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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Beau Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Soul sleep? | 1 Corinthians | Beau | 9817 | ||
First of all, this is not a what would be considered a 'salvific' issue. I'd be curious to know what scripture(s) lead(s) you to believe we immediately go to heaven when we die? Sometimes we base our beliefs on a traditionally "assumed" Christian doctrine. It's amazing how much folks like to defend their beliefs with little or no Biblical evidence. Keep in mind that for some, this issue just makes them feel better to know that past relatives are with God and not merely sleeping in the grave. 1 Tim 6:16 tells us that God alone is immortal, therefore we, including our souls, are really not immortal. In Ecclesiastes 9, Solomon laments that the "dead know nothing" and "in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." In John 11, the story of Lazarus, Jesus plainly says that Lazarus has fallen asleep and that he will wake him, noting plainly that Lazarus was indeed dead. I can see where some confusion could happen with this subject because Psalm 146:4 Says that "When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; …" However, Colossians 3:3-4 says that our life is hidden away with Christ in God. It would seem to suggest that we're really not "alive" in heaven as we might be alive on Earth because verse 4 says, "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." 1 Corinthians 15, beginning in verse 51, Paul says, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'" 1 Thessalonians 4, beginning in verse 13, reinforces this thought with, "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. [14] We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. [15] According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17 ] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Paul literally infers death is a kind of sleep. John 5:28 also offers: "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice [29] and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. Read also Revelation 20:1-10 which offers a similar scenario of the end and of those who are asleep in death who will rise at the call of our Lord's voice. John 14:3 says, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." If we are already with Him, why does He need to come back for us to take us with Him? It doesn't really make sense, does it? The Bible is rather clear (at least it is to me) that when we die, whatever part of us that is our soul, is somehow kept safe with God and we sleep in the grave. Then at the first resurrection of those who are in Christ Jesus, we are again given (new) life and transformed, just as Christ was raised, transformed and given new life by the Father. The truth of these scriptures would also seem to offer a direct contradiction to the popular Christian belief of a "secret" rapture, such as portrayed in the highly regarded "Left Behind" book series. But that's a different subject. Hope this helps answer your question. Faithfully ... |
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