The souls/spirits of these people are not in the graves with their dead bodies; theyre in heaven with the Lord. These people are not unconscious; theyre talking with the Lord. These people had not previously been unconscious; they were very much aware of how long they had been waiting thus far, and they were wondering how much longer they were going to have to wait. They are told to rest until the martyrdom of their fellow servants is completed. This word rest is rendered from the Greek word transliterated anapauo (click hear). Neither sleep nor unconsciousness is one of its definitions. Of its thirteen uses, only two are associated with sleep, where Christ says to His disciples, Sleep on now, and take your rest In these two instances, rest is something that accompanies sleep; it is not sleep itself, otherwise these two passages would say, Sleep on now, and take your [sleep] , which would be redundant. In the other eleven uses of this word, there is no association with sleep. It merely means to rest or to relax. In the fifth seal, the souls/spirits of the dead in Christ were getting impatient, and the Lord told them to rest, or to relax, because the appointed time would not come for some time. Thus, there is no evidence that the souls/spirits of the dead are unconscious in Revelation 6:9-11.And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Whereas Ephesians 1:7 speaks of the redemption of the soul/spirit, Ephesians 1:14 speaks of the redemption of the body. Our souls/spirits have redemption now, whereas our bodies will have redemption at the coming of the Lord. As Paul says in Romans 8:23, we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. To dismiss either Ephesians 1:7 or Ephesians 1:14 because of what the other says is to misunderstand both verses.Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have REDEMPTION through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace 1:13 ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 1:14 which is the earnest of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
What we already have applies to the soul/spirit. What we await applies to the body.WE ALREADY HAVE SALVATION
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION.
Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall SALVATION is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of SALVATION.)
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to SALVATION not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your SALVATION: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Philippians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of SALVATION, and that of God.
Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany SALVATION, though we thus speak.
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is SALVATION; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
WE ARE ALREADY SAVED
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are SAVED it is the power of God.
2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are SAVED, and in them that perish:
Ephesians 2:15 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are SAVED
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath SAVED us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he SAVED us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
WE ALREADY HAVE REDEMPTION
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the REDEMPTION that is in Christ Jesus:
1 Corintians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and REDEMPTION:
Ephesians 1:17 In whom we have REDEMPTION through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have REDEMPTION through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
WE ARE ALREADY REDEEMED
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath REDEEMED us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not REDEEMED with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
WE SHALL HAVE SALVATION AT THE COMING OF THE LORD
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our SALVATION nearer than when we believed
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto SALVATION.
1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto SALVATION ready to be revealed in the last time.
WE SHALL HAVE REDEMPTION AT THE COMING OF THE LORD
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your REDEMPTION draweth nigh.
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the REDEMPTION of our body.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of REDEMPTION.
Verses 5:1-4 discuss what we await: the redemption of the body. Verses 5:5-8 discuss what we already have: the redemption of the soul/spirit. What we await in verses 5:1-4 does not in anyway contradict or interfere with what we already have in verses 5:5-8, which is this: (1) We have the earnest (the down-payment) of the Spirit. (2) If we die, our souls/spirits become absent from our mortal bodies and present with the Lord, which is actually preferable to remaining physically alive.2 Corintians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul is no longer running the race and reaching for the prize; he has finished his course and is confident he will receive the prize (a crown of righteousness). His ministry is over. He has kept the faith, and his departure to be with Christ is at hand; it would not be much longer until he would be martyred.57 AD (Chronological Bible)
1 Corinthians 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
63 AD (Chronological Bible)
Philippians 1:21 For to me TO LIVE IS CHRIST, and TO DIE IS GAIN. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, HAVING A DESIRE TO DEPART, AND TO BE WITH CHRIST; WHICH IS FAR BETTER [for Paul]: 24 Nevertheless TO ABIDE [to continue] IN THE FLESH [in the body] IS MORE NEEDFUL FOR YOU [for the Philippians and the rest of the churches]. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
65 AD (Chronological Bible)
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
67 AD (Chronological Bible)
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of MY DEPARTURE IS AT HAND. 7 I have fought a good fight, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH: 8 HENCEFORTH THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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