- "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2).
- "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51).
- "Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not charge them with this sin.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:60).
The Bible often refers to the state of death as "sleep." This is because the dead will actually be "awakened" (resurrected) at the end of time, some, as Gabriel says, "to everlasting life, others to everlasting contempt."
The Bible says the dead "know not anything" (Eccl. 9:5), they "do not praise the Lord" (Psalm 115:17), and that their thoughts have perished (Psalm 146:4).
What does Jesus say about the dead?
Jesus "said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.' Then His disciples said, 'Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.' However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.'" (John 11:11-14 NKJV).
He also said, "This is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day" (John 6:39).
Jesus says the dead really are dead. They are not yet in heaven, nor are they yet in hell. They are "asleep," awaiting the resurrection "at the last day."
Why is it important that you know the truth about the dead?
Satan's first lie was, "Ye shall not surely die."
Since then, he has convinced many, even sincere Christians, that when you die, you aren't really dead. If Satan can convince you that the dead are living and are able to communicate with you, he can then begin to use that belief to deceive you out of your eternal inheritance, just like he deceived Adam and Eve out of their garden paradise.
For instance, you might believe that your dead grandmother is visiting you and telling you that your pastor is evil, that any religion is acceptable to God, or whatever else that could turn you from your loving Father, His truth, and His kingdom.
You must know the Word of God and the God of the Word. Diligently read the Scriptures every day and pray regularly so that your connection with heaven remains secure and your knowledge of God increases.
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