Soul Sleeping? What does scripture say happens to us when we die.

[Whispered]

Soul sleep = death. See the Book of Revelation chapter 20.

Or, and this has been said before, there are two versions of most every matter in Christian Apologetics in scripture. Soul sleep=death, where the dead enter temporary abodes of either paradise or Hades. (two locations in Sheol) or, the soul goes straight back to the Father that gave it. The Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 12.
But is that in this case conflicting? Perhaps not when God creates everything and there is no place we can go that God is not found. The Book of Psalms chapter 139.
Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there.

 

[azamzimtoti]

....and I bet your bottom dollar they are not my posts!

True dat.

 

[massorite]

Soul sleep = death. See the Book of Revelation chapter 20.

Or, and this has been said before, there are two versions of most every matter in Christian Apologetics in scripture. Soul sleep=death, where the dead enter temporary abodes of either paradise or Hades. (two locations in Sheol) or, the soul goes straight back to the Father that gave it. The Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 12.
But is that in this case conflicting? Perhaps not when God creates everything and there is no place we can go that God is not found. The Book of Psalms chapter 139.
Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there.

"there are two versions of most every matter in Christian Apologetics in scripture" Yes but only one version is truly from God unless they are both wrong.

 

[Micaiah-imla]

When Samuel (who was dead) got brought up by the women with a familiar spirit (1 Samuel 28:7-19), Samuel said to Saul, "Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?". It seems as though Samuel was in a state of rest and was awakened (or, disturbed). Samuel also told Saul that, "Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me", indicating that they would be killed in the battle with the Philistines. And notice the term "brought up" (as if from beneath), not brought down (as if from heaven).

 

[massorite]

When Samuel (who was dead) got brought up by the women with a familiar spirit (1 Samuel 28:7-19), Samuel said to Saul, "Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?". It seems as though Samuel was in a state of rest and was awakened (or, disturbed). Samuel also told Saul that, "Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me", indicating that they would be killed in the battle with the Philistines. And notice the term "brought up" (as if from beneath), not brought down (as if from heaven).

Yes that is exactly what I try to tell folks. That Samuel was brought up, not down. Good point on the "Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me" scripture.

 

[EleventhHour]

Ok you got me there. There is nowhere in scripture where the Word of God talks about the soul going to sleep. But there isn't any scripture that tells us the soul does,t go to sleep. It is my opinion that the soul goes to sleep because there is ample proof that the body begins to rot at the very moment the last breath of life leaves the body and goes back to God where it came from.
So lets try this again. Based on scripture there is proof that the soul goes to Hades when the body dies.
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
In Acts 2:27 the word "hell" is translated to the word "hell" from the Greek word "Hades" which is the "Place of Departed Souls". Hades is not a place of torment. Peter clearly knows that when he dies his soul will be going to Hades and since we know that scripture clearly teaches that after 4 days in the grave the body has been decomposed to the point of stinking we know that Peter is not talking about his body because he used the word Soul his soul.
Joh 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he STINKETH: for he hath been dead four days.
Notice the word "stinketh" ???? the word "stinketh" means that the body of Lazarus was already beginning to rot and stink after 4 days in the grave.
24-72 hours after death — the internal organs decompose.
3-5 days after death — the body starts to bloat and blood-containing foam leaks from the mouth and nose.
Your using trickery by qouting one scripture that suits your point but not quoting scripture that proves I am right so I will do it for you;
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus SLEEPETH ; but I go, that I may AWAKE him out of SLEEP.
Notice the words "sleepeth, awake and sleep" in verse 11??? The body begins to rot the very second of death and by the end of 4 days it would be looking pretty nasty.
There is over welming proof in John 11:11 that Jesus used the words "SLEEPETH and AWAKEN HIM OUT OF SLEEP" to describe that state of which the soul of Lazarus was in at the time Christ raised him from the grave and it was in a state of sleep.
The reason we know it was the soul that Jesus was talking about the Souls is because the body was stinking, bloated, and some nasty stuff was leaking from the mouth and nose of the body of Lazarus. The body wasn't sleeping it was dead and rotting. But the souls of Lazarus was sleeping.
So again I have proven that I am correct by using scripture to prove I am right and so far you haven't produced any scripture to prove I am wrong and you are right because there is no scripture that proves your right. Therefore you are believing in a false teaching which is not based on any scripture.

This does work because Jesus clearly refutes soul sleep in the story of the rich man and Lazarus ...both are cognizant and aware.

Whether real or a story Jesus never uses alternate realities.

 

[Whispered]

"there are two versions of most every matter in Christian Apologetics in scripture" Yes but only one version is truly from God unless they are both wrong.

I wouldn't agree with that.

 

[Deade]

@massorite
I wish @Magenta would join in, she's been studying this extensively for a while, and thanks to her and after some time going through the Scriptures back and forth I am now also a believer that this is likely and this state is called the Paradise of God...
The main thing is that this "sleep" is different state of being than we normally imagine sleep to be.
Most often brought up objection is the saints from Revelation crying to God to avenge them. But if blood of Abel can cry out to God from the ground, why couldn't someone who is asleep? God's perception of things isn't the same as ours.

Are our dead forefathers, and other loved ones, dwelling in “heaven” at this time? Jesus said: “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven” (John 3:13).

But many say that Christ opened the graves after the crucifixion. I point you to the faith chapter of Hebrews 11. It tells us of how the patriarchs of old have not ascended to heaven. “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39,40).

Mind you, this was written after the crucifixion. I urge you to also read the whole chapter of I Corinthians 15, but note especially the following verses: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming” (I Corinthians 15:20-23).

Also consider the following: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [Gr. precede] them which are asleep. But every man in his own order; Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: And so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:13-17).

So, are our loved ones already with Christ? If they have to be resurrected at His coming—they must not be. I believe our lost loved ones are asleep; they have no awareness of time.

 

[massorite]

This does work because Jesus clearly refutes soul sleep in the story of the rich man and Lazarus ...both are cognizant and aware.

Whether real or a story Jesus never uses alternate realities.

I wouldn't agree with that.

No, No ,Nooooooooo you got that one wrong as well.
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Through out the whole conversation between the rich man and Abraham, Lazarus never says a single word and all of the conversation takes place between the rich man and Abraham ONLY. During the whole parable, scripture never mentions anything about Lazarus looking at the rich man, knowing the rich man and nothing about Lazarus being awake or aware at all.
Do you know why Lazarus never says a single word during the parable???? So Lazarus WAS NOT cognizant and aware.
LOL because Lazarus is sleeping!!!!!! Here we go again!!! Back around to John 11:11.
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus SLEEPETH ; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
"Whether real or a story Jesus never uses alternate realities." Nope you got that one wrong to. Hooooly Mooooly you are just striking out everytime you step up to the plate. Hades IS an alternate reality compared to our reality. That's one, Heaven is an alternate reality. That's two. The lower parts of the earth which includes Hades and two other realms are alternate realities named Geheena and Tartarus.
These alternate realities are in the spirit realm which is in and of itself an alternate reality.
So not only does Christ use and speak of these alternate realities, HE MADE THEM.

 

[EleventhHour]

No, No ,Nooooooooo you got that one wrong as well.
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Through out the whole conversation between the rich man and Abraham, Lazarus never says a single word and all of the conversation takes place between the rich man and Abraham ONLY. During the whole parable, scripture never mentions anything about Lazarus looking at the rich man, knowing the rich man and nothing about Lazarus being awake or aware at all.
Do you know why Lazarus never says a single word during the parable???? So Lazarus WAS NOT cognizant and aware.
LOL because Lazarus is sleeping!!!!!! Here we go again!!! Back around to John 11:11.
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus SLEEPETH ; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
"Whether real or a story Jesus never uses alternate realities." Nope you got that one wrong to. Hooooly Mooooly you are just striking out everytime you step up to the plate. Hades IS an alternate reality compared to our reality. That's one, Heaven is an alternate reality. That's two. The lower parts of the earth which includes Hades and two other realms are alternate realities named Geheena and Tartarus.
These alternate realities are in the spirit realm which is in and of itself an alternate reality.
So not only does Christ use and speak of these alternate realities, HE MADE THEM.

I should have not used "alternate reality" ...bad word choice .... I should have stated non real settings...like science fiction.

I will address the rest later.

 

[EleventhHour]

No, No ,Nooooooooo you got that one wrong as well.
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Through out the whole conversation between the rich man and Abraham, Lazarus never says a single word and all of the conversation takes place between the rich man and Abraham ONLY. During the whole parable, scripture never mentions anything about Lazarus looking at the rich man, knowing the rich man and nothing about Lazarus being awake or aware at all.
Do you know why Lazarus never says a single word during the parable???? So Lazarus WAS NOT cognizant and aware.
LOL because Lazarus is sleeping!!!!!! Here we go again!!! Back around to John 11:11.
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus SLEEPETH ; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
"Whether real or a story Jesus never uses alternate realities." Nope you got that one wrong to. Hooooly Mooooly you are just striking out everytime you step up to the plate. Hades IS an alternate reality compared to our reality. That's one, Heaven is an alternate reality. That's two. The lower parts of the earth which includes Hades and two other realms are alternate realities named Geheena and Tartarus.
These alternate realities are in the spirit realm which is in and of itself an alternate reality.
So not only does Christ use and speak of these alternate realities, HE MADE THEM.

Funny, an unconscious soul is present in a story who has no awareness of the situation ... that is really funny!!


Another hilarious thing in the story is the rich man wants a bit of water to cool his tongue... now how would a "sleeping soul" be able to respond to such a request.

23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

The bible does not know soul sleep.

Need to differentiate between figurative language, euphemism and when the word "sleep" is referring to death of the body.
It really is that simple.

 

[massorite]

I wouldn't agree with that.

Are our dead forefathers, and other loved ones, dwelling in “heaven” at this time? Jesus said: “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven” (John 3:13).

But many say that Christ opened the graves after the crucifixion. I point you to the faith chapter of Hebrews 11. It tells us of how the patriarchs of old have not ascended to heaven. “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39,40).

Mind you, this was written after the crucifixion. I urge you to also read the whole chapter of I Corinthians 15, but note especially the following verses: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming” (I Corinthians 15:20-23).

Also consider the following: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [Gr. precede] them which are asleep. But every man in his own order; Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: And so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:13-17).

So, are our loved ones already with Christ? If they have to be resurrected at His coming—they must not be. I believe our lost loved ones are asleep; they have no awareness of time.

"But many say that Christ opened the graves after the crucifixion. I point you to the faith chapter of Hebrews 11. It tells us of how the patriarchs of old have not ascended to heaven. “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39,40).
Yes there were many graves that were opened right after Christ died.
Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Mat 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Unfortunately that's about all of the info we have about that. Scripture doesn't tell us where those who were raised from the grave went, if they had glorified bodies or not. Simply put there is not enough information to understand what happened to them.
I did read 1Col 15 again and verse 20 has something interesting I have read before but didn't notice.
1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
In verse 20 it uses the word "slept" as in past tense. This could be talking about those who were raised from the grave in Matthew 27:52. But still not enough info to determine where they went after they were raised from the grave.
Good point you have made. I don't believe they were Old Testament saints though because as you pointed out, scripture tells us that they didn't receive the promise.

 

[Whispered]

"But many say that Christ opened the graves after the crucifixion. I point you to the faith chapter of Hebrews 11. It tells us of how the patriarchs of old have not ascended to heaven. “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39,40).
Yes there were many graves that were opened right after Christ died.
Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Mat 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Unfortunately that's about all of the info we have about that. Scripture doesn't tell us where those who were raised from the grave went, if they had glorified bodies or not. Simply put there is not enough information to understand what happened to them.
I did read 1Col 15 again and verse 20 has something interesting I have read before but didn't notice.
1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
In verse 20 it uses the word "slept" as in past tense. This could be talking about those who were raised from the grave in Matthew 27:52. But still not enough info to determine where they went after they were raised from the grave.
Good point you have made. I don't believe they were Old Testament saints though because as you pointed out, scripture tells us that they didn't receive the promise.

However, Old Testament saints did have faith.
Remember Your Creator
Ecclesiastes chapter 12:6Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well, 7before the dust returns to the ground from which it came, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”

 

[massorite]

Funny, an unconscious soul is present in a story who has no awareness of the situation ... that is really funny!!


Another hilarious thing in the story is the rich man wants a bit of water to cool his tongue... now how would a "sleeping soul" be able to respond to such a request.

23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

The bible does not know soul sleep.

Need to differentiate between figurative language, euphemism and when the word "sleep" is referring to death of the body.
It really is that simple.

OH PLLLLLEASE are you not reading the very scriptures you are talking about here??? The rich man didn't ask Lazarus to bring him some water. The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus with some water to put on his tongue.
I need to tell you that you are not making fun of me or arguing against what I am saying. Your making fun of the Word Of God and the words of Christ. It was Christ who used the words sleep, sleepeth and awaken, not me.
I can see now why you are confused, Your using a different version of the bible than I am and it has been corrupted. In the KJV and several other bible versions the word "standing" is not in verse 23. Which means that without any evidence who ever created your version of the bible added a the word "standing" to verse 23 which contradicts what Christ stated which was that Lazarus was sleeping and needed to be awakened. There is absolutely no proof that Lazarus was standing but most people lay down when they are sleeping.
If I were you I would burn that bible and throw the remains into the trash and get a more accurately translated Bible.
Another error you are making is the you and I and everybody else has a body of flesh, a spirit and a soul. We have three distinct sections just like God does and the flesh rots but the spirit and soul live for ever and go to sleep waiting for resurrection day.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dan 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
The phrase bosom of Abraham occurs only once in the New Testament, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the gospel of Luke (Luke 16:22). Leprous Lazarus is carried by the angels to that destination after death. Abraham's bosom contrasts with the destination of a rich man who ends up in Hades (see Luke 16:19-31). The account corresponds closely with documented 1st century AD Jewish beliefs (see above), that the dead were gathered into a general tarrying-place, made equivalent with the Sheol of the Old Testament. In Christ's account, the righteous occupied an abode of their own, which was distinctly separated by a chasm from the abode to which the wicked were consigned. The chasm is equivalent to the river in the Jewish version, but in Christ's version there is no angelic ferryman, and it is impossible to pass from one side to the other.

The unique phrase found in a parable of Jesus describing the place where Lazarus went after death ( Luke 16:19-31 ). It is a figurative phrase that appears to have been drawn from a popular belief that the righteous would rest by Abraham's side in the world to come, an opinion described in Jewish literature at the time of Christ. The word kolpos [kovlpo"] literally refers to the side or lap of a person. Figuratively, as in this case, it refers to a place of honor reserved for a special guest, similar to its usage in John 13:23. In the case of Lazarus, the reserved place is special because it is beside Abraham, the father of all the righteous. The phrase may be synonymous to the paradise promised to the thief on the cross ( Luke 23:43 ). Together these passages support the conviction that a believer enjoys immediate bliss at the moment of physical death.

 

[massorite]

However, Old Testament saints did have faith.
Remember Your Creator
Ecclesiastes chapter 12:6Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel is broken at the well, 7before the dust returns to the ground from which it came, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”

Yes they did have faith and in a way I am a bit jealous of their faith. They didn't have a bible to read so they had to work harder to maintain their faith. In a way I believe that their faith and relationship with God was greater then mine

 

[Deade]

"But many say that Christ opened the graves after the crucifixion. I point you to the faith chapter of Hebrews 11. It tells us of how the patriarchs of old have not ascended to heaven. “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39,40).
Yes there were many graves that were opened right after Christ died.
Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Mat 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Unfortunately that's about all of the info we have about that. Scripture doesn't tell us where those who were raised from the grave went, if they had glorified bodies or not. Simply put there is not enough information to understand what happened to them.
I did read 1Col 15 again and verse 20 has something interesting I have read before but didn't notice.
1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
In verse 20 it uses the word "slept" as in past tense. This could be talking about those who were raised from the grave in Matthew 27:52. But still not enough info to determine where they went after they were raised from the grave.
Good point you have made. I don't believe they were Old Testament saints though because as you pointed out, scripture tells us that they didn't receive the promise.

This is why we don't determine doctrine on once instance of scripture. No place else are we told of resurrected saints but in Matthew. No place else is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus but in Luke. They could well be pointing to something very different. Either it all fits together or we don't try to decipher.

New Testament references to two or more witnesses:

John 8:17 "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true." Jesus' own words!

Matt. 18:16 "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

2 Cor. 13:1 "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

 

[EleventhHour]

OH PLLLLLEASE are you not reading the very scriptures you are talking about here??? The rich man didn't ask Lazarus to bring him some water. The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus with some water to put on his tongue.
I need to tell you that you are not making fun of me or arguing against what I am saying. Your making fun of the Word Of God and the words of Christ. It was Christ who used the words sleep, sleepeth and awaken, not me.
I can see now why you are confused, Your using a different version of the bible than I am and it has been corrupted. In the KJV and several other bible versions the word "standing" is not in verse 23. Which means that without any evidence who ever created your version of the bible added a the word "standing" to verse 23 which contradicts what Christ stated which was that Lazarus was sleeping and needed to be awakened. There is absolutely no proof that Lazarus was standing but most people lay down when they are sleeping.
If I were you I would burn that bible and throw the remains into the trash and get a more accurately translated Bible.
Another error you are making is the you and I and everybody else has a body of flesh, a spirit and a soul. We have three distinct sections just like God does and the flesh rots but the spirit and soul live for ever and go to sleep waiting for resurrection day.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dan 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
The phrase bosom of Abraham occurs only once in the New Testament, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the gospel of Luke (Luke 16:22). Leprous Lazarus is carried by the angels to that destination after death. Abraham's bosom contrasts with the destination of a rich man who ends up in Hades (see Luke 16:19-31). The account corresponds closely with documented 1st century AD Jewish beliefs (see above), that the dead were gathered into a general tarrying-place, made equivalent with the Sheol of the Old Testament. In Christ's account, the righteous occupied an abode of their own, which was distinctly separated by a chasm from the abode to which the wicked were consigned. The chasm is equivalent to the river in the Jewish version, but in Christ's version there is no angelic ferryman, and it is impossible to pass from one side to the other.

The unique phrase found in a parable of Jesus describing the place where Lazarus went after death ( Luke 16:19-31 ). It is a figurative phrase that appears to have been drawn from a popular belief that the righteous would rest by Abraham's side in the world to come, an opinion described in Jewish literature at the time of Christ. The word kolpos [kovlpo"] literally refers to the side or lap of a person. Figuratively, as in this case, it refers to a place of honor reserved for a special guest, similar to its usage in John 13:23. In the case of Lazarus, the reserved place is special because it is beside Abraham, the father of all the righteous. The phrase may be synonymous to the paradise promised to the thief on the cross ( Luke 23:43 ). Together these passages support the conviction that a believer enjoys immediate bliss at the moment of physical death.

If Lazarus was not able to act upon the request makes no sense to the situation.

The soul does not sleep scripture in no place makes such a statement.
Scripture is clear those in Christ who have died are not in a state of soul sleep, they are with Him.

 

[massorite]

If Lazarus was not able to act upon the request makes no sense to the situation.

The soul does not sleep scripture in no place makes such a statement.
Scripture is clear those in Christ who have died are not in a state of soul sleep, they are with Him.

As you wish.

 

[mailmandan]

If Lazarus was not able to act upon the request makes no sense to the situation.

The soul does not sleep scripture in no place makes such a statement.
Scripture is clear those in Christ who have died are not in a state of soul sleep, they are with Him.

Amen! The word "sleep" in scripture when referring to death, refers to the physical death of believers and not being in an unconscious (literal sleeping) state (John 11:11-12; Acts 7:60; 1 Corinthians 15:6,18,20,51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15; 2 Peter 3:4).

 

[EleventhHour]

Amen! The word "sleep" in scripture when referring to death, refers to the physical death of believers and not being in an unconscious (literal sleeping) state (John 11:11-12; Acts 7:60; 1 Corinthians 15:6,18,20,51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15; 2 Peter 3:4).

Absolutely!!

Thank you!!