There has been great debate on the status of the dead. When we read things like the following it gives us the impression that they are alive with God in Heaven. However, I want you to consider some other scriptures.
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. Luke 20:38
Comparing the Creation of the World
We read here that He knew us before He even started creating the world.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Ephesians 1:4
Before We Were Born
Is it true that God knows us before we are even born?
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. Psalms 139:13
Before Birth, After Death
When we speak of death we are only speaking of something that humans can see and observe. Scientifically, they are dead. However, we know the truth, and the truth is that they are indeed alive in suspended animation in the sight of God Almighty.
ADE & NDE
Many people report Near Death experiences and After death experiences. What are they, what is their essence and how can we explain this? When you are removed from this place in death, you travel far from it. You are then placed in suspended animation in the sight of God until the Appointed Time. When the Apostles spoke of the release of this human body to be with Christ they knew that they would be in suspended animation until the Appointed Time of their resurrection.
When Does The Resurrection Occur
The next question on everyone's mind is when will this resurrection occur and has it occurred already? Lets consider please the story of the resurrection of Lazareth. He was in the tomb for 4 days. Now think of that, where was he for 4 days? He of course was in that suspended animation in Heaven, the same place you are before you are born. Then when the LORD called him out of the tomb, Lazareth's body was first restored and then he was put back into that body.
Before Lazareth's Resurrected
The most interesting part of this whole story was what happened before the resurrection. By this story we can see where our dead are located.
Suspended Animation
Notice here Jesus is trying to communicate in human terms the state of Lazareth's existence.
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 1:11
However, you can tell by their response they are just not getting it. Furthermore, they do not want to go back to Judea because there were people there trying to kill them.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. John 11:12,13
This is so very important for you to understand what this suspended animation is. It is like a sleep, we know what this is. People have been exploring space travel long distances but intend on freezing the passengers in suspended animation and then unfreezing them when they get to their destination. Death is no different, so Jesus told them plainly in their human terms.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. John 11:14,15
Jesus is showing you what this suspended animation is. It is not a state of non-existence, they indeed do exist in this suspended animation. Keep in mind that after Lazareth's resurrection they all knew who he was. He was the exact same person that died. Even his sisters recognized him and fed him. Isn't this wonderful?
What About Other Bible Verses
There are many people out there that want to argue about Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Take a look at that, make sure you understand the first part. All souls are whos? God's of course. The soul dies here on earth, but exists in suspended animation in Heaven in God's sight.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Ecclesiastes 9:5
No doubt a person who is convinced that they are right that the dead are non-existent will bring up this scripture. However, someone in suspended animation does not know anything either. The longer they are there the memory of them will be forgotten. They will not have a reward in suspended animation because they do not work there. NO where in the Bible does it say that they dead do not exist. In fact it says quite the opposite.
When Will The Dead Rise?
So now, for the most important question on your mind, when will the dead rise? Well we have the answer to that question and there is no doubt about it. It was common knowledge.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. John 11 21:24
So here is the answer to your question, your dead loved ones will rise on the last day. Jesus Christ will call them from their suspended animation into newly formed bodies. The righteous will be resurrected on the Last Day and the unrighteous will be resurrected at the end of the Thousand years. Let's get more specific as to when they rise.
16 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:
17 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. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17
Notice it says the "Dead in Christ" shall rise first then we the living Christians will be taken, changed in a moment to meet the LORD and our brothers in the air. What about the rest of Israel, what about other good people that did not know Christ? What about the the people who lived in the middle of jungles or people who have not heard the Word of God in this last day like North Korea and other places? What about babies that die? We will discuss that in upcoming posts.
Spirits
In our next post we will discuss the arguments of people seeing their dead loved ones. We will explore this topic in great detail so that you may know how to answer these people that make this claim.
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