Sleep And Judgement Day: What Does The Bible Say?

The Bible does not explicitly state that one sleeps until Judgement Day. However, the concept of soul sleep is a belief that after death, the soul sleeps until the resurrection and final judgement. The Bible does refer to the deceased as being asleep, for example, in Daniel 12:2, the resurrection is described as the time when multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake. In the New Testament, Paul speaks of those who have fallen asleep in 1 Corinthians 15:6, and Luke describes the death of Stephen with the words, He fell asleep (Acts 7:60). Thus, for those who expect a resurrection, sleep is used as a metaphor for death. Death is temporary sleep for the believer, with the resurrection being the awakening of the body, not the soul.

The Bible uses 'sleep' as a metaphor for death

The Bible uses sleep as a metaphor for death. In Daniel 12:2, the resurrection is described as the time when "multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake". The New Testament also speaks of believers who are "asleep" in Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul speaks of those who are "still living", in contrast to those who have "fallen asleep" (see also verses 18 and 20). Luke relates the death of Stephen with the words, "He fell asleep" (Acts 7:60), much like how Jesus describes Lazarus in John 11:11 and Jairus's daughter in Luke 8:52.

Death is a "sleep" for the believer because it is temporary; the resurrection is the "awakening". The body, when dead, appears to be resting in sleep, and that gives rise to the metaphorical usage of sleep. However, the soul does not sleep. The moment we experience physical death, our souls are transferred to a different place. For believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6–8; Philippians 1:23). For unbelievers, death means everlasting punishment in hell (Luke 16:22–23).

Until the final resurrection, there is a temporary heaven—paradise (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4)—and a temporary hell—Hades (Revelation 1:18; 20:13–14). According to Jesus' account in Luke 16:19–31, neither in paradise nor in Hades are people sleeping. The three individuals in Jesus' story—Lazarus, Abraham, and the rich man—are quite conscious and active in the afterlife, prior to the resurrection.

The Bible also mentions the concept of "soul sleep", which is the belief that after a person dies, their soul "sleeps" until the resurrection and final judgment. However, this concept is not biblical. While the Bible does speak of those who have died as being asleep, it is important to understand that it is a metaphor, and the soul does not actually sleep.

The soul does not sleep

The concept of "soul sleep" is a belief that after a person dies, their soul "sleeps" until the resurrection and final judgement. However, this idea is not supported by the Bible. While the Bible does refer to the dead as being "asleep" in several passages, this is a metaphor for death, with resurrection being the "awakening".

The Bible makes it clear that the soul does not sleep. In 2 Corinthians 5:6–8, it states that for believers, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord". This indicates that when the physical body dies, the soul is immediately transferred to a different place, either to be with the Lord or to everlasting punishment in hell.

This interpretation is further supported by Jesus' account in Luke 16:19–31, where Lazarus, Abraham, and the rich man are all conscious and active in the afterlife, prior to the resurrection. Additionally, in Revelation 6, John sees "the souls of those who had been slain" in heaven, crying out for justice and awaiting judgement. These souls are not sleeping but are wide awake and fully conscious.

Therefore, while the body may be described as "sleeping" until the resurrection, the soul remains very much awake and aware, either in paradise or Hades, awaiting the final judgement.

The body sleeps while the soul is in paradise or Hades

The Bible does not teach the concept of "soul sleep", which is the belief that after a person dies, their soul "sleeps" until the resurrection and final judgement. This belief is based on the misinterpretation of certain Biblical passages. While the Bible does refer to the dead as being "asleep" in some places, this is a metaphor for death, as a dead body appears to be resting.

However, the soul does not sleep. When a person dies, their soul is transferred to a different place, either paradise or Hades, where they remain conscious and active until the final resurrection. This is supported by Jesus' account in Luke 16:19-31, where the individuals in His story—Lazarus, Abraham, and the rich man—are conscious and active in the afterlife, prior to the resurrection.

Therefore, it can be said that a person's body is "sleeping" while their soul is in paradise or Hades, awaiting the resurrection when the body will be "awakened" and transformed into an everlasting body.

The body is awakened at the resurrection

The Bible does not support the concept of "soul sleep", the belief that a person's soul sleeps until the resurrection and final judgement. Instead, the Bible describes death as a sleep for the body, not the soul. This metaphor of sleep for death is used in several passages, such as Daniel 12:2, which states that "multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake". Similarly, Paul contrasts those who are "still living" with those who have "fallen asleep" in 1 Corinthians 15:6. The death of Stephen is described in Acts 7:60 as having "fallen asleep", and Jesus also uses this phrase to describe Lazarus in John 11:11 and Jairus’s daughter in Luke 8:52.

Sleep is used as a metaphor because death appears to be a state of rest for the body, and this sleep ends at the resurrection when the body is awakened and transformed. This transformation is described in 1 Corinthians 15:35-54, where Paul explains that our earthly bodies are perishable, dishonourable, weak, and natural, but our resurrected bodies will be imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. Our resurrected bodies will be perfectly suited for heaven, no longer requiring physical sustenance or depending on natural means to support life.

The Bible provides several indications that the resurrection of the body is physical rather than spiritual. Firstly, the very term "resurrection" implies a physical concept, as the Bible does not recognise a resurrected body that remains physically in a grave. Secondly, Philippians 3:20-21 teaches that Christ's resurrection body is the model for our own resurrection, and since Christ was raised with a physical body, we can expect the same. Thirdly, Romans 8:21-23 speaks of "the redemption of our bodies", indicating that our bodies will be renewed, restored, and revitalised. Fourthly, Jesus describes the resurrection as individuals coming out of their tombs, which suggests a physical resurrection. Finally, the Old Testament reinforces the physical nature of the resurrection, as seen in Daniel 12:2 and Job 19:25-27.

In summary, the Bible teaches that the body is awakened and transformed at the resurrection, resulting in a spiritual, imperishable, glorious, and powerful body that is perfectly suited for eternity in heaven or hell.

The redeemed will inhabit the new heaven and new earth

The Bible makes it clear that the redeemed will inhabit the new heaven and new earth. This is expressed in Revelation 21:1, which states that "the redeemed, made righteous by the blood of Christ, will inhabit the new heaven and new earth".

The idea of a new heaven and a new earth is mentioned four times in the Bible, in the books of Isaiah, 2 Peter, and Revelation. In Isaiah, God promises a new heaven and a new earth, where "the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind" (Isaiah 65:17). Similarly, in 2 Peter, the apostle speaks of the end times, when "the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire" (2 Peter 3:10). This will be followed by "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

The book of Revelation provides a more detailed description of the new heaven and new earth. It mentions that the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and that a new Jerusalem, adorned as a bride for her husband, will descend from heaven (Revelation 21:1-2). In this new creation, God will dwell with humans, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:3-4). The new earth will be characterised by harmony and righteousness, with the abolition of the curse upon the earth (Revelation 22:3).

The concept of redemption and the new earth is closely tied to the idea of a new identity in Christ. Believers are given a new identity as children of God, marked by intimacy, eternal belonging, and the fulfilment of God's promises (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new identity is symbolised by new names, reflecting a transformed and renewed relationship with God (Isaiah 62:2).

The new heaven and new earth are not just a theological concept, but an absolute reality for Bible writers. It signifies the end of sin and the restoration of God's created order. It is the culmination of God's redemptive action in history, moving towards its eschatological fulfilment.

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