Paul and Soul Sleep

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Homer
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Paul and Soul Sleep

Post by Homer » Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:16 pm

I have long believed that soul of a Christian goes to be with the Lord at death; I have not believed the "soul sleep" teaching. But I was recently puzzled by Paul's statement, particularly what he did not say, in 1 Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NASB)

13. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

It appears that some that Paul wrote to were concerned that their loved ones who had died before Christ's return would miss out on the resurrection. Paul assures them that those who died in Christ would rise and be first to meet the Lord. Why wouldn't he have assured them that those who had died in Christ were already with the Lord?

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TK
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Location: North Carolina

Re: Paul and Soul Sleep

Post by TK » Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:39 am

Good question, especially in light of this phrase:

"so we shall always be with the Lord."

It sounds like this always being with the Lord does not begin until the resurrection, rather than death.

Timios
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Re: Paul and Soul Sleep

Post by Timios » Fri Mar 24, 2017 11:30 am

Homer wrote:It appears that some that Paul wrote to were concerned that their loved ones who had died before Christ's return would miss out on the resurrection. Paul assures them that those who died in Christ would rise and be first to meet the Lord. Why wouldn't he have assured them that those who had died in Christ were already with the Lord?
Perhaps because they weren't with the Lord, and wouldn't be until the Lord raised them from the dead.

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