J05 I dunno. Looks dead, to me.

I Thessalonians 4:13-14: "But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep."

Augustine: (1) "In the Gospel it is written, 'And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slept' (Matt 25). If we understand that sleep as caused by the delay of the last judgement, to which Christ is to come to judge, and the fact that because iniquity has abounded, the charity of many grows cold, how shall we put the wise virgins there [i.e., asleep - ed.] when they are rather of those of whom it is said, 'But he that perseveres to the end shall be saved?' It says, 'they all slept,' because it is not only the foolish who do their good works for the sake of human praise, but also the wise who do them that God may be glorified, who experience that death. Both kinds die. And death is often spoken of in scripture as sleep, as the resurrection is called an awakening."

Reflection: Let us not be confused about our eternal life, the second death, and the nature of the victory we have over death. The believer does not escape physical death -- this is obvious --but it must be emphasized. "BOTH Die" says Augustine -- the believer and the unbeliever. But the soul of both lives on beyond physical death -- in the believer, the soul has become eternal. In the unbeliever, the soul will die -- "the second death" -- but only after facing the judge.

When we are born again, baptized, when the Holy Spirit "moves in" to us, we actually have two distinct lives. Yes, "all is made new" but the old man is still there (like a millstone!). Our new man lives in the Kingdom of God. That they are in conflict is eloquently described in Romans 7. My earthly body is certainly not already "seated with Him in the Heavenly places," but, outside the linearity of time-space, my soul IS. On the Great Day of Resurrection, the physical fragments of this earth body will be re-made and I will have a transfigured body. The details are a mystery, but the bottom line is certain.

Sleep is a time when we lose consciousness, possibly dream, and awaken to a new day. It is a blessing to sleep, to rest. Like many others, this writer has insomnia. It feels cursed to be aware, awake, tired, weary to tears, yet unable to sleep. How merciful is my Saviour, letting my eternal consciousness be asleep during the dissolution of my physical body, until the day of Awakening. Praise Him!

My prayer today: Thank you, Lord, for the promise of a new body and especially for the promise of a new heart! Which will be the greater relief for me -- the healing of my physical infirmities, or the purified heart?

NOTE: This writer inclines toward the view of Hell as a place of eternal damnation for fallen angels, but of limited duration for unbelievers -- sometimes referred to as the "Terminal Punishment" view of Hell. (I could certainly be wrong. There is ample scripture to support either view...)

(1) "Letters 140.32.76," Ancient Christian Commentary, NT IX, IVP, Gordray, Ed

11/16/18, 9/21/24