TO SLEEP OR NOT TO SLEEP
The subject of death is never far from our thoughts, for all of us have experienced the loss of a loved one. From the beginning of history it has played a major part in man’s affairs. During the era of the Egyptian pharaohs, no expense was spared to help their departed Kings into the next life.
Every age and culture has its own way of dealing with death. In modern Western society we tend not to dwell upon it until a friend or loved one is taken.
With many years’ experience in dealing with grieving families, I cease to wonder at the many fanciful ideas that some unbelievers have. Most are quite convinced that their departed loved one is already ‘up there’ surrounded by all his friends, and having a wonderful party with the beer flowing in all directions. Such appalling ignorance of the way of death and its ramifications is all too common in these last days.
To adequately cover the subject in one article obviously is not possible. We will not attempt to look at judgement and resurrection. However, there is one aspect of the subject of death that we will examine, because it causes much confusion among Christians. It is the question as to whether believers are conscious or unconscious in death. As we might expect, there are two schools of thought, both bitterly opposed. This controversy has raged throughout the centuries. There are some who take the view that it doesn’t matter either way. If we are unconscious they say, we won’t know anything until the resurrection, whether it be ten or a hundred years.
Whilst this may be a valid point, nevertheless, if there is any information in the Scriptures, we have a legal right to know. Deuteronomy C29, and v29 tells us,
‘The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.’
So do the Scriptures contain information to help us with our question? The writer has no doubt that sufficient information is available, and as such, we have a right to know the answer.
Those who believe in the soul sleep have a number of convincing texts to back up their case. We begin with Psalm 6 and verse 5,
‘For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? ‘
A further Psalm also supports their case, Psalm 146 v 4,
‘His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. ’
To say the least, both these texts paint a rather morbid picture of death. If it is a fact that our thoughts perish at death, then we have a major problem. In Job C19, we are given a graphic picture of the resurrection, at Christ’s Second Advent.
‘For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another: though my reins be consumed within me. ’ (Job C 19 v25-27)
If our thoughts perish at death, we may only conclude that Job, and all of us would be looking at God without understanding or comprehension. The word ‘perish’ in Psalm 146 is from the Hebrew ‘DAMAN’ and variously means rest, be silent, tarry, or wait. It is interesting to note that Farrar Fenton renders the verse, ‘his splendour departs’ and the NIV ‘Their plans came to nothing’ There is nothing here to suggest annihilation of our thoughts. Another text used to support soul sleep is Ecclesiastes C9 verses 5 and 10.
‘For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.’
‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. ’
We must be exceedingly careful how we approach the writings of Solomon in Ecclesiastes. Whereas the Psalms of his father, and other Psalms, are inspired writings on history, prophecy etc, Ecclesiastes on the other hand, was trying to find the meaning of life as an unbeliever would view it. Although Solomon himself was a believer, he was showing his readers what it is like by leaving God out of the picture. What man sees is no more than vanity. Clearly, the Holy Spirit allowed this diatribe of misery because it highlights the hopelessness of man without God.
Verses 5 and 10 quoted above, is the world’s view of death. In fact, there are two theological inaccuracies in verse 5. The first is the fact that all who have ever lived do have a reward of one kind or another. The second is that their memory is not forgotten by God. Verse 10, on the other hand, is quite correct, for there is no work or wisdom in the grave. Although the first eleven Chapters of Ecclesiastes are the thoughts of man without God, however, in the final Chapter he arrives at the correct conclusion, for he says
‘Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. ’ (Ecclesiastes C12 v 13-14)
Also a great truth is established in verse 7 of that Chapter,
‘Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.’
At death there is a separation of body and spirit, and this is confirmed in, II Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 8,
‘We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord’
In I Thessalonians C5, and verse 23, we are told that we are body, soul and spirit. This being so, we, like our Creator are a trinity. Three is the number of completeness. That we are made in God’s image is confirmed in Genesis C1 verse 26, thus we are stamped with the perfect number also. The spirit within us is the Spirit of God. This lies dormant until we accept Christ Jesus into our hearts. In Old Testament times it was when Jehovah and His law were accepted. The soul is that part of us which gives us our awareness, the essential ‘us’ who is able to think and to reason.
In Luke’s Gospel there is a text which throws further light in our quest for truth,
‘And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise. ’ (Luke C23 v 39-43)
Some who teach soul sleep have moved the comma after ‘thee’ and put it after ‘today’. Thus Jesus would have said, “Verily I say unto thee today, that thou shalt be with me in paradise. ” This has allowed an unknown period of time before the believer is with Jesus. ,
In order to arrive at the truth on any matter, we must always compare Scripture with Scripture, and not to establish a matter from one text, especially if there are others available. So much is taught these days by the precept of men, being an amalgam of truth and error. We must concentrate wholly upon what the Scriptures reveal.
The writer believes that we are able to build a solid rock of evidence to establish without any doubt that the believer is fully conscious and with the Lord after death.
Peter, James, and John were privileged to witness the most amazing event ever to take place on the earth,
‘And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them and 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 C17 v 1 -3)
Clearly, both Moses and Elijah were fully conscious and talking with Jesus. They represented all believers in the Old Testament era. We may also include Samuel, who you will recall was brought back by a witch at the request of Saul. Incidentally, some will say that what Samuel said would indicate that he was asleep, and annoyed with Saul for waking him up. However, a careful reading of the text will confirm that Samuel was fully aware of what was happening between Israel and the Philistines at the time. Not only so, but the Lord informed him of the outcome of the coming battle, and what was about to befall Saul and his sons the next day. (See I Samuel C28) A word of warning is needed here. We must not deduce from this incident that all the dead are aware of earthly events. This was a special ‘one off’ intervention for a specific purpose.
In the New Testament, Paul gives us a number of clues as to the state of the departed believers after leaving their earthly body.
‘For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight: we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’ (II Corinthians C5 v 1-8)
Does it seem reasonable to suppose that Paul who had laboured so hard for the Lord, would rather be dead and unconscious? Or would it be more likely that he knew full well that he would be fully conscious, or as he says, ‘present with the Lord’?
Again, similar truths are expressed by him in Philippians Cl verses 21-24
‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 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: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. ’
One of the best loved texts in the New Testament is John C14 verses 1-3
‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so,I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’
The writer has read that text at funeral services hundreds of times, but do we really understand what Jesus said? Many believe that it refers to the Second Advent, where Jesus will come and gather the saints, and take them with Him into heaven. It is not the purpose of this article to show that the millennial reign is an earthly reign. So what does the text teach us? Could it not be that when a believer dies, the Lord Himself comes and escorts them into heavenly places? A glance at two other translations clarifies the meaning still further. The N.I.V. renders verse 3,
‘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. ’
Ferrar Fenton says,
‘I will return, and take you to myself.’
If the Lord’s Second Advent is an earthly kingdom, and this text is referring to it, the Lord wouldn’t have said ‘take you’ or ‘receive you’. He would have said I will bring you. ’
If our wonderful Lord comes and takes every believer, and escorts them to the place that He has prepared, does it seem reasonable that He would then put them to sleep until His Second Advent?
Do other texts support a case for the conscious state of believers? The book of Revelation has much to teach us,
‘And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
And one of the elders saith unto me, weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.’ (Revelation C5 verses 1-10)
A heavenly scene with the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Christ) sitting upon His throne, surrounded by men and angels. (The word ‘man’ in the text is from a Greek word which includes man and woman). One of the angels asks the men which of them is worthy to open the book with the seven seals. No man in heaven, or the earth was found worthy to open it. Only the Lord Himself has that right.
Those in heaven around the throne realise that they are not worthy to even look at the book, yet alone open it. Were they asleep? And then the greatest statement of all in verse 10,
‘And has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.’
Those around the throne are not only fully conscious, but know for a surety that they will reign on the earth with Jesus Christ, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Thus will be fulfilled the saying in 1 Thessalonians C4 verse 14.
‘For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with Him. ’
Now, we see in the next chapter of Revelation C6 verses 9-11
‘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: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. ’
Another heavenly scene where the saints are concerned that God does not avenge the shedding of their blood. It was said to them that there would be persecution throughout this age until the Lord returns. A persecution that began when the Jewish authorities and the Romans hounded them out from their meeting places, where thousands were mauled by lions in the Roman arena. Where men, women and children gave their lives during the Reformation rather than accept the dogma of Rome. And so it is today in heathen lands where the lovers of Christ are being persecuted for the truth. Notice in the text, the saints are conscious, and concerned, and clothed, and in their right mind!
Some will say that because they should ‘rest for a little season’ that they are asleep. However, if we compare Chapter 14, and verse 13, it says that they may rest from their labours. Certainly they rest from their earthly labours. However, that is only for a season, for when they return to earth with Jesus, there will be little rest!
The story continues in chapter 7 of Revelation verses 13-17.
‘And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 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.’
What a wondrous scene, the saints who were martyred, wearing white robes, and serving God day and night. What a privilege, what unspeakable joy.
It must be noted that these texts speak only of the martyrs who are serving the Lamb. Are we to assume that only those who have been killed for their faith will be there? What of countless others who have died peacefully in their beds? Will they be afforded such a glorious privilege?
See the tender words of Jesus to Martha after her brother Lazarus had died.
‘Then Martha, as soon as she heard That Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary was still in the house.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again.
Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the World.’ (John C11 verses 20-27)
This is one of the most wonderful truths in the New Testament. Notice however that the promise is conditional, belief is the key, ‘He that believeth in Me shall never die. ’
Some say that Lazarus was indeed dead, for Martha said to Jesus ‘by this time he stinketh. ’ However, if we bear in mind all that we have seen in this article, we may conclude that Lazarus was alive. Some will say that when he died, Jesus Himself was still alive and had not ascended unto His Father, so Lazarus must have been dead. How do we answer this theological conundrum?
In fact, the answer is not difficult to find, for did not Jesus preach to those who were awaiting Him in Hades?
What other texts confirm that believers, apart from those killed for their faith are alive and conscious? II Corinthians Chapter 5 verses 1-4 express this truth in so few words.
‘For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.’
This is what this present life is all about. Not a case of ‘eat, sleep and be merry, for tomorrow we die’.This is the philosophy of the world which we saw so ably expressed by Solomon in Ecclesiastes.
We, on the other hand, do not hold to this fatalistic view of existence. We know that what we endure in this feeble frame is a battleground, a training period, and assault course for the real life yet to come. This is our hope, our joy, and our calling.
However, all that we have discovered in this article carries a sting in the tail. It is certain that whatever part we are to play in future ages, depends upon our actions now. Although believers are assured of eternal life, our measure of service now, will determine our status in the Kingdom. This is confirmed in I Corinthians Chapter 3 verses 13-16.
‘Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?’
Let us conclude the matter with those wonderful words of Paul in I Corinthians Cl5 verses 51-54.
‘Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, But we shall all be changed, in a moment ,in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory’.
PRAISE THE LORD
