Opening Scripture:
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten.”
—Ecclesiastes 9:5 (NIV)
Introduction:
I am going to speak plainly about death. This subject touches every single life, and yet there is so much confusion about it. The world teaches that when people die, they go instantly to heaven, to hell, or even to some in-between place. But what does the Bible say? We will see clearly that death is not the end—but it is a sleep, a pause, until the resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ.
Alex Jones was telling a man that his dead son was "looking down on him from heaven". I had to set Alex straight. I converted the letter I sent to him into an audio file, in the voice of a young Billy Graham.
One one of the best online videos on the subject of Life After Death is from 119 Ministries. They have a 7 part series on the subject.
I. Jesus Called Death “Sleep”
Let us begin by looking at the example of Jesus Himself.
John 11:11-14
“Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” However, Jesus spoke of his death… Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”
Jesus compared death to sleep. Not torture, not reward, not floating around in heaven. Lazarus was dead—but Jesus didn’t say he went to heaven or hell. He was asleep.
II. The Dead Are Unconscious
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing... Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun... Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
The Bible clearly tells us the dead are not conscious. They “know nothing.” They do not watch us from heaven. They do not suffer in hell. They are asleep, awaiting a future event.
III. No One Has Ascended to Heaven Except Christ
John 3:13
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”
If the righteous dead go to heaven immediately, how could Jesus say no one had gone there? The answer is clear: they are not in heaven. They are asleep in their graves, awaiting the resurrection.
IV. The Promise of Resurrection
1 Thessalonians 4:13-16
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep… For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Paul says the dead are “asleep”—and that they will rise at Christ’s return. If they were already in heaven, why would they need to rise?
V. David Is Still in the Grave
Acts 2:29, 34
“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day… For David did not ascend into the heavens.”
King David—a man after God’s own heart—is still in the grave. He has not ascended to heaven. He, too, awaits the resurrection.
VI. Reward Comes at the Resurrection
Luke 14:14
“…you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
If the righteous are rewarded at death, why does Jesus say the reward comes at the resurrection? Because the dead are not alive yet—they are asleep, waiting for that great day.
Conclusion: Death Is Temporary—Hope in the Resurrection
The Bible consistently teaches that the dead are asleep. They are not in heaven. They are not in hell. They rest, unconscious, in the grave until the voice of Christ awakens them.
Let us be comforted by this truth—not fearful. Death is not the end for those who trust in God. It is a pause, a sleep, until the glorious morning of the resurrection.
Job 14:12-14
“So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep... If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.”
Amen. Let us wait, as Job did, in hope—not in fear. For Christ will come again. And those who sleep in Him will rise to everlasting life.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for showing us that death is not a punishment, but a rest until the resurrection. Strengthen our faith in Your promises, and help us to live in the hope of Christ’s return. In Yeshuas’ name, Amen.
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Death is Compared to Sleep
These verses show that death is described as a state of unconscious "sleep" in both the Old and New Testaments:
- Ecclesiastes 9:5
"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing..." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." - Job 14:10–12
"But man dies and is laid away; Indeed he breathes his last, and where is he?... So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep." - Psalm 6:5
"For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?" - Daniel 12:2
"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake..." - John 11:11–14
"Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."
Jesus explains clearly in verse 14:
"Lazarus is dead." - 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep..."
"...even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus."
🔹 No Immortal Soul in Scripture
These verses reveal that humans do not have an inherently immortal soul:
- Ezekiel 18:4
"The soul who sins shall die." - Genesis 2:7
"And man became a living soul." (KJV)
The soul is what man became—not something he has. - Matthew 10:28
"Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
The soul can be destroyed—so it is not immortal. - 1 Timothy 6:16
"Who alone has immortality..."
Only God is said to have immortality inherently.
🔹 The Dead Do Not Go to Heaven or Hell Now
These verses explain that the righteous have not yet ascended to heaven and await resurrection:
- John 3:13
"No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man..." - Acts 2:29, 34 (Peter speaking of David)
"David... is both dead and buried..."
"For David did not ascend into the heavens..." - 1 Corinthians 15:20–23
"...Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming."
Resurrection happens at Christ’s return, not at death. - 2 Timothy 4:8
"There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness... at that Day..."
Paul expected his reward at the future day of Christ's appearing.
🔹 Final Judgment Is Future
The Bible teaches judgment comes at the end—not immediately after death:
- Hebrews 9:27
"It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." - Revelation 20:12–13
"...the dead were judged according to their works..."
"...the sea gave up the dead... and they were judged..."
(This is after the resurrection.)
Summary of the Biblical View:
- Death = Sleep until the resurrection.
- The soul is mortal and can die.
- No one is in heaven or hell now—only at the resurrection.
- Rewards and punishments are given at Christ’s return and the final judgment.
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| Me and my son Sterling |
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