Thank you for validating what I have been trying to show witnesses all along. Witnesses are taught, and believe, that when they die they are acquitted of their sin, "on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice".
*** bh p. 214 pars. 2-3 Judgment Day—What Is It? ***
During that thousand-year period, Jesus Christ will “judge the living and the dead.” (2 Timothy 4:1) “The living” will be the “great crowd” that survives Armageddon. (Revelation 7:9-17) The apostle John also saw “the dead . . . standing before the throne” of judgment. As Jesus promised, “those in the memorial tombs will hear [Christ’s] voice and come out” by means of a resurrection. (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15) But on what basis will all be judged?
According to the apostle John’s vision, “scrolls were opened,” and “the dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds.” Are these scrolls the record of people’s past deeds? No, the judgment will not focus on what people did before they died. How do we know that? The Bible says: “He who has died has been acquitted from his sin.” (Romans 6:7) Those resurrected thus come to life with a clean slate, so to speak. The scrolls must therefore represent God’s further requirements. To live forever, both Armageddon survivors and resurrected ones will have to obey God’s commandments, including whatever new requirements Jehovah might reveal during the thousand years. Thus, individuals will be judged on the basis of what they do during Judgment Day.
They teach that since Jesus sacrificed Himself, "OUR" death frees us from sin. Jesus' sacrifice wasn't enough, we have to die also to be acquitted from sin.
Actually that isn't totally correct. The verses go on to tell the followers
to not sin going forward.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves
to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom 6:15 What then?
shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in
those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but
the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
It tells us those whom have died with Jesus are freed from sin - HOWEVER - it goes on to say - thus don't sin.
ALL are judged in Sheol.
The problem there is that Christians - after Jesus' death - wrote the Christian Bible; and things have been added to the end time story.
Yes, we are told there will be a Final Judgment.
Jesus was a Jew. They taught that all - both good and bad - went to Sheol, to await Final Judgment.
Some rest/sleep at peace in the Bosom of Abraham. The rest being sinners, tremble in their sleep, knowing they can no longer rectify their wrongs, and as sinners will face Final Judgment.
Jesus is just saying his followers are already tried (with him) and thus have no fear of Judgment, whereas the rest whom also will be Judged, won't rise from Sheol.
The second death.
Psalms 49:14-15 “
As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And
their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no habitation. 15
But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me.”
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and
death and Hades/Sheol delivered up the dead which were in them: and
they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and Hades/Sheol were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Note that they are - judged - AFTER the sea (the unburied) and Hades/Sheol delivers them up – for judgment!
After the "Final Judgment" both death AND "Hades" are thrown into the "lake of fire!"
The "HOLDING PLACE" is no longer needed!
WHY: The "SECOND DEATH" "FINAL JUDGMENT" has been made!
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