We established last week that the souls of the dead are sent to either Paradise or Hades. Let’s look now at the state of the soul after that transfer. Today let’s consider one aspect: will we be awake or asleep in that intermediate state?

States that when we die our souls go into a sleeping state until the final resurrection and judgment.

Matthew 27:52 – “The tombs opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised….” Greek: KOIMAO – to fall asleep

 John 11: This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.“ The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead….”

 Acts 7:60 – “Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.”

1 Corinthians 15:6,18 – “ After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep…18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ” Paul argues for a resurrection If there is no resurrection, then those who have “fallen asleep in Christ” will have perished.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 – “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep…even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus…that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.”

Psalm 115:17 – “The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10: “For the living know they will die, but the dead do not know anything…for their memory is forgotten…Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going….”

“For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.” These verses have been seen to suggest that those in Sheol are unable to speak, act, or think because they are in a state of unconciousness. Will this view stand the test of scrutiny?

States that verses like those just considered do not speak of the “soul” sleeping, but of the mortal body sleeping. States that verses that speak of sleeping deal with the mortal existence and not with the immortal soul.

Luke 16:22ff: Shows the rich man awake and aware of his torment in Hades (Tartarus). Shows both Abraham and Lazarus as awake and able to interact with the rich man, though separated from him by an impassable chasm. Shows awareness on the part of the rich man concerning his family and earthly affairs.

Jesus does not seem to anticipate an extended sleep – either for himself or for the thief. Expectation seems to be for them to be awake and conscious of what is transpiring in the world to come.

Verse 15 – “Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Verse 19 – “Moreover the Lord will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore, tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the Lord will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

Samuel was aware of where he was and of current events. Samuel spoke of being “disturbed” but not of being “awoken”. Samuel knew the plans of the Lord and that the very next day Saul and his sons would die and join Samuel in Sheol. Nothing in this even suggests that the dead in Sheol were asleep or unaware of what was happening around them.

Each of these chapters represent souls of the righteous as being awake and in praise of God.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us….

22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

When we die, our bodies will sleep. Our souls will go to the world beyond where we will be awake and alert. The righteous will rise to praise God. The wicked will descend to experience punishment while awaiting final judgment. Are you ready so you will join those who ascend to praise God?