The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Afterlife

doulos,

First..... sorry you took offense to the fact that you ARE rejecting the "traditional, historical, biblical" view and at least leaning far more to the erroneous teaching called "soul sleep". Both can't be right!

Second, on what basis do you justify that those who have been martyred are to be bifurcated from all other believers and thus have this "special" existence of their souls at death? Paul says of ALL believers that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (2Cor 5:8), which seems to indicate to me that at death the body is put in the grave and the soul returns to God/Christ to await the final Judgment. Again, the Lord Christ told the thief who was crucified next to him, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Lk 23:43). This thief surely can't be grouped among those who was martyred for his faith.

Lastly, in regard to your understanding of the word "sleep", I already gave you a reasonable answer to that by quoting William Hendriksen's comments from his most excellent commentary on that text in another reply below. But I'll quote it again here for your benefit.

The death of believers is often compared to sleep (Matt. 27:52; John 11:11-18; Acts 7:60; I Cor. 7:39; 15:6, 18; cf. “rest from their labors,” 1 14:18). The expression is based on Old Testament terminology with reference to death (Gen. 47:30; II Sam. 7:12). The comparison of death to sleep is particularly appropriate in implying not only rest from labor also the glorious awakening which believers expect on the other side. This falling asleep does not indicate an intermediate state of unconscious repose (soul-sleep). Though the soul is asleep to the world which it has left (Job 7:9, 10; Is. 63:16; Eccl. 9:6), it is awake with respect to its own world (Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-23; Rev. 7:15-17; 20:4) For other beautiful and comforting words and phrases describing the death of believers see N.T.C. on John 11:11-13.

A fair inference from the present passage is that during the short period which had elapsed since the Thessalonians first heard the Gospel some believers had passed from this earthly scene. It was with reference to them that friends and relatives were deeply disturbed. In fact, they were so alarmed that Paul adds: in order that you do not grieve as do the rest, who have no hope.

William Hendriksen, NTC I and II Thessalonians (Baker: Grand Rapids, 1975) pp. 109, 110.

I would have hoped that this would have sufficed to show you that when the word "sleep" is used in regard to the death of believers, at least, it is synonymous with the word "death"; i.e., that when a believer dies, he/she does not become non-existent, but rather it is a temporary separation of the soul from the body. The body returns to the dust from which it was made, and the soul returns to its Author to await the consummation where the body and soul will once again be united, albeit incorruptible.

In His Grace,