Sleep 5

CONCLUSION:  According to the scriptures, what is meant by sleep?

First, sleep refers to “slumber.”  The following scripture is one example.

Psalms 4:8  I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Secondly, sleep refers to “physical death.”  The following scripture is one example.

Acts 13:36  For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep (died), he was buried
with his ancestors and his body decayed.

Sleep does NOT refer to the soul being in a state of unconsciousness or nothingness after the body dies.

Our souls go directly to heaven or hell after we die.

Eventually, the body will be resurrected as a new glorified and spiritual body.  This body will join with our soul and
spirit.  More on this when we study Revelations.

Thank you so much for reading.  God bless.

Jeff

Sleep 4

Last week we stated that the word “sleep” does NOT mean our soul is in a state of unconsciousness or nothingness
after death.  Our souls go directly to heaven or hell after we physically die.

Let’s confirm this point with two more scriptures.

2 Corinthians 5:8  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Paul is stating that when he is away from the body, he (his soul) will be with the Lord.  There is no time of uncon-
sciousness or nothingness.

Philippians 1:23  I am torn between the two:  I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Again, Paul is stating that when he departs from the body, he (his soul) will be with the Lord.  There is no time of unconsciousness or nothingness.

Eventually, the body will be resurrected as a new glorified and spiritual body.  This body will join with our soul and
spirit.  More on this when we study Revelations.

Next week, the conclusion to sleep.

Thank you so much for reading.  God bless.

Jeff

Sleep 3

Welcome.  Some people believe that sleep refers to the soul being in a state of unconsciousness or nothingness
after the body dies.  I have found no scriptural evidence supporting this idea.

Sleep does NOT refer to the soul being in a state of unconsciousness or nothingness after the body
dies!  To confirm this point, let’s refer to our study titled “Point of Salvation” to the left of this page.

Galations 6:8  … from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Ephesians 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you are sealed for the day of re-
demption.

2 Thessalonians 2:13  … from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit and through belief in the truth.

2 Corinthians 1:22  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a de-
posit guaranteeing what is to come.

These verses tell us that salvation takes place upon the receiving of the Holy Spirit.  The seal of salva-
tion has been given to us while we are alive.  There is no reason to be held in a state of unconscious sleep
after we physically die.  We have received all that we need before our death.

Our souls go directly to heaven or hell after we physically die.

Next week, two more scriptures that confirm this point.

Thank you so much for reading.  God bless.

Jeff

Sleep 2

We have read that sleep can refer to “slumber.”  Let’s read another way that sleep is used in the scriptures.

Acts 7:59 – 60  While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Then he fell on his
knees and cried out, “Lord do not hold this sin against them.”  When he said this, he fell asleep(died).  

Acts 8:1  And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

Acts 13:36  For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep (died), he was buried
with his ancestors and his body decayed.

John 11:11  After he said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep (died), but I am
going there to wake him.

John 11:12 – 13  His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”  Jesus had been speaking of his  
death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

These scriptures tell us that sleep can refer to “physical death.”  Sleep was a first century figure of speech for
physical death.   Sleep is often a euphemism for death.

Next week, is sleep ever meant to describe the soul being in a state of unconsciousness after death?

Thank you so much for reading.  God bless.

Jeff

Sleep 1

Welcome to the new readers and thank you to the long term readers.

According to the scriptures, what is meant by sleep?

Let’s begin by reading the scriptures that refer to sleep as “slumber.”

Genesis 2:21  So the Lord God caused the man(Adam) to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he
took one of man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh.

Genesis 28:11  When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set.  Taking one of
the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.  He had a dream in which he saw a stairway
resting on the earth, …

Psalms 4:8  I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Proverbs 6:9  How long will you lie there, you sluggard?  When will you get up from your sleep?

Ecclesiastes 5:2  The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man
permits him no sleep.

As we have just read, many scriptures refer to sleep as “slumber.”

Next week we will read a second way in which the word sleep is used.

Thank you so much for reading.  God bless.

Jeff