There are two schools of thought on the immediate condition of the recently deceased, awaiting a physical resurrection at some point in the future, conscious in some capacity, or asleep and aware of nothing. I would like your thoughts on the matter, scriptural references optional.
Of course, anyone can chime in with their views on the matter.
Thanks in advance and have a great day.
gone fishin
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Personally, I believe that once dead we immediately go to our eternal destination. But I do not debate soul sleep with people. It's unimportant. If you are asleep awaiting judgment, you will not even know it.
I have met very few Christians who believe in soul sleep. Most of the people who believe in this are part of some cult.
Iruka76
First, there are more schools of thought than that. But I suppose that is for another time. The Bible does point to a physical and spiritual resurrection. Of this there can be no dispute. The Bible clearly portrays the current state of the deceased to be "alive" spiritually in the presence of God in heaven (conscious in some capacity NOT asleep or aware of nothing nor in the grave).
>>The confusion occurs when unlearned folk try to extract Old Tesament idioms and norms and try to apply it to the New Testament dispensation. Before Christ's resurrection there was no heavenly hope for the deceased. They all went into "Sheol" (the abode of the dead) which some conclude to be an expression of the grave (with no consciousness, even oblivion). Others believe that Sheol was a real locale somewhat like hell (because it was within the earth and therefore seperated from God) but it was for rest for those who would be redeemed in the future. Their "future" was completed when Christ was resurrected. Now all who are in Christ immediately go to heaven (New Testament dispensation).
>>There is no evidence to suggest that Sheol is oblivion in the grave.
Anonymous
Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
The bible speaks plainly.
Job 14:13 ¶ O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live [again]? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Job was so afraid of Gods wrath that he prayed to be dead a few other prophets prayed to be dead in the day of the Lord.
Jhn 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha had knowledge of God, she new the her brother Lazarus would be raised in the ressurection at the last day. All the has died is still dead, the last day hasn't come yet.
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.
This is the day that all who were not in the second ressurection will be Judge and the saying will be of a truth that all will be born again.
Dan 12:2 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.
The word of God speaks plainly.
www.theisraelofgod.com
jehanna
a million. Volunteer in a babies medical institution, or nursing domicile. 2. Pay a dinner to a homeless 3. Say: "I forgive you" a minimum of two times an afternoon to those that ultimately harm your emotions. 4. shrink the grass to an previous neighbor. 5. Pray for somebody you don't get alongside (it incredibly is confusing). 6. Make a catalogue of issues you may choose to alter on your self 7. count extensive style to 10 previously blowing up with somebody 8. Play including your babies and revel in that. in case you haven't any longer have been given babies, then the nephews and nieces. 9. do no longer curse whilst somebody cuts in front of you in a site visitors. 10. Make area of a philanthropic business enterprise. peace!
The_Cricket: Thinking Pink!
Honestly, I don't know. I personally believe, based on things I've experienced, that the deceased immediately either go to heaven or hell, or to some sort of "foretaste" (for lack of a better term) of heaven or hell.
Jesus did tell the thief on the cross that he would be in paradise that day... but there's a theory that maybe the comma was put in the wrong place, and it should actually read, "I tell you today, you will be with Me in paradise."
Who knows, really, apart from God and those who are dead?