All,
It seems we have some that agree with soul sleep and some that agree with me that we are conscious after death of the body. As they say, the proof is in the pudding.............
Most beleivers in soul sleep have appealed to OT scriptures and by them alone, it seems that soul sleep is the truth. What is failed in that premise is that revelation of truth is progressive. Even though some theme might be stated, does not mean it is the final word on the theme. All scripture must agree to form any doctrine in my opinion.
But some things in the OT are stated ACCORDING TO THE KNOWLEDGE given to the speaker.
Hear Peter................
1 Peter 1:9
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
KJV
The OT prophets spoke as they were moved by the HS but did not understand all they spoke. Why? Because Christ had not come to propclaim the Gospel which moved us from the letter of the law to the spirit of it.
Hear Paul..............
2 Tim 1:10
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
KJV
This is at the first advent and note the change and the new term, not in the OT........"immortality"
The Gospel enlightened the things "hidden in the OT. So to appeal only to the OT about the state of the soul after death is moot in my opinion.
We need to see what is taught in the NT which is the fulfillment of the OT. As I have perused the replies, I have seen many OT texts as if they were the end of the matter, but none have expounded on the NT texts that seemingly say the soul lives after death of the body.
So to resolve this lack imo, please give me your exposition of one text at a time.....................
Here is the first..............
Lk 16:19-31......................about Lazarus the beggar, not the same as Martha's and Mary's brother.
Tell me not only what the parable teaches, but why it was even spoken by Jesus if the soul does not live on after then body dies???
I appeciate all who reply out of a sincere search for truth no matter what others, ECF or modern day scholars teach. What is your personal exposition on this text???
Thx,
Frankie