshua passed...I think it was my mom and she had come to get Joshua and take him to heaven or she was there to comfort her family before the worst day in their lives.....my daughter is 2 1/2 now and she still "sees" Joshua and will point up to the ceiling or sky and say Joshua all the time....the best was one night before my recent surgery I prayed and asked for Joshua to be with me as my guardian angel to see me through the surgery...that morning I was getting dressed and she come up to me and points above my head and says Josh plain as day so I know he was with me that day......i believe in angels

In re: to #21: Please don;t get me wrong, I do respect everyone's beliefs, but nop matter what you believe, the BIBLE ALONE is the final basis for what is a proper belief based on what is FACT, and TRUTH, not Falsehood.

If you have read the above posts, the condition of the dead, as shown in the Bible, is plain and simple.
The living are conscous that they will die, but as for the dead, they are "conscious of nothing at all."-Eccl 9:5, Many time, Jesus referred to death as a 'sleep', when he resurrected Lazarus, He clearly stated that even tho Lazarus was dead, he was 'sleeping', not conscious of anything at all.

Nobody, including you will see your loved ones again, after your life is over, but insted you both would sleep in death, until the time for the earthly resurrection, and when "all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out", (John 5:28) Then, and only then would you see him again.

We cannot interact with them, not in any way, shape or form. How could you interact with someone who's not even aware or conscious of anything?? Not possible.

I believe in angels too, but they do not have anything to do with us when we die.

Please read the abopve posts, and look to the Bible for answers, not your own ideas or personal beliefs.
These will guide you in the right direction.

#24 i don't understand that you said you do believe in angels but they do not have anything to do with us when we die. Then who are the angels and how did they become angels. I don't know, I was raised a catholic and never read the bible on my own until i got older. I was told to interpertate the bilble myself. I want to believe my husband is with us. I have had a sign and he has been in mine and my daughters dream since he passed. I dont know ifs its because I need to know he is ok or if he is really with us. But I do believe in angels.

#25: I sincerely feel for your loss, and your hope to see your loved ones again.
You believe in angels, and rightly so, because the Bible mentions angels nearly 400 times. What I will show here is most of what the angels do in God's service, but nowhere in the Scriptures does it say anything about them working for or assisting the dead in any way, and for good reason, as you will soon see.

In the article, What Can Angels Do for You?
This reveals The Truth About Angels.

Becoming acquainted with someone usually includes learning something about that one's family. It is the same with coming to know Jehovah God. More is involved than simply learning his name. We must also come to know something about his "family" in heaven. (Compare Ephesians 3:14, 15.) The Bible calls the angels God's "sons." (Job 1:6) Considering their significant role in the Bible, we should want to know more about them to understand their place in God's purpose.

A NEW subculture is developing. Not only are more people saying that they believe in angels; an increasing number are claiming to have been touched by them in some way. When 500 Americans were asked, "Have you ever personally felt an angelic presence in your life?" almost a third answered yes. Surprising too is the number of youths who profess belief in angels—according to one poll in the United States, a full 76 percent! Evidently, people are interested in angels. But how does the current thinking about angels measure up to Bible truth?


Soft-Pedaling Satan's Role

When speaking of angels, we should not ignore the wicked angels, heavenly creatures who the Bible says rebelled against God. Foremost of these is Satan. A popular book called Ask Your Angels suggests that Satan is merely "an aspect of God" who helps humans strengthen their "spiritual muscles" through constant temptation. Despite Satan's "loving intentions," the authors state, he has over the centuries become mistakenly identified with evil. They add that Satan and Jesus, "while not exactly complementary to each other, are at least on the same side, integral parts of the same whole." These are astonishing assertions, but what does the Bible say?

The Bible makes it clear that Satan is not "an aspect of God" but an enemy of God. (Luke 10:18, 19; Romans 16:20) He defies Jehovah's sovereignty, and his intentions toward humans are hardly "loving." He heartlessly vents his wrath on God's earthly servants. He accuses them before God day and night!* (Revelation 12:10, 12, 15-17) Satan is intent on corrupting them at any cost. His merciless persecution of the righteous man Job exposed his callous attitude toward human suffering.—Job 1:13-19; 2:7, 8.

Far from being "on the same side," Satan and Jesus are diametrically opposed to each other. Why, it was undoubtedly Satan who induced Herod to decree a mass infanticide—all in an effort to do away with the young child Jesus! (Matthew 2:16-18) And Satan's relentless attacks continued right up until Jesus' death. (Luke 4:1-13; John 13:27) Thus, rather than being "integral parts of the same whole," Jesus and Satan are complete opposites. Bible prophecy shows that their enmity is inevitable. (Genesis 3:15) Fittingly, it is the resurrected Jesus who will destroy Satan in God's due time.—Revelation 1:18; 20:1, 10.


Prayers to Whom?

Some advocates of the angel movement recommend meditation and other techniques in order to communicate with angels. "A sincere request for contact with any member of the celestial family will not go unheeded," says one book. "Ask and you shall be answered." Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael are among the angels the book recommends for consultation.#

However, Jesus taught his followers to pray to God, not to angels. (Matthew 6:9, 10) Similarly, Paul wrote: "In everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) In their prayers, therefore, Christians do not approach anyone except Jehovah, and they do so in the name of Jesus Christ.% —John 14:6, 13, 14.

Nondenominational Angels?

According to Eileen Elias Freeman, who presides over the AngelWatch Network, "angels transcend every religion, every philosophy, every creed. In fact, angels have no religion as we know it."

The Bible, however, makes it clear that faithful angels do have a religion; they worship the true God, Jehovah, who tolerates no rivalry from other gods. (Deuteronomy 5:6, 7; Revelation 7:11) Thus, such an angel described himself to the apostle John as "a fellow slave" of those who obey God's commands. (Revelation 19:10) Nowhere in the Bible do we read of faithful angels upholding any other form of worship. They give Jehovah exclusive devotion.—Exodus 20:4, 5.


"The Father of the Lie"

Many so-called angelic encounters involve communication with the dead. "I had the feeling that my uncle had found a way to reach me and let me know that he was happy at last," says a woman named Elise after receiving what she felt was a sign. Terri similarly remembers a dear friend who died. "A week after the funeral," she says, "he came to me in what I thought was a dream. He told me I should not mourn his departure, because he was happy and at peace."

But the Bible states that the dead "are conscious of nothing at all." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) It also says that when a person dies, "in that day his thoughts do perish." (Psalm 146:4) Satan, however, is "the father of the lie." (John 8:44) He is the one who originated the falsehood that the human soul survives death. (Compare Ezekiel 18:4.) Many people today believe this, which suits Satan's purpose, for it negates the need for faith in the resurrection—a fundamental doctrine of Christianity. (John 5:28, 29) So, inquiring of the dead or seemingly receiving messages from them is yet another facet of the angel movement that is not approved by God.

Approach to Angels or to Demons?
Much of the current angel movement dabbles in the occult. Consider Marcia's experience. "From September to December 1986," she says, "I began to receive messages from 'beyond the third dimension.' I saw apparitions and had incredible 'past life' dreams. I contacted friends who had died and had many other psychic experiences in which I knew things about people I had just met. I also became blessed with the gift of automatic writing and transmitted messages from discarnates. Some, whom I have never met in their earthly lives, would deliver messages to others through me."

The use of divination as a means to "communicate" with angels is not uncommon. One source outrightly encourages its readers to employ rune stones, tarot cards, I Ching coins, palmistry, and astrology. "Allow your inner knowing self to lead you to the right oracle," the authors write, "and trust that an angel will meet you there."

According to the Bible, however, whatever 'meets you there' certainly is not one of God's angels. Why? Because divination stands in open defiance of God, and true worshipers—in heaven and on earth—have nothing to do with it. Why, in Israel divination was a capital offense! "Everybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah," the Law stated.—Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:10-12.

"An Angel of Light"
It should not surprise us that the Devil can make divination appear beneficial, even angelic. The Bible says that Satan "keeps transforming himself into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) He can even fabricate portents and then make them come true, deceiving onlookers into thinking that the omen is from God. (Compare Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.) But all of Satan's works—no matter how virtuous or how sinister they may appear—serve one of two purposes: to turn people against Jehovah or simply to blind their minds so that 'the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ might not shine through.' (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4) This latter method of deception is often the most effective.

Consider the Bible account of a servant girl in the first century. Her predictions brought much gain to her masters. For many days she followed the disciples, saying: "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are publishing to you the way of salvation." Her words were true. Yet, the account tells us that she was possessed, not by an angel, but by "a demon of divination." Eventually, Paul "turned and said to the spirit: 'I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And it came out that very hour."—Acts 16:16-18.

Why did Paul expel this spirit? After all, it provided much income to the masters of the demon-possessed girl. With supernatural powers, the servant girl may have told farmers when to plant, maidens when to marry, and miners where to look for gold. Why, this spirit even moved the girl to speak some words of truth, publicly praising the disciples!

Nevertheless, it was "a demon of divination." As such, it had no right to make proclamations about Jehovah and his provision for salvation. Its complimentary speech, perhaps uttered to lend credence to the servant girl's predictions, distracted onlookers from Christ's true followers. With good reason, Paul warned the Corinthians: "You cannot be partaking of 'the table of Jehovah' and the table of demons." (1 Corinthians 10:21) Not surprisingly, first-century Christians destroyed all their books that were associated with divination.—Acts 19:19.

WHO ARE THE ANGELS?
CONTRARY to what many believe, angels are not the departed souls of humans who have died. The Bible plainly states that the dead "are conscious of nothing at all." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) Where, then, did the angels come from? The Bible indicates that they were individually created by God before the founding of the earth. (Job 38:4-7) The size of God's heavenly family may be hundreds of millions, perhaps billions or more! Some angels joined Satan in his rebellion.—Daniel 7:10; Revelation 5:11; 12:7-9.

Since Jehovah is a God of order, it is not surprising that his vast angelic family is organized.—1 Corinthians 14:33.

The foremost angel, both in power and authority, is the archangel, Jesus Christ, also called Michael. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9) Under his authority are seraphs, cherubs, and angels.
Seraphs are in attendance at God's throne. Their assignment evidently involves declaring God's holiness and keeping his people clean.—Isaiah 6:1-3, 6, 7.
Cherubs are also seen in Jehovah's presence. As bearers or escorts of God's throne, they uphold Jehovah's majesty.—Psalm 80:1; 99:1; Ezekiel 10:1, 2.
Angels (meaning "messengers") are agents and deputies of Jehovah. They carry out the divine will, whether it involves deliverance of God's people or the annihilation of the wicked.—Genesis 19:1-26.



An "Angel Flying in Midheaven"

As we have seen, the Bible exposes much of the current angel movement as being closely aligned with God's Adversary, Satan the Devil. Does this mean that holy angels are not involved in human affairs? On the contrary, they are now performing a powerful work on earth. What is it? To answer, we must look to the Bible book of Revelation. The angels are mentioned more times in this book than in any other book of the Bible.

At Revelation 14:6, 7, we read the apostle John's record of a prophetic vision he received: "I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people, saying in a loud voice: 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.'"

This scripture highlights the foremost work of the angels today. They are involved in a high-priority assignment—that of declaring the good news of God's Kingdom. It was with regard to this work that Jesus promised his followers: "I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." (Matthew 28:18-20) How is Jesus with his followers? One way is by providing them with angelic help so that this monumental work might be accomplished.



Are you listening to the angel flying in midheaven?
Jehovah's Witnesses spend more than a billion hours annually preaching the good news of God's Kingdom. While performing this work, they see evidence of angelic direction. In their door-to-door ministry, it has often occurred that they contact individuals who had just been praying for someone to help them understand God's purposes. Angelic guidance, along with the Witnesses' own initiative, has resulted in hundreds of thousands coming to a knowledge of Jehovah each year!

Are you listening to the angel flying in midheaven? When Jehovah's Witnesses call, why not discuss more fully with them this angelic message?

* The words "Satan" and "Devil" mean "resister" and "slanderer."

# While Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in the Bible, the names of Raphael and Uriel appear in the Apocryphal books, which are not part of the Bible canon.

% Note that prayer is directed through Jesus, not to him. Prayer is offered in Jesus' name because his shed blood opened the way of approach to God.—Ephesians 2:13-19; 3:12.


Appeared in The Watchtower November 1, 1995

ANGELS
How They Affect Us
In this series:

Angels—Who They Are
Angels—How They Affect Us
Related topics:

What Can Angels Do for You?
Will Good Triumph Over Evil?
Do Humans Become Angels When They Die?

DESCRIBING the vision he had involving God’s angelic family, the prophet Daniel wrote: “There were a thousand thousands [angels] that kept ministering to [God], and ten thousand times ten thousand that kept standing right before him.” (Daniel 7:10) This verse reveals God’s purpose in creating angels. They are to minister to him and stand ready to carry out his instructions.

God uses angels to perform certain functions in connection with humans. We will consider how he uses them to strengthen and protect his people, to deliver messages to humans, and to execute his judgment upon the wicked.

Angels Strengthen and Protect
Ever since spirit creatures witnessed the creation of the earth and the first humans, they have shown keen interest in mankind. Speaking as wisdom personified, Jesus Christ, in his prehuman existence, said: “The things I was fond of were with the sons of men.” (Proverbs 8:31) And the Bible informs us that “angels are desiring to peer” into facts about Christ and the future that have been revealed to God’s prophets.—1 Peter 1:11, 12.

With the passing of time, the angels observed that the majority of the human family were not serving their loving Creator. How this must have saddened the faithful angels! On the other hand, whenever one sinner repents and turns to Jehovah, “joy arises among the angels.” (Luke 15:10) Angels have deep concern for the welfare of those who serve God, and Jehovah has repeatedly used them to strengthen and protect his faithful servants on earth. (Hebrews 1:14) Consider some examples.

Angels escorted Lot and his daughters to safety
Two angels helped righteous Lot and his daughters to survive the destruction of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by escorting them out of that area.* (Genesis 19:1, 15-26) Centuries later, even though the prophet Daniel was thrown into a lions’ pit, he was not harmed. Why? “My own God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions,” he declared. (Daniel 6:22) Angels supported Jesus at the start of his earthly ministry. (Mark 1:13) And shortly before Jesus’ death, an angel appeared to him and “strengthened him.” (Luke 22:43) What a blessing that angelic support must have been for Jesus at those crucial times in his life! An angel also freed the apostle Peter from prison.—Acts 12:6-11.

Do angels protect us today? If we worship Jehovah according to his Word, we are assured that his powerful, invisible angels provide us with protection. The Bible promises: “The angel of Jehovah is camping all around those fearing him, and he rescues them.”—Psalm 34:7.

When the apostle John tried to worship the angel, he was told: “Do not do that!”
However, we must recognize that angels are primarily in the service of God, not that of humans. (Psalm 103:20, 21) They respond to God’s direction, not to man’s summonses or requests. Hence, the one to call upon for help is Jehovah God, not the angels. (Matthew 26:53) Of course, since we do not see the angels, we cannot determine to what extent God uses them in helping people with various matters. But we know that Jehovah does “show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 91:11) And we have the assurance that “no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he [God] hears us.”—1 John 5:14.

The Scriptures also tell us that our prayers and worship should be directed to God alone. (Exodus 20:3-5; Psalm 5:1, 2; Matthew 6:9) Faithful angels encourage us to do that. For example, when the apostle John tried to worship an angel, that spirit creature rebuked him, saying: “Be careful! Do not do that! . . . Worship God.”—Revelation 19:10.

ANGELS—HOW THEY ARE ORGANIZED
Jehovah has his vast angelic family organized as follows:

The angel foremost in power and authority is Michael the archangel, or Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9) Seraphs, cherubs, and other angels are under him.

Seraphs occupy a very high position in God’s arrangement. They serve as attendants at God’s throne. Their assignment includes declaring God’s holiness and keeping his people spiritually clean.—Isaiah 6:1-3, 6, 7.

Cherubs are associated with God’s throne and uphold Jehovah’s majesty.—Psalm 80:1; 99:1; Ezekiel 10:1, 2.

Other angels are agents of Jehovah, and they carry out the divine will.

Angels Deliver God’s Messages
The word “angel” means “messenger,” and that is another way angels serve God—as his messengers to humans. For instance, “the angel Gabriel was sent forth from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth.” Why? To inform a young woman named Mary that although she was a virgin, she would conceive in her womb and give birth to a son to be named Jesus. (Luke 1:26-31) An angel was also sent to shepherds in the fields to inform them that “Christ the Lord” had been born. (Luke 2:8-11) Similarly, angels delivered messages from God to Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others of Bible record.—Genesis 18:1-5, 10; Exodus 3:1, 2; Luke 22:39-43.

How do angels serve as God’s messengers today?
Consider the work Jesus foretold that his followers would do before the end of this system of things. He said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:3, 14) Annually, Jehovah’s Witnesses spend over a billion hours preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom. But did you know that angels are also involved in this work? The apostle John referred to a vision he had, saying: “I saw another angel . . . , and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” (Revelation 14:6, 7) This scripture highlights the foremost work of angels in behalf of humans today.

Are you benefiting from the preaching work done under angelic direction?
Jehovah’s Witnesses see evidence of angelic direction as they carry out their door-to-door preaching work. They often contact individuals who were just praying for someone to help them understand God’s purposes. As a result of angelic guidance and the Witnesses’ own initiative, each year hundreds of thousands come to know Jehovah. May you benefit from this lifesaving work done under angelic direction.

Angels Execute God’s Judgment
Though they are not authorized to judge humans, angels are not mere bystanders. (John 5:22; Hebrews 12:22, 23) Serving as executioners, they carried out God’s judgments in times past. For example, God used angels in his fight against the ancient Egyptians, who were holding the Israelites in bondage. (Psalm 78:49) And it was in one night that “the angel of Jehovah” struck down a hundred and eighty-five thousand soldiers in the camp of an enemy of God’s people.—2 Kings 19:35.

Angels execute God’s judgment
In the future too, angels will execute God’s adverse judgment. Jesus will come “with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8) That destruction, though, is to be brought upon only those who do not respond to the message now being preached earth wide with the angels’ backing. Those who search for God and comply with Scriptural teachings will not be harmed.—Zephaniah 2:3.

How grateful we can be for the faithful angels, who always carry out God’s instructions! Jehovah uses them to assist and protect his loyal servants on earth. This is particularly comforting to us because there are dangerous spirit creatures called demons who want to harm us.

Demons—Who Are They?
During the 15 centuries following Satan’s deception of Eve in Eden, God’s family of angels observed that Satan the Devil succeeded in turning aside from God all humans except a few faithful ones, such as Abel, Enoch, and Noah. (Genesis 3:1-7; Hebrews 11:4, 5, 7) Some of the angels also yielded to Satan. The Bible refers to them as the spirits who were disobedient “in Noah’s days.” (1 Peter 3:19, 20) How did their disobedience become evident?

In Noah’s time an unspecified number of rebellious angels left their place in God’s heavenly family, came down to the earth, and materialized fleshly bodies. Why? They had developed a desire to have sexual relations with women. This led to their fathering offspring called Nephilim, who became violent giants. Moreover, “the badness of man was abundant in the earth and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time.” However, Jehovah God did not allow this corruption of mankind to go on. He brought a global Flood, which swept away all wicked humans along with the Nephilim. The only humans preserved alive were God’s faithful servants.—Genesis 6:1-7, 17; 7:23.

The rebellious angels escaped destruction at the time of the Flood. They abandoned their fleshly bodies and returned to the spirit realm as spirit creatures. Thereafter, they are referred to as demons. They put themselves on the side of Satan the Devil, who is called “the ruler of the demons.” (Matthew 12:24-27) Like their ruler, demons crave the worship of humans.

Demons are dangerous, but we need not dread them. Their power is limited. When the disobedient angels returned to heaven, they were not allowed back into God’s family of faithful angels. Instead, they were cut off from any spiritual enlightenment from God, with only a dark outlook for the future. Indeed, they were confined in a condition of spiritual darkness known as Tartarus. (2 Peter 2:4) Jehovah restrained them with “eternal bonds,” so that they are in spiritual darkness. Furthermore, they are now unable to materialize human bodies.—Jude 6.

What Should You Do?
Do demons still exert influence over humans? Yes, they do so by resorting to “machinations,” or “crafty acts,” such as those used by their ruler, Satan the Devil. (Ephesians 6:11, 12, footnote) By applying the counsel of God’s Word, however, we can stand firm against the demons. Moreover, those who love God come under the protection of powerful angels.

How vital that you learn God’s requirements set out in the Scriptures and act upon what you learn! You can learn more about Bible teachings by contacting Jehovah’s Witnesses in your area or by writing to the publishers of this magazine. Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to study the Bible with you free of charge and at a time that is convenient for you.


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* In the Bible, angels are represented as adult males. Their appearance to humans was always as males.


Appeared in The Watchtower January 15, 2006

The Bible’s Viewpoint
Do Humans Become Angels
When They Die?

Related topic:
Angels—How They Affect Us


A LITTLE girl named Argyro died when she was only seven years of age. Grief-stricken, her parents looked down at her as she lay in a coffin, dressed in white. In an effort to offer solace, the minister told them: “God wanted another angel, and He took little Argyro to be with him. Now her soul flutters around the Almighty’s throne.”

Many people cherish the belief that angels are the souls of deceased humans, although few religions officially endorse the notion. The media has popularized this concept in movies and television series about dead people who ‘earn their wings’ as angels by helping and protecting the living.

Can you, in truth, expect your loved ones to become angels at death? What does the Bible teach on this matter? To answer, let us first review what the Holy Scriptures really say about the nature of angels and the actual condition of the dead.


Angels—Unique Creations

Angels are invisible, powerful servants of God who reside in the spirit realm. Their existence is independent of that of humans. Angels are spirits created by God. The Bible says: “Let [the angels] praise the name of Jehovah; for he himself commanded, and they were created.”—Psalm 148:2, 5.

The Bible reveals that many millions of faithful celestial creatures, including seraphs and cherubs, obediently serve in specialized roles according to their rank and assignments. (Psalm 103:20, 21; Isaiah 6:1-7; Daniel 7:9, 10) Did humans have to die in order for God to bring all those angels into existence? In fact, that is quite impossible. Why?

The Bible shows that the angels were created long before humans. When Jehovah created the planet that humans would much later inhabit, the angels—referred to poetically as morning stars—‘joyfully cried out together and began shouting in applause.’ (Job 38:4-7) So they were in existence for aeons before man appeared on earth.

Moreover, angels and humans differ greatly in their nature and their place in Jehovah’s purpose.* God created man “a little lower than angels,” so those spirit creatures are rightly considered superhuman, with greater mental capacities and power. (Hebrews 2:7) The “proper dwelling place” of angels is the heavens. (Jude 6) As to humans, God’s original purpose was for man to live forever on earth. (Genesis 1:28; 2:17; Psalm 37:29) If the first human couple had been obedient to God, they would never have died. From the beginning, then, humans and angels have enjoyed very different places in God’s purpose.


“Let [the angels] praise the name of Jehovah; for he himself commanded, and they were created.”—Psalm 148:2, 5


What Happens at Death?

Other important questions we need to examine are: What happens to humans who die? Do they continue existing but in another form, perhaps as angels in the spirit realm? The Bible has this simple and clear answer: “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) So at death humans cease to exist. The dead know, feel, and experience absolutely nothing.

Is there hope for the dead? Yes! The Bible shows that the hope for most humans who have died is to be resurrected. The vast majority of the dead are to be raised to life as humans on a paradise earth.—Luke 23:43; John 5:28.

A few humans have the hope of being resurrected to life in heaven. Their number is small—144,000 in all. However, these 144,000 are quite distinct from those creatures commonly called angels. For example, the 144,000 rule as immortal kings and priests with Christ. They have authority as judges. (1 Corinthians 6:3; Revelation 20:6) Are they babies who have died? No. They are followers of Christ who have been fully tested and tried!—Luke 22:28, 29.

Consider, too, the contrast between dead humans and living angels. Whereas deceased humans “are conscious of nothing at all,” angels have full consciousness, feelings, and personal will. They are free moral agents. (Genesis 6:2, 4; Psalm 146:4; 2 Peter 2:4) The dead are described as “impotent,” or powerless, while angels are “mighty in power.” (Isaiah 26:14; Psalm 103:20) And while human descendants of Adam die as a result of sin and imperfection, God-fearing angels are perfect, enjoying a fully approved standing before Jehovah.—Matthew 18:10.

The idea that angels are the souls of deceased humans might make for imaginative TV programs or movies, but the notion finds no support in the Scriptures. The Bible truths set forth above help us to avoid any misconception about the fate of our loved ones who die. And the Bible assures us that faithful angels—separately created, powerful servants of God—are superior to humans and are always ready to do Jehovah’s will. Happily, God’s will includes using the angels to watch over and assist those who sincerely respect Jehovah and seek to serve him.—Psalm 34:7.


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* The term “angel,” which literally means “messenger,” can at times have a broad meaning, including various spirit creatures and even human servants of God. In this article, however, we refer to those spirit creatures whom the Bible commonly calls angels.


HAVE YOU WONDERED?
Are your deceased loved ones now angels serving God in heaven?—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10.
Do children die because God wants to have more angels around him?—Job 34:10.
Can the dead return to protect the living?—Isaiah 26:14.


Appeared in Awake! August 2006

your knowledge in the bible is incredible. You obviously have read and studied the bible. But now having lost a loved one. How can you say that after you die the dead has no conscious. I don't think all the people in the world that have felt or had signs from their loved ones that have passed are signs of the devil trying to trick them. Maybe I need more than that. To believe that after you die your nothing. Yes, I do believe that God would not allow the dead to see our hurt and anguish here on Earth, that they are pure and love.

#29: I can see where you're going with your thoughts of life after death possiblities, but No, There is Nothing after death. And for reasons clearly made so far, I will explain further.

You see, The idea also goes into the idea there the "soul" survives the death of the body, and something continues afterward, such is the Christendom's belief of 'the immortality of the human soul'. And, since this is a religious matter, and since God created us, and gave us life, he also said they to Adam and Eve, "The day you eat from the tree, you will positively die"-Gen. 2:7.

But just what is death?
It is simply put, The opposite of life. "For dust you are, and to dust you will return."-Gen. 3:19b.
But what exactly does this mean?

Article from ther Brochure "Look! I am making all things New."

The Enemy—Death
God had stated the penalty for disobedience—death. In passing sentence upon the first woman, Jehovah said: "I shall greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in birth pangs you will bring forth children, and your craving will be for your husband, and he will dominate you." To the man Adam he said: "In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:16-19) The disobedient couple were expelled from the Paradise of happiness into the uncultivated earth. In course of time they died.—Genesis 5:5.

It was only after they had fallen from the mark of perfection that Adam and Eve began to produce children. All men today are their descendants in imperfection, and hence all die. One Bible writer explains it in these words: "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." What is this "sin"? It is a falling short of the mark of perfection or completeness. Jehovah God does not approve of or keep alive anything that is imperfect. Since all men have inherited sin and imperfection from the first man Adam, death has "ruled as king" over them. (Romans 5:12, 14) Fallen man dies, in the same way that the animals die.—Ecclesiastes 3:19-21.



What is this "death"? Death is the opposite of life. God had held before man the prospect of endless life on earth if he obeyed. However, he disobeyed, and the penalty was death, unconsciousness, nonexistence. God had said nothing about transferring man's life to a spirit realm or to a fiery "hell" if he disobeyed and died. He had warned man: "You will positively die." (Gen. 2:17) It was the man-slaying Devil who had lied in saying: "You positively will not die." (Genesis 2:17; 3:4; John 8:44) What all men have inherited from Adam is dustlike death.—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Psalm 115:17; 146:4.

Is there, then, no future for man who dies? There is a wonderful future! The Bible shows that God's purpose of a paradise earth for all mankind, including those now dead, will never fail. Says Jehovah: "The heavens are my throne, and the earth is my footstool." "I shall glorify the very place of my feet." (Isaiah 66:1; 60:13) Out of the abundance of his love, Jehovah sent his Son, the Word, to this earth, that the world of mankind might gain life through him. (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9) There are three important things that we must now discuss and that Jehovah accomplishes through his Son, namely, (1) providing a release from the power of death; (2) actually restoring the dead to life; and (3) establishing a perfect government over all mankind. (end of article)

Now, Consider that the Bible says about the Soul, and why death is the opposite of life.
The Soul and Spirit are two very different things. The "Soul" [Hebrew word - ne'phesh, and the Greek psy'khe'] is properly translated, and interpreted to mean, the Body, Person, Being, and the life that the person or animal enjoys.

What happens to the Soul at Death, Ezekiel says, at 18:4: "The soul that is sinning - it itself will die."
Genesis 2:7: " And Jehovah God proceeded to make the man out of the dust of the ground, and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life [spirit - Hebrew - ru'ach, and Greek - pneu'ma], and the man came to be a living soul."
So, Man does not HAVE a soul, Man IS a Soul. He has a spirit, or the 'breath of life' that makes him a living soul, but that spirit is NOT a seperate entity apart from man, that lives inside of the body, as you might imagine, a ghostly apparition or a spirit entity that leaves the body and roams the earth, as in some cases we hear about in ghostly hauntings.
That is a work of the Devil, in making people believe that man does not die... as he said in the garden of Eden to Eve upon his deceiving her, "You will positively not die", This belief is a continuation of that lie, in making people believe that man does not die, but life continues elsewhere even if the body dies. (Gen. 2:17)

The Spirit is simply 'the breath of life, or life force, that give man life, among other meanings, but never referring to as a person, but instead as a force in motion, with visible results.
In direct contrast with the ancient Greek teaching of the soul as being immaterial, intangible, invisible, and immortal, the Scriptures show that the Greek and Hebrew words used for soul (as noted above), as used with reference to earthly creatures, refer that which is material, tangible, and mortal.

The Catholic Encyclopedia says, "The soul [ne'phesh] is a far greater extension than our 'soul,' signifying life. The Soul in the Old Testament means not a part of man, but the whole man - man as a living being. Similarly, in the New Testament, it signifies human life; the life of an individual, conscious subject on earth. (Luke 12:22,23; 14:26; John 10:11,15,17)
Taken from the 1967 edition, Vol VIII, pg. 467.


Therefore, the Body [Soul], dies, and the spirit [life-force, breath of life is extinguished at death, nad is returned to God, into His memory, for the time when the future resurrection on a paradise earth is to take place.

The dead are clearly shown to be "conscious of nothing at all" and the death state to be one of complete inactivity. (Eccl 9:5,6,10; Psalms 146:4) Those dying are described as going into "the dust of death" (Prov. 22:15), becoming "impotent in death." (Prov. 2:18; Isaiah 26:14) In death there is no mention of God, or of any praising of him. (Psalms 6:5; Isa. 38:18,19)

In both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, death is likened to sleep, a fitting comparison not only because on the unconscious condition of the dead, but also through the resurrection. (Psalms 13:3; John 11:11-14)
The resurrected Jesus is spoken as as "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death."-1 Cor. 15:20,21.

You asked me, "How can you say that after you die the dead has no conscious." then you said, "I don't think all the people in the world that have felt or had signs from their loved ones that have passed are signs of the devil trying to trick them."

I can rightly say that at death there is no consciousness, cuz this is what the precisely what the Bible says. I would prefer to belief the Bible over what Man might say, or what the mainstream religions might say. It is written, "Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, even as it is written: That you might be proved righteous in your words and might win when you are being judged."-Romans 3:4.

Man and common religions of the world around us are, for the most part deceiving, and deceivers. False religion has done all it can to dishonor God and teach false doctrine about Him, to trick man, even as far as to say that God would not just allow, but cause, suffering on earth, such as when we suffer the loss o fa loved one... That is NOT divine Justice, and it is impossible for God to act unrighteous and unjust in any way.

All that the Bible says is TRUTH in the absolute sense, for "it is impossible for God to lie".-Hebrews 6:18.

Most of all the things that most people in the world have been lead to believe, when it comes to religion, and faith, is an outright lie.
This is especially referring here to the topic of death.
Mankind has been deceived so much, and WHY? because,
the Scriptures tell us,
"If, now, the good news we declare is in fact veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, among whom the god of this system of things [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through."-2 Cor. 4:3,4.
Why is this? The only reason can be just one thing, "the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one."-1 John 5:19.

But if you would like to have your eyes opened to the truth of God's Word, and know and have full understanding in accurate knowledge, as I have, then follow that Bible's advise, Study and learn all that God will requires of you, "whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth."-1 Tim. 2:4.
"This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."-John 17;3.

This is how YOU can understand all that is truth. Why not talk to Jehovah's Witnesses in your area, and ask for a free home Bible study and let them assist you in learning the Scriptures as they have with me, and You too can have the knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures in the fullest sense, and have the only hope that leads to life everlasting on a a paradise earth.