Spirit
There are two aspects to the life of each person. We might call them "heart" and "mind," a part of us that wants and feels and a part of us that thinks and knows. The Writings usually refer to these as the "will" and the "understanding." They are reflections, and receptacles, of the Lord's infinite love and infinite wisdom. Of the two, the heart or will is ultimately the most important. Who we actually are is determined by what we love, and the things in our heart ultimately determine our place in heaven (or hell). But the will is beyond our control; we can't force ourselves to want something good or to not want something bad; we can control our actions, but not our feelings. Because of this power, the Lord works subtly and carefully in our hearts, in ways we can't sense. Most of the work and interaction goes on in our minds through the working of what the Writings call "Divine Truth," which is essentially the Lord's entire essence expressed in a form that is compatible with our minds. When the Bible talks about the Lord's "spirit," it represents this operation of Divine Truth in our minds, the way he reaches out and embraces us, and invites us to embrace him back. And when the Bible talks about people having "spirit," it is talking about our minds when we embrace Divine Truth.
#95 Waiting in the Grave for Jesus? Really? (Ecclesiastes 9)
By Jonathan S. Rose
Title: Waiting in the Grave for Jesus
Topic: Second Coming
Summary: We explore passages in Ecclesiastes and the rebellion of Korah in Numbers, and reflect on mortality and immortality, the Second Coming and life after death, and the spiritual and holographic nature of Scripture.
Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.
References:
Ecclesiastes 9:4; 1:1-2; 2:11; 12:8-14; 3:17; 11:9, 1-3; 7:19-20
James 4:13-16
John 9:4
Genesis 1:1
Jeremiah 4:22-23
Job 10:18-22; 14:1-end
Numbers 16
Isaiah 30:26
Hosea 6:1-2
Psalms 17