[Pastor Vitale says:] Hello xxxx
SEE BELOW
XXXXXXXX: I read through some of your messages on the Internet and you don't seem to have a clear explanation of what your beliefs are, concerning what happens to us when we die physically.
In one paragraph, you said the heaven and hell idea was from some 'Egyptian religion',
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN HEAVEN AND A HELL. I DISAGREE, HOWEVER, WITH THE TRADITIONAL CHURCH'S UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE TERMS.
THE BELIEF THAT HEAVEN AND HELL ARE PLACES THAT WE GO TO AFTER WE PHYSICALLY DIE, ARE ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN EGYPTIAN RELIGION, WHICH MUMMIFIES THEIR DEAD AND (AT LEAST IN THE CASE OF ROYALTY) BURIES LIVING SERVANTS WITH THE DEAD, TO SERVE THEM IN THE "AFTERLIFE."
EGYPTIAN RELIGION TEACHES THE SURVIVAL OF THE PERSONALITY, AND REUNION WITH PREVIOUSLY DECEASED LOVED ONES AFTER DEATH AND TRANSLATION INTO THE AFTERLIFE, BUT JESUS TEACHES THE SURVIVAL OF OUR IMMORTAL SOUL, WHICH THE SCRIPTURE DESCRIBES METAPHORICALLY AS "A WORM," AND THAT WE WILL INHERIT THE EARTH:
Isa 66:24
24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. KJV
Job 17:14
14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou are my mother, and my sister. KJV
Job 25:6
6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm? KJV
Ps 22:6
6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. KJV
Mark 9:44
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. KJV
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] THE SCRIPTURE TEACHES THAT ONLY AN ASPECT OF US -- THAT PART OF US WHICH IS IMMORTAL -- GOES ON, TO APPEAR IN THE EARTH AGAIN, WITH A NEW PERSONALITY AND A NEW BODY.
THE SPIRITUAL ROOT (WORM) OF BOTH MOSES AND ELIJAH APPEARED AGAIN IN THE PERSON OF JESUS OF NAZARETH:
Matt 11:14
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. KJV
Matt 17:3
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. KJV
XXXXXXXX: and in another, you talked about the Ascension, and being with Christ.
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ASCENSION, BUT THAT ASCENSION IS SPIRITUAL. THE ASCENSION IS THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST IN US, WHICH IS OUR HOPE OF GLORIFICATION
Col 1:27
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. KJV
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] THE PROMISE IS THAT THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH, THAT IS, THE SPIRITUAL EARTH OF OUR PERSONALITY AND THE MATERIAL EARTH OF OUR PHYSICAL BODY.
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] WHEN CHRIST IS GRAFTED TO OUR PERSONALITY:
James 1:21
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. KJV
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] AND MATURES TO HIS FULNESS IN THE INDIVIDUAL:
Eph 4:13
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: KJV
1 John 3:2
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. KJV
1 Cor 6:17
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. KJV
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] THE ONLY SCRIPTURE THAT I AM AWARE OF THAT SUGGESTS “GOING” TO HEAVEN, HAS TO DO WITH OUR SPIRITUAL STATURE,
John 3:13
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. KJV
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] AND IS SPEAKING ABOUT FALLEN MANKIND’S RETURN TO HIS ORIGINAL, SPIRITUAL STATE OF PERFECTION
Jude 6
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. KJV
Rev 2:5
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. KJV
XXXXXXXX: What exactly are your views on this issue, based on your understanding and the revelations you say you had.
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] I HOPE I HAVE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WRITE AGAIN IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
XXXXXXXX: Thank you.
[PASTOR VITALE SAYS:] YOU ARE VERY WELCOME
God bless you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Sheila R. Vitale,
Pastor, Teacher & Founder
Living Epistles Ministries
