1. El Árbol de la Inmortalidad || Textos Difíciles Sobre el Estado de los Muertos

Understanding the State of the Dead

Introduction to the Topic

• The discussion begins with questions about life after death, referencing Jesus' words to the thief on the cross and exploring what it means to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

• A prayer is offered, asking for divine guidance as they delve into complex biblical texts regarding the state of the dead.

Key Biblical Texts

• The speaker outlines their intention to analyze difficult verses related to death, including stories like Lazarus and the rich man, and Paul's writings about being present with God.

• The study focuses on Genesis 2:7, where God forms man from dust and breathes life into him, emphasizing that humans are a combination of body and spirit.

Concept of Soul

• It is highlighted that according to scripture, humans do not possess souls; rather, they are living souls made up of both body (dust) and breath (spirit).

• Matthew 16:26 is referenced where Jesus discusses gaining the world versus losing one's soul. This reinforces that "soul" refers to a person's entirety rather than a separate entity within them.

Life's Continuation

• The speaker explains that life was originally given by God as a gift through a perfect body in an ideal environment.

• To maintain this life, humans were provided health laws; adherence would prevent illness or death.

Tree of Life Significance

• Genesis 2:9 introduces the Tree of Life in Eden as essential for sustaining human life. Eating from it regularly was necessary for continued existence.

• The analogy is drawn between the Tree of Life and a phone charger—just as phones need regular charging to function, so too did humans need sustenance from God's provision for ongoing life.

The Tree of Life and the Nature of Immortality

The Significance of the Tree of Life

• The fruit from the Tree of Life in Eden possessed supernatural power, essential for eternal life. Eating it meant living forever, as its leaves perpetuated life and immortality.

• Without regular consumption of this fruit, humanity would gradually lose vitality until life extinguished, akin to a phone losing charge without recharging.

The Loss of Access to Immortality

• According to theologian Wheeler Robinson, humanity was originally mortal but had the potential for immortality through access to the Tree of Life. This prospect was lost after being expelled from Eden due to sin.

• God created humans with the intention for them to live eternally by partaking in the Tree of Life; however, sin introduced death into the world.

The Command Regarding Good and Evil

• Genesis 2:9 introduces another tree—the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil—alongside God's command not to eat from it or face death (Genesis 2:15-17).

• Disobedience led Adam and Eve to eat from this tree despite God's warning that doing so would result in death.

The Deception by Satan

• In Genesis 3:4, Satan contradicted God’s command by telling Eve she would not die if she ate from the forbidden tree.

• Adam and Eve's choice to disobey God resulted in their eventual mortality, demonstrating that God's word proved true when they faced consequences for their actions (Genesis 3:19).

Consequences of Sin

• God declared that Adam would return to dust after eating from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:19), indicating that death was a direct consequence of their disobedience.

• While environmental factors contributed to human degeneration post-sin, lack of access to the Tree of Life was primarily responsible for mortality.

Prohibition from Eternal Life

• After sinning, Adam and Eve were barred from accessing the Tree of Life permanently (Genesis 3:22–24), which prevented them from living indefinitely even in a state marred by sin.

• Despite having imperfect bodies due to sin, continued access to the Tree could have allowed them prolonged existence amidst deteriorating conditions.

Understanding Human Mortality

• Humans did not possess inherent immortality; they required sustenance from the Tree of Life. If they were immortal without it, prohibiting access would be meaningless.

Understanding Immortality and Lifespan in Biblical Context

The Necessity of Jesus' Death for Immortality

• The speaker argues that the belief in inherent human immortality makes Jesus' death unnecessary for granting immortality to humanity.

• Discusses the ages of pre-flood individuals listed in Genesis 5, highlighting their long lifespans, such as Methuselah living 969 years.

Factors Influencing Longevity Before the Flood

• Attributes the long lifespans to proximity to creation and access to the Tree of Life, which provided life-sustaining power.

• Notes that despite their lengthy lives, these individuals eventually died, confirming that they were not inherently immortal.

Post-Flood Lifespan Changes

• Introduces a formula used in Genesis 5 indicating death for all but Enoch, who was taken by God.

• Cites an Adventist commentary explaining that early humans depended on divine sustenance from the Tree of Life for longevity.

Decline in Human Lifespan After the Flood

• Describes how post-flood generations experienced shorter lifespans due to environmental degradation and health law violations.

• Lists ages from Genesis 11 showing significant reductions compared to pre-flood figures.

Lifespan During Moses' Time and Beyond

• States that Moses lived until 120 years old, reflecting further decline due to continued health violations and environmental damage.

• References Psalm 90:10 where David notes typical human lifespan as around 70–80 years, with exceptions being rare.

Theological Implications of Adam and Eve's Sin

• Revisits God's warning about eating from the Tree of Knowledge leading to death; questions why Adam lived much longer than expected.

• Highlights Genesis 3:21 where God provides garments for Adam and Eve after their sin, symbolizing hope despite their fall.

The Significance of Sacrifice in the Context of Adam and Eve

The Need for Sacrifice

• The speaker questions what was necessary for God to provide skins to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness, suggesting that one or two animals had to be sacrificed on that day.

• These sacrifices symbolized Jesus' future coming, where He would shed His blood to cover humanity's shame and restore hope for immortality.

Biblical References to Sacrifice

• The speaker cites 1 Peter 1:18-20, emphasizing that believers were redeemed not with corruptible things like gold or silver but with the precious blood of Christ, destined to die before the foundation of the world.

• This indicates that Jesus’ sacrifice was preordained, highlighting its significance in relation to Adam and Eve’s sin.

Understanding Immortality

• The discussion shifts towards the concept of immortality, noting that if humans were inherently immortal, there would be no need for Jesus' death.

• In 2 Timothy 1:10, it is stated that Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality through the Gospel.

Resurrection and Immortality

• Romans 2:6-7 is referenced, indicating that immortality must be sought after; it is not an inherent trait but a gift from God through faith in Christ.

• The speaker addresses why believers still die despite accepting Christ. They clarify that death is merely a sleep until resurrection at Christ's return.

Hope in Resurrection

• In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Paul reassures believers about resurrection; those who have died in Christ will rise first when Jesus returns.

• Acceptance of Jesus guarantees believers' inclusion in Him; thus they need not fear death as they await final immortality upon His return.

Transformation at Resurrection

• Finally, 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 discusses transformation at the last trumpet when mortal bodies will put on immortality. This emphasizes the necessity of this transformation rather than possessing immortality beforehand.

The Nature of Immortality and the Tree of Life

The Concept of Immortality

• The speaker discusses the biblical promise of immortality, referencing a transformation where corruptible beings are clothed in incorruption at the final trumpet.

• Emphasizes that true immortality is granted by Jesus Christ, highlighting the importance of accepting Him as Savior to receive this gift.

• Engages in a dialogue about human nature, questioning beliefs about inherent immortality and contrasting it with divine attributes like omniscience and omnipotence.

Biblical References on Immortality

• Cites 1 Timothy 6:13-17, asserting that only God possesses immortality, reinforcing the idea that humans do not have innate immortality.

• Highlights God's unique status as the sole possessor of immortality, living in inaccessible light, which emphasizes His sovereignty.

The Tree of Life

• Discusses God's original intention for humanity to eat from the Tree of Life to sustain eternal life; sin disrupted this access.

• States that resurrection through Jesus will restore access to eternal life and participation in the Tree of Life.

Restoration and Eternal Life

• Clarifies that even in eternity, immortality remains a gift from God rather than an inherent trait within humans.

• Quotes Revelation 21:4 regarding the end of death and suffering, raising questions about why death will cease to exist.

Worship and Renewal

• Explains how worship practices will continue into eternity with observance on Sabbath days as part of honoring God’s creation.

• Connects worship with restoration through participation in the Tree of Life each month for spiritual rejuvenation.

The Role of the Tree of Life in Eternity

• Describes a vision from Revelation 22:1–2 about a river flowing from God's throne alongside the Tree of Life producing monthly fruits for sustenance.

• Emphasizes ongoing nourishment from the Tree of Life as essential for maintaining vitality throughout eternity.

Guarantee of Eternal Life

The Condition for Immortality

• The speaker emphasizes that to participate in the "tree of life" and attain eternal life, one must accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

• Acceptance involves receiving Jesus' life in place of one's sinful existence and His death instead of the death we deserve.

Assurance Through Faith

• John 3:16 is referenced, highlighting that belief in Jesus is essential for obtaining eternal life; it states that God loves the world and offers His only Son.

• The speaker clarifies that eternal life is not inherent within us but is granted through faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in 1 John 5:11-12.

Being In Christ

• The source of our hope lies not in an immortal soul but rather in having Jesus as our Savior.

• Reference to 1 Thessalonians 4 indicates that those who die in Christ will be resurrected and restored to the tree of life.

Baptism as Incorporation into Christ

• Galatians 3:26-27 explains how believers become children of God through faith and baptism into Christ.

• Baptism symbolizes incorporation into Jesus’ perfect life, allowing believers to exchange their sinful nature for His righteousness.

Symbolic Death and Resurrection

• During baptism, individuals symbolically die (as they are submerged underwater), representing a break from their old lives filled with sin.

• Upon emerging from the water, they experience a symbolic resurrection, signifying newness of life in Christ. This process includes repentance and confession before being baptized.