With a minimum of research and maximum of common sense, one can easily prove the doctrine of ‘soul sleep’ is false, having no shred of credibility.
According to the American Sleep Association, under the heading, How Important is Sleep?, “Sleep is needed so everything in your body and mind can work correctly. Without it, or the continuous lack of, you may be flirting with death.” It then lists the 5 critical areas of human life which require sufficient, sound sleep: the brain, the heart, body weight, life length and the immune system.
The Soul is Not the Body
The body is that which dies. It turns to dust, returning to the earth, from whence it came. The soul/spirit returns to God, who created it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7). It does not return to God dead.
Without holding a degree from medical school or seminary, it is possible to differentiate the needs of the body versus the needs of the soul.
Human beings need air, food, water and sleep to survive. In fact, it is not uncommon for captors to torture their captives through sleep deprivation. The CIA used this technique in Guantanamo Bay, calling it ‘enhanced interrogation,’ or more specifically, ‘sound disorientation.’ The concept required Western-culture music blaring 24/7. The two most frequent music choices were Metal and Country. To switch things up a bit, the theme song from ‘Barney’ was occasionally thrown into the mix:
I love you. You love me. We’re a happy family. With a great big hug, and a kiss from me to you. Won’t you say you love me too?
One night of this and the present writer would tell you everything you did and did not want to know.
The Soul is Quite Different From the Body
Since Heaven is above our atmosphere, the Angels, who are spirit beings, do not need air to survive. Neither does God, who is Spirit. Neither do the souls/spirits of our departed Christian brethren in Heaven.
Jesus recognized the human soul’s need for food and water when He preached, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. The Lord our righteousness gives us the bread of life and rivers of living waters.
Jesus Warned of Spiritual Sleep
Spiritual sleep is opposed to bodily sleep. Bodily sleep is necessary for our bodies to function at peak performance when awake. However, spiritual sleep describes those whose spiritual life is dormant, inactive, and unconscious.
Bodily sleep is a state of unconsciousness whereby the sleeper is unaware of that which is going on around him.
The spiritual sleeper is one who professes Christ, yet has little to zero spiritual life and discernment. He knows not what is happening spiritually around him.
Two Kinds of Sleep – Both Figurative
13 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.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 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 them which are asleep.
Jesus uses the metaphor of sleep to describe the state of deceased Christians. He is speaking of the awakening of their bodies which is called the resurrection at the last day. Physically, to our eyes, deceased humans give the appearance of being in a deep sleep. That which we see in the casket is the body minus the soul/spirit. One day our souls/spirits will reunite with new, flawless bodies resulting in an eternally perfect life which is physical, as well as spiritual.
On the other hand, there are those who are in a constant state of spiritual sleep, though they are actively awake in a physical sense. Jesus speaks of liars who claim to be Christians.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Watchfulness requires alertness in the Spirit. The evil servant portrayed n Matthew 24:43 ff. was not watchful. Rather he is engaged in the excesses of the world, having no desire for that of the Spirit, though he claimed to be active in the service of the Lord.
The watchful Christian is ever cognizant of that which veers from biblical teachings and lifestyle. From such he/she avoids like the plague, and when necessary exposes the works of darkness for what they really are.
Pure doctrinal truth begets spiritual sobriety, while perverse lies which negate the purity of biblical truth beget spiritual drunkenness.
Conclusion: Upon death the soul/spirit of the Christian does not sleep. Belief in ‘soul sleep’ is grounded in a false theory.
The soul does not require sleep. Nor will it ever require sleep. Furthermore, it cannot sleep. The human body, however, does require sleep. The soul and body have essential differences. The ability to sleep, as well as the need for sleep, is one of them.
Rest is Not Sleep
Rather than sleep, the Bible emphasizes the soul’s rest, which is far different than unconsciousness. Upon conversion to Christ we experience ‘rest’ (Matthew 11:28). By ‘rest’ we are to understand peace with God, forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life in the presence of the Lord.
This eternal rest in Heaven is exemplified in Rev. 4:6 & 15:2: the sea of glass. The true Christians are standing on a peacefully, smooth and still sea which is before the throne of God, while false Christians are described by Jude as raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame.
NEXT: Part 2 – Biblical Proof the Souls of both the Saved and Unsaved are Awake, Though Their Bodies are Dead.
Click on links below to continue the essay. Use your Back button to return to this page.