Quote
doulos said:
I think you've got your finger in the sore here. In this light I am inclined to return to my original--if somewhat maddening--idea that from the POV of the dead person no actual time passes between physical death and general resurrection. To that person they take their last breath, and when they open their eyes they are in the air.
[Linked Image] Where's the scriptural warrant to hold to such a view? However, on the contrary there are biblical passages which would mitigate against this notion, such as:


Revelation 6:9-11 (ASV) "And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled [their course]."


The two elements you are wanting to deny are clearly present in this text: 1) The souls of those who had died are conscious and very much aware of their existence, where they are and even communicate with God. 2) These disembodied souls are also conscious of time, for they cried out, "How long . . . etc."

I can't help but ask "Why? are you opposed to the traditional, historical, biblical view on this particular subject? What is it that is bothering you so much that you would adopt a quasi-soul sleep position? Inquiring minds wanna know.

In His Grace,

[Linked Image]

simul iustus et peccator

[Linked Image]