This verse AUTOMATICALLY REFUTES your false doctrine. So it is good that you quoted it.
Please note "will God bring with Him". Since Christ is in Heaven, and soul sleep claims that the righteous dead are sleeping in their graves, how in the world would Christ -- from Heaven -- "bring" those who are in their graves (according to you and the cults) at the Rapture? That would be a TOTAL ABSURDITY.
Those who "sleep" in Jesus are simply those who died in Christ, and their bodies appear to be sleeping in their graves when put to rest (initially). Later on the bodies become dust. But their souls and spirits are alive in Heaven with Christ, who will "bring" them from Heaven to join them with their immortal, resurrected, and glorified bodies.
Now please note carefully the connection between the body sleeping in the grave and the soul and spirit being very much alive with Christ (since there is no sleeping in Heaven).
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (Acts 7:59,60; 8:1,2).
So what do we see here?
Although Stephen is reported as being dead (because of the stoning) the Bible says "he fell asleep". Only a dishonest person would claim that he was merely sleeping. But what did Stephen say about his spirit, and where was Christ when He was addressed by Stephen? Christ was in Heaven, and Stephen asked Him IN HEAVEN to receive his spirit. So upon death the soul and spirit of Stephen went to be with Christ (and be very much alive), but his dead body appeared to be sleeping the grave.
Can you see how this incident TOTALLY DEBUNKS soul sleep?
Please note "will God bring with Him". Since Christ is in Heaven, and soul sleep claims that the righteous dead are sleeping in their graves, how in the world would Christ -- from Heaven -- "bring" those who are in their graves (according to you and the cults) at the Rapture? That would be a TOTAL ABSURDITY.
Those who "sleep" in Jesus are simply those who died in Christ, and their bodies appear to be sleeping in their graves when put to rest (initially). Later on the bodies become dust. But their souls and spirits are alive in Heaven with Christ, who will "bring" them from Heaven to join them with their immortal, resurrected, and glorified bodies.
Now please note carefully the connection between the body sleeping in the grave and the soul and spirit being very much alive with Christ (since there is no sleeping in Heaven).
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (Acts 7:59,60; 8:1,2).
So what do we see here?
Although Stephen is reported as being dead (because of the stoning) the Bible says "he fell asleep". Only a dishonest person would claim that he was merely sleeping. But what did Stephen say about his spirit, and where was Christ when He was addressed by Stephen? Christ was in Heaven, and Stephen asked Him IN HEAVEN to receive his spirit. So upon death the soul and spirit of Stephen went to be with Christ (and be very much alive), but his dead body appeared to be sleeping the grave.
Can you see how this incident TOTALLY DEBUNKS soul sleep?
Perhaps you should adjust your understanding so it fits with the Bible?
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