In Defense of the Faith

What about “Soul Sleep”?

Question: Isn’t it true that when the body dies, the soul goes to sleep, only to awaken at the resurrection of the body? Isn’t this what is meant by the expressions “them which are asleep” and “which sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians:4:13-15 [13] 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. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] 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 them which are asleep.
See All...)?

Response: On the contrary, from what the Bible says, the fact that the souls that have been separated from their bodies by death are conscious is quite clear. We have, for example, the rich man who after his death carries on a conversation with Abraham, who is also dead (Luke:16:19-31 [19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. [26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. [27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: [28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. [31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
See All...). We also have the “souls of them that were slain for the word of God” crying with loud voices to God for revenge upon those who killed them (Revelation:6:9-11 [9] And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: [10] And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? [11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
See All...). Paul is “caught up to the third heaven,” where he “heard unspeakable words” (2 Corinthians:12:2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
See All...,4), and he says he doesn’t know whether he was “in the body” or “out othe body” (2 Corinthians:12:2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
See All...,3).

The word “asleep” or “sleepeth” is used in the Bible as a synonym for death (Matthew:9:24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
See All...; John:11:11These 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.
See All...; 1 Corinthians:15:6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
See All...) and refers to the body, not to the soul and spirit. In heaven the redeemed are in conscious bliss in God’s presence, awaiting the resurrection of their entombed bodies, which “sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians:4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
See All...). It is the conscious souls and spirits of “the dead in Christ” that God will “bring with him” when He comes to earth to resurrect their bodies (1 Thessalonians:4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
See All...). Paul’s desire was to “depart [from this life] and to be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians:1:23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
See All...), though he was willing, for the sake of those who needed his ministry, to continue “in the flesh,” serving them and Christ here on earth (v. 24).

Paul would not have wanted to leave this life of service to Christ and the church simply to fall into a soul sleep. Neither would he have called being with Christ “far better” had it meant to slip into an unconscious state of “soul sleep,” as some erroneously teach.