In Defense of the Faith

The Sleep of Death

During this sleep of the dead there is no consciousness of mind or spirit. This is clearly set forth in the following scriptures: DOF 240.4

“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goes forth, he returns to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalm 146:3, 4. DOF 241.1

“In death there is no remembrance of Thee: in the grave who shall give Thee thanks?” Psalm 6:5, DOF 241.2

“The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” Psalm 115:17. DOF 241.3

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6. DOF 241.4

“But man dies, and wastes away: yea, man gives up the ghost, and where is he?” “His sons come to honor, and he knows it not; and they are brought low, but he perceives it not of them.” Job 14:10, 21. DOF 241.5

It is from this unconscious state that man is called forth when Jesus comes the second time to gather His saints into His kingdom. They heed not the lapse of time. A thousand years in the grave will seem but as an instant when the dead are raised to life again. Nor will the living have any advantage over’ them at the time of Christ’s coming: DOF 241.6

“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. 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: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. DOF 241.7

“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice.” John 5:28. DOF 242.1

“Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isaiah 26:19. DOF 242.2