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Soul Sleep

Allan

Active Member
jeben said:
At death do saved soul's go stright to God or do we soul sleep untill the resurection ?
Straight to God.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Steven being stoned said:
Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [God], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

as well as others...
 

Alcott

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I think we go 'straight' to be with the Lord-- II Corinthians 5:8, II Timothy 4:18, Revelation 6:9-10.

But if there is indeed "soul sleep," what difference does it make from our perspective? Entering into our next phase of life is still our immediate next experience.
 

JDale

Member
Site Supporter
Some Chistian Sects/Denominations (primarily Adventist and Apostolic Christians) affirm the concept that when a person dies physically, their soul enters a period of suspension or "sleep," until the "resurrection" or final Judgment -- exactly how that plays out depends upon their eschatological scheme... They base this concept of "soul sleep" on statments in the NT -- for instance when Jesus refer's to Lazarus and others who are physically dead as "asleep," and the statement of Paul regarding some saints in Corinth as having "fallen asleep."

Generally, this is regarded by other Christians to be a misinterpretation or misunderstanding of these statements. Most evangelicals would agree that the physical body is "asleep," but the soul is present with God -- or already in torment and awaiting eternal judgment.

JDale
 

Allan

Active Member
There is also Luke 16 - Lazarus and the Rich Man.

Both died and was immediately in their respective locations. And Jesus speaks of them before their deaths in the past tense, but after deaths in the present tense (not future tense) establishing that this is actually and presently happening.

This is not a parable since no parable used names among other aspects which specify parables verses true stories.

I think it is an expression that is dealing with our total wholeness.

Explaintion of the use of sleep instead of dead:
1. We are a tri-une being (in the likeness of God)
2. If our spirit and soul is seperate from our body
------a. Therefore, we are not whole (one part is asleep [dead] -body) and one part alive in Christ

So when speaking of us in context of being with God (spirit) we are alive and with Him.
But in speaking of us with regard to total salvation (renewed body and spirit) we are asleep because in the physical aspect we are not yet alive and renewing completed.


Well, I what 2 people weren't doing (sleeping that is)

That death known as sleep is also refered to as "rest" and can be understood in context, specifically from Hebrew 4
Hbr 4:1 ¶ Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Hbr 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].
Hbr 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hbr 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
Hbr 4:5 And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Hbr 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Hbr 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Hbr 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Hbr 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Hbr 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his.
Hbr 4:11 ¶ Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Hbr 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Regarding rest or sleep I can tell you two more people who were not sleeping in the ground.
Matthew 17:1-3
1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
It appears those who have entered into that rest and should be sleeping was talking with Jesus. Although, they may have been asking for a lul-a-by but...

Anyhoo, the argument could be made that Elijah did not die and therefore has not yet attained, but Moses IS dead and therefore has attained the rest afore mentioned in my previous posting.
 

webdog

Active Member
Site Supporter
If there was such a thing as soul sleep, Jesus would be "sleeping" now, as He told the thief on the cross that he would be with Him that day.
 

johnp.

New Member
Hello jeben. Welcome. :)

We go to the Lord conscious.

Heb 12:23 ...You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect...
REV 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice...

This is not a parable [Luke 16] since no parable used names among other aspects which specify parables verses true stories.

That's right but what would change about the story if it was a parable? :)

Those who are saved go to be with the Lord, and those who aren't go to hell.

...the Lord knows how to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. 2 Peter 2:9.

Same goes for the unsaved.

john.
 
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