What follows is the God given truth and should be read in that light.
As Yeshua stated many times during his ministry, “My Father’s house has many mansions.”

This curious statement was revolutionary to contemporary Hebrews of his time, and even today, 2017 years after his birth, debate continues.

Yeshua’s statement was the truth. Heaven indeed has many mansions. Indeed, these mansions, like all the others are sustained by the word of God.

Heaven is multi-layered. Level 7, an arbitrary number, contains the presence of God. The Father has a soul, just like us. Beneath this layer are the angels, including the Angelic Council.

The next layer down contains human and animal souls. Animals are all over heaven. Except the darker regions.

This layer, or mansion, is exceedingly bright to our mortal eyes. To the spirits living there, the brightness looks normal. This is because they are perfectly adjusted to their spiritual realm. They also wear white gowns. The colour matches the brightness of their environment.

Around them is a vista of outstanding beauty. They have homes as we do. Though this is not compulsory. Their homes are made from refined spiritual matter, as everything there is.

Their mansion contains mountains, rivers, oceans, forests and flowers. As well as gardens of exceeding beauty.

Many of the flowers are spirit only, never seen on the mortal plane. Those flowers we do recognise are more brilliant, more beautiful, than their earth counterparts.

As spirits move among them, these flowers turn and sing. This is perfectly normal.

Some flowers are not for picking. Others are of course. There is no danger that a spirit may break this rule. They know instinctively.
Spirits at this level can travel to the lower layers, but not to the higher. Human spirits do not become angels. Angels are eternal. We are not.

This layer also contains God’s Council.

Prayers go via this Council to God himself, and replies return the same way. Petitions from the lower mansions are dealt with by this Council. Usually in the affirmative. Four angels are always in attendance. They represent God’s authority. As stated elsewhere, if they were not there, Council decisions would be invalid and they could not act. Thankfully, such a thing is impossible. The Council is in permanent session, unlike the Angelic Council.

Moving down, an arbitrary direction, the spiritual brightness is a little less. The gowns worn are a little less bright too.

Spirits here cannot travel higher but can travel lower. Spiritual progress does happen. When a spirit has achieved the necessary qualification, it moves to the next mansion. Of course, formal tests like the 11 plus do not exist. Helping others is the only requirement. This law is universal.

The environment replicates the earth plane. All mansions of light do so. Of course, industry is absent. It never rains, a universal rule in spirit, and temperature is kept at a pleasant 70F.

Moving down again, not a lot changes. Apart from God’s Council. This remains at the higher level. Of course, the brightness, the gowns are a little less bright. It is also a little cooler. Travel rules are identical. Spirits have free travel to the lower mansions but have to qualify for the higher.

As we move down, the light drops, gowns become duller, the temperature falls and the environment becomes less refined.
At a certain point, angelic guards are encountered. Their function is to prevent spirits entering the lower regions. Some spirits do on humanitarian missions. They have special permission from God’s Council.
 
Hell.

Hell itself, fire and brimstone, is a Christian concept. Yeshua never said the words attributed to him concerning that subject.
However, the lower regions are unpleasant indeed.

Beneath the regions of light, is a twilight zone. Pardon the pun. This is much colder than say the mansion of light just above. The environment is grey, cooler and a little rocky. No plants, oceans, rivers etc. There are hovels instead of homes.

As you move lower, it gets darker, colder. All semblance of normality vanishes. Harsh rocks stand in all directions. In this place, going for a walk is impossible. Spirits here have been known to attack each other. Around this place are pools of liquid, which give off noxious fumes.

At the base level shall we say, there is only rock. The atmosphere is polluted by noxious fumes. Marauding spirits have ceased. Spirits here are incapable of movement. All semblance of humanity has gone. Spirits here are twisted beyond description. Of course, they too can progress through hard work. This universal rule applies even here.
Though for them, it may take an eternity.
 
The Human Soul.

Every child born is a son and daughter of God. Each one of us has a soul. Even here, on earth, the universal rule applies. Though it is not so obvious. Animals have souls too. Including your pets.

The soul is wrapped in flesh and blood. This is necessary. On earth, the human soul learns. Paths of good, paths of evil are open to that soul. Law of freewill applies here. As I’ve said before, I disagree with this law. I have said so on many occasions. I deplore acts of evil, of war. I truly believe that Man should be prevented from such acts. However, God chose otherwise for his second creation.

The soul contains consciousness, that’s obvious. It is you, as you are now. It replicates the mortal body in every way.

However, that spirit body contains a flaw. This is not serious however. Only God is perfect. So that blemish on your tummy shall remain.

As your life progresses, the soul’s memory records everything. Acts of goodness, acts of evil. This becomes important when death intervenes.

At this point, the soul exits the mortal coil and travels to spirit. After a reunion with loved ones etc, the reckoning occurs.

Your own soul acts as judge and jury. You have no say in the matter. You have no right of appeal. At least at this point.

Acts of good and evil are added up. If goodness outweighs evil, you travel to the mansions of light. If the final balance is perfect or slightly in favour of evil, you travel to the twilight zone. In this area, you can appeal for help. Spirit helpers will be sent and a rehabilitation course suggested. It is your duty to comply. Though that’s up to you. Hard work is required.

The more evil your life, the darker your destination. Beyond a certain point, you cannot ask for help. The darker the region, the less human you look. You gradually lose the power of speech and mobility as well.

As indicated above, at the base level you are no longer human. Consciousness remains, though at a hazy level. If you end up like this, you will be aware of it. You are constantly reminded of why you are there. Your acts of evil and the effects upon others are constantly before your eyes. It is truly nightmarish.
God has not put you there. You did this yourself.

Now, to illustrate this point I shall talk of historic people.
Hitler and his murderous minions are at the base level. They will probably remain there for millennia. Time of course does not exist within the mansions.

Henry 8th will be slightly higher, though locked within the dark regions. That is what you get for beheading your friends and wives.
Popes responsible for the Inquisition will also be in the dark zone.
Someone found guilty of embezzlement will end up in the twilight zone. That is automatic. Even if the money went to charity.

Saints of course end up in a mansion of light. I should add here that Sainthood is an entirely human concept. God does not recognise the reward. Neither does His Council. However, those given Sainthood by Man thoroughly deserve it in my view. Martin Luther King certainly deserves it.

This series shalt continue...

Do you really believe all that stuff you post?

Well, I have to admit I didn't read the OP, I got stuck on the wore soul. There has never been any empiracle evidence that our bodies are inhabited by some 'other' life form or so-called soul.

Likewise, we have no objective evidence that any such place as hell or heaven exist. Those who believe in such things accept the dogma that defines them, which tends to differ substantially from person to person.

Just wanted to explain why I didn't read the OP.

That would be because the 'soul' exists in a different realm.

and our mind links us to it...

via the holy spirit.

We will not 'see' the soul until that day mankind invents a tool that can see into a different realm.

There is no empirical evidence for a lot of things.

To claim that 'those who believe in such things accept the dogma that defines them is a personal opinion.'

There is a spiritual side to humanity and the human consciousness. To deny that for lack of "objective evidence" is a big mistake in my opinion.

Your remark sounds arrogant. It smacks the same as telling people they are ignorant or stupid for believing in a soul or in spirit, or in God.

You shouldn't do that unless you have objective evidence that such a thing does not exist.

Otherwise its just the same old trying to prove or disprove God argument that is a ridiculous waste of time.

Where did that concept come from?

I did no more than you: I offered my opinion and why I hold that opinion.



Perhaps you are offended by the term dogma

According to the American Heritage Dictionary of English Language, dogma is defined:



People's religious beliefs tend to be based on previously shared dogma. Every individual generally chooses some combination of one or more previous dogmas and may even add their own idealistic spin. That makes every individuals beliefs thier own and opinion.

Stating your opinion is no different than me stating mine, exept that you went further and made assumptions about my state of mind, my intentions, and then judged me and others who share my opinion as making a big mistake.

I made no such judgement, I only stated my opinon and explained why I hold it.

How did you come by the information which helped you to form your opinion?

Rehab in hell. I think that is wonderful. Thanks for sharing. I wouldn't want to miss my meetings.

I especially like the spiritual progression rather than the spiritual perfection. Since the gowns get duller anyway is it okay if I just wear jeans?

A combination of a lot of things including personal experience and imagination.

So Your reason for your opinion is this?

"There has never been any empiracle evidence that our bodies are inhabited by some 'other' life form or so-called soul."

(did you mean empirical evidence?)

If so, then I don't believe your statement is true.

"Empirical research is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. Empirical evidence (the record of one's direct observations or experiences) can be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively."

Also another question for you:

What do you mean by "other" life form? Is that what you feel "a soul" is? Another life form?

[but to get technical, our bodies are chock full of other lifeforms.]

I.E. viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, fetuses, parasites etc.

The air I breath.

Interesting, tell me more about this Hell. You seem to note that Hell does not exist in the Jewish religion and that Yeshua does not mention it (he mentions Gehenna, an actual place outside of Jerusalem) and yet you go on about this apparently made up place? Or are you taking your information from Pagan religions, which begs the question...

Oh Shoot I forgot my medication.. will someone PLEASE Pound it into Me.. I really need it

Jeremiah 19:6

6Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.

The Valley of the son of Hinnom is Gehenna, this is not "hell".

Got that Progress right!

Response:

So you use (or borrow) the dogma of other’s beliefs and alter it with your imagination and this is the method you personally think is best for formulating your opinions. It works for you, just as some Christian dogma works for some people, while others prefer Wiccan or Buddhism and some prefer forming their opinions by leaning more heavily on scientifically-produced, peer-reviewed, research. Different ways of knowing can have an effect on the opinions formed by others, making some opinions more easily defensible than others.


Thanks for your questions, I’d be happy to clarify. Yes I meant ‘empirical’. I do see the confusion that my lack of detail may have caused. The discussion was about souls, heaven, and hell. I was apparently assuming too much of readers to consider the topics of the discussion, my apologies. I will be happy to restate:

There has never been any repeatable empirical evidence that our bodies are inhabited by a non-physical life-form that many refer to as the soul. That opinion is based on the lack of independent and dependent variables that are available in the physical world that can adequately used to test for the unknown properties or presence of a non-physical being that many believe inhabit the physical bodies of humans.

Like you, I also include my own experiences in the opinion process and for lack of any personal experience with a soul and for the lack of any real consensus by individuals of what a soul is or what its properties or its purpose are, in my opinion a soul is a self-defined concept that could have developed through the personal experiences and imagination of the individual.



You don’t have to believe my statement – it is my opinion. I don’t understand your use of the “ …” which discuss empirical research. Sorry I missed your point, would you mind explaining it further?




Actually, I think I addressed just above. As I said it was my mistake, I had thought the topics had been pointed out (soul, heaven, and hell) and with that expectation I left my remark open to the imagination of others. I was not speaking of physical life-forms or attributing such to what others refer to as soul.

It it my understanding that the term "soul" is representative of "personality" or and individual point of view, or maybe even a spirit.

That a "spirit" or "soul" has never been seen, discovered, or proven to exist by physical science... or documented repeatedly, is a pretty common fact.

But if soul is simply a life force, there is plenty of evidence for that.

If soul is personality, there is plenty evidence for that.

If we are spiritual beings having a human experience, some will believe it and some won't.

The general rule is that a human being will identify "self" with their physical body and will not believe anything they can't see, touch or verify scientifically; therefore I can understand why many people don't believe in a soul, a spirit or a God.

I arrived at my own conclusions using logic and my own lifetime of experience. To go over all of that with someone who is basically a skeptic would be pointless and probably a waste of time.

Sometimes spiritual enlightenment can't be explained easily. I believe it is part of the evolution of consciousness.

cowboy, have you ever come up with a cognitive thought that you didn't have to read from scripture? i'm sure your computer and mine could have a lively debate copy pasting passages from the bible back and forth but this is an open forum for people to exchange THEIR OWN VIEWPOINTS on the various topics. do you have a viewpoint yourself or does the bible do all of your reasoning for you?

Therefore, from this day forward, this place shall no more and no longer be called Mingle2, but it will be called the valley of confusion.

So saith the Lord. Amen.