What do you think it means to be asleep in Christ?

Answer 1

Dear nobeeno,

i believe you are referring to a passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.

In this passage the Bible is teaching about what will happen during the rapture.

Those who are asleep in Christ- are believers in Christ who have died. Those who have died in Christ will be resurrected and caught up with the Lord during the ratpure.

This was a comforting thought to the believers in Thessalonica because they were being persecuted harshly for their faith and as people were being martyred they could not understand why that was (this is why in v.13 Paul says - we do not want you to be uninformed brethren- he reminds them that Jesus is coming back and says take hope, comfort, and conduct your lives accordingly as a result of that).

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 2

It only means the physical body. The one in CHRIST whose soul has separated from the flesh in death, will be returned to it - so, as about to rise one day, it is said to be merely asleep. As when we sleep in this world, each night, our souls are still active, and correspond with a world psychic and spiritual, even though the body is dead to the activities of the soul for some hours.

Other statements about death in Scripture bear this out. As soon as Paul would be gone from the flesh, he said, he would be present with the LORD. Following death on a cross beside the CRUCIFIED JESUS, the penitent malefactor was with JESUS in Paradise. Obviously his corpse was not Paradise, but a place was, where one came to Abraham's bosom.

JESUS, speaking of the person, not the body, primarily, said that the one that believes in HIM shall never die. But HE appended to this the conclusion that the body, as a seed breaking down in the soil, to be raised up into a new, immortal form, is, by virtue of still belonging to the righteous soul, merely sleeping.

When it says in the Tanakh that the thought of the wicked dies when he dies, it means the plans - the particular direction and motivation possessing that one's thoughts - stop dead, as that sinner, no longer under the illusion of freely choosing the course of wayward intents, finds no more room for any thought but the punishment at hand. Like a child running around a corner in a reckless manner: he chases another child with the thought to trip him, then, wham! He rams his head into a wall, and his thought is instantly replaced with the new, hard reality that has overwhelmed his mind, as all he can imagine for now to focus on!

Answer 3

This means you believed in Jesus Christ and died(asleep) and are awaiting the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

To have heard the Gospel Preached and to understand what it means to be a Christian , then live without God being evident in the way you are living your life . Basically , you`re not practicing what you have been taught !! Not being a true witness for The Lord by your actions !!

Answer 5

Physically dead, but spiritually just sleeping until Christ comes back to take His children home.

Answer 6

Asleep in Christ are those who died christians.
It is nice to believe we go straight to heaven when we die,but accually,we sleep until Jesus comes back.

Answer 7

I nicknamed my bed "christ"...so for me it just means tucked neatly in my jim jams and off to dream land.

Answer 8

Basically, going to church. Every time a preacher starts talking about jesus I fall asleep.

Answer 9

probably refers to the righteous dead who are "sleeping" in that they died holy without sin because they were saved by his blood and the holy spirit and therefore went to heaven; to where their souls and spirits await the immortal resurrection in christ in the tribulation.

Answer 10

It means the physical body is at rest with the Lord, waiting Resurrection Day. (Its the Fulfillment of the Day of Rest, the Spiritual Sabbath)

When you see the words "in Christ" in the Bible. Picture it as a book and you a piece of paper inside it. Notice that where ever the Book goes you go with it.

Scripture Referrence: Just some

Romans 3:24; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 8:1-2; There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:38-39; For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12:5; So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

2 Corinthians 5:17; Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 1:3; Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

And one of my favorites; Ephesians 2:6; And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

How do we identify the flasehoods of Christianity? It's in the Assurance of Salvation. For the all teach, even Islam that there is no assurance of Salvation. That there is no way of knowing where you will go when you die. But, the scriptures shows us a whole different picture.

In Romans 8:1 where Paul writes; There is therefore “now” no condemnation to them which are “in” Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Here Brother Paul is speaking of our Christian walk, in the present world.

Notice there is “Now” (at the present moment) no condemnation to them, which are “in Christ” who walks (presently in this world) not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The use of the word condemnation is an interesting one coming from the original. It carries the meaning – to hold in occupancy:- possess, which in the English posses means “to have” in some form or another.

Here, what Brother Paul is referring to, in the use of the word condemnation, is the sinful nature, we all posses. It’s showing the extreme degrees, the condition of sin, has taken control. Which brings me to one of the English definition for condemnation, which mean’s “to make a judicial pronouncement stating what punishment has been imposed on a person found guilty of a crime, especially in the case of a heavy penalty or a death sentence.”

This should fill all believers and make them want to shout for joy! For, “We” who are in Christ, (which is the key) are “Now” (at this present moment) in “No” condemnation; there is “No” penalty or sentence of eternal death, ahead of us.

The key to this “Assurance” is the phrase “In Christ.” In, in the English is defined of its many uses, one is “indicates that something happens or is situated somewhere.”

For in Christ, according to the Scriptures is “our” Present Position of Salvation.

In Ephesians 2:4-6 Brother Paul writes; But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were (past-tense) dead in sins, hath quickened us (given life presently) together (jointly) with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised “us” up together, and made us sit together (present-tense) in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

http://gospel-wings-of-an-eagle4.com/The_Paynes_Just_In_Case_Of_Rapture.mp3