XPost: alt.slack, alt.religion
From: usenet@christrose.news
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Wed, 31 Dec 2025 17:07:39 -0500
Watchtower Heretic James wrote:
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> You see, the Bible says the dead are not
> conscious. (Jesus calls them "sleeping". (John 11:11))
LIES
Jesus used “sleep” as a metaphor for the body in death, not as a
statement about non-existence or unconsciousness of the person.
Scripture itself defines how that language functions.
John 11:11–14 clarifies the metaphor. “After saying these things, he
said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken
him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will
recover.’ Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he
meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has
died.’” (John 11:11–14, ESV)
Sleep describes the appearance of the body and the certainty of
awakening, not the state of the soul. Scripture repeatedly distinguishes
the body from the conscious person.
Jesus taught conscious existence after bodily death. “Do not fear those
who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can
destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” (Matthew 10:28, ESV) Men can
kill the body. They cannot end the soul. That requires God’s judgment
after death.
Jesus denied that death equals non-existence. “I am the God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not God of the dead,
but of the living.” (Matthew 22:32, ESV) Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived
centuries after their deaths.
Jesus taught conscious fellowship immediately after death. “Truly, I say
to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43, ESV) The
promise concerned that very day, not a distant awakening after
non-existence.
Jesus described conscious awareness after death in Luke 16:19–31. The
rich man spoke, remembered, reasoned, felt anguish, and recognized
others after death. This passage teaches continuity of personal
consciousness beyond bodily death.
The apostles taught the same. “We would rather be away from the body and
at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV) Absence from the body
does not equal unconsciousness. It equals presence with the Lord.
Paul expected conscious communion after death. “My desire is to depart
and be with Christ, for that is far better.” (Philippians 1:23, ESV)
Non-existence cannot be described as “far better.”
Sleep language appears because the body rests in the grave awaiting
resurrection. The person does not cease. Scripture never teaches degrees
of non-existence. That is why Jesus said of Judas, “It would have been
better for that man if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24, ESV)
Non-existence cannot be worse than non-existence.
The Bible does not teach that the dead lack consciousness. It teaches
bodily death, continued personal existence, and future bodily
resurrection through Christ, who conquered death by His own resurrection
(1 Corinthians 15:1–4, ESV).
--
Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (†), and God
raised Him from the dead?
That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death
penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death
satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John
2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your
sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.
On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on
the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).
https://christrose.news/salvation
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--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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