God
designed
us
with
a
memory
that
has
the
capacity
and
capability
to
store
and
retrieve
sights,
sounds,
smells,
tastes,
music,
conversations,
emotions,
thoughts,
motivations,
the
good
and
bad
times,
and
what
we
have
said
and
done—including those things that occurred in private.
What’s
more,
our
memory
is
required
for
human
existence…like
breathing.
When
you
think
about
it,
we
utilize
our
memory
continuously
moment-by-moment.
As
it
simultaneously
records
what’s
going
on,
it
also
provides
us
with
a
source of direction of what to do and how to do it—via what we’ve learned/how we’ve done it in the past.
Here are some interesting things to think about:
•
What would life be like if all humans were designed without the capacity to remember?
o
How would you perform daily basic activities such as obtaining and preparing food?
o
Let’s
say
I
asked
you
to
go
to
the
post
office
and
buy
some
stamps.
Could
you
drive
a
vehicle?
Would
you
even know what a car is, where you need to go, what are stamps, what is a post office, etc.?
o
What
type
of
human
interaction
would
occur
if
there
is
no
remembrance
of
who
you’re
talking
to,
social
norms,
and laws?
o
Would human life even exist?
•
Take a moment and consider how our memory is involved in virtually everything we do throughout our day.
The
capabilities
of
our
mind’s
intellect
(ability
to
reason,
make
decisions,
etc.)—combined
with
our
memory
capacity—set
us
apart
from
all
other
life
forms.
With
regards
to
our
memory
capacity,
some
scientists
estimate
it
is
approximately
2.5
petabytes. Some think it is more.
•
1 petabyte = 1,000 terabytes and 1 million gigabytes
•
A disk array of 2.5 petabytes:
o
Requires 417 6-terabyte hard disk drives (almost 6 x the amount depicted).
o
Can store 300 years of continually-recorded (24x7) television video.
Sources: Google “What is the capacity of human memory.”
Everything
we
experience
is
recorded
in
our
memory,
and
is
a
permanent
record.
What’s
interesting,
it
is
fairly
easy
to
recover memories we haven’t thought about for some time. For example, can you remember:
•
Your favorite childhood friend?
•
The name of your first love with whom you had the experience of your first kiss?
•
The emotional and devastating feelings when you broke up with your first love?
•
The smell and taste of your favorite food?
•
A terrifying experience?
•
A favorite song from long ago?
•
A recent dream? (This is interesting because our memory records mental images in our sleep.)
As
you
reflect
upon
your
memories,
you
are
likely
seeing
pictures,
hearing
sounds,
possibly
salivating
at
the
thought
of
your
favorite
food,
and
feeling
the
same
emotions
as
you
relive
some
of
your
experiences
in
life.
When
you
take
a
few
moments
and
thoughtfully
consider,
you
will
realize
you
have
a
significant
number
of
memories.
Some
are
easy
to
recover, some need a little help.
So, here is an interesting and thought-provoking question. Consider your answer before continuing to read.
Do our memories go with us when we die?
•
If you answered no, then you are saying our memories are a component of our physical body.
•
If you answered yes, then you are saying our memories are a component of our spiritual body.
•
If you answered I don’t know, it’s OK.
Let’s look at scripture to determine an answer.
#1: Jesus Christ provided us with insight of our ability to remember after dea
th.
“There
was
a
certain
rich
man
who
was
clothed
in
purple
and
fine
linen
and
fared
sumptuously
every
day.
But
there
was
a
certain
beggar
named
Lazarus,
full
of
sores,
who
was
laid
at
his
gate,
desiring
to
be
fed
with
the
crumbs
which
fell
from
the
rich
man’s
table.
Moreover
the
dogs
came
and
licked
his
sores.
So
it
was
that
the
beggar
died,
and
was
carried
by
the
angels
to
Abraham’s
bosom.
The
rich
man
also
died
and
was
buried.
And
being
in
torments
in
Hades,
he
lifted
up
his
eyes
and
saw
Abraham
afar
off,
and
Lazarus
in
his
bosom.
Then
he
cried
and
said,
‘Father
Abraham,
have
mercy
on
me,
and
send
Lazarus
that
he
may
dip
the
tip
of
his
finger
in
water
and
cool
my
tongue;
for
I
am
tormented
in
this
flame.’
But
Abraham
said,
‘Son,
remember
that
in
your
lifetime
you
received
your
good
things,
and
likewise
Lazarus
evil
things;
but
now
he
is
comforted
and
you
are
tormented.
And
besides
all
this,
between
us
and
you
there
is
a
great
gulf
fixed,
so
that
those
who
want
to
pass
from
here
to
you
cannot,
nor
can
those
from
there
pass
to
us.’
Then
he
said,
‘I
beg
you
therefore,
father,
that
you
would
send
him
to
my
father’s
house,
for
I
have
five
brothers,
that
he
may
testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:19-28
Note
how
the
rich
man
recognized
and
remembered
Lazarus.
Abraham
told
him
to
remember
aspects
of
his
life
and
the life of Lazarus. The rich man also remembered his family members.
#2:
In
the
Book
of
Revelation
John
described
how
he
was
transitioned
from
the
physical
into
the
spiritual
realm
as
he
entered Heaven. He later described what he heard and saw.
“After
these
things
I
looked,
and
behold,
a
door
standing
open
in
heaven.
And
the
first
voice
which
I
heard
was
like
a
trumpet
speaking
with
me,
saying,
‘Come
up
here,
and
I
will
show
you
things
which
must
take
place
after
this.’
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.” Revelation 4:1-2
“I
saw
under
the
altar
the
souls
of
those
who
had
been
slain
for
the
word
of
God
and
for
the
testimony
which
they
held.
And
they
cried
with
a
loud
voice,
saying,
‘How
long,
O
Lord,
holy
and
true,
until
You
judge
and
avenge
our
blood
on
those who dwell on the earth?’” Revelation 6:9-10
Note
how
John
described
what
he
heard
and
saw
while
he
was
in
the
spirit.
Plus,
note
how
the
martyred
souls
remembered those who killed them.
#3: The Judgment Seat of Christ
The
Judgment
Seat
of
Christ
is
for
Christians.
Jesus
Christ
will
reveal
the
true
motivation
o
f
our works for Him, and will reward those works that endure His testing by fire.
“For
we
shall
all
stand
before
the
judgment
seat
of
Christ.
For
it
is
written:
‘As
I
live,
says
the
Lord,
every
knee
shall
bow
to
Me,
and
every
tongue
shall
confess
to
God.’
So
then
each
of
us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:10-12
“Now
if
anyone
builds
on
this
foundation
with
gold,
silver,
precious
stones,
wood,
hay,
straw,
each
one’s
work
will
become
clear;
for
the
Day
will
declare
it,
because
it
will
be
revealed
by
fire;
and
the
fire
will
test
each
one’s
work,
of
what
sort
it
is.
If
anyone’s
work
which
he
has
built
on
it
endures,
he
will
receive
a
reward.
If
anyone’s
work
is
burned,
he
will
suffer
loss;
but
he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Based
upon
the
above
examples,
if
our
memory
does
not
exist,
how
is
it
possible
for
each
of
us
to
give
an
account
of
ourselves to Jesus?
#4: Praise and Worship Beyond Our Imagination
Today,
when
we
worship
Jesus
Christ,
much
is
based
upon
our
faith.
However,
when
we
are
on
the
other
side,
our
worship
will
transform
into
an
experience
we
are
unable
to
comprehend
in
the
physical
realm
as
faith
will
no
longer
be
required.
This
will
be
the
very
first
time
we
will
fully
understand
what
Jesus
did
for
us
on
the
cross—because
(1)
we
will
experience
tangible
evidence
of
all
of
God’s
word
and
promises,
and
(2)
our
memories
(of
who
we
were,
and
what
we
did).
Each
of
us
will
know
we
are
unworthy
of
being
in
His
presence;
unworthy
to
receive
God’s
grace
and
love;
unworthy
to
receive
eternal
forgiveness;
and
are
unworthy
to
receive
the
rewards
bestowed
upon
us
as
inheritors
of
His
promise.
As
such,
our
memories
will
magnify
overwhelming
heart-felt
praises,
worship
and
love
for
our
Savior!
Some
Christians
have
experienced
only
a
“taste”
of
what’s
to
come.
These
are
those
who
find
themselves
dancing
in
joy,
raising
their
hands
and
voicing
their
praise
in
words
and
song,
and
some
crying
unexplainable
heart-felt
tears
as
they
give God the glory for who He is and what He has done.
Take
a
moment
and
imagine
what
it
will
be
like
on
the
other
side;
standing
among
brothers
and
sisters
in
Christ;
seeing
angelic beings; as the shekinah glory of our Holy God permeates our souls with His love.
“And
the
number
of
them
was
ten
thousand
times
ten
thousand,
and
thousands
of
thousands,
saying
with
a
loud
voice:
‘Worthy
is
the
Lamb
who
was
slain
to
receive
power
and
riches
and
wisdom,
and
strength
and
honor
and
glory
and
blessing!’” Revelation 5: 11-12
#5: Justification for Eternal Punishment
Those
who
reject
Jesus
Christ;
those
who
are
not
forgiven;
those
who
will
not
find
their
name
written
in
The
Book
of
Life;
and
those
who
will
be
cast
into
the
lake
of
fire
for
eternity…their
memories
will
provide
an
excruciating
reminder
of
what they did, what they deserved, and justification for what they are experiencing.
Jesus
declared,
“He
who
overcomes
shall
be
clothed
in
white
garments,
and
I
will
not
blot
out
his
name
from
the
Book
of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5
“And
I
saw
the
dead,
small
and
great,
standing
before
God,
and
books
were
opened.
And
another
book
was
opened,
which
is
the
Book
of
Life.
And
the
dead
were
judged
according
to
their
works,
by
the
things
which
were
written
in
the
books.
The
sea
gave
up
the
dead
who
were
in
it,
and
Death
and
Hades
delivered
up
the
dead
who
were
in
them.
And
they
were
judged,
each
one
according
to
his
works.
Then
Death
and
Hades
were
cast
into
the
lake
of
fire.
This
is
the
second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15
Physical Brain and Our Soul
Unlike
a
hard
disk
drive,
our
memories
cannot
be
erased,
deleted,
lost
due
to
power
loss,
or
destroyed
due
to
physical
damage to the storage medium because our memories are spiritual and part of our soul. However, our physical brain:
•
Is part of our body.
•
Provides a means for our soul and spirit to interact with the physical world.
•
Will “return to dust” (along with the rest of our body) after we die.
In addition, although brain functionality may be altered by drugs or damaged by dementia, our memories remain.
•
Consider
the
behavior
of
someone
who
consumes
too
much
alcohol.
They
will
have
difficulty
remembering
simple things: counting, saying the alphabet, etc.
•
Consider
a
person
with
Alzheimer's
who
may
have
periods
of
clarity
when
they
can
remember
everything.
The
memories did not disappear. Recollection has been “short circuited” by a disease of the brain.
Inappropriate Memories
There
are
times
Christians
will
experience
undesirable
memories
and
thoughts;
which
may
be
triggered
by
something
we
have
seen
or
heard;
or
will
just
appear
in
our
mind
without
a
“trigger.”
These
memories
may
consist
of
an
undesirable
recollection
of
sinful
behavior;
a
negative
emotional
response
to
a
past
or
present
situation,
and
so
forth—which
may
be
fueled
by
imagination—and
at
times
our
physical body may also respond.
Most
of
the
time
we
will
begin
to
“walk
down
this
dark
path”
before
we
comprehend
what
we
are
doing.
When
our
heart
realizes we’re experiencing unwanted thoughts, it is important to follow these 7 R’s:
1
.
Recognize the thoughts are occurring via our sinful nature (self-inflicted or demonically inspired).
2
.
Realize the thoughts are not based upon truth, are a deceptive lie, and are not Christ-like.
3
.
Remember we are forgiven (past, present and future because of our faith in Jesus Christ)!
4
.
Redirect your thoughts via prayer, scripture, and praising God for what He has done.
5
.
Recover your spiritual connection.
6
.
Recall what you may have done to put yourself in this situation (for possible future avoidance).
7
.
Regulate (control, set) what you will allow to enter into your spiritual body.
“Finally,
brethren,
whatever
things
are
true,
whatever
things
are
noble,
whatever
things
are
just,
whatever
things
are
pure,
whatever
things
are
lovely,
whatever
things
are
of
good
report,
if
there
is
any
virtue
and
if
there
is
anything
praiseworthy—meditate
on
these
things.
The
things
which
you
learned
and
received
and
heard
and
saw
in
me,
these
do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
Future Memories
Because
our
memory
is
spiritual
and
will
go
with
us
when
we
die,
our
memory
will
continue
to
record
and
recall
with
perfection be
cause our physical body will no longer circumvent its capabilities.
I
pray
this
writing
provides
you
with
a
new
perspective
of
our
memories,
expanded
insight
into
the
wonders
of
our
Savior and Lord, and greater anticipation of what He has prepared for us.
“Eye
has
not
seen,
nor
ear
heard,
nor
have
entered
into
the
heart
of
man
the
things
which
God
has
prepared
for
those
who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
All for His Glory!
Harold D. Thomas
Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
this
Bible
study
topic
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader,
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader
or
church
pastor.
The
following
questions should be answered or discussed after reading “Memories.”
The
following
questions
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
personal
reflection
and
opinions.
As
such,
no
answers
are provided.
Questions
Jesus
spoke
of
the
rich
man
and
Lazarus
in
Luke
16:19-28.
Do
you
think
the
rich
man
experienced
remorse
(regret,
sorrow, guilt)? Explain.
Will those who spend eternity in the lake of fire experience remorse for what they did and did not do?
•
Explain why they may or may not have remorse for what they did.
•
Explain why they may or may not have remorse for what they did not do (and should have done).
Will those who enter into Heaven experience remorse for what they did and did not do?
•
Explain why they may or may not have remorse for what they did.
•
Explain why they may or may not have remorse for what they did not do (and should have done).
For those who are unable to recall memory due to dementia, do you think their memory is still intact? Explain.
Based
upon
the
content
of
this
lesson,
can
you
identify
one
thing
regarding
our
memory
you
never
considered
or
is
new
to you?
You may download the questions in a PDF file by clicking on this button.
Can you think of someone who could benefit from reading this lesson? If yes,
CLICK HERE
for more info.
The words of Jesus Christ are in
red text.
God
designed
us
with
a
memory
that
has
the
capacity
and
capability
to
store
and
retrieve
sights,
sounds,
smells,
tastes,
music,
conversations,
emotions,
thoughts,
motivations,
the
good
and
bad
times,
and
what
we
have
said
and
done—including
those
things
that
occurred
in
private.
What’s
more,
our
memory
is
required
for
human
existence…like
breathing.
When
you
think
about
it,
we
utilize
our
memory
continuously
moment-by-moment.
As
it
simultaneously
records
what’s
going
on,
it
also
provides
us
with
a
source
of
direction
of
what
to
do
and
how
to
do
it—via what we’ve learned/how we’ve done it in the past.
Here are some interesting things to think about:
•
What
would
life
be
like
if
all
humans
were
designed
without the capacity to remember?
o
How
would
you
perform
daily
basic
activities
such
as obtaining and preparing food?
o
Let’s
say
I
asked
you
to
go
to
the
post
office
and
buy
some
stamps.
Could
you
drive
a
vehicle?
Would
you
even
know
what
a
car
is,
where
you
need
to
go,
what
are
stamps,
what
is
a
post
office,
etc.?
o
What
type
of
human
interaction
would
occur
if
there
is
no
remembrance
of
who
you’re
talking
to,
social norms, and laws?
o
Would human life even exist?
•
Take
a
moment
and
consider
how
our
memory
is
involved
in
virtually
everything
we
do
throughout
our
day.
The
capabilities
of
our
mind’s
intellect
(ability
to
reason,
make
decisions,
etc.)—combined
with
our
memory
capacity—set
us
apart
from
all
other
life
forms.
With
regards
to
our
memory
capacity,
some
scientists
estimate
it is approximately 2.5 petabytes. Some think it is more.
•
1 petabyte = 1,000 terabytes and 1 million gigabytes
•
A disk array of 2.5 petabytes:
o
Requires 417 6-terabyte hard disk drives.
o
Can
store
300
years
of
continually-recorded
(24x7)
television video.
Sources:
Google
“What
is
the
capacity
of
human
memory.”
Everything
we
experience
is
recorded
in
our
memory,
and
is
a
permanent
record.
What’s
interesting,
it
is
fairly
easy
to
recover
memories
we
haven’t
thought
about
for
some
time. For example, can you remember:
•
Your favorite childhood friend?
•
The
name
of
your
first
love
with
whom
you
had
the
experience of your first kiss?
•
The
emotional
and
devastating
feelings
when
you
broke up with your first love?
•
The smell and taste of your favorite food?
•
A terrifying experience?
•
A favorite song from long ago?
•
A
recent
dream?
(This
is
interesting
because
our
memory records mental images in our sleep.)
As
you
reflect
upon
your
memories,
you
are
likely
seeing
pictures,
hearing
sounds,
possibly
salivating
at
the
thought
of
your
favorite
food,
and
feeling
the
same
emotions
as
you
relive
some
of
your
experiences
in
life.
When
you
take
a
few
moments
and
thoughtfully
consider,
you
will
realize
you
have
a
significant
number
of
memories.
Some
are
easy
to
recover,
some
need
a
little
help.
So,
here
is
an
interesting
and
thought-provoking
question.
Consider your answer before continuing to read.
Do our memories go with us when we die?
•
If
you
answered
no,
you
are
saying
our
memories
are
a component of our physical body.
•
If
you
answered
yes,
you
are
saying
our
memories
are a component of our spiritual body.
•
If you answered I don’t know, it’s OK.
Let’s look at scripture to determine an answer.
#1:
Jesus
Christ
provided
us
with
insight
of
our
ability
to
remember after dea
th.
“There
was
a
certain
rich
man
who
was
clothed
in
purple
and
fine
linen
and
fared
sumptuously
every
day.
But
there
was
a
certain
beggar
named
Lazarus,
full
of
sores,
who
was
laid
at
his
gate,
desiring
to
be
fed
with
the
crumbs
which
fell
from
the
rich
man’s
table.
Moreover
the
dogs
came
and
licked
his
sores.
So
it
was
that
the
beggar
died,
and
was
carried
by
the
angels
to
Abraham’s
bosom.
The
rich
man
also
died
and
was
buried.
And
being
in
torments
in
Hades,
he
lifted
up
his
eyes
and
saw
Abraham
afar
off,
and
Lazarus
in
his
bosom.
Then
he
cried
and
said,
‘Father
Abraham,
have
mercy
on
me,
and
send
Lazarus
that
he
may
dip
the
tip
of
his
finger
in
water
and
cool
my
tongue;
for
I
am
tormented
in
this
flame.’
But
Abraham
said,
‘Son,
remember
that
in
your
lifetime
you
received
your
good
things,
and
likewise
Lazarus
evil
things;
but
now
he
is
comforted
and
you
are
tormented.
And
besides
all
this,
between
us
and
you
there
is
a
great
gulf
fixed,
so
that
those
who
want
to
pass
from
here
to
you
cannot,
nor
can
those
from
there
pass
to
us.’
Then
he
said,
‘I
beg
you
therefore,
father,
that
you
would
send
him
to
my
father’s
house,
for
I
have
five
brothers,
that
he
may
testify
to
them,
lest
they
also
come
to
this
place
of
torment.’” Luke 16:19-28
Note
how
the
rich
man
recognized
and
remembered
Lazarus.
Abraham
told
him
to
remember
aspects
of
his
life
and
the
life
of
Lazarus.
The
rich
man
also
remembered his family members.
#2:
In
the
Book
of
Revelation
John
described
how
he
was
transitioned
from
the
physical
into
the
spiritual
realm
as
he
entered
Heaven.
He
later
described
what
he
heard
and
saw.
“After
these
things
I
looked,
and
behold,
a
door
standing
open
in
heaven.
And
the
first
voice
which
I
heard
was
like
a
trumpet
speaking
with
me,
saying,
‘Come
up
here,
and
I
will
show
you
things
which
must
take
place
after
this.’
Immediately
I
was
in
the
Spirit;
and
behold,
a
throne
set
in
heaven, and One sat on the throne.” Revelation 4:1-2
“I
saw
under
the
altar
the
souls
of
those
who
had
been
slain
for
the
word
of
God
and
for
the
testimony
which
they
held.
And
they
cried
with
a
loud
voice,
saying,
‘How
long,
O
Lord,
holy
and
true,
until
You
judge
and
avenge
our
blood
on
those
who
dwell
on
the
earth?’”
Revelation
6:9-
10
Note
how
John
described
what
he
heard
and
saw
while
he
was
in
the
spirit.
Plus,
note
how
the
martyred
souls
remembered those who killed them.
#3: The Judgment Seat of Christ
The
Judgment
Seat
of
Christ
is
for
Christians.
Jesus
Christ
will
reveal
the
true
motivation
of
our
works
for
Him,
and
will
reward
those
works
that
endure
His
testing
by fire.
“For
we
shall
all
stand
before
the
judgment
seat
of
Christ.
For
it
is
written:
‘As
I
live,
says
the
Lord,
every
knee
shall
bow
to
Me,
and
every
tongue
shall
confess
to
God.’
So
then
each
of
us
shall
give
account
of
himself
to
God.”
Romans 14:10-12
“Now
if
anyone
builds
on
this
foundation
with
gold,
silver,
precious
stones,
wood,
hay,
straw,
each
one’s
work
will
become
clear;
for
the
Day
will
declare
it,
because
it
will
be
revealed
by
fire;
and
the
fire
will
test
each
one’s
work,
of
what
sort
it
is.
If
anyone’s
work
which
he
has
built
on
it
endures,
he
will
receive
a
reward.
If
anyone’s
work
is
burned,
he
will
suffer
loss;
but
he
himself
will
be
saved,
yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Based
upon
the
above
examples,
if
our
memory
does
not
exist,
how
is
it
possible
for
each
of
us
to
give
an
account
of ourselves to Jesus?
#4: Praise and Worship Beyond Our Imagination
Today,
when
we
worship
Jesus
Christ,
much
is
based
upon
our
faith.
However,
when
we
are
on
the
other
side,
our
worship
will
transform
into
an
experience
we
are
unable
to
comprehend
in
the
physical
realm
as
faith
will
no
longer
be
required.
This
will
be
the
very
first
time
we
will
fully
understand
what
Jesus
did
for
us
on
the
cross—because
(1)
we
will
experience
tangible
evidence
of
all
of
God’s
word
and
promises,
and
(2)
our
memories
(of
who
we
were,
and
what
we
did).
Each
of
us
will
know
we
are
unworthy
of
being
in
His
presence;
unworthy
to
receive
God’s
grace
and
love;
unworthy
to
receive
eternal
forgiveness;
and
are
unworthy
to
receive
the
rewards
bestowed
upon
us
as
inheritors
of
His
promise.
As
such,
our
memories
will
magnify
overwhelming
heart-felt
praises,
worship
and
love
for
our
Savior!
Some
Christians
have
experienced
only
a
“taste”
of
what’s
to
come.
These
are
those
who
find
themselves
dancing
in
joy,
raising
their
hands
and
voicing
their
praise
in
words
and
song,
and
some
crying
unexplainable
heart-felt
tears
as
they
give
God the glory for who He is and what He has done.
Take
a
moment
and
imagine
what
it
will
be
like
on
the
other
side;
standing
among
brothers
and
sisters
in
Christ;
seeing
angelic
beings;
as
the
shekinah
glory
of
our
Holy
God permeates our souls with His love.
“And
the
number
of
them
was
ten
thousand
times
ten
thousand,
and
thousands
of
thousands,
saying
with
a
loud
voice:
‘Worthy
is
the
Lamb
who
was
slain
to
receive
power
and
riches
and
wisdom,
and
strength
and
honor
and
glory
and blessing!’” Revelation 5: 11-12
#5: Justification for Eternal Punishment
Those
who
reject
Jesus
Christ;
those
who
are
not
forgiven;
those
who
will
not
find
their
name
written
in
The
Book
of
Life;
and
those
who
will
be
cast
into
the
lake
of
fire
for
eternity…their
memories
will
provide
an
excruciating
reminder
of
what
they
did,
what
they
deserved, and justification for what they are experiencing.
Jesus
declared,
“He
who
overcomes
shall
be
clothed
in
white
garments,
and
I
will
not
blot
out
his
name
from
the
Book
of
Life;
but
I
will
confess
his
name
before
My
Father
and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5
“And
I
saw
the
dead,
small
and
great,
standing
before
God,
and
books
were
opened.
And
another
book
was
opened,
which
is
the
Book
of
Life.
And
the
dead
were
judged
according
to
their
works,
by
the
things
which
were
written
in
the
books.
The
sea
gave
up
the
dead
who
were
in
it,
and
Death
and
Hades
delivered
up
the
dead
who
were
in
them.
And
they
were
judged,
each
one
according
to
his
works.
Then
Death
and
Hades
were
cast
into
the
lake
of
fire.
This
is
the
second
death.
And
anyone
not
found
written
in
the
Book
of
Life
was
cast
into
the
lake
of
fire.” Revelation 20:11-15
Physical Brain and Our Soul
Unlike
a
hard
disk
drive,
our
memories
cannot
be
erased,
deleted,
lost
due
to
power
loss,
or
destroyed
due
to
physical
damage
to
the
storage
medium
because
our
memories
are
spiritual
and
part
of
our
soul.
However,
our
physical brain:
•
Is part of our body.
•
Provides
a
means
for
our
soul
and
spirit
to
interact
with the physical world.
•
Will
“return
to
dust”
(along
with
the
rest
of
our
body)
after we die.
In
addition,
although
brain
functionality
may
be
altered
by
drugs or damaged by dementia, our memories remain.
•
Consider
the
behavior
of
someone
who
consumes
too
much
alcohol.
They
will
have
difficulty
remembering
simple
things:
counting,
saying
the
alphabet, etc.
•
Consider
a
person
with
Alzheimer's
who
may
have
periods
of
clarity
when
they
can
remember
everything.
The
memories
did
not
disappear.
Recollection
has
been
“short
circuited”
by
a
disease
of the brain.
Inappropriate Memories
There
are
times
Christians
will
experience
undesirable
memories
and
thoughts;
which
may
be
triggered
by
something
we
have
seen
or
heard;
or
will
just
appear
in
our
mind
without
a
“trigger.”
These
memories
may
consist
of
an
undesirable
recollection
of
sinful
behavior;
a
negative
emotional
response
to
a
past
or
present
situation,
and
so
forth—which
may
be
fueled
by
imagination—and
at
times
our
physical
body
may
also
respond.
Most
of
the
time
we
will
begin
to
“walk
down
this
dark
path”
before
we
comprehend
what
we
are
doing.
When
our
heart
realizes
we’re
experiencing
unwanted
thoughts,
it is important to follow these 7 R’s:
1
.
Recognize
the
thoughts
are
occurring
via
our
sinful
nature (self-inflicted or demonically inspired).
2
.
Realize
the
thoughts
are
not
based
upon
truth,
are
a
deceptive lie, and are not Christ-like.
3
.
Remember
we
are
forgiven
(past,
present
and
future
because of our faith in Jesus Christ)!
4
.
Redirect
your
thoughts
via
prayer,
scripture,
and
praising God for what He has done.
5
.
Recover your spiritual connection.
6
.
Recall
what
you
may
have
done
to
put
yourself
in
this
situation (for possible future avoidance).
7
.
Regulate
(control,
set)
what
you
will
allow
to
enter
into your spiritual body.
“Finally,
brethren,
whatever
things
are
true,
whatever
things
are
noble,
whatever
things
are
just,
whatever
things
are
pure,
whatever
things
are
lovely,
whatever
things
are
of
good
report,
if
there
is
any
virtue
and
if
there
is
anything
praiseworthy—meditate
on
these
things.
The
things
which
you
learned
and
received
and
heard
and
saw
in
me,
these
do,
and
the
God
of
peace
will
be
with
you.”
Philippians 4:8-9
Future Memories
Because
our
memory
is
spiritual
and
will
go
with
us
when
we
die,
our
memory
will
continue
to
record
and
recall
with
perfection
because
our
physical
body
will
no
longer
c
ircumvent its capabilities.
I
pray
this
writing
provides
you
with
a
new
perspective
of
our
memories,
expanded
insight
into
the
wonders
of
our
Savior
and
Lord,
and
greater
anticipation
of
what
He
has
prepared for us.
“Eye
has
not
seen,
nor
ear
heard,
nor
have
entered
into
the
heart
of
man
the
things
which
God
has
prepared
for
those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
All for His Glory!
Harold D. Thomas
Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
this
Bible
study
topic
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader,
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader
or
church
pastor.
The
following
questions
should
be
answered
or
discussed after reading “Memories.”
The
following
questions
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
personal
reflection
and
opinions.
As
such,
no
answers
are provided.
Questions
Jesus
spoke
of
the
rich
man
and
Lazarus
in
Luke
16:19-
28.
Do
you
think
the
rich
man
experienced
remorse
(regret, sorrow, guilt)? Explain.
Will
those
who
spend
eternity
in
the
lake
of
fire
experience
remorse for what they did and did not do?
•
Explain
why
they
may
or
may
not
have
remorse
for
what they did.
•
Explain
why
they
may
or
may
not
have
remorse
for
what they did not do (and should have done).
Will
those
who
enter
into
Heaven
experience
remorse
for
what they did and did not do?
•
Explain
why
they
may
or
may
not
have
remorse
for
what they did.
•
Explain
why
they
may
or
may
not
have
remorse
for
what they did not do (and should have done).
For
those
who
are
unable
to
recall
memory
due
to
dementia,
do
you
think
their
memory
is
still
intact?
Explain.
Based
upon
the
content
of
this
lesson,
can
you
identify
one
thing
regarding
our
memory
you
never
considered
or
is new to you?
You
may
download
the
questions
in
a
PDF
file
by
clicking
on this button.
Can
you
think
of
someone
who
could
benefit
from
reading
this lesson? If yes,
CLICK HERE
for more info.
The words of Jesus Christ
are in red text.