Prophecy – With Salt

Over the years, I have made a very unscientific study of what goes on at funerals.

(Updated: Jun 25, 2011)

According to the religious preferences of those involved and according to the societal influence, the style and tone of funerals vary widely. Some are short and sweet (well, maybe not “sweet”) while others are long and drawn out affairs. Some are very formal while others appear to be ad lib. Some are restricted to just the family and others are community events. Some are somber times of regret and loss while others celebrate a life well lived. But one thing that is common to all is what people say at a funeral.

In every funeral that I have ever attended (regardless of whether the deceased was a “saint” or a self-proclaimed atheist), more than a few people were heard saying, “He/she is in a better place.” Has there ever been a funeral where that phrase was not uttered? I think not.

Beyond the very obvious and unlikely proposition that everyone of those people actually is in a “better place,” there is another anomaly involved here. This practically universal concept (of the deceased immediately arriving in a better place) flies in the face of the generally accepted theories about God’s judgment. Personally, I believe that there is an inherent knowledge (placed in us by our Creator) that guides us on many levels and, like an unfettered conscience, this concept – of immediately going to a “better place” after we die – is one of those creator-given guides.

Before I go any further with this thought, consider a picture of a guilty sinner standing before THE JUDGE of all creation. Where and when will this scene take place? “Well, the Great White Throne Judgment” (GWTJ) you say!! (cf., Rev 20:11-15) “Everyone knows that!”

You are right,  of course but something about that thinking does not agree with the “knowledge” that we are subconsciously utilizing when we assume, “(The deceased) is in a better place!” Most of scholars would agree that the GWTJ does not occur until the end of the age or the end of the world. But don’t you see the conflict? We say that a person *IS* (presently) in a better place but how can that be if the judgment has not yet been made about WHERE the person will spend eternity?

The reality is that God has ordained several different judgments – not just the single Great White Throne Judgment. There are others, and each has a specific purpose. I have identified at least seven judgments that God has ordained for mankind! I realize that does not agree with some of man’s doctrines but our “inherent knowledge” DOES agree – proven by our “better place” concept. Now, we need to see if the BIBLE supports this idea.

I will cover each of these seven judgments in some detail in the following series of articles. Check back soon for the next installment!

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