The Rich Man and Lazarus
-the intermediate state-
 

HADES A PLACE OF SILENCE

The Scriptures are also positive and numerous which declare that �Hades,� where the Rich Man is said to be �buried� is always represented as a place of silence. �There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave (Heb. Sheol) whither thou goest� (Ecc. 9:10).

But the rich man, here, was making "devices", based on his "knowledge". Of those who are there it is written:

 "Their love, and their hatred, and their envy is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun� (Ecclesiastes 9:6).

But the rich man is represented as having �love� for his brethren; and as having a �portion� in what is being done on earth.  The Psalms declare that:

�In death there is no remembrance of Thee,
In the grave (Hebrew - Sheol) who shall give Thee thanks?� (Psalm 66:5)

�Let them be silent in the grave� (Hebrew - Sheol). (Psalm 31:17)

�The dead praise not the Lord;
Neither any that go down into silence� (Psalm 115:17)

The Scriptures everywhere speak of the dead as destitute of knowledge or speech; (see Psalms 30:9;  88:11;  Isaiah 38:18,19); and as knowing nothing till resurrection. If these Scriptures are to be believed (as they most surely are), then it is clear that the teaching of tradition is not true, which says that death is not death, but only life in some other form.

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