The Fear Of God

Reasoning on

"The Fear Of God"

Can God lie?
- From Scripture we know that God cannot lie.
  - (Titus 1:1-4)
    Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God’s chosen ones and the accurate knowledge of the truth which accords with godly devotion upon the basis of a hope of the everlasting life which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting, whereas in his own due times he made his word manifest in the preaching with which I was entrusted, under command of our Savior, God; to Titus, a genuine child according to a faith shared in common: May there be undeserved kindness and peace from God [the] Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

What is the Fear of God all about?
- Merriam-Webster's Dictionary says the following:
  3 : to have a reverential awe of <fear God>
  4 : to be afraid of : expect with alarm <fear the worst>
  intransitive verb : to be afraid or apprehensive <feared for their lives>
  And The Strong's concordance says the following:
  
  H3374
  
  יראה
  
  yir'âh
  
  yir-aw'
  
  Feminine of H3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally reverence: - X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear (-fulness).
  - Both references imply that the word "fear" can refer to seemingly two separate definitions. The question therefore is: Which form of fear are we to have toward the Almighty God? From our study of the Scriptures the answer is that we should have both, first dread and then reverence of the Almighty God. Thus the claim is that a dreadful fear should lead to true reverence of our Father in heaven. First let us see why we should be in dread of the Almighty.
- One might claim that the use of dreadful fear as a means of persuasion is a fallacy of argument, and should not be used as the reason one should obey God. The problem with this argument is that the scriptures use the "fear of God" as one of its most fundamental forms of motivation for those to obey God's commandments. According to the Scriptures God created all things. If God created all things, then he designed within his creation the dreadful fear of uncomfortable situations. Moreover, the Scriptures imply that a person without the fear of YHWH God is a person without the ability to learn. No one can learn form anyone, if no respect for them exist. We know that without fear, doing certain activities might cause great harm to one's fragile body. Examples: Most people fear high temperatures, because if burned, serious pain will follow along with damage to one's flesh. Most people fear running in the path of a moving car, because if hit by that car one would sustain sever physical pain and damage or perhaps death. Most people fear jumping off high cliffs, because after hitting the ground one will certainly get hurt and sustain serious physical damage or die. By having a dreadful fear of something, we are forced to think about what we might do before we do it when placed in a dangerous situation. After we think about the situation appropriately we generally proceed to make a decision about what we ought to do next, in order to avoid any pain. So then if we want the benefits of eating freshly made hot chocolate chip cookies, after they're done we must pull them out of the oven, we might first put on a mitten to protect our flesh from the heat and take the cookies out. Heat provides us with wonderful benefits if used correctly, but it can also cause us great harm if not respected. On a similar note most of us have been under someone as our teacher, boss, parent, husband, etc. If the one over us told us to do something which we did not want to do, then we might be inclined to tell them off, and not do what they asked us to do. However, there might be some serious consequences in making such a decision. For example if our boss terminated our employment, we might be unable to find another job, pay our rent, and take care of our family's basic needs. We might even end up homeless. Suppose we tell our parents off. From this, we might end up living on the street, or we might lose certain privileges that we enjoyed before hand. Generally after seeing the benefits of doing what those over us ask us to do, our dreadful fear of them turns into respect for their position of power. Of course, there are some people who abuse their position of power, and mistreat those under them, but as we shall soon see, to behave in such a way is also a lack of fear, because although one is over others there are still others over them, save the Almighty Father.
- If a man ceased to exist in every sense of the word after he physically died as God's punishment to him, then would there be any reason to fear God? One might argue that they fear the very idea of ceasing, or rather losing their existence. This is certainly not the case for everyone, people have committed suicide simply to cease from existence. Most who don't believe in God assume "non-existence after death" is a fact of life. Shouldn't the fear of God apply to all of God's creations if given the opportunity to know and understand the fear of God? If however there were some kind of extremely uncomfortable existence that lasted forever as a punishment, and a way for all the cognitively capable to know about, before it occurred, then everyone, cognitively capable of knowing, must be included as those who should fear God.
Is it beyond God's ability to eternally punish anyone he has ever created?
- From the Scriptures we know that God's abilities are far beyond anything mankind can ever imagine. He created the entire universe, and everything in it. Mankind has not even been able to find out nor understand most of what God has done on planet Earth. How much less is man able to find out what God has done in the Heavens, YHWH's throne and the other heavenly places which are impossible to observe by man.
  - (Ecclesiastes 8:17)
    And I saw all the work of the [true] God, how mankind are not able to find out the work that has been done under the sun; however much mankind keep working hard to seek, yet they do not find out. And even if they should say they are wise enough to know, they would be unable to find out.

The place where the physically dead go:
- From the scriptures it can be shown that there are at least two separate places within Sheol (also called Hades and known as the grave) and within the time period of the first death to which a person can go. One of these places is a place of rest, and the second is a place of torment and unrest:
  - (Luke 16:19-31)
    "But a certain man was rich, and he used to deck himself with purple and linen, enjoying himself from day to day with magnificence. But a certain beggar named Laz´a·rus used to be put at his gate, full of ulcers and desiring to be filled with the things dropping from the table of the rich man. Yes, too, the dogs would come and lick his ulcers. Now in course of time the beggar died and he was carried off by the angels to the bosom [position] of Abraham. "Also, the rich man died and was buried. And in Ha´des he lifted up his eyes, he existing in torments, and he saw Abraham afar off and Laz´a·rus in the bosom [position] with him. So he called and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Laz´a·rus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this blazing fire.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you received in full your good things in your lifetime, but Laz´a·rus correspondingly the injurious things. Now, however, he is having comfort here but you are in anguish. And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and YOU people, so that those wanting to go over from here to YOU people cannot, neither may people cross over from there to us.’ Then he said, ‘In that event I ask you, father, to send him to the house of my father, for I have five brothers, in order that he may give them a thorough witness, that they also should not get into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to these.’ Then he said, ‘No, indeed, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’"
  - (Luke 23:39-43)
    But one of the hung evildoers began to say abusively to him: "You are the Christ, are you not? Save yourself and us." In reply the other rebuked him and said: "Do you not fear God at all, now that you are in the same judgment? And we, indeed, justly so, for we are receiving in full what we deserve for things we did; but this [man] did nothing out of the way." And he went on to say: "Jesus, remember me when you get into your kingdom." And he said to him: "Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise."
Is there the possibility of being "alive or dead" physically in the flesh, and "alive or dead" in name in the eyes of YHWH (that is, one's reputation toward God)?
- The state of being "alive in name" can be thought of as remembered by God, or rather placed in the Book of life, whereas the state of being "dead in name" can be thought of as forgotten by God, although neither state implies a cessation of existence. A person can be forgotten by God completely and yet be alive in the flesh, thus exist:
  - (Mark 12:18-27)
    Now Sadducees came to him, who say there is no resurrection, and they put the question to him: "Teacher, Moses wrote us that if someone’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind but does not leave a child, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring from her for his brother. There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, but when he died he left no offspring. And the second took her, but died without leaving offspring; and the third the same way. And the seven did not leave any offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection to which of them will she be wife? For the seven got her as wife." Jesus said to them: "Is not this why YOU are mistaken, YOUR not knowing either the Scriptures or the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but are as angels in the heavens. But concerning the dead, that they are raised up, did YOU not read in the book of Moses, in the account about the YHWH, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob’? He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living. YOU are much mistaken."
  - (Matthew 12:31-32)
    "On this account I say to YOU, Every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven. For example, whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him, no, not in this system of things nor in that to come.
  - (Matthew 8:21-22)
    Then another of the disciples said to him: "Lord, permit me first to leave and bury my father." Jesus said to him: "Keep following me, and let the dead bury their dead."
  - (Mark 5:38-43)
    So they came to the house of the presiding officer of the synagogue, and he beheld the noisy confusion and those weeping and letting out many wails, and, after stepping in, he said to them: "Why are YOU causing noisy confusion and weeping? The young child has not died, but is sleeping." At this they began to laugh scornfully at him. But, having put them all out, he took along the young child’s father and mother and those with him, and he went in where the young child was. And, taking the hand of the young child, he said to her: "Tal´i·tha cu´mi," which, translated, means: "Maiden, I say to you, Get up!" And immediately the maiden rose and began walking, for she was twelve years old. And at once they were beside themselves with great ecstasy. But he ordered them again and again to let no one learn of this, and he said that something should be given her to eat.
If someone is asleep in any form does he cease to exist?
- No! He exist in an unconscious state from which he can be awoken or disturbed by those with the ability to do so. To be asleep, or rather at rest in death and awoken is shown in the scriptures:
  - (Matthew 9:23-25)
    When, now, he came into the ruler’s house and caught sight of the flute players and the crowd in noisy confusion, Jesus began to say: "Leave the place, for the little girl did not die, but she is sleeping." At this they began to laugh at him scornfully. As soon as the crowd had been sent outside, he went in and took hold of her hand, and the little girl got up.
  - (John 11:1-44)
    Now there was a certain man sick, Laz´a·rus of Beth´a·ny, of the village of Mary and of Martha her sister. It was, in fact, the Mary that greased the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair, whose brother Laz´a·rus was sick. Therefore his sisters dispatched word to him, saying: "Lord, see! the one for whom you have affection is sick." But when Jesus heard it he said: "This sickness is not with death as its object, but is for the glory of God, in order that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
  - Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz´a·rus. However, when he heard that he was sick, then he actually remained two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples: "Let us go into Ju·de´a again." The disciples said to him: "Rabbi, just lately the Ju·de´ans were seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?" Jesus answered: "There are twelve hours of daylight, are there not? If anyone walks in daylight he does not bump against anything, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he bumps against something, because the light is not in him."
  - He said these things, and after this he said to them: "Laz´a·rus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep." Therefore the disciples said to him: "Lord, if he has gone to rest, he will get well." Jesus had spoken, however, about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. At that time, therefore, Jesus said to them outspokenly: "Laz´a·rus has died, and I rejoice on YOUR account that I was not there, in order for YOU to believe. But let us go to him." Therefore Thomas, who was called The Twin, said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
  - Consequently when Jesus arrived, he found he had already been four days in the memorial tomb. Now Beth´a·ny was near Jerusalem at a distance of about two miles. Accordingly many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary in order to console them concerning their brother. Therefore Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met him; but Mary kept sitting at home. Martha therefore said to Jesus: "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. And yet at present I know that as many things as you ask God for, God will give you." Jesus said to her: "Your brother will rise." Martha said to him: "I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; and everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?" She said to him: "Yes, Lord; I have believed that you are the Christ the Son of God, the One coming into the world." And when she had said this, she went off and called Mary her sister, saying secretly: "The Teacher is present and is calling you." The latter, when she heard this, got up quickly and was on her way to him.
  - Jesus had not yet, in fact, come into the village, but he was still in the place where Martha met him. Therefore the Jews that were with her in the house and that were consoling her, on seeing Mary rise quickly and go out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the memorial tomb to weep there. And so Mary, when she arrived where Jesus was and caught sight of him, fell at his feet, saying to him: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping and the Jews that came with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and became troubled; and he said: "Where have YOU laid him?" They said to him: "Lord, come and see." Jesus gave way to tears. Therefore the Jews began to say: "See, what affection he used to have for him!" But some of them said: "Was not this [man] that opened the eyes of the blind man able to prevent this one from dying?"
  - Hence Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the memorial tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said: "TAKE the stone away." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: "Lord, by now he must smell, for it is four days." Jesus said to her: "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Therefore they took the stone away. Now Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. True, I knew that you always hear me; but on account of the crowd standing around I spoke, in order that they might believe that you sent me forth." And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: "Laz´a·rus, come on out!" The [man] that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: "Loose him and let him go."
  - (Revelation 6:9-11)
    And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they used to have. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: "Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?" And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number was filled also of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they also had been.
Can one pray to God from the grave?
- Recall that God cannot fib and therefore the Word of God must be considered the truth:
  - (Genesis 4:8-15)
    After that Cain said to Abel his brother: ["Let us go over into the field."] So it came about that while they were in the field Cain proceeded to assault Abel his brother and kill him. Later on YHWH said to Cain: "Where is Abel your brother?" and he said: "I do not know. Am I my brother’s guardian?" At this he said: "What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground. And now you are cursed in banishment from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood at your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will not give you back its power. A wanderer and a fugitive you will become in the earth." At this Cain said to YHWH: "My punishment for error is too great to carry. Here you are actually driving me this day from off the surface of the ground, and from your face I shall be concealed; and I must become a wanderer and fugitive on the earth, and it is certain that anyone finding me will kill me." At this YHWH said to him: "For that reason anyone killing Cain must suffer vengeance seven times."
  - (Jonah 1:17-2:10)
    Now YHWH appointed a great fish to swallow Jo´nah, so that Jo´nah came to be in the inward parts of the fish three days and three nights.
  - (Revelation 6:9-11)
    And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they used to have. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: "Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?" And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number was filled also of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they also had been.
Are there those with the ability to speak with the physically dead?
- Recall that the Word of God cannot lie, and therefore to say that Samuel was not the one speaking to Saul in the following passage will result in calling God a fibber. It is highly recommended that this knowledge not lead anyone to attempt speaking with the dead themselves, God's punishment for doing so is not going to be soft:
  - (1 Peter 3:16-20)
    Hold a good conscience, so that in the particular in which YOU are spoken against they may get ashamed who are speaking slightingly of YOUR good conduct in connection with Christ. For it is better to suffer because YOU are doing good, if the will of God wishes it, than because YOU are doing evil. Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit. In this [state] also he went his way and preached to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noah’s days, while the ark was being constructed, in which a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water.
Is it possible to experience suffering and anguish and torments in Sheol (also called Hades in the Greek tongue)?
- (Luke 16:19-31)
  "But a certain man was rich, and he used to deck himself with purple and linen, enjoying himself from day to day with magnificence. But a certain beggar named Laz´a·rus used to be put at his gate, full of ulcers and desiring to be filled with the things dropping from the table of the rich man. Yes, too, the dogs would come and lick his ulcers. Now in course of time the beggar died and he was carried off by the angels to the bosom [position] of Abraham. "Also, the rich man died and was buried. And in Ha´des he lifted up his eyes, he existing in torments, and he saw Abraham afar off and Laz´a·rus in the bosom [position] with him. So he called and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Laz´a·rus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this blazing fire.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you received in full your good things in your lifetime, but Laz´a·rus correspondingly the injurious things. Now, however, he is having comfort here but you are in anguish. And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and YOU people, so that those wanting to go over from here to YOU people cannot, neither may people cross over from there to us.’ Then he said, ‘In that event I ask you, father, to send him to the house of my father, for I have five brothers, in order that he may give them a thorough witness, that they also should not get into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to these.’ Then he said, ‘No, indeed, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’"
- (Revelation 14:9-13)
  And another angel, a third, followed them, saying in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the wild beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and day and night they have no rest, those who worship the wild beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name. Here is where it means endurance for the holy ones, those who observe the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. "And I heard a voice out of heaven say: "Write: Happy are the dead who die in union with [the] Lord from this time onward. Yes, says the spirit, let them rest from their labors, for the things they did go right with them."
What did the demons know about a coming punishment of torments and how do they feel about them?
- From the following we see that they are very frightened of YHWH's Power.
  - (Matthew 8:28-29)
    When he got to the other side, into the country of the Gad·a·renes´, there met him two demon-possessed men coming out from among the memorial tombs, unusually fierce, so that nobody had the courage to pass by on that road. And, look! they screamed, saying: "What have we to do with you, Son of God? Did you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"
Does destruction (that is Sheol or the lake of fire) necessarily imply nonexistence?
- Notice in the Revelation to John, that after the False prophet and the wild beast were pitched into the lake of fire at the start of the one thousand years, they continued to exist after the one thousand years in the lake of fire and they continued to be tormented.
  - (Revelation 20:7-10)
    Now as soon as the thousand years have been ended, Satan will be let loose out of his prison, and he will go out to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Ma´gog, to gather them together for the war. The number of these is as the sand of the sea. And they advanced over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down out of heaven and devoured them. And the Devil who was misleading them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulphur, where both the wild beast and the false prophet [already were]; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
  - (Proverbs 15:11)
    She´ol and [the place of] destruction are in front of YHWH. How much more so the hearts of the sons of mankind!

Rebuttal Arguments

If the Demons fear God then why are they to be thrown into the lake of fire, should they not be forgiven by God too?

That is not for us to judge, but for God. Clearly at one point they did not fear God but did what they were not allowed to do. After they disobeyed, they found out that it was too late, and they likely realized God's power over them. Thus they began to dread God's soon to come punishment on them.

What about the argument which shows that the story of Lazarus and the rich man at Luke 16:19-31, is simply a metaphor or rather a parable?

If we look at the illustrations Jesus spoke of previously we see that they can be taken very seriously with regard their context. For example Luke 15:11-32 is about the prodigal son. We take that to mean what it actually says, that some of God's sons will run off into the world and have their fun, but after they find out how stupid they were for leaving the protection of their Father, they can come back, and Our Father will be happy to have them back. It does not however imply that we should take our chances and go off sinning, thinking that we will always be forgiven. This is because no one knows the day nor hour when the Son of man is coming, and if we have not turned back by then it will be too late. The next illustration is about a wasteful steward, who finds out that he is about to lose his job. Jesus then goes on to explain the meaning of this wasteful steward in Luke 16:9-13 and that explanation is clearly in line with what it says, which is that even if we are content with being rich on the earth, we had better be willing to use what we have to help those who do not have such, and are in need, because it will be our actions toward them that will save us. By helping the needy we shall be securing ourselves a place in heaven. Jesus goes on next and says to the Pharisees:

(Luke 16:14-15)
Now the Pharisees, who were money lovers, were listening to all these things, and they began to sneer at him. Consequently he said to them: "YOU are those who declare yourselves righteous before men, but God knows YOUR hearts; because what is lofty among men is a disgusting thing in God’s sight.

Next Jesus talks a little about the Law, and that it will by no means pass away. He makes clear what the Law says about marriage and adultery. After this Jesus gives an illustration of what will happen to those who disobey the Law, but he puts special emphasis on the attitude displayed by the Pharisees, who were money lovers and selfish toward those in God's image, and therefore heaters of God. The illustration about the rich man and Lazarus refers to what will truly happen to the flagrant transgressors of the Law and especially the stingy and selfish. Observe what Jesus said about the Law in this regard:

(Matthew 23:23-24)
"Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU give the tenth of the mint and the dill and the cumin, but YOU have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These things it was binding to do, yet not to disregard the other things. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel!

What about the scripture that says that there is no more work nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, and that the dead are not conscious of anything?

Let us look at "The Interlinear Bible: Hebrew, Greek, English" by Jay P. Green, Sr. We do this so that we can understand its full context from the originals. I shall also attempt to translate it within reason.

(Ecclesiastes 8:9-9:10)

8:9 (All this) (I have seen) (and gave) (my heart) (to every) (work) (that) (is done) (under) (the sun) (is a time) (in which) (rules over) (man) (a man) (for evil) (to him).

All this I have seen and gave my heart to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time when a man rules for the purpose of doing evil to those he rules over.

8:10 (And in this) (I saw) (the wicked) (buried) (and they came) (and from the place) (holy) (went) (and were forgotten) (in the city) (there things) (this they had done) (also this is) (vanity).

And in this I saw the wicked buried. Yes! they even came to the holy place, and when they were gone their works were forgotten in the city. This too is vanity.

8:11 (where) (not) (is executed) (a sentence) (on a work) (evil) (speedily), (therefore) (is filled) (the heart of) (the sons of) (men) (in them) (to do) (evil).

Where a sentence on evil works is not speedily done, the heart of the sons of men are therefore filled with evil, to do evil.

8:12 (Though) (a sinner) (does) (evil hundred) (a times) (and day are long) (to him) (yet) (also know) (I) (that) (it will be) (well) (with those who fear) (God) (who) (fear) (before Him).

I know however that although a sinner may do evil a hundred times, and the days of his sins are long, that in the end, it will go well with those who fear God. Yes! Those who fear before God.

8:13 (But well) (not) (it will be) (for the wicked) (and he shall not lengthen) (his days) (like a shadow) (because) (he not) (does fear) (before) (God).

But it will not turn out well for the wicked, they shall not lengthen their days. Thus those who refuse to fear God will be like a shadow.

8:14 (there is) (a vanity) (which) (is done) (on) (the earth) (that) (there are) (just men) (whom) (it touches) (them) (according to works) (the wicked's) (And there are) (wicked men) (to whom it touches) (to them) (according to works) (the righteous). (I said) (that also) (this is vanity).

There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that, a just man, gets the reward of a wicked man, and a wicked man, gets the reward of a just man. I say that this too is vanity.

8:15 (then commended) (I) (mirth) (because) (not is) (good) (for man) (under) (the sun) (except) (to eat) (and to drink) (and to rejoice) (for that) (lodges with him) (in his labor) (the days of) (his life) (which gives to him) (God) (under) (the sun).

I therefore commend gladness, because there is nothing good for mankind under the sun except that in his days he eat and drink and rejoice along with his labor which God has given him under the sun.

8:16 (When) (I gave) (my heart) (to know) (wisdom) (and to see) (the task) (which) (is done) (on the earth) (for) (even) (by day) (and by night) (sleep) (in his eyes) (He no) (sees).

When I gave my heart to know Wisdom, for God never sleeps by day nor by night, I took a look at the tasks done on the earth.

8:17 (I then saw) (all) (the work of) (God) (that) (not) (is able) (man) (to find out) (the work) (that) (is done) (under the sun) (for that) (which) (labors) (man) (to seek it out) (yet not) (will he find it) (and even) (if speaks) (the wise man) (of knowing it) (yet not) (he is able) (to find it).

I then saw all God is doing under the sun is impossible for man to find out, no matter how hard man labors to find out. Yes! No matter how hard he tries to find out what God is doing, and no matter how wise a man is, if he says that he knows, he has only fooled himself.

9:1 (For) (all this) (I gave) (to my heart) (even to explain) (all this) (that) (the righteous) (and the wise) (and their works are) (in the hand of) (God). (Also) (love) (also hatred) (not) (do know) (men) (all is that) (before them).

For all this I gave to my heart even to try and explain it all, and I saw that the righteous and the wise and their works are actually in the hands of God. Yes! Even the love and hate a man may experience in his life, is not under his own control.

9:2 (All) (that happens) (is to all) (event is) (one) (to the righteous) (and to the wicked) (to the good) (and to the clean) (and to the unclean) (to the sacrificer) (and to whom) (is not to him) (sacrificing) (as the good) (so the sinner) (the swearer) (as whom) (an oath) (fears).

One possible event is certain to occur to all men, no matter if he is righteous, or if he is wicked, or if he is good. The clean, or the unclean, the one sacrificing, or the one not sacrificing, just as to the good so the sinner, the one making a sworn oath, and the one who fears making a sworn oath.

9:3 (This is) (an evil) (among all) (that is done) (under) (the sun) (that event one is) (to all) (and also) (the heart of) (the sons of) (man) (is full of) (evil) (and madness) (in their heart) (throughout their lives) (and after that) (they go to) (the dead).

This one event that a man can be certain to occur is an evil done among all mankind under the sun. Moreover the heart of the sons of man have become full of evil and madness throughout their lives and after that, they die.

9:4 (For) (whoever) (is chosen) (to) (all the living) (there is) (hope) (for) (a dog) (living) (it is) (better) than) (a lion) (dead).

There is hope however, for whomever is among the living. A living dog is better off than a dead lion.

9:5 (For) (the living) (know) (that they will die) (but the dead) (they not) (do know) (anything) (and not is) (any more) (for them) (a reward) (for) (is forgotten) (their memory).

The living know that they will fall asleep in death, but as for the dead (by disobedience, and disbelief in the Word of God, during and after their life on earth), they know nothing. There is no more hope for a reward from God.

9:6 (Also) (their love) (and) (their hatred) (and) (their envy) (already) (has perished) (and a part) (not for them) (any more) (forever) (in all) (that is done) (under) (the sun).

Also their love and hate and their desires, already have perished, a time for them under the sun is gone.

9:7 (Go) (eat) (with Joy) (your bread), (and drink) (with a heart) (good) (your wine) (for) (already) (is pleased) (God) (with) (your works).

Go therefore and eat with joy, your bread, and drink with a good heart your wine, for God is already pleased with your works.

9:8 (At every) (time) (let be) (your garments) (white) (and oil) (upon) (your head) (not let be lacking).

Always keep your garments white, and keep your head anointed.

9:9 (Look upon) (life) (with) (the wife) (whom) (you love) (all the days of) (the life of your vanity) (which) (He has given) (to you) (under) (the sun) (all) (the days of) (your vanity) (for) (that is) (your share) (in life) (and in your labor) (which you) (labor) (under) (the sun).

Look upon life, with your wife whom you love, all the days of the life of your vanity which God has given you under the sun. For that is your share in life and in your labor which you labor under the sun.

9:10 (All) (that) (finds) (your hand) (to do) (with all your strength) (do it) (for) (not is) (work), (or planning) (or knowledge) (or wisdom) (in Sheol) (where) (you) (go) (there).

Therefore all that your hand finds to do, do with all your strength. For there will be no more work, nor planning, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, were you will eventually end up.

Keep in mind that the word "dead" can convey two meanings, one meaning can be dead to God in that one has chosen a life of sin, the other is dead in that one has literally died, and all bodily functions have ceased to function, the heart stops, the brain is dead, and so on and so fourth. If a person is alive in God, and has chosen a life of obedience and avoidance of sin, he is not only alive when he is walking upon the earth, but also in the eyes of God, however; afterwards, when he has lived his days and has passed over to the other side and fallen asleep in death, his work is done, and he awaits his reward, he is alive to God, even in this state. (see John 11:25-26) A sinner who is dead to God, and dies, remains dead to God, and according to Jesus, will likely never be granted rest. In other words, once we are in the grave, the work we did under the sun, is finished relative to those NOT yet asleep in the grave. So in that case, it is important for us to be as virtuous (as defined by God's word) as God's grace gives us the ability to be, so that we can have rest in our physical death. Note also that the word sun might refer to the Sun of Righteousness which is Jesus Christ. In that case, when Solomon says "under the sun" he means those who are in Christ, those not in Christ are dead already. A person who has thoroughly and decisively chosen sin as a lifestyle, has completely separated themselves from God, and God has completely cast them from himself, and has removed them from his book of life, they have no more hope.

Malachi 4:2 KJV But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

John 11:25-26 KJV Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

(Revelation 20:11-15)
And I saw a great white throne and the one seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. And the sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Ha´des gave up those dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds. And death and Ha´des were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire.
Philippians 2:3-11 GNB Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. 4 And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. 5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had: 6 He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. 7 Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. 8 He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death--- his death on the cross. 9 For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. 10 And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, 11 and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

If we are given a lot and we are to do work with that lot to make a name for ourselves, then what about all the aborted babies, or young children who were unable to do fine works, because they were killed. Do they get thrown into the lake of fire along with the wicked?

That was their lot, but what happens to our children can depend on our actions, God does and can punish us by punishing our children:

Exodus 22:22-24 KJV Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Exodus 20:5-6 KJV Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

1 Corinthians 7:14 KJV For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

2 Samuel 12:1-14 KJV And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

What about some of the scriptures that say we go back to the dust and that our thoughts perish?

(Psalm 146:1-5)

Praise Yah, YOU people!

Praise YHWH, O my soul.

I will praise YHWH during my lifetime.

I will make melody to my God as long as I am.

Do not put YOUR trust in nobles,

Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.

His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground;

In that day his thoughts do perish.

Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help,

Whose hope is in YHWH his God,

Those who simply put their trust in men, and not in God, are as good as dead to God, and when they physically die, all their plans perish, relative to those on the earth. The Amplified Bible says it well:

Psalms 146:4 AMP When his breath leaves him, he returns to his earth; in that very day his [previous] thoughts, plans, and purposes perish. [I Cor. 2:6.]

What about the Idea that when Jesus said his friend Lazarus at Luke 11:1-47, had gone to rest, he later explained that he meant Lazarus had died?

Death as is understood in the Bible does not imply cessation of existence. Let us not place our own definitions on words, just because we are uncomfortable with their implications:

(Genesis 4:8-11)
After that Cain said to Abel his brother: ["Let us go over into the field."] So it came about that while they were in the field Cain proceeded to assault Abel his brother and kill him. Later on Jehovah said to Cain: "Where is Abel your brother?" and he said: "I do not know. Am I my brother’s guardian?" At this he said: "What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground. And now you are cursed in banishment from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood at your hand.

If Our God is a God of love then why would he make a place in which a person gets tormented forever? That is not a loving God to me.

It is not up to anyone to define what he or she wants God to be. By doing this, one may as well make one's own God out of wood, and worship it rather than the true God. Our Father in the Heavens can be found and understood from his Word.

What does John mean in the following scripture if "The Fear of God" is so vital to one's salvation:

(1 John 4:16-21)

God is love, and he that remains in love remains in union with God and God remains in union with him. This is how love has been made perfect with us, that we may have freeness of speech in the day of judgment, because, just as that one is, so are we ourselves in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love throws fear outside, because fear exercises a restraint. Indeed, he that is under fear has not been made perfect in love. As for us, we love, because he first loved us.

If anyone makes the statement: “I love God,” and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also.

The question one must ask is if the use of the word fear is referring to one's fear of God, that is their awe of him, or reverence for God, or the fear of God's punishment. If our conscience, convicts us then it is likely because we are sinning. In that case we should repent so as to have a clear conscience, and if we don't repent we should fear punishment. Now a clear conscience does not mean a conscience that has been seared to the point of feeling no shame for wrong doing. If we have quenched the Holy Spirit to this point then there isn't much hope for us. But if we are in some form of sinful behavior then it's wise to repent as soon as possible. If our conscience is clear then we can feel confident if that day of Judgment were to suddenly come upon us. So then it is always important to treat everyone with the love defined in the Bible, go and learn.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 GNB The Spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons. 2 Such teachings are spread by deceitful liars, whose consciences are dead, as if burnt with a hot iron.

Romans 1:28-32 GNB Because those people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about God, he has given them over to corrupted minds, so that they do the things that they should not do. 29 They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and vice; they are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, and malice. They gossip 30 and speak evil of one another; they are hateful to God, insolent, proud, and boastful; they think of more ways to do evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no conscience; they do not keep their promises, and they show no kindness or pity for others. 32 They know that God's law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things, but they even approve of others who do them.

Romans 9:1 GNB I am speaking the truth; I belong to Christ and I do not lie. My conscience, ruled by the Holy Spirit, also assures me that I am not lying

1 Corinthians 4:4-5 GNB 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent. The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me. 5 So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

1 Timothy 1:19-20 GNB and keep your faith and a clear conscience. Some people have not listened to their conscience and have made a ruin of their faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have punished by handing them over to the power of Satan; this will teach them to stop their blasphemy.

1 John 3:19-21 GNB This, then, is how we will know that we belong to the truth; this is how we will be confident in God's presence. 20 If our conscience condemns us, we know that God is greater than our conscience and that he knows everything. 21 And so, my dear friends, if our conscience does not condemn us, we have courage in God's presence.

Matthew 10:28 KJV And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Acts 9:31 KJV Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Acts 10:34-35 KJV Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

G5401

φόβος

phobos

fob'-os

From a primary φέβομαι phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright: - be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.

G5399

φοβέω

phobeō

fob-eh'-o

From G5401; to frighten, that is, (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, that is, revere: - be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

What's the point in a resurrection if the soul lives on after death?

Because, death is a place one goes to, as defined in the Bible, and it is The Father and those given authority by the Father whom are able to bring people out of this place. Death can better be thought of as a prison, and a resurrection can be thought of as a release from that prison.