One of my pet peeves is going to a funeral and listening to the preacher imply that everyone who dies automatically goes to heaven.

We know that isn't true, so here's the question.

What will happen to those preachers that conduct a funeral service under that premis?

Good question.

All I know is that God has commited all judgement to the son (Mt 11:27;Jn 5:22) & not to us; so we shouldn't presume to know who is going to heaven or hell. My interpretation of Rom 10:6-7 "But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above: ) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)" says just that.

I think that preachers may imply that whoever died went to heaven just because that is more comforting to the people in the audience; & that is one of the jobs of any preacher - to comfort (compare Isa 40:1 "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.")

Now if God expressly tells the pastor to say that the deceased hasn't gone to heaven & the preacher disobeys, that is another story - look at Ez 13:6-8 "They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken? Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD."

There is no excuse for disobedience, but it well may be ok for some pastors to preach a comforting message at these times.

Don't forget the theif on the cross, who after all men condemmed him, Jesus forgave him.

As far as the precise punishment of a pastor that fails in his duty God is sovergn & will decide what will happen to him - according to Jer 23:1-4 they will be replaced; "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD."

God bless & I hope this is of assistance =)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Slade,

Thank you very much for the insight.
I can feel better about it now.
John