Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

We all know that when Jesus took the sins of the world upon him and gave up his spirit that he went down to where all spirits were.In the heart of the earth.Now having said this,we know that Jesus took the keys of death and that is when many reported seeing the spirit's of saints walking the streets.Up to this point just as in the story of the rich man and the beggar,there was only a gulf separating the righteous and the unrighteous.This certainly sheds light on the old gospel song"He set me free".
When scripture is read from the Torah this was the old covenant.Praise God for his son Jesus in having taken the sins of man upon him we are no longer separated from God.
God is the God of the living not of the dead.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Once again 2 Cor 5:8 disallows any thought of souls sleep.

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

when I buried my 19 year old almost 7 months ago I knew that soul sleep was out of the question.So I have done a lot of research into this subject,almost 7 months worth and I have not found anything that backs up soul sleep.What was the over all that convinced me of the fact that souls don't sleep?The multitude of people that John seen in Heaven.Yes,I believe in the Rapture so some will say this was after the church was called up.That don't set right in my spirit so I believe that the dead in Christ is only dead to us that are here.Their spirits are very much alive in paradise.Tommy Bates once sang a song and I believe the name of it was "I wonder what they are doing in Heaven?Something to think about!

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

To whom was Paul referring when he penned the words of 2 Corinthians 5:8? Was he speaking of all of the saints of God in general, or himself only? Begin reading in 2 Corinthians 2:1 and read everything that Paul penned up to 2 Corinthians 5:8 and you will discover that he was not speaking of others, rather he was writing of himself only. Therefore he could not have been saying that the souls of every saint would be separated from their physical bodies at the moment of death and go to be present with the Lord in heaven, but that this was an event which he was to experience.

When Paul penned the words "We are confident," exactly whom was he including in the word "we"? Was he not writing about himself and the rest of the apostles only? Where is it to be found within the context of the things written anywhere between 2 Corinthians 2:1 and 5:8 which would give one cause to believe that Paul was referring to any other than himself and the rest of the apostles only? As for me, I find none!

In summary, it is my belief that it is improper for one to use the context of 2 Corinthians 5:8 as a basis of support for saying that the soul of the saints of God do not "sleep" in death.

Bro Blume, I'm confident that you'll not agree with me on this, but just wanted to put forth my thoughts on the matter.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Bro. Lafon,

Good to see you posting again!

Falla39

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I will agree this is the most controversial subjects(besides the Rapture)that Christians can not come to an agreement on.I will take what Jesus said to the thief about being in Paradise with him and run with it.I had much rather believe my son is already with the Lord then to think that he is dead in the ground.I really don't believe a loving Father that we have, would do that to any of his children.I know as a parent I wouldn't do that to my child and so therefore if God loved us so much that he gave his only son to die for us and then turn around and leave us for dead?No I don't believe in soul sleep and I really don't know how other's could believe that their dead loved ones are just that, DEAD.:foottap ok:bigbaby(this being me) but now I do believe the unsaved are dead until death and hell deliver them up.Hard subject, this one.Maybe the Lord will come back and we are all Raptured out of here:gotcha Now there is a debatable subject.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Thank you Sis Falla,

I don't have lots of time to get involved in many of the discussions (here or elsewhere on the internet), but there are some things which I have some rather strong feelings about and simply can't resist the temptation to respond.
This topic happens to be one of them.

Lafon

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I understand what you mean! And that's good. I know you had many
years of good Bible teaching in the past. I respect that about the people
you were associated with in earlier years. My late father was a devout
studier of the Word and taught we children to be also.
Interesting subject and I am reading the posts. We can all learn some-
thing IF we are willing to study, listen and learn. We can learn from
others.

Blessings,

Falla39

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I feel very strong about this subject also so I'm leaving the thread. I must carry the burden of my son's death and with a belief any other way would make this burden to heavy to bear.However the Lord knows this and that is why I am not blinded to the fact that there is no such thing as soul sleep or a place called purgatory.Some will argue about the existence of purgatory and even believe a priest can pray them out.
I worked at an nursing home for many years and seen a lot of Christians leave this world.You would not believe if I told you that hardly a one left this world that didn't see a loved one that had already passed over.God loves his children and I know in my spirit that death is just the beginning for God's children.:Take:heart and know your redeemer draws near

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I did not start this thread to gender strife,I do believe that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,Yet there is a final resurrection,do I understand everything about this subject no I don't.
However I do believe that is appointed unto man once to die and then after this the judgement.