Are the saved who have died in heaven?

[Guest shiloh357]

The Scripture indicates that the saved are asleep on in Paradise awaiting the eternal reward - entrance into heaven

There is a conclusion drawn that is erroneous when scriptures talk about those who "have fallen sleep". That is merely the terminology used for death and dying. To the common man of ancient times, death resembled sleep physically, and so the language pervaded scripture, but make no mistake, we do not sleep! We simply move in the spirit from one plane of existence to the other.

alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall 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 shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the

Then explain:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may 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 Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

NASB

Have you been left behind? (Sorry, it's an attempt at humor.)

Sleep is just a metaphor for physical death. It does not mean that the spirit of a deceased person is asleep.

[eis]

The Scripture indicates that the saved are asleep on in Paradise awaiting the eternal reward - entrance into heaven

There is a conclusion drawn that is erroneous when scriptures talk about those who "have fallen sleep". That is merely the terminology used for death and dying. To the common man of ancient times, death resembled sleep physically, and so the language pervaded scripture, but make no mistake, we do not sleep! We simply move in the spirit from one plane of existence to the other.

Then explain:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may 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, shall 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 shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

NASB

Have you been left behind? (Sorry, it's an attempt at humor.)

I did explain. "Asleep" means physically dead! That scripture is describing what happens at the Rapture, where all the dead in Christ will receive their new bodies and those still alive on the Earth will change.

There is no such thing as soul sleep!

Hmmmm.

[Guest shiloh357]

My question is, ARE the dead in Christ in heaven?

Yes, and they are more alive now than we are.

I ask because it seems to me that it would make no sense for the saved who have died to be in heaven already, since there has been no judgment.

That is not entirely true.

When I got saved, I passed from judgment into life. I have eternal life now because I have already trusted Christ and judged righteous by God. I am not awaiting judgment where my soul eternal destiny is concerned. I am saved, sealed and secure. I don't have to wonder about eternity.

I will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, but that is for the purpose of determining reward. It has nothing to do with determining salvation. That has already occurred.

[eis]

There is no such thing as soul sleep!

How do you know?

[Guest man]

Daniel 12

1

[Floatingaxe]

There is no such thing as soul sleep!

How do you know?

The full body of Scripture denies it. When I die, I see Jesus immediately.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

[eis]

There is no such thing as soul sleep!

How do you know?

The full body of Scripture denies it. When I die, I see Jesus immediately.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

It doesn't say immediately.

[Floatingaxe]

There is no such thing as soul sleep!

How do you know?

The full body of Scripture denies it. When I die, I see Jesus immediately.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

It doesn't say immediately.

It is immediate. There is no detour. 2 Corinthians 5:8 doesn't say, "When we are away from our earthly bodies we hang around and take a dirt nap."

[eis]

There is no such thing as soul sleep!

How do you know?

The full body of Scripture denies it. When I die, I see Jesus immediately.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

It doesn't say immediately.

It is immediate. There is no detour. 2 Corinthians 5:8 doesn't say, "When we are away from our earthly bodies we hang around and take a dirt nap."

Funny!

[eis]

Thinking, thinking.... So it's the silence of the Scripture that tells us what we need to know, not what it says. It's like baptism doesn't have anything to do with water unless it specifically says baptism in water. Otherwise its baptism in anything one wants to imply, right?