And many of them that sleep in the
dust of the earth shall awake...
Daniel 12:2

Spirits at Rest

Updated February 14, 2010

"And ye, in putting the departed souls in heaven, hell and purgatory,
destroy the arguments wherewith Christ and Paul prove the resurrection."
William Tyndale (1484-1536)

This study will not be well received by many Christians. It is not the most popular doctrine.
However, it is what I believe the Word of God teaches with respect to the departed, those that have been laid to rest. Those of whom we say, "May they rest in peace."

So why raise a fuss? Is this concept, that the spirits of the departed are at rest until the return of Christ and God raises the dead and establish Christ's Kingdom on this earth, really important? I think that it is.
Here are five primary reasons:

1. The idea of "going to heaven" awake and conscious detracts from "The Blessed Hope" of Titus 2:13, the return of our Lord, the resurrection of the dead and the establishment of Christ's Kingdom.

2. The belief that the dead are in the nether world, floating around with the gods is an old pagan idea. It is found in most ancient religions. Indeed, they thought they became gods. This idea was merged into Christianity very early as were other pagan practices. For a lengthy discussion on ancient religions see the Appendix at the bottom of the page.

3. False doctrine, such as Replacement Theology, Preterism or Amillennialism, is given credence by teaching of a conscious existence in heaven.

4. So many crazy ideas that Christians entertain originate with this doctrine: Can the dead in heaven see what happens on earth; what will we be doing in heaven besides praising the Lord; what do we, as spirits, look like in heaven; do folks receive messages, visions or dreams from the dead; can the dead intercede for the living, is there a temporary holding place for the dead and the beleif in reincarnation.

5. "Going to heaven" is not scriptural. Trying to make scripture fit with the idea that the departed are conscious in heaven will lead to incorrect interpretation of scripture and prophecy.

Psalm 6:4-5 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

This belief is generally known as "soul sleep" or by the technical name of Psychopannychy. It is the doctrine that the soul or spirit sleeps between death and resurrection. It has been held sporadically in the church. There is a paucity of scripture teaching on the intermediate state of the believer after death, and it is with those scriptures that this study will deal.

I believe this false doctrine of "going to heaven" was introduced into Christianity in the second and third centuries when the Pre-millennium view (chiliasm) was being replaced by leaders of the Greek Church, later to be adopted by the Roman Church in the fourth and fifth centuries, taken directly from pagan mythology as were other pagan customs. That the departed are joyfully intermingling in the spirit world with the gods is not an uncommon belief among pagans.

What is the soul or the spirit? Is it immortal or does it die? Christians discuss this with various opinions. Yet God has clearly indicated He will REMEMBER us. Here is an article by Bruce Malone from his book Search for the Truth that makes it clear exactly what happens to the spirit that, upon death, returns to God who gave it.

"...we shall suddenly rise on the last day without knowing how we have come into death and through death. 'We shall sleep, until He comes and knocks on the little grave and says, "Doctor Martin, get up!' Then I shall rise in a moment, and be with him forever. " Martin Luther (1493-1546)

This is an on-going study. As questions are raised or new arguments brought forth I will try to deal with them. I will attempt to deal with all scripture in an honest and straightforward manner and not "twist" the scriptures. To those who hold this doctrine in distain I would simply ask they give these pages an honest reading.

Below you will find two tables with links to the various scriptures and subjects.
The first table counters, with scripture, often quoted verses used by those who oppose this doctrine. There are only a handful of verses that actually can be used to refute soul sleep.
The second table offers scriptural proof that the dead are at rest and requires the opponents of "soul sleep" to defend their position.

The Appendix at the bottom of the page contains links to various articles, definitions and other scripture that supposedly prove the dead are conscious in heaven.

Comments, suggestions and rebuttals are welcome.
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