Risen from the Dust
Soul Sleep in the Bible
- Soul sleep is a common teaching in some Christian circles.
- Soul sleep is the belief that the dead are not conscious or aware, but rather in a state of deep sleep.
- Soul sleep is good in some respects because it properly emphasizes the future Resurrection of the Dead, and not the immediate afterlife.
- However, to say that the dead are completely unaware, in a state of soul sleep, is not supported by the scriptures.
The idea of soul sleep is a common teaching in some Christian circles. Proponents of soul sleep generally do believe in the existence of human souls, but maintain that when a person dies their soul or consciousness remains in or connected to their flesh body. From there, they await the Resurrection of the Dead in a sleep-like state of suspended animation, thus the term “soul sleep”.
While perhaps soul sleep is an improvement over some of the more traditional teachings about the afterlife, to say that the dead are in a state of deep sleep is not accurate. Soul sleep also works hand-in-hand with many false teachings. Most notably, it supports a physical resurrection scenario, where people’s flesh bodies rise out of their graves (see ch.15 Resurrection of the Body). It is therefore worthwhile to understand why soul sleep isn’t true, so as to avoid arriving at this, and other false conclusions.
Soul sleep overlooks many critical verses, which indicate that the souls of the dead remain cognizant on some level.
One of the root teachings of soul sleep is that the dead are not cognizant or aware, but unconscious. However, when the afterlife is depicted in both the Old and New Testaments the dead are basically cognizant, not asleep. They are often described as having both thoughts and feelings that they can communicate.
For example, in the Old Testament it says, “The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell [Sheol] with them that help him” (Ezekiel 31.21 KJV bible), “All they (the dead) shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?” (Isaiah 14.10 KJV bible), “let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave [Sheol]” (Psalm 31.17 KJV bible). In all of these examples, the dead are described as being awake and having thoughts and feelings they can communicate.
From the New Testament, we have the detailed account of the rich man and Lazarus, where a very poignant conversation takes place in Hades, “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented” (Luke 16.24-25 KJV bible). Clearly this passage is not an allegory, but an account, that serves as a warning to individuals about the real consequences of not having compassion for others.
Another verse relating to soul sleep is in the book of Peter, where we learn that the gospel has already been preached (or proclaimed) to the dead, “For for this cause was the gospel preached [Greek: euaggelizo - to announce good news] also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1st Peter 4.6 KJV bible). On Judgment Day, the dead in Hades will be judged according to their deeds in the flesh. Therefore, while it is too late for them to be firstfruits unto Christ, they do have the comfort of knowing that Jesus defeated death, and will raise them up in the second resurrection of the dead. It would not have been possible for the dead to hear this good news, unless they were somewhat conscious.
If the dead are asleep and unconscious, it would not be possible (before the resurrection) for Moses and Elijah to appear on the Mt. of Transfiguration, “And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him” (Matthew 17.2-3 KJV bible). Also, relating to soul sleep, we have the witness of the book of Revelation. In ch. 7, a great multitude of believers (from the tribulation) gather and praise the Lord in Paradise, “After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb” (Revelation 7.9-10 KJV bible). From this passage alone, we know that the souls of the righteous are both awake, and with the Lord in heaven (see also ch.4 Souls in Heaven). Lastly, one should consider what Jesus says in John 8.56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8.56 KJV bible). If Abraham is in a state of soul sleep, then how could he have rejoiced at the day when Messiah was born into the world?
Soul sleep implies that a person's soul stays within, or connected to, their flesh body after death.
There are many variations of soul sleep. One widespread principle of soul sleep is that when a person dies, their soul remains in or connected to their flesh body. However, it is well established in scripture, that when a person dies their soul does not remain within their flesh body. Rather, the soul moves on, and the body is left as an empty vessel.
When God answers Elijah’s prayer by resurrecting the widow’s son, it is written that the child’s soul returns to him. This indicates that initially when the boy dies, his soul leaves him, “And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul [nephesh] come into him again. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived” (1st Kings 17.21-22 KJV bible). Also, when Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin it's written that her soul departs from her, “And it came to pass, as her soul [nephesh] was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni” (Genesis 35.18 KJV bible). Job describes how at the end of his earthly struggle the Lord will long for the work of his hands, meaning Job’s soul, “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time [Hebrew: tsebawaw - campaign or service] will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands” (Job 14.14-15 KJV bible). Clearly, the soul leaves behind the flesh body at death, which is inconsistent with many versions of soul sleep.
In the New Testament, when Stephen is about to become a martyr, is he in error to call upon Jesus to receive his spirit, “[Stephen] looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God…And they stoned Stephen, [who was] calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit [pneuma]” (Acts 7.55,59 KJV bible)? Also, the book of Acts describes how during one of Paul’s sermons a young man falls down from a third story window. Then Paul says, “Trouble not yourselves; for his life [psuche] is in him” (Acts 20.10 KJV bible). This indicates that if the young man had died, his soul or person (psuche) would have left his body, which it apparently did not.
If the soul stays within the body, then why does Jesus tell the malefactor on the cross that that very day he would be with him in Paradise, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23.43 KJV bible)? Also, Peter speaks of “putting off” his earthly tent or dwelling after his time in the flesh, “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me” (2nd Peter 1.14 KJV bible). While there are many variations of soul sleep, clearly the widespread idea that the soul or consciousness remains within the body after death, has no scriptural support.
Comments
Ivor McClinton 06 Mar 2011, 15:33
May I ask you about the verse “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23.43 KJV bible)quoted at the end of this article, please? The original text did not have punctuation marks so the quote above has a very different meaning if we read it as “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise” (Luke 23.43 KJV bible). And besides, didn't Yeshua at that time go to preach to the spirits in prison, not paradise?
Doug Buckley 07 Mar 2011, 10:31
Hi Ivor, It's true that there are no punctuation marks in the original manuscripts, but imo the translators are right to put the comma in where it is. This is because Jesus says many times "verily I say unto you,...", but nowhere does he say "verily today I say unto you,...". Also, the Greek word for today (saymeron) means this literal day but there are places where it is used to refer a time period longer than one 24 hour day (Luke 4.21, Matthew 27.8). In Luke 23.43, I believe Jesus simply means that he would soon be with him in heaven, which implies that the dead are not in a state of soul sleep.Michael David 29 Mar 2011, 23:09
This is very good, thanks for this. I have plagiarized it a few times now, in comments by people who believe in soul sleeping (in cases where I was able [where the word count restriction allowed me to] I have referenced you and your site). This took hard work and some intelligent application of apologetics. Kudos to you.Doug Buckley 30 Mar 2011, 18:39
Thank you Michael, I don't want people copying from my site, but it sounds like you cited it properly which isn't plagiarism. I'm glad you like the section on soul sleep. Alot people read it and think I'm trying to attack people who believe in soul sleep, but I researched it because I wanted to know for sure if soul sleep was true or not.Most churches teach either some kind of soul sleep or nonexistence until the resurrection of the dead, or that people's souls go to heaven or hell forever when they die. Neither view is correct, as the souls will take part in the resurrection of the dead.
Michael david 30 Mar 2011, 20:34
You are one of the first persons I have ever met who correctly understands the difference between Paradise and Heaven. The first person I've met that understands that people do not go to their final place until after they are judged. Clearly you have studied to show yourself approved as the scripture states. I'm glad I found your blog, and I will follow it now with interest, thank you.Doug Buckley 01 Apr 2011, 16:52
Thanks Michael, there's some scholars out there, but also alot of junk. The internet allows for sharing of ideas and debate, which is good. I've been working on some long term projects, and I send out updates when I post new writings.tonya 19 May 2011, 18:11
doug i can seen your points on the lake my pastor believes all will eventually be saved but he still preaches hard on holiness and living above sin. jus saw your site yesterday, for the past 2 wks i hav been leaning 2wards the wicked being destroyed not tormented because his mercy does endure 4ever. about sinners going straight 2 hades immediately upon death i disagree with, i understand that this comes from lazarus ok fine but how can one be tormented before the day of jugement(Ac 17:31) and Ecc 9:5 says the dead no nothing also psalms 13:3, 6:5, 146:4 how can one suffer if they are not conscious the soul that sinneth shall die they are dead until the resurrection. i believe when one dies u sleep the sleep of death according to scripture, awaiting the day judgement and/or the resurrection of the just and unjust then judge unto eternal damnation or everlasting life lets reason from scripture brotherDoug Buckley 19 May 2011, 18:22
Hi Tonya, we agree about some things and your comment seemed more about soul sleep so I moved it here. I have looked into the issue of soul sleep. All the verses that seem to support the dead being unconscious can be explained easily because the bible uses "sleep" as a euphemism for death. There are alot more scriptures that clearly show that people have souls that continue on awake after death, and this isn't all based on Luke 16. Revelation 5.9 and 6.9 support souls in heaven. Jesus will even reject the souls of people when he returns, and this is before they are resurrected, "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes” (Luke 12.47-48 KJV bible). I go where the scripture leads me.Eve Erastus 01 Jul 2011, 15:45
I thank you for your clarification on the soul sleep subject,backed by holy scriptures from the Bible.Doug Buckley 02 Jul 2011, 07:19
Hi Eve, thanks for your comment about soul sleep. I have nothing against people who believe in soul sleep, but alot of scriptures point to the dead being conscious before the resurrection.Gillian White 21 Nov 2011, 06:42
Greetings,I have a few questions regarding this topic about soul sleep.
In Mat 17:1-9, Jesus quoted this was a vision.
Mat 17:1-9
(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.
(4) Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
(5) While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
(6) And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
(7) And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
(8) And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
(9) And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
How could people be alive before Jesus Christ could be raised back to life?
The scriptures teach, Jesus became the first one to raised back to life, the firstfruits of those that slept:
Jesus slept in the grave for 3 days and 3 nights, than God raised Jesus back to life again.
1Co 15:20
(20) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
By reading the above scripture, it seems the rest are sleeping.
1Co 15:22
(22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Verse 22 says, ''all SHALL be made alive''
When will that be, I see verse 23 gives us the answer.
1Co 15:23
(23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
It seems to me that we will not be made alive, wakened from that sleep, until the coming of Jesus.
God bless
Doug Buckley 23 Nov 2011, 01:07
Hi Gillian. It doesn't really sound like you have a question about soul sleep, as much as you believe in soul sleep. Soul sleep is a whole school of though that ties into many other biblical subjects, especially the resurrection of the dead. I respect soul sleep, though I don't accept it.Regarding Matthew 17, let me point out that the Greek word there for "vision" does not mean a dream or hallucination, it means a sight or spectacle, implying that what they saw was real.
If the dead do literally sleep, then how could they have good news announced unto them by Jesus (1st Peter 4.6). If the dead must wait for Jesus then how could there be souls of people alive in heaven before Jesus returns (Revelation 7.9-10)
So the question with soul sleep is how do we explain these discrepancies, because both sides seem to have supporting verses.
Jesus often speaks of Christians having, right now, eternal life (John 10.28), but Christians die just like everyone else? In the New Testament, being alive or coming to life are often not meant to be taken literally, but spiritually. (see also ch.6)
I can't go through it all here, (see the chapters about the resurrection of the dead), but IMO the dead are raised to life in the sense that they are made whole or complete because they receive eternal spiritual bodies (1st Corinthians 15.44). All souls will be raised from a lower state to higher one, even if it is to face final judgment (see Revelation 20). In the end, soul sleep boils down to which side has the better explanations in the overall context of scripture.
Gillian White 04 Dec 2011, 05:31
Thank you Doug for your reply.But I still do not understand how people, like Moses could have received eternal life before Jesus.
It's clear that Jesus is the first begotten from the dead.
Rev 1:5
(5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
You quoted Rev 7:9-10, much of revelations, has still yet to be fulfilled; if you continue on reading, you will notice that these people are those that have come out from the great tribulation.
Rev 7:13-14
(13) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
(14) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Has the ''great tribulation'' taken place or taking place or yet to take place.
In Chapter 6, the last verse.
Rev 6:17
(17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
I see that believers are saved from God's wrath:
1Th 4:16-17
(16) The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life.
(17) Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord.
When a person is alive and believes in Christ and dies, that person is now ''the dead who believed in Christ''
''dead in Christ''
Doug Buckley 04 Dec 2011, 14:56
Hi Gillian, Moses and Elijah have spiritual life in heaven, but they are not resurrected yet. They are the ones that sleep in Christ. They don't sleep in the graves or the tombs because they have life in heaven and are not in Hades (spiritual death). The great tribulation hasn't happened yet, but Revelation shows that believers do go to heaven (sleep in Christ) before the resurrection of the dead. The resurrection happens at Jesus' return.However, only Jesus has been resurrected into his eternal place and form, and this is why he is the first born from the dead. Jesus is at the right hand of God as the only begotten Son. Believers (even believers in heaven) will not be heirs with Christ until they are resurrected to him (see ch.15 on the right)(also compare Ephesians 1.14 with 1st Thess 4.13-17). The dead in heaven (those that sleep in Christ) are waiting to be made like Christ in the resurrection. They don't suffer any wrath, but are rewarded. (see ch.15 on the right for more on this).
Judi 27 Dec 2011, 18:09
What do you do with the text that clearly says that the dead know nothing? Also, you have misinterpreted those who believe that the dead are asleep; just because one does not believe that the dead have no knowledge (Ecclesiastes 9:5), that doesn't mean that they do not believe in the soul (which, if you were a true Biblical scholar, would know that this is equanimous with the spirit - the breath of the individual, not a knowledgeable, living thing) as as something that has knowledge. This would be like saying that every time we breath out, we are losing some of our knowledge, for it would go with that breath! What a foolish thing! No one in their right mind would believe that. But yet there are tons of people who believe that the spirit or soul has knowledge. Further, the belief that we continue to live in some form is simply a falling for the initial lie of Satan to Adam and Eve in the Garden when he told them that they would not die. It makes absolutely no sense that Jesus would have risen to Heaven upon His death, then came back down to Earth to gather His human body, and then gone back up to Heaven when he rose from the grave. It would also be so very cruel for Jesus to raise anybody from the dead, or for us to try to save people's lives, if they went to Heaven. Why would Jesus have brought someone back to this sinful Earth from the most perfect place; Heaven? The Bible doesn't support a place somewhere in which the person waits to be judged. It does, however, support that the dead are "asleep," and that when Jesus returns, He will raise those who died in the faith first from that sleep, to be joined with Him, after which those who are still alive will join with them in the clouds to ascend to Heaven (1 Thess. 4:15, 16). If they were already in Heaven, why would Jesus need to come back to retrieve their bodies? The Bible states that those bodies will be changed in the blink of an eye, so if we believe that the dead are already in Heaven, they would already have transformed bodies; it wouldn't happen at the second coming of Jesus. Those resurrected bodies would need to be changed, otherwise there would be sinful states in Heaven.You also state a middle state...where does this exist? Are our "souls" simply flying around everywhere? Where is the Biblical support for this...not taken out of context with the verses before and after it?
Doug Buckley 29 Dec 2011, 17:01
It really doesn't matter what you've been taught in your church about the dead. What matters is what the bible says. It makes clear that the dead people have souls, and don't literally sleep.“But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1.22-23 KJV bible).
Paul clearly says he, not some lifeless spirit, desires to depart and be with Christ. He doesn't say he desires to sleep in the ground.
"And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?" (1st Samuel 28.15 KJV bible)
Demons can't prophecy of God, so how can Saul talk with the prophet Samuel if the dead have no souls? This passage completely contradicts what you're saying about souls.
How is that Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah before the resurrection of the dead, “...his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him” (Matthew 17.2-3 KJV bible).
This is not their unconscious breaths of life, but their souls that are talking to Jesus. How is this possible if the dead are completely asleep and have no souls?
How is it that the SOULS of the martyrs are in heaven and awake before the first resurrection, "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the SOULS of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held...(Revelation 6.9 KJV). The saints go to heaven like the bible says.
The word used here for soul is "psuche" which means person, not spirit or breath. Maybe you don't understand that the bible wasn't written in English, but either way you're clearly ignorant about the biblical words used for soul and spirit.
Speaking of context, you should read Ecclesiastes in full. The whole context of the book is flesh man, or the man under the sun. This is why it says the dead know nothing, because the overall context is the world of the living.
You make alot of accusations about what others believe, but no one here is saying any of these things. No one is saying Jesus' soul went to heaven and then came back to his body. Matthew 12.40 says he was in the heart of the earth. Not asleep in a tomb, which is nowhere near the "heart" of the earth.
In fact, Peter says he preached to the dead, which is another verse that proves that the dead have souls and aren't fully asleep,“For for this cause was the gospel preached [Greek: euaggelizo - to announce good news] also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (1st Peter 4.6 KJV bible).
One has to accept that people have spiritual souls in addition to a spirit of life, before moving on to understanding the resurrection of the dead.
Rules: (1) Posts should be on topic. Your comments and questions should have something to do with the section you post them in. (2) Comments should be civil. No disrespectful, slanderous, or abusive posts.
(3) Repetitive, harassing, or disruptive posting is not allowed. However, if you make a mistake, you can wait a minute and repost. (4) No copying and posting of material from other writers and websites.
This form is powered by Scriptsmill Comments Script. Spam filter by Akismet.
Fellowship
Links
cupofwrath.com