Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

When the physical body dies does the soul sleep awaiting a final judgement ?
What say ye about this ?

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

If the soul sleeps does how does it depart the physical body and where would it sleep at ?

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

The psalmist David noted that the eternal invisible soul of man enters into a temporary suspended state of animation, called "sleep," when he wrote - "Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death." (Psalm 13:3)

Job said - "But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost (i.e., the "spirit," or "breath of life"), and where is he?... So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." (Job 14:10, 12)

Daniel wrote (speaking of the resurrection of the body and soul of man) - "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2)

In light of these scriptural passages, as well as many others which disclose the condition and location of the eternal invisible soul of man following the death of the physical body wherein he dwells, I am persuaded that at the moment when God causes the "breath of life" to be removed from man's fleshly tabernacle, the soul returns to that same state of existence in which it had reality prior to the beginning of its life, that is to say, a temporary condition of suspended liveliness, which the language of the Bible refers to as a "sleep of death." This, in my humble opinion, is in keeping with the righteousness by which God's actions are determined.

Now I am sure there will be some (yea, perhaps many) that would immediately refute this conclusion, even quoting Paul's words of II Corinthians 5:8 as scriptural evidence in support thereof, however, I believe it worthy of note that Paul was writing of the circumstances which were to follow his own death (as well as all of the other apostles) and not all of the saints of God. Were this true then it would violate the "equality of justice" (i.e., "righteousness") which God decreed from the beginning as that principle which would form the basis for all of His actions (see Psalm 89:14 & 97:2).

An extremely interesting topic, Brother Scott, and one that is worthy of study, thought and discussion among brethren, and this because of the disparity of beliefs surrounding it which prevails within the church today.

Thanks for the opportunity to tender my "two cents worth."

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Lafon thanks for your two cents worth,I figured maybe more would respond.
I will give a ear to anyone who explains their view.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

When you die, a translucent copy of yourself, with wings and a halo, drifts upward, holding a harp. I know: I've seen it in cartoons many times. :lol

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I don't think that Jesus would have used the parable of the rich man and Lazarus if parts of it were untrue. The rich man's soul was not asleep-he was in torment. Lazarus was not asleep, but rested in Abraham's bosom. Jesus also stated to the disciples that Lazarus was asleep, when he was dead. I believe by that Jesus was stating that his soul entered into a place of rest. Sleep was not a euphamism for death at that time, because the disciples didn't understand-thought He was speaking literally. Even in the Old Testament, I Sam 28:15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? would indicate that Samuel was at rest after his death. Part of this "rest" may be that we do not know all that is happening of evil in the world... Lazarus didn't answer the rich man-Abraham did. But that passage may also indicate the rich man's pride, in that he would speak to Abraham but not to Lazarus even in death.

For people to go straight to Heaven (where God's throne is) or Hell (where the devil will be) upon death seems odd to me, since at the end, Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

So I don't really have an answer, but I believe that at least some people will be at rest after their deaths, not asleep necessarily, but at peace from the troubles they faced while alive.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I would be quick to agree that Jesus would never state something which was untrue, however, as you have asserted, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is just that...... a parable, and therefore should not be construed as a depiction of an event which had already taken place at some previous moment. In fact, seeing that even Satan and all of the rebellious angels have not yet been cast into the lake of fire, then to assume that a certain rich man is presently there would represent a clear violation of the equality of justice which is truly what "righteousness" represents.

In addition to this, if it be true that a certain rich man was presently experiencing the torment of the flames of the lake of fire, then such punishment would represent a penalty which God (who is Spirit) had imposed, and that would clearly conflict with Jesus' statement recorded in John 5:22 ("For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son").


Opinions which are not, nor cannot be fully substantiated by scriptural context, have no value whatsoever. Our beliefs, and the things which we publish as truth, must be based exclusively upon the sound word of the Lord. Should you tender scriptural support for your stated beliefs I would gladly consider their merits.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

:ursofunny

Of course the soul sleeps!...

Haven't you seen them on a sunday morning, about forty five minutes into Pastor's sermon, sun shining in, a little warm in the church,

Soul sleep all the way!

Land of Nod,

This is the rest wherewith He causes the weary to rest...


:gotcha

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

This is the way most see death missourimary, that we are asleep till the resurection as per Paul in the new testemant 1 Cor. 15:51 the question is has the resurection happened or is it ye to come? If the resurection has happened already as some of us beleive then when we die we go strait to heaven or the lake of fire.

[QUOTE=Lafon;758464]I would be quick to agree that Jesus would never state something which was untrue, however, as you have asserted, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is just that...... a parable, and therefore should not be construed as a depiction of an event which had already taken place at some previous moment.

Well then what should we do with it?

In fact, seeing that even Satan and all of the rebellious angels have not yet been cast into the lake of fire, then to assume that a certain rich man is presently there would represent a clear violation of the equality of justice which is truly what "righteousness" represents.

What then is death, and hell which shall all be cast into the lake of fire. is it not possible for hell to be a place of torment?

In addition to this, if it be true that a certain rich man was presently experiencing the torment of the flames of the lake of fire, then such punishment would represent a penalty which God (who is Spirit) had imposed, and that would clearly conflict with Jesus' statement recorded in John 5:22 ("For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son").

Your hermanutics I think that is the word lol have some fault Jesus is God therefore judgement could be made before the Jesus walking on the earth. God is not held to time as we are.
as I read some of the responses in this forum I see just how limited mans mind is. This is not refering to just this thread but all I realize just how loving God has to be to save us and keep us saved.
Just a thought I felt like expressing sorry

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Lafon, SH didn't ask for absolute scriptural truth. He asked "What say ye on this matter?" In otherwords, he asked for our opinions.

Godsdrummer, thanks. Good points.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

First off, this comment/OPINION is NOT scripturally backed, more or less
it best resembles a thinking out loud kinda thing.
BUT I recently heard this explanation:
Dying is like having a dream
That you never wake up from.
So its like SLEEPING, yes., a soul will sleep
for ETERNITY.

Which brought me to another question,
Oh yes, 'endless questions; one leads to another" :D

Are WE (humanity) all, then part of someones 'dream'?
Or is just ALL of this, a 'dream'?
Wow.
I think everyone thinks these thoughts at least once.

And our souls? Since they ARE 'eternal' it may not really
matter one way or another.,
WAKE
SLEEP
Both are part of LIFE., the soul remains the same., always.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Thank you I hope I did not come accross too strong I do that some times

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Not at all. I enjoyed your post-very well put, and yes, the answer very much depends on opinion of preterism.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I don't believe in soul sleep for the simple reason Jesus did not say to the thief on the cross today you will sleep in paradise.Jesus told him you will be with me in Paradise today.We all know that the saints of many were seen walking the streets and Jesus himself appeared to many and was here for 40 days before he ascended to the Father.
Now if this is not enough proof what about Moses who died and God himself buried Moses.If Mose's spirit is asleep then how come he appeared to Jesus in the transfiguration?

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I agree. Also, 2 Cor 5 states that absence from the body means presence with the Lord, and that is what Paul desired in his day, showing that there was no sleeping in the grave.

Some claimed Paul desired a myth for someone like himself in his day, which I think is silly.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I think it depends on how we define "soul" because it's a complicated term. The term "soul" can mean a "living thing" in the sense of a "living soul". However, the disciples thought Jesus was a spirit or a ghost when they saw him walking on the water in the midst of the storm. I'd say that when a living soul dies, it sleeps in regards to it's physical self. My mother's physical body is currently resting in the grave, while her spirit (the intangible part of her nature) is present with the Lord in Heaven. Sleep doesn't mean "non-conciousness". In fact, when one "sleeps" they are simply at a different level of consciousness. We see this in dreaming. So I'd say that my mother's physical body is sleeping in the grave, and her consciousness is currently in Heaven with the Lord. Perhaps to her, it's like a dream... surreal, dreamy, etc. However, at her resurrection she'll be awakened. ;)

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Very good words. I see the same from scripture. References to sleep refer to the body alone. And Paul said we are absent from the body and present with the Lord upon death. We are unaware of things in earth, since our souls are not here then.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

I have not studied about soul sleep, but I do know the soul that sinneth,
it shall die. The Bible says so!:thumbsup

Blessings,

Falla39

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

ePerhaps....
I do believe it was Paul who said we see dimly(now)in our earthly bodies.
When we are face to face with the Lord we will see clearly.You are right about our conscious,after all isn't that the spirit?When Jesus said"Let the dead bury the dead"Jesus knew those people were spiritually dead.Anyways I know that my loved ones in Heaven are more alive now then ever.Now speaking for myself only...I am convinced that when I wake up in glory this life will seem like a dream.Can you imagine waking up and all the people who has died are really not dead at all?Yep,like waking up from a bad nightmare:thumbsup

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

This topic needs more study. The souls of the dead know nothing.

3: Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4: His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. 146:3-4

His body is dead. His thoughts perish.

Thats what makes the resurrection GOOD NEWS!

The dead can live again through Jesus Christ!

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.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Heavens no!
I mean no strife just very closed minded on the subject of soul sleep.I do enjoy discussing bible topics and usally not so narrow minded in the scripture.I will tell you I use to think that the dead in Christ rose and we who are alive and remain were caught up with them in the air to meet the Lord.After all that is scripture.
You know I believe that is when they recieve their glorified bodies.You know I had to ask myself if the dead rise then,Who are the saints that come back with Jesus?:thumbsup

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Who? Angels!

Deuteronomy 33:2 KJV And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

This occurred long before the New testament, and can only refer to angles.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Himself.

Philippians 1:23-24 KJV (23) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (24) Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

And he could not say this for himself if it was not possible for everyone.

Paul is speaking in 2 Cor 5 about the resurrection body which is for everyone and is a house/body from heaven in contrast to the mortal tabernacle we now possess. And there is no experience an apostle would have in this regard that is not for the entire church body members. Where does the bible say otherwise?

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

No not Angels.
read 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13,14
also 1 Corinthians 15:12-33

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18( But I would not have you ignorant,brethren,concerning them which are asleep,that ye sorrow not,even as others which have no hope.14;For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.(K.J.V)

Them which are asleep.The scripture speak about those who are asleep in Jesus.At death they fell asleep.Does this mean that the dead in Christ are not conscious?The statement that they are asleep has primary reference to the body,which lies in the grave to await the resurrection morning.The spirit is separated from the body at death and goes to be with Jesus.The spirit is alive and awaits the reunion of itself with a resurrected body.There are some who teach what is called soul-sleep_i.e.,those who die are as though they were asleep at night.They do not know anything and are at peace.The scriptures support the views that the dead in Christ are present,in spirit,with Christ in glory as soon as they die.:yahoo:clap:yahoo

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Who are they in Deut then? Could only be angels. I believe in a future fulfillment of 1 Thess 4, but I am not sure the saints are the believers in the instance speaking of who returns with Him in His return.

Deuteronomy 33:2 KJV And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Yes,1 Thess.4:13-14 is a future fulfillment.I don't know who they are in Deut.but that would have to be angels.I'll go research this and get back with you on this.:hunter

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Yes your right! The saints spoken of in Deut. are angels.That is my mistake saying Jesus would come back with his saints in referencing (asleep in Christ)
I quote Bible from memory so pardon my mistake here.I still think it says something about Jesus coming back with the saints,meaning the catching away.For some reason I'm thinking this is somewhere also in the New Testament.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Jude mentions a return of Christ with his saints. But it uses the exact same terms found in Deut in referring to angels. So the question cannot solidly be answered, really.

Re: Does The Soul Sleep ?
 

Yes it can. If you will read (1 Thess.4:13-18).When you read this scripture it leaves no second guessing on who it is that comes back with the Lord.
The Bible speaks about the saints in the book of Revelation.In this instances saints are not the Angels or the dead in Christ,but rather the children of Israel.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18