Originally posted by josephw
So you believe in soul sleep? You may be right, but the verse from psalm 6 was written prior to Christ. Whether we are conscious after death until the return of Christ or not, when we die we go to be with the Lord. Where else would we go? Is there some other place?
I'm not trying to debate this with you. I'm only trying to be clear.
I'm not sure we go anywhere. Remember God restoring the "bones" in the OT?...He can restore us anytime, regardless of when we die, or what remains are left if any. My problem with death after life(which I do not believe is biblical) is that it leads to Spiritualism.ie. seances, communicating with the dead, and so on. I believe Satan has introduced alot of erroneus teaching for this very purpose.
Why does the bible say "the dead in Christ" will be raised first? Then, we which are alive and remain? What would be the purpose if I am already there?
Eccl 9:10
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.
(NKJ)
and again...
Ps 6:5
5 For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?
(NKJ)
Surely, if I died and were in the presence of the Lord, would not I be giving thanks? In death there is no remembrance?...
I believe the bible teaches in death there is no consciencesness. When I turn off the light switch, where does the electricity go? Or the light?
Ezek 37:4-13
4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
(KJV)
I am not debating you either, I just need someone to explain my findings if I am wrong...but I find this very interesting, especially when one considers that Satan is the father of lies and his aim is to destroy God's words and His people. God said on the day you eat of.....you will die....Satan says you will live....