Originally posted by lee_merrill
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For now, but Jesus has the keys of death and hell (Rev. 1:18), keys can be used to bring people out.
That's a good point, but after Jesus' warning, he tells his friends not to be afraid:
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:4–7)
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:4–7)
But being present with the Lord may be painful, for some believers (1 John 2:28, Luke 12:47-48).
And if there is no intermediate state, then why is the time of the perfecting of believers placed at Christ's coming, not at the moment of death (1 Cor. 1:8)?
And as far as Abraham's bosom, again note that the rich man was in hell because he received his good things in life, not because he did not have faith.
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