This indicates that they go directly to God:
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
2007-10-19 15:04:00 · 17 answers · asked by Nels 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sorry if it seems like I answered my own question, but I'm just confused about Jesus' calling the dead asleep.
2007-10-19 15:05:05 · update #1
When the Bible says a person is “sleeping” in relation to death (Luke 8:52; 1 Corinthians 15:6), it does not mean literal “sleep.” Sleeping is just a way to describe death because a dead body appears to be sleeping. The Bible tells us that the instant you die, you are taken to heaven or Hell based on whether you had received Christ as your Savior or not. For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). For unbelievers, death means everlasting punishment in Hell (Luke 16:22-23). The concept of “soul sleep” is not a Biblical doctrine. The moment we die, we face the judgment of God (Hebrews 9:27). Until the resurrection, though, there is currently a temporary heaven “Paradise” (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4) and Hell “Hades” (Revelation 1:18; 20:13-14).
In a sense, a person’s body is “sleeping” while their soul is in Paradise or Hades. This body is then “awoken” and transformed into the eternal body a person will possess for eternity. These eternal bodies is what we possess for all of eternity, whether we are in heaven or Hell. Those who were in Paradise will be sent to the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21:1). Those who were in Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15). These are the final, eternal destinations of all people - based entirely on whether a person had trusted Jesus Christ alone for the salvation of their sins.
Recommended Resource: What the Bible Says about Heaven & Eternity by Ice & Demy.
2007-10-19 15:23:47 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Despite what many may believe Jesus and the Spirit WERE around during the Old Testament days. Just read the Bible. In the beginning was the Word...who is the Word? Jesus.And the Spirit moved upon the face of the earth. Who moved? The Spirit! Both were apart of the making of the earth and of man. Jesus said He is not dead but asleep,why? To calm the crowd? No to tell them that the body was just a shell and the Spirit was a never ending being who was in fact ALIVE He knew this because He was there when the Father,the Spirit, and Himself all walked the face of the earth.
2007-10-20 11:23:57 · answer #2 · answered by Healing_Rain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their bodies are 'asleep' but they themselves - their spirits are very much alive! Remember Moses and Elijah on the mountain? They came and talked to Jesus about His departure. They knew He was coming home. I kinda doubt God woke them up saying, "Now boys, get up! Jesus is coming home soon and I need you to give Him a message." No, they knew He was coming and were sent to discuss it. Plus Abraham saw the day of Jesus' birth and was glad. (John 8:56)
These are some great books on the subject -
Heaven: Close encounters of the God kind by Jesse Duplantis
We Saw Heaven - Roberts Liardon
Within the Gates by Rebecca Springer
2007-10-22 13:53:21 · answer #3 · answered by Lover of Blue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ecclesiastes is in the Old Testament. Jesus wasn't around then. This scripture illustrates the basis for the Jewish belief in Resurrection and Judgement Day.
2007-10-19 22:08:17 · answer #4 · answered by © 2007. Sammy Z. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spirits don't sleep. The resurrection pertains to the body only. The spirits of the physically dead are still fully alive. Jesus said those who follow Him "will never die". The spirits of the physically dead are alive in heaven, or spiritually dead in hell. Their bodies will be reunited with them at the final resurrection.
2007-10-19 22:08:59 · answer #5 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they are not asleep. They live on in the Spirit World and can continue to learn and progress until the day of the resurrection.
2007-10-20 01:07:15 · answer #6 · answered by Amy B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Q: Are the spirits of the dead asleep waiting for the resurrection?
A: No
2007-10-19 22:07:26 · answer #7 · answered by Jack P 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Paul wrote
absent from the body, present with the Lord
2 Corinthians 5:8 (King James Version)
8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2007-10-19 22:33:55 · answer #8 · answered by sego lily 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way I take it, he was referring to the body, which is resurrected later. Some to eternal life, and others to condemnation.
As I read the Bible, spirits don't have a body or an need to sleep. They are tireless.
2007-10-19 22:08:29 · answer #9 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When we did in Christ we go back to God and sleep till
the day of the end ,then God will rise us up to meet the other,s
who are coming to Heaven.
2007-10-19 22:08:42 · answer #10 · answered by elaine 30705 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋