Originally posted by jdposey
Helen, This is off track, so I do apologize, but in another thread you said that in both the New and Old testaments it was stated that after a person
dies, the soul lingers for forty (40) days.
I have searched here there and everywhere in both the New and Old Testament using 40 and Forty and have yet to see this indicated. So, will you please
point that out here? Otherwise, I am not content to see any need to put any energy into this current post.
Hi jdposey/
The state of the soul after death.......As Christ remained for 40 days; and ate fish on his final day with his disciples likewise, the human soul
remains with us for 40 days and we eat fish for the makaria (memorial supper) in celebration of the 40th day ascension.
The parallel is, as the jews wandered for 40 years before entering the promised land......
And so the soul wanders for 40 days before entering into Paradise(if found worthy)and awaits for the resurrection of the living and the dead at
Judgment Day at the End of the World(shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust" Acts 24:14-15)...as described in
'Revelation' and elsewhere in Scripture.
It is also worthy to know that the prayers are read for the Soul on the........
Third day....For we are babtised in God our Father,and Of The Son and Holy Spirit,also Possesing three virtues for our Salvation....being ,Faith, Hope
and Love!
On the 9th day........offering prayers for the dead(same was done in the Old Testament)...that the soul be found worthy to be numbered among the
choirs of the saints through the prayers and intercession of the nine ranks of angels.(Scripture in Old Testament of the ranks in Angels...see also
Scripture in Revelation)
and on 40th day.........As Christ was victorious over the devil(the Resurrection)and having spent forty days in fasting and prayer,revealed Himself
to His Disciples and ate with them fish on the Fortieth day......so the Holy Church likewise, offers for the departed prayers, acts of charity and the
Bloodless Sacrifice throughout the forty days...(fish is eaten on the 40th day celebrated in remembrance of Christ....Correct Word is Pascha in the
New Testament, which also relates to the Old 'Passover'(it is known as 'Easter' in the English translation)....Pascha is always celebrated 1 week
after the Jewish Passover....as again it was in the Old Testament, NEVER before!
quote///The appearance of the resurrected Christ to His disciples continued for forty days; He strengthened their faith,
and told them not to leave Jerusalem, because He was sending to them that which was promised from the Father: the Holy Spirit. He commanded them to
preach the Gospel and baptize all the peoples in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:19).
The Soul is also taken to 'hell'(aerial space) (as did Christ go to 'hades' to free those that were before Christ....Christ became the Sacrificial
Lamb,as was foretold)to be shown what or what not can be expected, prayers are needed for the dead....this is taken from the Old Testament forwarded
to the New Testament........Many Psalms are read during the prayers of the dead.
"the prayer of a righteous man availeth much"(James 5:16)
Other interesting facts!
the word “quarantine” means “forty days”
The average length of human gestation is 280 days, or 40 weeks..
The Number 4 is also somehow connected to the earth....mathematical equation.
hope that answers your question.
helen
