Topical Bible: Natural Death is Described as a Sleep

Bible > Topical > Natural Death is Described as a Sleep

◄ Natural Death is Described as a Sleep ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Scriptures, the concept of death is often metaphorically described as "sleep." This metaphor is used to convey the temporary nature of death for believers, emphasizing the hope of resurrection and eternal life. The imagery of sleep suggests rest and peace, contrasting with the finality and despair often associated with death.

Old Testament References

The metaphor of sleep in relation to death is present in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 31:16, the LORD tells Moses, "You are about to rest with your fathers," indicating that Moses would die and join his ancestors in death, described as a restful state. Similarly, in 2 Samuel 7:12, God promises David, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you," again using the language of rest to describe death.

Job also reflects this understanding in Job 14:12, where he states, "So man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep." Here, Job acknowledges the finality of death in human terms, yet the use of "sleep" implies an eventual awakening.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues this metaphor, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul. In the account of Lazarus, Jesus tells His disciples, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up" (John 11:11). Jesus uses "sleep" to describe Lazarus's death, indicating His power to resurrect him, which He subsequently does.

The Apostle Paul frequently employs this metaphor. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, Paul writes, "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." Here, Paul reassures believers that those who have died in Christ are merely asleep and will be resurrected at His return.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Paul further elaborates, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." The use of "sleep" underscores the temporary state of death for believers, who will be transformed at the resurrection.

Theological Implications

The metaphor of sleep for death carries significant theological implications. It reflects the Christian hope in the resurrection and the belief that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life. This understanding provides comfort and assurance to believers, affirming that death is a temporary state before the promised resurrection through Jesus Christ.

The use of sleep as a metaphor for death also emphasizes the peace and rest that believers experience in death, free from the struggles and pains of earthly life. It aligns with the biblical promise of eternal rest and joy in the presence of God, as described in Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."

In summary, the biblical depiction of natural death as sleep serves to highlight the hope and assurance of resurrection, offering comfort to believers in the face of mortality.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 31:16
And the LORD said to Moses, Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, where they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 11:11
These things said he: and after that he said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... need for going to Lazarus, since sleep was, according ... discussed the question of burial,
and described the committal ... those who had died a natural death, and the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

Remaining and Falling Asleep
... the cause why their life could be described as a ... are fallen asleep.' Now that most
natural and obvious ... The Christian reason for calling death a sleep embraces ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/remaining and falling asleep.htm

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and ...
... Once more, the miracle is described as having taken ... Conqueror, in His accidental
meeting with Death, with mighty ... Both happened in the natural course of natural ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xx the raising of.htm

Letter cclxi. To the Sozopolitans.
... that He took our flesh with its natural afflictions, but ... receive back the flesh neither
liable to death nor subject ... n. 8, in which the Son is described as apo ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclxi to the sozopolitans.htm

The Christian Described
... THE CHRISTIAN DESCRIBED. ... to be visited by them is when thy life is smitten down as
it were to the dust of death, even when all natural infirmities break in ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Proposition Though the Necessity and Indispensableness of all the ...
... This cannot be better described than in the words ... into captivity to the law of sin
and death. ... very fit, that, notwithstanding the natural demonstrableness both ...
/.../v proposition v though the.htm

Essay
... And the eminence of man is thus described Job 35:11 ... an extasy, during the time of
his deep sleep, shewing him ... in taking it in the sense of natural death only, or ...
/.../an essay on the mosaic account of the creation and fall of man/essay.htm

Of the Prayer of Recollection which God Generally Gives the Soul ...
... advanced stage of what I have described; they think ... As the natural is combined with
the supernatural, the ... ourselves to the life, passion, and death of Jesus ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iii of the prayer.htm

The Favourable Testimonies of More Recent Divines
... nature after the manner which is described in this ... which works in carnal and natural
men, speaking ... but righteousness, nor be obnoxious to death, but challenged ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/v the favourable testimonies of.htm

Letter Lxxv. To Theodora.
... For their end is not called death but a slumber and a ... heaven, there is no taking
away of a natural and real ... 2288] The growth of this heresy is described for us ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxv to theodora.htm