The State of The Dead | Bible Study

Asleep in Jesus! Soon to rise,
When the last trump shall rend the skies;
Then burst the fetters of the tomb,
And wake in full, immortal bloom.

1. By what figure does the Bible represent death?

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 1Thess 4:13. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept 1Cor 15:18, 20. These 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. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. John 11:11-14

NOTE: – In sound sleep one is completely lost to all consciousness; time goes by unmeasured; and the functions of the mental organs are suspended for the duration of the sleep.

2. Where do the dead sleep?

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Dan 12:2

3. How long will they sleep there?

So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. Job 14:12

4. What must take place before Job could expect to awake?

If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Verse 14

5. Where does Job wait?

If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. Job 17:13

6. While in this condition, what does one know of those who he has left behind?

His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. Job 14:21

7. What happens to man’s thoughts at death?

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Ps 146:4

8. Do the dead know anything?

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Eccl 9:5

9. What part, if any, do they take of earthly things?

Eccl 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. Eccl 9:6

NOTE: – If one continued in consciousness after death, he would know of the promotion or dishonor of his sons. But Job says he does not know this. Then if, as stated in the last text quoted, in death one loses all attributes of his mind, as love, hatred, envy, etc., it is plain that his thoughts have perished, and that he can have nothing more to do with living objects. Again, if man in death prolongs his powers of thought, he lives; and if he lives he must be somewhere. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or hell? If in ether place immediately after death, what is the necessity of a judgment in the end of the world to decide his case? Is there a possibility that some have at death gone to the wrong place, and must now be sent to the other, after having been in bliss or torment for ages, perhaps?

10. What does the psalmist say about the dead praising the Lord?

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. Ps 115:17

11. How much does one know of God when dead?

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? Ps 6:5

NOTE: – There is not even a remembrance of God. As already seen, the Bible everywhere represents the dead as asleep. Was Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, in heaven when the Saviour said: “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth”? John 11:11 If so, calling him to life was really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly belonged to him.

12. But aren’t the righteous dead in heaven?

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Acts 2:34

13. If the dead cannot praise God, what must take place to enable them to do so?

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Isa 26:19

14. What was the only thing with which David would be satisfied?

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Ps 17:15

15. If there would never be an awakening from the dead, what would the result be?

For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 1 Cor 15:16-18

16. When does the resurrection of the righteousness take place?

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Thess 4:16

NOTE: – If as we learned (Eccl 9:5) the dead know not anything, then they will certainly not have knowledge of the lapse of time. A thousand years will be to them as a day or a moment. To go down to the grave, and wait till the resurrection, even if it is a thousand years, will be to those who experience it like a sudden transition from this life to the next. It should be a comforting thought to one whose life has been filled with anxiety and grief for loved ones who persist in wickedness, to know that they will be spared torment while in death. Again, it would injure the happiness of one’s enjoyment in heaven if he could look upon the earth, and see his friends and family maltreated by friends and strangers, or suffering from cold and heat, or thirst and hunger. It is wise that God has ordered it as expressed by the patriarch: “His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. Job 14:21