The Dead are Merely Sleeping

When Christ descends from heaven with a shout, He will begin by summoning to Himself “those who are asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:15). Paul’s terminology is New Testament language for identifying Christians who have died. It’s interesting that Bible writers never use the words sleep or asleep to describe the death of an unbeliever, but they use them often to describe the death of a believer.

Though death is an event many fear, the faithful have no need to fear the end of life—for their time between death and the Rapture is merely a peaceful slumber. The dead in Christ will be awakened and resurrected at the Lord’s return. In fact, they will join Christ before the living!

Some people wish for immortality—to live in their bodies forever and ever. But such a desire is not in alignment with the Christian’s understanding of life and death. If we don’t die, we’ll have to live in our old, failing, fallible, sickly, weary bodies throughout eternity, just getting weaker and weaker. Anyone who wants to do this is thinking like a foolish person. How much better to let our bodies sleep awhile, then awaken in resurrection glory for eternal life!

Reflect

How should a Christian think about life after death? What is comforting about the idea of being “asleep” in Christ?

Pray

Lord, give me peace of mind knowing that I will rest in death as I await the Rapture of Christ. Thank You for the consoling promise of His return.